Preserve or restore? It is a question often posed by classics like this 1969 Ford F100 Ranger. Its paint looks tired, but the lack of significant rust could allow the new owner to address the isolated spots while preserving the rest of the vehicle as a genuine survivor. Alternatively, a cosmetic restoration in its factory color would make a bold visual statement. Whatever path you would choose, you will find the Ranger listed here on eBay in Mountain View, Arkansas. Bidding has raced beyond the reserve, and sits at $12,700 at the time of writing.
The seller states that, apart from themself, they believe this F100 has had only one owner. It would have been a striking vehicle in its day, ordered in Raven Black, with sparkling bright trim. The paint looks sad, showing significant deterioration. However, it retains what I would describe as a warm shine, allowing the buyer to preserve the exterior after addressing its minor rust. It is confined to a small area at the bottom of the passenger-side front fender and to a typical spot in the lower cab corner on the driver’s side. Otherwise, the floors and frame are solid. The seller supplies only three images in their listing, but their embedded listing video paints a positive picture. The trim and glass are in good condition, and the hitch receiver increases the vehicle’s versatility.
This is the last of the seller’s three images, and it doesn’t tell us much. It confirms that the first owner ordered the F100 as the Ranger variant, trimmed in Red with air conditioning and a radio. Beyond that, the interior condition is unknown. However, all parts required for a retrim are readily available, so returning the interior of this classic to a factory-fresh state should not be challenging. The F100 doesn’t run or drive, but it would have been a pretty respectable performer in its prime. It left the line equipped with a 360ci V8 and a three-speed automatic transmission. That year’s Sales Brochure quotes power and torque figures of 215hp and 327 ft/lbs, allowing this Ford to make good use of its tow hitch. The Pickup doesn’t run or drive, and it is unclear when it last did. However, the bulletproof nature of the mechanical components may allow the winning bidder to revive this classic with only minor tweaking.
This 1969 F100 Ranger has generated significant interest since it hit the market, attracting fifteen bids at the time of writing. The seller hasn’t done their cause any favors with their lack of photos, but the listing statistics suggest that people have seen enough to be seriously contemplating taking it home. With the reserve met, that will happen in a few days. Are you tempted to make this F100 yours?
Those hubcaps had a long and successful run for Ford.
My brother had a similar truck, but with a 390 4bbl and had a 3-spd manual. That truck would routinely destroy a lot of cars that under estimate it.
In my growing-up days, all the Ford pickups with which I was familiar were basic work trucks. Then shortly after the revised 1967’s arrived, a Ranger model arrived at my dealer, equipped and trimmed much like this one. I was blown away how attractive and fancy it looked. I consider this as the beginnings of the “luxury” truck, a segment which has exploded since then.