We never get tired of seeing clean Ford F-150 Lightning pickups come up for sale, especially since so many of them seem to rack up impressive mileage for what would otherwise be considered a collector’s vehicle. This 1995 F-150 Lightning has 274,000 miles on the clock and still looks quite good considering, and while the seller doesn’t give us much information to go on, the photos seem to reveal a truck with minor cosmetic flaws and in apparently stock condition. The SVT-built Lightning pickup is listed here on craigslist in North Carolina for $22,500, which seems like a slightly ambitious ask that that kind of mileage.
There’s part of me that seriously wonders if the seller meant to write 74,000 in the description because unless it’s been repainted, I doubt any driver-grade vehicle could still look this good with close to 300K on the clock. As you’ll see, the interior is also quite nice, and better than you might expect. The truck doesn’t appear to have any of the typical modifications for a Lightning, as the exhaust appears to remain unaltered and the wheels and tires are standard as well. The painted bumpers are in great shape, and the color-matched tonneau cover is a minor alteration from stock that I certainly see as an enhancement. As far as detriments go, the alignment of the front bumper is off and the headlights are cloudy, a possible indication the miles are indeed on the high side.
See what I mean about the seats? I doubt they’ve been re-done, and that’s just too good for 300K. The door jamb paint looks quite nice too, certainly good enough for 74,000 miles. Whatever the story may be, there’s no denying the owner has looked after this limited-production performance truck. In an era wherein Ford and Dodge are building pickup trucks with absolutely staggering performance – and now even an all-electric challenger in the form of Rivian has appeared – I still prefer the old-school performance models, even if the drag strip times pale in comparison. The Chevy SS and GMC Typhoon/Syclone were all a part of this freshman class of performance pickups, and they all remain desirable today. Will the F150 Raptor be a colletor’s item in 25 years?
Now, the engine bay is where we get a dose of reality as this does, in fact, look like an engine with close to 300K on it. In fact, it’s a bit of a shock considering how nice the rest of the truck is. I wouldn’t write it off on account of this, but it does make you curious as to why the exterior and cockpit are clearly detailed to a high level but the engine bay remains untouched. Regardless, if you can get this Lightning with a bit of a discount factored in and get it shined up under the hood, it will likely present even better than it does here. Taking it all together, I wonder if the most likely scenario is a high-miler with a recent respray. What do you think the story is?
Okay, I give up. What engine is this? I assume it to be a 302, but who knows? Damn if this truck doesn’t look great for 274,000 miles! Bravo to the owner(s).
351
351 Fred w gt40 head i believe.
These must have been pretty snappy. 4.10 posi gear.
Cool trucks.
I had a black 95 Lightning. #454 out of 2200 made. 351 Windsor with GT40 heads and intake. Two fuel tanks. 17” wheels (was big back then) Lackluster sound system for a performance truck. They were faster than the Mustang GT of that year. Sold mine for around $14,000 in 1998 to free up cash for a house we were building.
Some people (not me) can drive a vehicle this many miles and still look this good. Also not in desert or rust belt. Have to remember that photos always look better than the actual. Whatever the miles it is a nice truck.
I had a red 93 it was all business
Yes it was repainted. Between grill and bumper. Black rubber piece is painted. I work at a Ford dealership in the 90s painting. Still a nice truck.
Located in Henrico, NC
It is a clean, on the outside, Lightning. It is a shame that time was not taken to clean anddetail the engine compartment. I have a White 1994 with 104,000 miles that has the tube bumper. I now realize that I have to increase my insured value if the asking price for this one is $22,500 ! I drive mine less than 400 miles, if that, a year so I guess I should ask $30,000 for mine if I were to sell it. . After seeing this one I definitely will contact SVT or Ford Performance Group for the production certification for mine.
Nice looking Lightning! I’m not seeing 300k on this, must be a typo, years of a very long daily commute or km’s lol. The engine bay looks fairly clean even though it’s not detailed. Detailing an engine bay on this era F-150 351 is difficult because of all the emissions components and the design of the plenum. If you look at any of those plastic vacuum lines wrong, they break and creates a big headache! Best not to touch anything under the hood unless you have to. GLWTS
Since I do not drive my 94 Lightning often, but do enter it in shows from time to time, I clean and detail the engine compartment by hand at least once a year and find it relatively easy.
I can vouch for the 351w reliability and durability. The 1st Gen Ls are coming into their own now.
As for the Lightning, Gen1+2 Raptors being collectable, its a numbers game that auto manufacturer’s play. Ford builds roughly 500K F150’s per year. I own a 2013 SCAB Gen 1 Raptor. Ford made 13K Raptors in 2013. 2500 SCAB’s and the rest SCREW’s. Or 2.8% of the production run on F150’s were Raptors. 2.3% were SCREW’s,.5% were SCAB’s. The dealer I bought mine at keeps asking if I want to sell it back, they still offer me what I paid for it. I am keeping it till I can’t drive it anymore, then cashing in that lottery ticket! I hope my Raptor looks as good as this Lightning at that age! I hope you get every penny your asking for.
I purchased this truck March 8. The guy I got it from bought it in 96. It’s all stock down to the radio and exhaust. Had all the original paperwork and documents. I found it on marketplace and been watching it for over 7 weeks. I finally called him and 2 days later I was on the way back home with it. It was listed for 13K