Manual, automatic, short bed, long bed, dentside, bumpside, Flareside, Styleside, I’ve been everywhere, man, I’ve been everywhere, man, across the deserts bare, man, I’ve breathed the mountain air, man, of travel I’ve had my share, man, I’ve been everywhere. Try getting that song out of your head now. Most pickups have their own nicknames and other ways of describing their features, and this 1977 Ford F-100 Flareside Short-Bed has a few. It’s listed here on eBay in Petaluma, California, and the current bid is $4,938, but the reserve hasn’t been met yet.
The paint fade (otherwise known as patina) gives this short-bed a nice look, but it would sure look nice redone in its original Copper Metallic paint again. The wheels look pretty cool, even if I normally like a more factory look, which would be a bit smaller. I get why people modify their vehicles, though. I did the same thing before I discovered that I like them the way they came from the factory much better. Here is a 1977 Ford brochure to check out.
The plywood bed liner is interesting, but it has to be nice for protecting the bed and maybe protecting whatever it is you’re hauling. 1977 was almost five decades ago, and that chain-fastened tailgate and soon-to-be-bent-and/or-broken tail lights sticking out sure make this truck look like it’s from the 1930s rather than the 70s to me. Can you imagine anyone living with that today? Now they have steps and power opening, and who knows what else built into tailgates.
There have been a few modifications inside as you can see. The plain brown wrapper (vinyl seat cover) isn’t what would have been there from the factory, even on the base Custom trim, which this one is. I’m not sure why a nicer vinyl or fabric wasn’t used, but maybe the seller or a previous owner liked this one for ease of cleaning. The steering wheel will catch your eye, as will the Hurst floor shifter for the 3-speed manual transmission. It was originally a column shift, which I would prefer, but I wouldn’t go through the effort to change it back now. I believe 1978 was the last year for an American vehicle maker to offer a 3-speed with a column shift, on the ’78 Ford Fairmont (although some say the ’77 Maverick/Comet was the last), or the ’78 Chevrolet Nova – or possibly the replacement 1979 Olds Omega/Pontiac Phoenix. At least according to AutoWeek.
The engine is Ford’s 302-cu.in. OHV V8, which by 1977 had 130 horsepower, and power is sent through the 3-speed manual to the rear wheels on this Flareside. The seller says it runs well and has new tires on the vintage mag wheels. Would you repaint this Flareside and put the shifter back on the column, or just maintain it and drive it as it is now?
Great memories here SG. If you asked me for my all-time favorite truck, this is it– 1977 Ford base trim short wheelbase Flareside 302 three-speed. Mine was dark green. It was only a few months old when it was assigned to me as part of a summer job working the oil fields. I took good care of it– I even washed it. One of those “all was right with the world” times for me.
This one looks good. Silly as it sounds, I’d prefer it back to a three-on-the-tree, with the mundane stock steering wheel.
Thanks SG.
Thanks, Bob. I love hearing memories here; hopefully, that doesn’t go away anytime soon. I agree about everything, regarding bringing this one back to a more stock condition. I’d go with smaller tires as well.
1st vehicle I bought brand new. 1977 F-100 with a 302, 3-on-the-tree and the short stepside box. I ordered mine from a small Ford dealer and got the best deal around. Mine was black with a red interior, I got the optional knitted vinyl seat, power steering and a cig. lighter. I put my own sound system in it. 4300 bucks out the door and he gave me 2300 for ’73 Caprice. Everybody that borrowed my truck said the box was too small. I was 19yrs. old and told a few borrowers what to do with their opinion.