The fourth-generation Ford F-series pickups really seem dated when compared to the next-gen bumpside truck, and that’s a good thing. I don’t mean dated as in somehow inferior, just sort of vintage and “quaint”, a word that not many folks would use to describe a pickup. The seller has this 1966 Ford F-100 listed here on eBay in Wimberley, Texas and the current bid price is $9,100, and you know what? The reserve isn’t met yet.
I think that this is my favorite generation of Ford F-series pickups. My brother had a 1964 F-100 in teal green which came right before the famous Twin I-Beam front suspension was introduced in 1965. This truck has that and it’s also a short bed which is very desirable in today’s market as seen in the bid price and the reserve not being met yet.
The short bed version of the F-100 had a 115-inch wheelbase and a 6.5-foot box, or bed. I grew up referring to a pickup as having a box not a bed, just as some folks call a “topper” a cap. Tomato, tomahto. The fourth-generation F-series trucks were made from October of 1960 for the 1961 model year until 1966. The seller lists the mileage as being 40,000 miles on the eBay listing but there’s no mention as to whether it has turned over or not.
The seat appears to have been reupholstered, although the seller says that it has a “blue factory seat”. Someone will correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m 99.9% sure that this truck wouldn’t have had a fabric seat, or at least that particular fabric. It appears to also have carpet which I thought was only found on a top-level Ranger model. Is this a Ranger? Or maybe carpet was an option or was added by a previous owner. The seller says that it’s a barn find and the only real rust of any concern is on the front of the hood. The underside does look solid with just some light corrosion as one would expect after so many decades. This truck has a three-speed manual transmission and column shifter.
This isn’t a straight-six as I would have expected, it’s Ford’s 352 cubic-inch V8 with 208 horsepower and the seller says that it “runs drives and stops really well, although it could use a namebrand carburetor because it backfires out the carb every once in a while.” Hagerty is at $10,100 for a #4 fair condition truck, a slight drop in value which is surprising. A #3 good condition truck is valued at $18,300. I’d get it working perfectly and just drive it, how about you?
Scotty you prompted me to do a bit of research, and in doing so I learned something. I didn’t remember there being anything “Ranger” for 1966, but in checking the brochure, there was a “Ranger Option” which consisted of bucket seats, carpeting, fuel tank covering, and an optional console. I don’t think I have ever seen one with factory buckets.
I distinctly remember the Ranger trim level on the next-gen 1967, it was loaded with fancy interior and exterior trim. I consider that model an early predecessor of today’s luxury pickups.
I call it a ‘bed’ most of the time.
This one has that used-but-not-abused look, it would be fine to own to run errands and loan to your neighbors when they (wisely) don’t want to use their nice SUV’s to get bags of mulch at Home Depot. That is, if they can drive a three-on-the-tree.
I am the quintestial Sport Truck enthusiast, I love the older short box 2-WD, Fords and Cheverolet’s , but I think the prices sellers expect for these, is getting out of sight. I see this truck as a fairly solid piece needing a lot of TLC. With an asking price of almost 10 K for what will certainly be a project, I think the price is too high. I also don’t think that, the engine is a 352 Ford, which would be a plus.
I really like these trucks, many moons ago I owned a 65 f-100 long bed, 352 3 on the tree with overdrive. I loved that truck, I used it for everything from hauling 300 gallon water tanks to going to the grocery store. I had a 69 Firebird 400 at the same time which my ex-wife drove most of the time. My truck was a darker blue with white upper half. I have no idea what these trucks are worth nowadays, but in 1971 when I bought mine it was $1800.00.
God Bless America
Auction update: this one ended because it was no longer available.
” it could use a namebrand carburetor because it backfires out the carb every once in a while.” If it backfires it could use some diagnosis not a more expensive carburetor.
I bought 64 F100 step side a couple yrs ago for $1600 and started a 04 Crown Vic conversion which has since stalled. Don’t have the help to finish it up so it’s time to move on. May post it here when I get pics together. Cab and bed removed and sandblasted. Frame cleaned and painted front crown vic suspension welded in as well as rear axle. 4.6 engine and trans mounted.
Remember when you could get into the classic car hobby cheaply by picking up a wagon or pickup? There’s a saying along the lines of, a rising tide lifts all boats.