Bright Yellow Survivor: 1979 Ford F150 Supercab Short Bed

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Do you find it surprising that of the nearly 40 exterior paint colors the 40,000 1979 F150 Supercab buyers had to choose from, that only 1% of them picked Bright Yellow? I wasn’t the one in the Redding Ford showroom in October 1978 checking – or in this case, not checking – the option boxes for this one, but whoever that person was, they nailed it. Everything about this screams 1979 to me. Well done, 1979 F150 buyer. All of this 1979 glory can be found here on eBay in Brick, New Jersey with a buy-it-now price of $5,500.

The seller states, this is a 41-year old original California Survivor…ordered, built, sold, and owned in Redding, California. The included Marti reports contradict somewhat, showing this was built at the Kansas City MO factory, but that detail should have no impact on what this truck will likely represent to the lucky buyer – simple delight.

A life lived in California does the body well. There is some visible paint fade and perhaps a few bumps and bruises, but this F150 has held up nicely. The 2WD extended cab ½-ton truck seemed commonplace in the 1990s, but even though less commonly seen in this era, looks proper on this 6th generation F-Series.

As expected in (what appears to have been ordered as) a work truck sporting the lowest end ‘Custom’ trim, interior appointments are simple – basic bench seat, floor-mounted shifter, exterior colored exposed metal, and power nothing. The front and back seat upholstery are mismatched, so I’d assume one was reupholstered at some point. Both are showing some age, but still, look clean enough for driver use. A thorough interior cleaning and perhaps a carpet replacement would have this cabin feeling quite comfortable. Roll the windows down and enjoy the wind flowing through the cab while you listen to the hum of the 302 because this is a factory radio delete truck.

The 302 2-barrel mated to a 4-speed manual transmission with a 2.75 rear end won’t win any ¼ miles, but should make for comfortable highway cruising. The seller notes the drivetrain is all original, with the engine having been rebuilt once and the transmission shifting well through all gears.

After presumably living its life as a work truck, this F150 deserves relegation to service as an occasional driver and to be loved for its simplicity and originality instead of its function as a tool of the trade. I’d call $5,500 a modest sum for an original, clean, 40+ year-old work truck in a somewhat uncommon configuration.

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Comments

  1. Ryan Hilkemann

    What a nice truck.

    Like 9
  2. Pookie Jamie

    Is this the same truck that was on here a bit ago? Seems like it. Nice truck though

    Like 4
  3. FordGuy1972 FordGuy1972

    A decent looking old Ford pickup, that is, if you like construction-site yellow. Don’t see power steering which might be a little rugged for parking. It’s in nice shape and the price seems fair. The odometer reads 73k; probably gone around once? I like it except that is a supercab which I don’t care for as I’m strictly a regular cab guy. The 302 and the manual trans is a combination I like so fuel mileage should be decent. It’s rust-free and seems to be reasonably priced so it will probably sell for at or near the ask.

    Like 8
  4. Mark

    It’s sold

    Like 0
  5. ButchbMember

    I was sitting at the stop light yesterday when 3/4 ton version of this pulled up next to me. While I appreciated its great survivor condition I couldn’t forget the 8-10 MPG they get.

    Like 7
  6. boxdin

    The shifter shows its the overdrive 4 speed and not the typical “granny”‘ 4 speed.

    Like 2
  7. Johnny

    If it had the cheapest option. Wouldn,t the grill and headlight rims be black? Its a good looking truck and IF the under carrage has been taken care of like the rest,. I,d say its a good truck. If like my sister. She kept her Trans Am (white) spotless. One day she asked me to change the oil. I crawled under it and all the grease fitting were dry. I greased it and don,t think it had been greased in along time. I asked her about it and she said they told her at the garage they always grease them. I told her someone has been taking her–I don,t think it had ever been greased since new. This truck looks nice. Hope all of it has been taken care of.

    Like 1
  8. Bennie C Davis Jr

    This is a really good looking truck. That Yellow color is something one would have to get use to but hey for a work truck that old girl would be just fine. My first truck was a ’76 F150 with a 250 CID w/3 on a tree. Loved that truck.

    Like 1
  9. Robauz

    Does anyone else notice that the front end looks dented in the second pic, but not in the other two ?

    Like 1
  10. CATHOUSE

    Jonny,
    Where the truck was built at is not the same as where it was originally sold. If you look closer at the Marti report you will see that the original selling dealer was Redding Ford in Redding CA. Plus the truck was equipped with the CA Emissions system. There is no contradiction here once you view all the facts.

    Like 0
  11. chrlsful

    wishin it wuz the F250 4WD. My fav ‘look’ of any vehicle (inc lots of cars, is the ’73/9 Fseries). As I luv this model I am all ways surprised at how tight the cab. This 1 would solve that.
    Tear out the back seat, move back the driver’s, new grill, the short bed step side on back, F250 4WD…satisfaction 4 me…
    Gone at 5k$

    Like 0

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