I’ve always envied the one-make person, the “Mopar-or-no-car” types, or those who bleed Ford Blue, or those who sided with 50 percent of Americans in always buying GM (when they were at their peak). I am not that guy, so I can never decide what brand of truck is my favorite; in fact, it’s generally the last one I saw. Right now, it’s this 1972 Ford F-100 with the high-rolling Ranger XLT Package. Presented as an original-paint truck that’s spent its entire life in Portland, Oregon (it was originally purchased on March 10, 1972, at Jim Fisher Ford), this truck is now on craigslist with an asking price of $24,900. Thanks (as always) to ever-vigilant Barn Finds reader Curvette for sending us the link.
Since the truck seems to be well-documented, we can make a fair assumption that the seller’s claim of 93,900 miles is accurate, which means that the ubiquitous 360 FE certainly has a lot more life to give. Few will argue that the 360 is anything more than it is—a tough but not particularly inspiring version of the storied FE that did its job well over many millions of user miles. Still, an FE is an FE and FEs are cool. We can see that this truck has power steering and power brakes, and the 360 is tied to the optional Cruise-O-Matic transmission.
The interior with the Ranger XLT package is the most luxurious one could buy in the Ford truck lineup. It had wall-to-wall carpeting, cloth-and-vinyl upholstery, “woodtone” trim, day/night mirror, accessory lighting, and bright trim on the exterior. The seller says that the original radio is still located in the dash, but there’s an auxiliary “Pioneer stereo system in the glove box.”
The eight-foot bed may or may not be a selling point, but its immaculate condition sure is. You may have noticed in the picture of the truck’s passenger side that it has the optional “tool box with door lock” behind the passenger door for extra hidden storage, a neat option. This image of the bed also highlights the color, which appears to be “Calypso Coral,” something you might expect to find on a Mustang Mach 1 rather than an upscale pickup.
Combined with the truck’s basic hubcaps, it makes for an attractive package (and the tires are “great”). The F-100 “drives like new” and has “newer shocks and springs,” and it fulfills its status as my current favorite truck well. At least until the next one comes along.
I consider the Ranger XLT trim level on this generation of F-Series to be the beginning of the luxury pickup truck. And look how this market segment has evolved. They were very nicely trimmed, and usually were well-equipped including power steering and brakes, and even air conditioning.
I remember when I first saw a 1967 F-100 Ranger XLT at my local dealer. It was sharp and loaded with options, and thus very different from my dad’s work truck.
This one looks well-kept. I would like to see it with the factory full wheel covers or even the “mag-style” wheel covers, with whitewall tires. That would fit the truck’s personality.
It’s nice, they did a great job detailing it, the problem is, it’s priced like a short bed and it’s the middle of winter, when the market is slow.
Steve R
Priced like a short bed ~ why does everyone want half a truck? I’ll take a long bed any day and twice on Sunday. Trucks were built for hauling things, not looking pretty. If you want a little boy’s toy, buy a Vette or a Beemer.
Sweet truck. All it needs is a lift kit and bigger tires in my world.
A lift kit on a 2WD truck? LOL!!!
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Great trucks. The twin I beam front suspension, that lasted into the ’90s, will shake your fillings loose.
Everything is relative. Six years ago, I sold my 53 F-100 panel delivery truck and bought my 66 F-100 pickup with the second year Twin I Beam suspension. It is a whole lot more smooth riding than the 53 with its solid axle and leaf spring front suspension.
This 72 F-100 has the long bed with toolbox and two fuel tanks. The Craigslist ad has good photos which I enlarged on the monitor to look for a possible repaint. I did not see evidence, just some very minor surface rust and scuffing in places. The bed is unbelievable with no dents. I have been hauling firewood with my 66, so that would be OUT with this truck. I would rate this as a 3+ condition due partly to the engine compartment rust and dirt. In comparison my truck may be a 3- or 4+ but it can be used as a truck. There were no photos underneath, but this is another above average ad for Craigslist. Is this truck worth $15,000.00 more than what I paid for mine? Maybe there is room for negotiation?
I had one, a 68, great truck, was as clean as this one. While this truck is in amazing condition it’s NOT a 24k truck. This seller is so far off base with the price and that is what is causing prices to go high, this and people who have more money than brains that pay stupid money just because they want it, have the money to pay for it.
Clean decent truck here but price is high. It would look better with a mag wheel set up or full hubcaps.
nice clean and sanitary bump side ford. either needs the full covers as stated by mark or the wheels painted white. seems fairly priced
Really amazing how zeros started getting added to values of pieces like this about 30 years ago. Wouldn’t know market is down. But like my dad used to say- “they can ask anything they want- what will they get?”.
First I agree with the above, the price is about double of what it is worth.. The Ford FE is a good engine, but with most a 100k miles and a trailer brake controller, how much and how heavy has it towed?? With what looks like 2 filler caps on the side of the box does it have an auxiliary fuel tank??? This truck will make someone a good daily driver and weekend work horse, But not at that price.
If you look at the pix closely you will see that the top cap on the box ~ the chrome one ~ is not connected to anything on the inside. The bottom one is, so yeah it apparently has 2 tanks, one inside the cab and one under the bed.
Gawd… I wish they still made trucks like this… That said, the ask on this one is about $10k optimistic IMHO…
My god, this truck is nice…and the absolute, best-looking iteration of the Ford F-series pickups.
Price is high and I’d be afraid to use it as a truck but, darn, it is the one to have. Nice!!!
$24K??–tariffs must have really spiked this guys supply of cocaine!
It seems that most of the commentators have expressed their opinions about the price with the general consensus being that the ask is too high. Be that as it may; I think it’s the astronomical prices for late model trucks today is a major contributor to the ever escalating prices for older trucks like this in this condition. Throw in the simplicity of repair and maintenance and the lack of overbearing electronic gizmos and the desirability of trucks like this will continue to increase. It hits a sweet spot of being old enough for collectibility but still not so old as to be a chore to drive in modern traffic. For the person who wants a truck for doing truck things on an occasional basis and also cruise to cars and coffee; this one fills the bill nicely. FWIW, I favor a long bed because I appreciate function over form. GLWTS.
I’m with you on the long bed thing. I had one short bed truck and really hated hauling longer loads with it. As for the price, I bought a straight rust free really solid ’70 Chevy C20 with a 350-auto 3 yrs. ago for $8,300. Only thing I’ve done to it is add a nice stereo. I can’t believe prices have gone up this much in 3 yrs.
Price wise remember that you always ask high!!! Then you can dicker down and everyone thinks they got a good deal…
Except if the ask is way too high people will just walk away rather than start dickering. If you’re in the right ballpark we can negotiate. If you aren’t even in the right state, I’m outa here.
Agreed… too far apart to even start the conversation.
Even coming from a Chevy family I’ve always thought these were handsome truck. The orange color was very envogue at the time.
General non-make specific gripe: I do not like the looks of “big rig” style cab lights across the roof. Any hole in the roof can eventually leak, and you can’t delete them because you will have 5 holes in the roof. I have passed up looking at trucks to buy over this issue. Just me I suppose. :-) Terry J
Plenty of lights and BIG mirrors are always welcome on any truck.
Like Joe said, if I think that your asking price is unreasonable (IMO); then I will probably not contact you to negotiate. Everyone knows that when you set your price you have to allow for the inevitable haggling. But when you start with a “knock one out of the park price”; you immediately reduce your available market by a considerable amount. Response to your advertisement tells you everything you need to know. If you get crickets then you are going to need to revise. Betting on crickets here.
I owned a ‘72 F100 as my daily driver, and workhorse, for several years 360/4 speed. It was a great truck! Never left me stranded, hauled many a heavy load in the bed and/or on a trailer. Didn’t hurt it a lick- and I never had a filling shake loose. 🙄
As for the price, seems high. If it doesn’t sell, the seller can relist it at a lower price. That’s how this works.
This is a beautiful truck! GLWTS
Must not have been too expensive for someone!
It’s sold—