Original and unmolested classic pickups are highly sought, and the bidding on this 1972 Ford F-250 Sport Custom demonstrates this fact perfectly. This is a clean and tidy survivor, and with no rust to deal with, it is ready to get right to work for its next owner. Since it was listed for sale here on eBay, it has attracted an impressive 46 bids. The F-250 is located in Spokane, Washington, and that spirited bidding has pushed the price along to $12,000 in what is a No Reserve auction.
The Ford is a handsome looking vehicle that is finished in Royal Maroon. The paint is said to be original and is generally in above average condition for a commercial vehicle of this age. This is no trailer queen because the bed does show the sort of wear and tear that is part-and-parcel of a pickup that has worked for a living. Having said that, apart from a single dent on the right-hand wheel well, the bed really needs nothing more than a fresh coat of paint to have it presented at its best once again. Likewise, the paint has begun to wear through on the hood from cleaning and polishing, but it hasn’t reached the point where the metal is exposed. The next owner might choose to treat this area to a repaint, or it is equally possible that they might leave it untouched to maintain the vehicle’s character. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and the owner claims that the pickup is completely rust-free. The wheels are one area that is starting to show some age and damage to the finish. Because the rest of the F-250 presents so well, I would be very inclined to restore them, because they do detract from the appearance of the rest of the vehicle. The exterior trim and chrome also look pretty good, although the side molding that runs along the bed on the passenger side does have a couple of minor dings and marks. The glass all looks to be in good condition, with no sign of any significant chips or scratches. There are towing hitches mount on both ends of the pickup, and the one on the front can be a handy addition for the less confident person who needs to maneuver a trailer into a tight space.
For a vehicle whose primary role is as a workhorse, the interior of the F-250 presents in better than average condition. The floor is covered with a rubber mat that has avoided splits or tears, while the headliner is free of marks or sagging. The dash looks good, with no signs of damage to the plastic or the pad, while the same is also true of the door trims. It isn’t perfect, because there are some significant tears to the seat on the driver’s side and the wheel has some cracks along the spokes. The next owner might choose to replace the seat cover, although throwing a blanket over it would hide the problem. Similarly, the wheel could be replaced, but this could also represent an opportunity for the buyer to try their hand at steering wheel restoration. It looks like the shifter may have been replaced at some point because the column shroud for it is a mismatch. I guess that if the next owner does decide to restore the wheel, they could treat that to a repaint in the correct color at the same time.
For the 1972 model year, buyers were spoiled for choice when selecting exactly what engine they wanted to power their F-250. The original owner chose the 360ci V8, and that is what we find filling the engine bay today. This produces 185hp, which finds its way to the rear wheels via a 3-speed automatic transmission. This combination should be capable of towing some pretty hefty loads with ease, and the addition of power steering and power brakes means that the driver shouldn’t be prone to breaking into a sweat either. The owner says that the 360 kicks into life easily and that the Ford drives as well today as it would have when it was new. He does refer to it as a low-mileage vehicle, and the listing description mentions an odometer reading of 20,370 miles. I tend to treat that with a grain of salt unless the owner holds evidence to verify the claim. I am more inclined to believe that the odometer has rolled over, although I would be quite happy if he could prove me wrong on that point.
Finding a perfect 1972 Ford F-250 that is original and unmolested is a virtual impossibility today, and even tidy examples like this can be a rare treat. I quite like this vehicle, and would be equally comfortable with addressing its few minor issues, or just driving it as it currently stands. It would seem that I’m not the only one who feels this way, and that’s why the bidding has been so strong. Given the fact that this is a No Reserve listing, someone is about to score for themselves a clean and accomplished tow vehicle that is certain to stand out wherever it goes.
Nice clean truck but 12k is a little steep!!!
One look at this and I thought I was really experiencing deja-vu. My dad had a ’71 F250 the same (Royal Maroon) color as this. There were a few differences but still very close. Dad’s was an XLT and had a 390 but otherwise was pretty much the same, right down to the toolbox on the lower RH side of the bed. I’ll never forget the power steering pump cooler. I think I’ve still got the linear scars on my forearm from raking it across the fins. I would pick this up in a heartbeat, if I was in the market.
You aren’t the only one, my friend. Our own Scotty G has a bunch of memories with a truck like this with a family camper. Those PS oil coolers often “went missing” and made a great oil cooler for bikes. 20K miles,,,( shaking head) I guess it will never stop, but column shifter housings don’t break at 20K miles and no way. Nice truck, got to be nuts to spend $15g’s on one, hey Joe?
Beautiful looking truck. 1970-72 has always been my favourite years for Ford F series trucks, at least until 1976-77. I remember trucks like this from when I was a boy.
So………the ball hitch and the block n tackle and chains in the storage locker?
HoA………geomechs? Stump puller? nah………….????
Pickmeups……the last refuge of geezer scoundrels :)……..
“Ball and hitch” under the front bumper, I meant.
This Truck was used as a toy, as is evident from the camper tiedowns front trailer hitch and gun rack , surprised its not a camper special. Very nice truck for the year hope it finds a good home . I had a 1973 F250 maroon and white Ranger camper special with the 390 auto , drove it for 12 years , had a 11.5 Coachman truck camper , snow machines , bass boat , that truck hulled it all and never l et me down . finally tin worms got to it !!
Boy would I love this, but it is way too nice to be a winter beater. I need something for the winter but these roads in Ontario would rust this baby away in one season.
If this has 20k miles I’ll eat my hat. Inside of box says 120k miles and as Howard pointed out, the column shift gear socket does not wear out in 20k miles. I don’t buy the no rust claim either unless I see pics of the cab mounts, cab supports, cab dropoffs and floors?
I’ll remain on the fence as far as mileage is concerned but I’ve seen a lot of trucks out west that have avoided the tin worm quite well. Some winters have gone by completely clear. I know of several trucks of that vintage that are still in use.
I am the one who bought the truck. I won’t be getting it for about 3 or 4 weeks. I asked the owner to send me pictures of the bottom of the truck. He took pictures of everything I asked for. I also asked him to make a video of the engine running with the caps removed from both valve covers. He made the video and zoomed in and out while it was running so I could clearly see the caps were removed. There was zero oil vapor coming out with the caps removed and the bottom looks just fine to me. There is rust on the bottom, but zero body rot. The rust is mainly on suspension parts which is not unusual. I will give you another update after I have the truck home. I live on the east coast.
I had or drove a lot of these, and that column socket ( thanks) was a bad spot. The roll pin that held the lever in place would wear, sometimes severely, and automatics would pop out of park and the manual, took a trick to hold the lever in and still make the shift. Either way, this truck is a beast to drive.
Hate to disappoint the seller/flipper but this one has been repainted. Easy to see and in not disclosing the obvious respray the seller is being deceptive. Don’t pull the “I don’t know or can’t tell” BS! Guessing no photos of any of the typical rust areas also intentional.
Hey SteveTheD….not arguing but I have a pretty sharp eye and I don’t know where you are suggesting you have the “easy to see” respray at? First most of the photos are too “full scale” to get a close look, jams don’t reflect a respray (hood or door) there is oxidation on the right side of the hood which is part of what happens to original paint, in the sun/heat without proper care.
Just wondering what you see, and where, that I can’t see. Just wondering.
Nice truck.