Wow. Wow! WOW!! Too dramatic? You may agree once you check out the photos of this beautiful, rust-free, ultra-low-mileage 1976 Ford F-250 Ranger XLT. The seller has it posted here on craigslist between Abbotsford and Langley, British Columbia, Canada, and the seller is asking $28,999, which is $20,710 U.S. dollars. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Curvette for the tip!
Whether you’re a Ford, Chevy, Dodge, or any other brand of pickup fan, this one looks like it’s been sitting in someone’s living room for the last 4.5 decades. I love the built-in toolbox compartment available on the F-Series. This one would look great with a mid-1970s camper or topper/cap/shell on the back, or just keep it open for driving and show duty. This rig is 50 years old, which is amazing.
This truck has 36,800 kilometers, which equates to around 22,866 miles. It’s barely been used. About the price, because we know that’ll come up, and we all remember buying these trucks for $2,500 all day long, or some other ridiculously low number. Remember, it isn’t 1990 anymore, vehicles have gone up over the decades. If this truck was $6,000 new in 1976, that’s around $35,530 in 2026 dollars. You’re basically getting a slightly used truck for much less than that, one with power steering and power brakes, one that you can work on yourself. And you’ll likely pile up a few trophies from showing it on the weekends, something you won’t do with a new $60,000 pickup.
There aren’t many interior photos, none showing the dash, unfortunately. But from what we can see in the two photos shown, it looks like it’s new inside, too. The seller says it has its original upholstery and carpet, and there is no rust on this truck. The only rust I see is light surface rust in a few areas, like on the tailgate “hinges” and some underhood components. Here’s a 1976 Ford pickup brochure. Page 3 shows this beautiful Ranger XLT seat fabric.
Some engine detailing would bring this truck up to a level where potential buyers may not balk as much at the asking price. It wouldn’t take that long, a few hours maybe. This is Ford’s 390-cu.in. OHV V8, which would have been rated at 161 horsepower, with a three-speed automatic sending power to the rear wheels. The seller says there are no mechanical issues and it’s had a lot of maintenance done. Any thoughts on this F-250?
Yay, the author saves the day with a truck,,,although, the price is sending me right back to bed. I try so hard to ignore the prices, I suppose something that outlandish is bound to angry up the blood of a senior. See, here’s the thing. When old timers sold their truck to another old timer, greed wasn’t included. I don’t think these sellers are intentionally greedy, just the state of our economy dictates 5 figure everything. You ask 20 seniors if this truck is worth $30 grand, and a shock of horror abounds. Not unless it had $20grand in the box. But, here we are. Wonderful find, but really now, please, don’t feed into this foolishness. Vintage pickups aren’t exactly in big demand( nobody wanted my ’77 GMC) and inundate the for sale sites, at a fraction of this cost. I realize that is a bit harsh on a site that makes its living by selling vehicles, but these younger folks will have to realize, the people that might want it are too old and certainly can’t afford it, and younger ones don’t want to be seen in it.
And where is the authors picture of his dads similar F250 with camper and little Scotty peering out the window? We don’t get tired of that, my friend.
Good write-up SG. By the mid-70’s trucks were already down the path of being more nicely trimmed, beginning the role of the luxury truck (which are common today). This is an excellent example. Being a 3/4 ton, it doesn’t give off a sporty vibe, but instead a “gentleman” look and feel.
Nice trucks are now a staple of the collector car auction houses, so obviously they are in demand. And they bring solid money. I’d say they have become key to the market.
Here’s a recent quote from American Classic Appraisals:
“Classic car market data from 2024 and 2025 showed broad appreciation across the collector vehicle segment, but trucks consistently outperformed the average. The Hagerty Price Guide and auction results from Barrett-Jackson, Mecum, and Bring a Trailer all tell the same story: clean, documented examples of the most popular classic truck nameplates are selling at prices that would have seemed aggressive just a few years ago.”
The article goes on to describe and explain the market shift which is going on. Vintage pickups are definitely “in demand.”
Wow, what an extremely clean and well preserved specimen. The 390 is a rock solid platform, shame it’s not a 4wd. The Pacific NW seems to have some incredibly clean vehicles. If I didn’t have 4 trucks already, I would be chomping at the bit on this one.
I’m hitting the “Like” button but its not working. This truck is just simply amazing. 3/4 and 1 tons were typically worked to death. So to see this one, in such preserved condition is such a treat. If anyone was to walk into a Ford Showroom and look at the prices of their new trucks, heck, even used ones, they’re not cheap. And trust me, they’re not cheap to maintain either. I agree with Bob, older trucks are very collectable, and I can see this getting sold, someone, the right someone will want it. I didn’t realize that Ford still offered the 390 in ’76. There I go, learning something new again!!! Scotty, thanks for the write up of a really well preserved truck. And of course to Curvette, you just keep finding great stuff out there. And I’ll second what Howard said, we’d love to see those old photos of your parents truck Scotty.
We were updating the thumbs up system but it should be fixed now. Thanks!
Lol it works now Jesse. Thank you!!
And I gave you a “Thumbs up” too!!!
Thank you again. I noticed the changes. They look good.
What, no thumbs down?
I see a couple changes, a more pronounced message system( members only), and a “report” feature, which I’m sad to see must be implemented, but here we are.
Also, it should be noted, we are seeing much more plausible finds, things most viewers can relate to, like this truck, for example. Lambios, not so much. The foreign stuff, which I hope to a see more of, and of course trucks, so our overseas friends can enjoy it too. If you are even here, and didn’t have some connection to a truck like this, well, not sure how to end that civilly. They were everywhere. This was Americas truck. Okay, prices still out of whack, but can’t put a price on the memories this conjures up.
Side note, that tool box the author mentions was not standard on all F250s, it was a $75.00 option. They tended to fill up fast. I remember many Fords that did not have that.
Thanks Barny,,for all.
What a beauty! I am surprised at the condition of the engine compartment though. I had the same truck, even the same green, up until a few years ago and had over 200K miles on it and the compartment looked about the same.
Id want to really give it careful scrutiny and DRIVE it to see if it really felt like a 37K mile truck or a 130. Those 16.5 8 lug wheel/tires are getting very expensive right now.
If it truly is a 37K truck, it is worth the ask as these are nice rigs. With a recent tune it should run well and be great as a second vehicle. You aren’t going to get a chance to step into a way-back machine like this very often. Perhaps never???
I’m more of a GM guy, but I’d really enjoy this truck.