If you’ve lived in the Santa Rosa, California area anytime in the past 55 years, chances are you probably saw this 1968 Ford F-250 “Camper Special” Ranger on the road. That’s because it’s had three owners since it was bought new on January 6, 1968, and all three caretakers have lived in the city of Santa Rosa. All three owners have also taken very good care of the pickup and didn’t veer too far from home as it only has 95,675 documented miles on the clock. It has a lot of originality going for it and looks like a nice, clean, old survivor Ford pickup. It still calls Santa Rosa, California home and is for sale here on Craigslist for $9,500. Barn Finds would like to thank Mitchell Press for sending us this great tip.
The current owner purchased the truck in 2015 from the second owner, who had it for about 30 years. Doing the math and the original owner would’ve had it for around 17 years before selling it in 1985. The current owner admits the truck has been doing its fair share of sitting since only about 1,000 miles have been put on the Ford since 2015. Based on the photos, the body looks solid with just a few small rust spots visible on the tailgate and below the passenger side taillight. The original Wimbledon White factory paint still presents well and it has some chips and a few small bumps and bruises, and the bed had black bed liner spray applied to it decades ago. The original glass looks good as does the chrome, body side molding trim, badging, and lenses. The Barden rear bumper is an aftermarket addition and sports a Nixon/Agnew ’68 bumper sticker.
Ford offered the “Camper Special” option on F-250’s with some heavy duty components for hauling around a truck-mounted camper rig. This included heavy duty front and rear springs, an extra-cooling radiator, a larger alternator, plus dual bright metal Western-type mirrors.
The F-250 has an attractive red and white late 60’s-era interior. The original red vinyl seat isn’t showing any rips or excessive wear, the red painted steering wheel and red carpet look good, and the door panels are in very clean, good condition.
The seller says the red dash pad is there to cover a crack in the vinyl dash and the headliner has been replaced along with the gauge bezel. The seller also points out that the horn doesn’t work, the turn signals don’t cancel on their own, the radio lights up but there’s no sound, and the power steering gear box leaks and could use new seals.
Based on the air cleaner label, the F-250 is powered by Ford’s 360-cubic inch V8 engine. It has 95,675 documented miles and is mated to a 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission. The seller says the truck runs and drives very well, has no transmission issues, has been incredibly reliable, and has started every time (even when it sits all winter). He also states that “this truck will last another generation with ease,” which I tend to believe. No false advertising there. What do you think?
Already gone. Looked like a nice clean example
These were great trucks, and this one’s a fine example. I’m a little surprised the original owner didn’t order it with the 390, that would have been a better choice. Too bad the original west coast mirrors were replaced with those swing aways, they don’t fit this body style. The price is not bad at all
This is how you know you underpriced your vehicle. When it’s sold within minutes or hours of being posted.
9500 bucks? He aint been paying attention to the market.Could have put it up on BaT or even here and cleared 25K easy.
Yep people are going gaga over the 5th generation Fords, with good reason, they were made like a truck, my 68 doors still close like a refrigerator door, bad on gas good on fun
Beautiful Truck,way underpriced. I’d have paid twice that and been happy, especially with the vintage bumber sticker. The 360. was plenty of motor, a stick would have been even better.