“Mechanic On Duty,” proclaims the sign above this 1977 Ford F-350 Custom wrecker in Ashland, Pennsylvania. If that describes how you feel, read on, because this classic can be yours for the asking price of $20,000. How many vehicles wearing “Ferrari” change hands for that paltry sum? Purportedly garage-kept since ’77, this utilitarian green machine looks ready to rescue your ditch-bound Datsun or shunted Chevy. Check out more details and warnings to demonstrate your seriousness when inquiring here on Craigslist. No tire-kickers, mates! Thanks to Mitchell G. for spotting this well-kept tow truck.
Once you’ve committed to Dark Jade Metallic green paint, why not lean into the Jade Green for your interior? You just don’t see enough green vehicles anymore, and this one could look fresh again with (at least) a seat cover and a driver’s door panel. Look close and you’ll see a third pedal beside the unusually large (for a manual transmission vehicle) brake pedal. Thanks to the factory brochures at lov2xlr8 for some details. The entry-level Custom even got a headliner in ’77. Fancy! My 1985 F-250 Custom had painted metal.
The two-barrel-only 400 cid (6.6L) V8 stood between the 351 and the mighty 460, and 4.11:1 rear axle gears help the smogged-up 400 yoke that greasy Granada back to the garage. If you call 350 HP and 500 lb-ft of torque “entry level” for towing or hauling, remember, these older trucks got the job done with more modest numbers, up-hill and down, in all sorts of weather.
This short wheelbase dually should be rated to haul nearly 5000 lb, according to Ford’s original chart, so feel free to hook up that Tesla or a ’53 Buick Roadmaster. Keep up with maintenance items and this wrecker will probably keep on truckin’ longer than anything similar you could buy new.
Roof mounted trumpets plus underhood horns should get you noticed when that phone-fondling dufus in front of you ignores the green light. Fear not; they’ll react in time to give you the finger, gun it, and leave you waiting. This grille style ended in ’77, giving way to a trapezoid shape for ’78 and ’79 similar to that found on Ford vehicles today. I’m a bit surprised this work truck doesn’t boast larger mirrors, but I suppose they’re good enough when you’re dragging an Oldsmo-Buick and not a giant, permanently-attached box. What would you do with this vintage wrecker?
This is pretty cool, in its own way. Something different for the local car show. Spruce it up a little and call it good.
My college-era summer oilfield job in 1977 included an almost-new 1977 Ford pickup in Dark Jade. As it played out, me the college kid had the newest truck in the fleet. While my dad, the grizzled company veteran, had the oldest truck. Ha! Good memories.
Perfect and since all my other cars are getting ready to bite the dust this would be perfect to keep on emergency standby for immediate retrieval. Jade Green, the color I’ve always wanted but never had. Looking forward to sleep tonight, this will be great to dream about.
“📱 phone-fondling dufus ” lol 😂😂
10 thumbs up for that line!! That was good. Todd.
Jade green inside and out is one of my favorite Ford colors from this time. Believe it or not, thats the stock brake pedal. All Ford trucks with manual transmissions had them. I actually drove a late 70’s Ford wrecker mechanically identical to this. That 400 is not very powerful, but it got the job done day in day out.
I was 17 and worked the crap out of a ’74 set up the same way with a 440 Holmes. Looks like somebody let the drivers door double over backwards.
I had a 76 F250 4×4 with a similar set up and a plow. Helped me with $ through college. Now I wish I had it again.
In my 20s I worked for a garage that had this same truck but in red with black guts. It was really oxidized so I took some time and brought the paint back. The owner loved me for that and I really liked towing cars with it and actually hauled a couple of my own projects home with it. I wonder where it is now.
My first new vehicle purchase was a 77 F250 in jade green, 400M 4sp. Great truck. I drove tow trucks around that time but all GMC or Chevrolet. I like this truck but This price seems a little high to me though
Needs a real wrecker front bumper with jumper cable receptacle…
Okay, here’s the 411 on this rig, it’s a dinosaur. It has been converted to a “wheel lift”, but still retains the original “bumper lift”. Towing outfits went with roll-off beds for a reason, it greatly simplifies the towing process, and a lot safer. Most jellybean cars today, you know, the ones you always see being towed,,don’t have a worthy front bumper, like say a ’55 Caddy, and must have a wheel lift. I don’t know, the interior is a pig sty, and I’d remove the tow rig and make a small dump truck, but its useful life as a tow truck is ka-put. Might be some connection to Enzo in olt country, but just a marketing ploy here. Far as the bigger brake pedal, it seems images of F-350s with manuals show all with the “automatic” brake pedal. They were great trucks.
My 1972 F350 clutch and brake pedals are same size.
It’d be cool have the “high speed towing cradle” for my 40s Holmes.
It’s sort of like a wheel lift except it lifts the towie (getting wrecker tow)by the straight front axle.
Great connection to Ferrari.
My connection is I have an old camera that took a picture of a Bugatti. I can sell it to you for $25,000.
Cool truck. For that money, should at least have new upholstery and floormats.
I love this style truck I had a 76 3/4 ton with a 360 4spd. it was the first new vehicle I owned.I’d butl out trying to find a box to replace the wrecker on this truck.l
Is somebody on vacation? This whole week has been nothing but repeats.
I thought it was deja vu