One of the attractions of owning a former emergency service vehicle is that they are invariably maintained to the highest standard. This approach is a matter of necessity because service personnel must be confident that the vehicle will roar into life the moment they turn the key. That might make this 1967 Ford F-250 4×4 Highboy irresistible to some enthusiasts. It served faithfully on the fire-fighting front line before finding its way to Woodland Hills, California. It is listed here on Craigslist with an asking price of $34,500, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P for spotting it.
This F-250 started life on the front line with the South Ogden, Utah, Fire Department. It is unclear when it left active service, but it continues to present well for an older Pickup. Its Rangoon Red paint shines nicely, although a close inspection reveals minor imperfections and flaws consistent with age. I noted inconsistent paint on the doors, which may have been from remedial work when the Fire Department signwriting was removed. These areas don’t present as well as the rest of the exterior and might benefit from stripping and repainting. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and rust isn’t a concern for the new owner. There is no evidence of problems, and none rate a mention in the seller’s listing. The chrome front bumper is in good order, but the grille guard and rear step bumper would benefit from a refresh. Moving traffic out of the way would be a breeze courtesy of firing up the light bar. The original wheels have made way for larger turbines and bigger tires that should accentuate this Pickup’s off-road capability.
This Ford’s interior is generally tidy for a vehicle of this type and age. It represents motoring at a basic level, so the new owner doesn’t receive such luxuries as a radio or air conditioning. However, the painted surfaces and door trims are in good order. It isn’t perfect because it appears the seatcover has begun splitting. A replacement cover in the correct color and material will lighten the buyer’s wallet by around $400, and a new pad to replace the cracked original adds $530 to the total. That seems like a reasonably significant investment, but the results should be worth the effort and expense. A new owner on a budget might select a slipcover and dash mat as more affordable alternatives, and that approach is valid. Beyond those faults, there are no other issues, problems, or shortcomings.
The seller doesn’t supply any engine shots, but they provide enough information to confuse. The listing indicates the engine bay houses a 360ci V8, which is a problem since this motor didn’t become available until 1968. The included Marti Report lists the powerplant as a 352ci unit that would have produced 208hp and 315 ft/lbs of torque. The power feeds to the road via a four-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case, and combined with the larger wheels and tires, that should make this an accomplished off-roader. The question hanging over the engine also undermines the mileage claim, with the seller indicating this F-250 has a genuine 19,000 miles on the clock. If the drivetrain is numbers-matching, that is an important consideration. If the Pickup has undergone a heart transplant, the figure is less critical. There is no information on how the Ford runs or drives, meaning potential buyers may need to pose questions on the subject to the seller.
The asking price for this 1967 Ford F-250 4×4 Highboy is hardly pocket change, but nor is it unprecedented. Former fire-fighting appliances tend to attract attention due to the lives they have led, and prices beyond $35,000 for an original and unmolested vehicle of this type are common. That makes clarifying the question mark hanging over the engine critical. That will impact its potential value, and if the vehicle has undergone an engine upgrade, it may help explain why it hasn’t sold after twenty-six days on the market. However, if it retains its numbers-matching V8, it could be a Pickup worth pursuing.
I would need a step ladder to get in/out of the cab…
The quickest way for me to tell a 67 from a 68 up was to look at the heater controls. 20 year old me would have liked this truck. 61 year old me thinks this thing would ride like a lumber wagon.
The 61 year old me agrees with you and so does the 20 year old me. Definitely not a smooth-driving, one-hand steering machine in which you can ease down the road while sipping coffee. Wait, where are the cup holders??? Oh, yeah, it doesn’t have any.
Yup. The ride is going to be firm. At age 20 I don’t remember drinking coffee in the car but a bottle of pop could be held with my knees.
And, the ’67 didn’t have clearance reflectors or side markers on the hood like the later models.
Pretty cool F-250. Looks to be in overall good shape. I respect that it retains its fire fighting persona. Though, to me it would be just as cool if it was a regular unadorned F-250. I like the no-nonsense interior with the long shifter. Interesting to see a Marti Report on a work truck, to appreciate the heavy-duty equipment specified when new. Big asking price. Timothy is probably right, expect it to rattle your fillings loose.
I’d steer the route of removing the aging FD gear, bumpers included, smooth those doors and panels, chrome bumpers and perform a nice respray. I like the stance, so would just get a nice new set of off-road chrome rims and drive it. But for about half that asking price.
While it may only have 19K “on the clock”,,,sorry, that’s one of my pet peeves, clocks don’t have odometers, it has 56 years worth of idling which may explain the non-original motor. Brush trucks like this have unGodly gearing, like in the 5s, so any road travel is out. I too would lose the overheads, unless you plan on fighting brush fires in your neighborhood, a very real possibility these here days. The pump was a stout unit, I doubt this truck did any actual fire fighting. Probably used as a water transfer unit for a tanker, and still very useful, but for $35grand? I’m sorry, these folks on the west coast clearly have some kind of disease.
I would go one step further in the speculation department. It looks like it has a modern removable emergency light bar. I would think in ’67 if it was equipped originally with a roof top light it would have been a fixed gumball.
I’m thinking everything has been added after it was sold from the municipality….from letters on the tailgate to the water pumping rig. The interior shows no auxiliary control panel or switching.
Definitiely a cool truck to drive slowly on the freeway :). And yes, HoA out here on the West Coast there is a definitely a disease going around with some sellers ask on vehicles. Aint like it used to be :)
Apparatus…not appliance…lol
Cool truck that’s suffering from an identity crisis. White letter tires and ‘99’s Turbine wheels are totally out of character.
Red emergency lights are illegal for road use. This would be one rough riding bugger! It would be great to have around the ranch for its original purpose- but unless you have money to burn, 🔥 (see what I did there? 🤓) it wouldn’t make sense. My son had a ‘67 F100 4×4 Short box- that was destroyed in a fire. 😢
By the way ‘67s are easy to distinguish. Besides the iconic grill, they have no side marker lights or reflectors, (‘68 has rear only). Also, ‘67s retain classic interior door handles, ‘68 up have the small handles tucked in next to the armrests.
Another great find! GLWTS
I’m pretty sure the light-bar is going to have been replaced in the late 70’s, early 80’s. The 60’s were the era of the, “Gumball.” 34.5K is a lot of money. 💰
35k is a lot of money ?
Right up until you compare it to a rusty truck and the subsequent bill to get the metal anywheres NEAR this level !
WE live in a “TRUCK” town Parker Co. upper middle class where these guys almost all have “:lifted ” trucks My 2 door 4×4 lowered feels like a midget by some of these monsters, OUR Neighborhood has 3 car garages that these guys have installed10 ft high doors . Love driving down the street seeing the trucks and all the hit rods. GODS heaven
35 Grand !!!! Not sure about that. Needs to lose the crap in the back and those hideous lights and that fence railing on the front is so ugly . I would put a better set of wheels and tires on it as well. Sorry…. I know it sounds harsh , but I like what I like.
I agree that the fire truck looks cool but I could also do without the FD representation. My attraction is how pure and primitive it is. Does it take a little effort to drive? Sure. Would it be fun to drive on the 2 lane or 2 track? You know it. There ain’t a dirt or gravel road this truck wouldn’t feel good driving on.
the listing has been updated to reflect some initial inaccuracies in this article and the initial listing.
the truck retains its original 352 v8 and 4-speed manual.
the light bar is provided as an accessory only and not actually connected to the truck.
mileage is original to the truck and is very common for service vehicles of this nature which saw very little work time.
it would be foolish to assume 56 years of “idle” time considering the mileage factor.
the exterior paint is faded on the doors due to the vinyl graphic application being removed years ago and subsequent sun fade of the paint while it was in service.
a link to more extensive photos has been provided in the orginal listing.
outside of the light bar (which is provided separately, there is not much that differentiates this truck from a regular highboy for 67. the non-functional water tank can simply be removed.
as for the wheels, i think any ford collector will understand the desirability of these on today’s market.
The wheels have long since lost their desirability and the best chance this truck has is if someone would convert it back to stock condition throughout.
$20-$25k is best you can hope for as is.