If you’ve ever wanted a classic Ford SUV with some south-of-the-border flair, this 1979 Ford B100 might be the ticket. Produced exclusively for the Mexican market, the B100 is a unique three-door Suburban-style utility vehicle that shares components with the sixth-generation F-Series and full-size Bronco. This particular example is a running project that’s titled in the U.S. and comes with supporting Mexican paperwork. It’s currently for sale here on eBay and located in the Southwest.
According to the seller, this B100 is powered by a Ford 302 V8 paired to a 4-speed manual transmission. The vehicle reportedly runs and drives around a lot, making it easy to load on a trailer for transport, though it remains a restoration candidate. As expected from a vehicle of this era and region, there’s visible rust, bubbling paint, and signs of prior body filler use. Still, for someone after rarity and utility, this platform is hard to beat.
The B100’s three-door configuration sets it apart from more familiar American-market Suburbans. It features two doors on the passenger side and a single driver-side door, which was typical for vehicles of this type in Central America. The seller notes that all three rows of seating are intact, making it a capable hauler for people or gear. While the green exterior shows wear, it presents an authentic patina for those into the rugged survivor look. Restoration will be needed, but originality and mechanical completeness are big pluses for a vehicle this unusual.
Underneath the faded paint and surface issues lies a vintage utility vehicle with tons of character. The seller notes that the engine starts and runs, and while it’s not clear if the 302 is original to this truck, it’s an appropriate period-correct powerplant. The 4-speed manual adds driver involvement, especially for those looking to preserve this as a backroad cruiser or slow-going off-road rig.
Whether you’re a Ford truck aficionado, a fan of obscure global variants, or just want to turn heads at Cars & Coffee, this B100 offers something a little different.
Would you restore it to factory spec or build it into a long-roof trail rig?
I would make sure to have my papers in order if I was going to drive this around where I live in the Southwest (can you profile a truck?).
Located in El Paso,Texas.
Cool ride 😎 thanks Elizabeth. 🇲🇽
I didn’t even know these existed until seeing them on Barnfinds. Nice truck, I like it!!! Great write up Elizabeth!!!
Yes very cool, but a bit rough.
I wonder why Ford didn’t offer these in the USA if they were already making them in Mexico. In later years Ford tried to play catchup to Chevy with the Expedition and for a few years the Excursion that was even available with a V-10. This looks like a unique ride for sure. If it were mine I would go with 4WD, a lift and some bigger tires. I’m guessing that the heater was an option on these.
Had the same feeling when i saw the firewall. At first i thought blown core but after looking. ” euh something is entirelly missing ” Like it but not a good candidate for up here in Montreal. ;)
I was wondering the same. GM offered the Suburbans in the late 60’s with the ‘no doors’ on the left passenger side.
While probably not enough sales, I’m sure Ford lost sales to GM.
I’m just imagining arriving at my local Ford dealer for maintenance and saying B100 and taking them outside and see the ” What the heck ” expressions. ;)
You could flummox a Ford dealer with a Tempo or Probe. They have zero knowledge or interest in older cars and turned me away with my ‘02 Excursion claiming no knowledge of the defective Body Security Module it had. They’re useless for anything more than 8-10 years old
I’m not a big Ford fan, although I have owned a few, but this one is unique enough to pique my interest. I see promise in this one. Good find!
I’m with you, David, not really a FoMoCo type of gal, except for T-Birds and Lincolns and a few Mercurys. But Ford always seemed to outlast everyone when it came to size. While GM was shrinking everything including Cadillac, Ford stayed the course.
As for later models, I do admire the Excusion simply for its size. A 2024 Expedition is nice also. I got to drive a lot of those working for Hertz.
You could actually live in this thing. It has a high roofline, 8 foot bed. This thing is huge. And it has a frame. Im always looking for something with a frame. I don’t care for unibody.
Sweet truck. Never seen one either.
we hada visit here from these before. Not this color, probably not the awning windows in back either. Mega output of these sao’a da border (Ford de México). Van doors/rear, crew cab ‘3rd dor’, I’d say: “2nd gen bronk, tho (’78/9)”. Or even “p/u all the way” (but roof, doors). I believe not coach built but right in factory. A very different set up than here (or Venezuela, Brazil, S. Africa, europe).
Amazing coincidence! Just this morning I woke up from a dream about a truck with Mexican roots in avocado green! Not. But, hey, this one definitely fits the ‘only one at the local cars-and-coffee gathering, right? Gotta like it. On some level. FoMoCo!