If you’re like me, you love seeing a vintage vehicle still sporting its old-school decals or stripe kits. It’s likely because we all know how difficult it is to keep those graphics intact for the long-term, as years of sun exposure, repaints due to an accident, or simply because the glue dries up, can cause those killer factory graphics to disappear forever. Not so with this clean 1983 Ford F100 pickup that comes with the desirable 300 CI inline-six engine paired to an automatic transmission, which means those “Explorer” graphics likely will melt away before the drivetrain gives out. Find it here on eBay with a Buy-It-Now of $5,900 and the option to make a best offer.
Even if it didn’t have those amazing bed graphics, this is still a very sharp truck. Featuring red and white paint with a series of red stripes going down the sides into the Explorer decal, it certainly looks far more sporting than it actually is. The rally wheels and generous white-letter radials give it the perfect stance, and this truck looks downright turnkey in the photos. The seller notes the paint is original (and so are the decals) and that the doors, engine lid, and trunk all close with the same satisfying thunk that they would have when the Ford was much newer. Speaking of tires, while the seller notes they are practically new, they’re also quite old.
The interior is in even better condition, and the color reminds me of the “Canyon Red” cloth that was popular in Fox-body Mustangs. The seller notes that the interior of this truck is unrestored like the rest of the truck, so you’ll see some tears in the upholstery. The Ford was equipped with air conditioning, and while the equipment is still in place, the compressor doesn’t have a belt which can sometimes mean a previous owner pulled it off when the compressor died – just a guess. The truck is equipped with crank windows that roll up and down on command, and it appears to have a crack-free dash as well. The stereo is not hooked up and there are no windshield wiper arms.
The bed is surprisingly nice with zero evidence of heavy work being done. This Explorer-package truck is clearly a survivor as most pickups that are unrestored would have at least had a scratched-up bed at this point; not here, as the previous caretakers of this F100 pickup were just as obsessed with keeping it mint like the current owner is. It helps that the F100 had a period-correct camper shell in it back in the day to keep the bed floor in such nice shape, and we’d love to see the next owner pay tribute to that original vision by adding a camper shell of their own – and leaving everything else alone! Do you agree on this approach?
Be a great rig, throw on a canopy and your camping 🏕 totally agree on the decal pkg. Too cool.
“seller notes the paint is original (and so are the decals) and that the doors, engine lid, and trunk all close with the same satisfying thunk that they would have”. Trunk???
Last smogged in 2000.
Somewhat concerning.
Any graphics on a vehicle, to me, is pure phoofery( ?)It takes an average vehicle that may be a slow seller, into this wonderfully new looking vehicle, and remarkably, sales take off. Why? Because people are basically idiots, that need some sort of glitz while driving a mundane vehicle, VIOLA.
Too harsh? Maybe, but catchy sayings on vehicles don’t do anything for me, it’s still a pickup truck. This is the carb version ( FI came out in ’87), and my 1980 Bronco had the 300, with a carb, and has the distinction of getting the worst gas mileage of any vehicle I had, almost worse than my diesel semis. The V8 actually gets better mileage, and more power to boot. Want more confusion? I had to look up the differences between a F100, and F150.( came out in ’75) The F100 was a 1/2 ton rating, and the F150, also had a half ton rating, but was called a “heavy 1/2 ton”, with a heavier frame. Simply put, they were the best trucks Ford ever made, not that new crap, waiting on computer chips, that buyers are cancelling the orders on. I look at the ads for these new pickups, with digital screens, hoopla up the axx, and in the end( pun intended), this is what is really needed in a pickup truck. Chilled cup holders, not so much.
Mundane vehicle VIOLA? Is that woman’s name now some sort of slang?
Or did you mean Voíla?
Good to see your take as always Howard!
Agree 100%! A basic pickup truck without the electronic garbage is what’s needed. Just imagine how many could be built/sold because of no so-called “chip shortage. But then again, you make more money by creating a shortage. The people that buy this junk are a big part of the problem. Don’t buy them and the manufactures will be forced to lower the price and make them simpler.
“…Do you agree on this approach…”
sure:
1) again, wish it were the F250
2) as rd truck wish for ‘long bed’ (this 1 8ft?)
3) perfect motor (low mileage claim above did not know the tricks)
4) that shell U put in? needs to be light weight.
did this vehicle ever sell?? My father has the exact model, been trying to find parts for glove compartment and new decal (old one peeled off). Engine has less than 100k, he wants to make it a show truck, we need help with locating exact parts please!
I have one like this, but it’s all red with the white Explorer stripes. Full size bed, not sure but the one in the picture looks like a smaller length bed. Great truck and I’ve never seen another like it.