When you look at the styling trends of the 70s into the 80s, trucks like this 1979 Ford F-150 bore the brunt of numerous attempts at personalization. Now, looking back on it, I’m warming to these modifications, like brush bars and hood deflectors with some sort of meaningful catchphrase emblazoned across it. This F150 obviously checks those “period correct” boxes and is listed here on eBay with an opening bid of $5,500 and no action yet.
The F150 is a “rare” Flareside bed body, with the bumped-out rear fenders that were the rage in the 80s. The interior photos show a decent-but-average condition cabin, with a bench seat in need of some love. The rest of the cabin is fairly spartan, so there’s not much else to complain about. Door panels present well, as does the aftermarket steering wheel.
The bed shows plenty of evidence that this F150 has been sitting for many years, with thick dust coating the top of the bed and flared fenders. The last time it moved under its own power was two years ago, according to the seller. The roll bar in the bed is another period modification that I love and would make a “must-have” on any 80s truck restoration project.
The Ford has a 351 under the hood, and the seller notes that while it runs, the truck needs a new battery and water pump ASAP. A new water pump is included in the sale, and it underscores that the seller is the original owner who had big plans to restore the truck properly. We all know how that goes, and hopefully the next owner will at least keep the period modifications in place when undertaking a proper restoration.
I believe they were called step side back then.
I don’t remember hearing the name flare side until Ford put it on the side of the ’90s trucks.
The name might have been out there, but all I ever heard was step side for all of these trucks regardless of the brand.
Right. Flareside generally refers to a molded fiberglass one piece unit that was first on Chevy’s then Fords in late 80’s early 90’s. This is a step side.
Ford used Flareside in their marketing literature, Chevy used Stepside. Contrary to what The Walrus said, Flaresides are not just 1990s models.
Had a ’88 GMC short bed w/fiberglass bedsides. It was called “SPORTSIDE”.
Also this truck is not a 1970.
This is a Free-Wheelin’ Flareside pickup. Black bumpers, mirrors, and pinstriping all over the sides. My first time seeing a real one!
This is the 6th time this month the seller has listed this truck on eBay. It hasn’t received a single bid. That’s a clear sign the truck is overpriced or the ad needs to be revamped. I’d be surprised if it receives any bids this time either.
Steve R
Dang, with that name on the front I was hoping that this was a wacky EV conversion..
Me too.
Bet the oil pressure is like 5#’s
Bought a brand new 78 F-150 stepside pickup, it was black with orange / yellow / brown mixed cloth buckets with cooler as console and shag carpeting, 400 v8 with auto trans, had the rollbar with KC lights, A/C, AM/FM/Cassette, no pinstriping. It was a 4×4 with 33″ tires on Ansen rims. Loved that truck but bought a house in 1980 and had to let it go. Paid $10,500 and sold it for $8,000 and a used Honda 550 motorcycle. Without it running and cosmetics that need to be addressed his opening bid is about what he might get if he’s lucky.
Somewhat of a mixed bag of potential, but needs to much invested before I’d consider it desirable. Looks like it’s seen hard use, rather than graceful aging.
Fords are properly called Flaresides…. over many decades.
My dad had a similar model, a 1978. It was bought off the lot to be used as an oil field truck (one in the series of five short wheelbase Fords he had over a 25-year period). I specifically remember it having the pinstripe package and a set of sport wheel covers. I do not remember it having any other options which set it apart, e.g it had the standard steering wheel, bumpers, door panels, and upholstery. I talked him into trading the sport wheel covers to a neighbor for a set of dog dish hub caps, as I knew the first time he dropped into a deep rut the wheel covers would be trashed.
I’d love to see this one restored.
It’s a Wisconsin truck,,,,run, Forrest, run!!!( away from it, that is)
Not nearly as nice as the copper colored one yesterday. These just look good with all the off road stuff, make stout pre runners too and I still see a few of them around. Looks odd having an open element air cleaner with no filter though.
I had one of these, but it was smaller…