This 1994 Ford Lighting pickup has under 50,000 original miles and retains its original features, down to the 17-inch wheels and factory radio in the dash. We just recently featured another Lightning pickup that wore incredibly high miles but benefitted from a recent engine rebuild; unfortunately, some of the non-factory details let that truck down, an issue this example does not have. The seller notes it is being sold out of a private collection and is a no-issues turnkey driver. Find it here on eBay with bidding at $11,200 and no reserve.
To sell one of these muscle trucks at the top of the market, it really needs to be an original example. Too many have been modified over the years, often with the penalty of declines in value due to collectors wanting the purest examples. This Lightning appears to have an aftermarket exhaust, which is a bummer for two reasons: one, it’s no longer stock, and two, the factory exhaust is way more subtle. It sounds fantastic when it’s cold without looking obnoxious, so I hope the performance gains of this dual exhaust assembly are worth it.
Unlike the truck we featured a few days ago, this one has a minty fresh interior. The seats show very little signs of wear and tear, and the iconic “Lightning” lettering still looks crisp and sharp. Despite having nearly 50,000 miles, the steering wheel and carpets show no real signs of wear, and the dash is uncracked. These weren’t exactly luxurious interiors in terms of the cabin materials, but despite being somewhat cheap in appearance and texture, everything is holding up well in this example. No word on whether the A/C works.
The seller notes this example is one of only 1,382 produced with the red exterior, and I would agree we see examples clad in white paint far more often. I dig the red, as it seems more fitting for a truck with actual sporting credentials like the Lightning. A corner carver it is not, but suspension upgrades did make it possible for the Lightning to handle less like an actual pickup. The seller notes the only deviation from stock is a set of low-profile tires, but I’m pretty sure the exhaust has been modified as well. Regardless, these are easy fixes if owning a 100% stock Lightning with low miles is your goal.
By an uncanny coincidence I sold my 48K mile ’93 ( versus this ’94) red Lightning earlier this week to a specialty car dealer. As a point of reference for where this one should end up, he expects to get $22- $25K for mine, which was in gorgeous condition. (I also made out just fine in the deal.)
I’m always amazed how many times readers have first-hand experience with the vehicles featured; in this case recent, highly pertinent info and data.
Actually, these could carve corners pretty darn good. Excellent handling truck. But of course many were set up for straight line drag racing. They actually sounded tough right from the dealer showroom. One thing I remember really liking was how level that sat. Like em in black the most.
I was 17 years old when this truck was new and all I ever recall seeing was red or black ones. The author says white is more common but I don’t recall that Ford even producing them in white.
White is all I ever saw in my neck of the woods.
The whole performance truck/SUV thing is so alien to me that I just can’t comprehend it. I’m in no way bashing people who love these rigs, may your lives be long and your days blessed, but they seem to have every quality that limits performance.
For me, I want my performance in a car that’s low for handling, light for dynamics and to maximize engine performance, and small so I can clip those apexes without monopolizing both lanes.
I also think trucks and SUV’s are gateway drugs to electric cars. Heavy, saddled with automatics, isolation from the workings of the power train and torque over any other consideration are all aspects shared with electrics.
I fully acknowledge that I am out of step with 99% of the population, however, which speaks well of that 99%
Remind me what was so great about these trucks? The GMC Syclone had these things beat everyway to Sunday. Oh well I don’t like ether one really. Later………………………..JIMMY
I never owned a Lighting truck however the 91 Mustang shown here had an engine based on a Lighting short block. With Edelbrock cylinder heads, a Vortech S trim, and methanol injection it made 616 HP at the wheels. With a Tremec 6 speed conversion and a shaky clutch it went 10.82 @132.
I swapped the stock exhaust for a Bassani setup. Super Ford dyno tested the setup and recorded a 24-25 hp increase. I also swapped the speed density computer for a mass air setup and that really seemed to wake things up. I never saw dyno numbers for that, but the seat-of-the-pantsometer seemed to indicate double the oomph of the exhaust swap. I did this with the addition of a Kenne-Bell blower in mind, but then the real estate market began to heat up and I put a down payment on a house instead. Grownup brain defeated lizard fun-brain. Doh!