Original Paint: 1970 Ford F-100 Ranger XLT

It is hard not to like some classics. Take this 1970 Ford F-100 Ranger XLT as a prime example. It has been part of the family since Day One and has been garage-kept its entire life. Its paint is said to be original, while it has clocked under 120 miles since the seller treated its original V8 to a comprehensive rebuild. Its presentation is impressive for its age, and the camper cap adds to its versatility. This is a classic Pickup deserving more than a passing glance.

The history of this 1970 F-100 will tick the boxes for many readers. It has always been part of the same family and is claimed to be a survivor. The seller inherited it from his father, stating that the Candy Apple Red paint gracing its exterior is original. That achievement is particularly noteworthy because this Pickup is located in an area that is renowned for baking paint. However, since the vehicle has always been garage-kept, it has been protected from the ravages of the Texas sun. The paint shines beautifully, and the panels are as straight as an arrow. This Ford’s location also makes its rust-free status unsurprising. The glass is crystal clear, and the trim looks virtually flawless. The wheels are a recent addition, but swapping them for something more appropriate wouldn’t be difficult or expensive if the winning bidder favors originality. That brings us to the camper cap. The seller is unsure when this was installed because it has been on the vehicle for as long as he remembers. It isn’t merely for show, because the inside shots reveal timber lining, a bed, plenty of storage space, and a fridge. It is a veritable home away from home, but since the seller includes the original tailgate and back window, removal would be child’s play.

The originality of the F-100 extends to its interior, which has only a few minor shortcomings. The seat has remained protected by a cover for the vehicle’s entire life, with the Red cloth and vinyl cover looking exceptional. There is a small developing hole near the base on the driver’s side, but a blind patch would prevent deterioration for a few dollars. The dashpad is cracked, leaving the buyer with choices to make. They could spend $50 on a cover to disguise the problem or $170 on a cap. The most expensive would be a replacement pad, which will lighten their wallet by around $700. That’s a healthy sum, but many will believe that a classic of this caliber deserves nothing less. It appears that in-car entertainment is supplied by a radio/cassette player and graphic equalizer, while I’m fairly sure the current owner appreciates his father’s decision to add air conditioning.

This Ford features its numbers-matching drivetrain, meaning the winning bidder receives a 360ci V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, and power-assisted steering and brakes. The 360 originally produced 215hp and 327 ft/lbs of torque, but I think we can do better than that. The seller recently performed a compression test, and when he discovered that one cylinder was less than perfect, he invested a cool $12,000 in a rebuild. He includes an invoice, leaving no doubt that it was a comprehensive approach. It included adding an Edelbrock intake and carburetor that will unleash additional ponies. He claims that this beauty has a genuine 55,200 miles on its odometer, and only around 105 of those have been accumulated since the rebuild. This Pickup runs and drives perfectly, and should offer its next owner years of reliable service.

This 1970 Ford F-100 Ranger XLT would still possess the “wow” factor without the aftermarket wheels, and removing them wouldn’t detract from its appearance if the new owner prefers originality. The seller confirms that the same is true of the camper cap, although there is something about its styling that is ideally suited to this classic. The seller listed the F-100 here on eBay in Leander, Texas. Four bids have pushed the price to $20,300, although it is short of the reserve. There is plenty of time in this auction for readers to monitor proceedings and possibly drop a sneaky bid during the final minutes. Are you up for that challenge?