1968 Ford F-250 Ranger Camper Special

1968

Ford F250

Ranger Pickup

Camper Special

VIN F25YRD44021

Back in the summer of 1971 I'd just finished my junior year of high school and was ready for adventure.   My folks were tired of the never-ending teasing suffered on my three younger sisters. so there wasn't much objection when a friend suggested a summer-long road trip looping from Seattle to New York City and back.   We built a plywood canopy for the bed of his '48 Chevy Pickup and hit the road.   Between us we had $400 to last the entire way (gas was only 30 cents a gallon back then).   That experience became the greatest summer of our young lives!  Why mention it?  By necessity we learned how to repair an older vehicle far from home (before the end of those three months we'd installed a new clutch and rebuilt the engine with used parts using only Vice Grips and a couple screwdrivers).  The knowledge gained that long-ago summer taught me. as a vintage collector. to pass by the junk and only focus on decent rigs that past owners cared about and maintained.  This Ranger is definitely in that category!

It's easy to see the attentiveness and care taken by the original owner has really paid off.   With a casual glance. you might think this is just another ol' truck.   But. like I did. look a little closer and you'll realize what a clean. nice find this really is!  The first hint is when you check for rust in the usual spots.   Anybody familiar with the Pacific Northwest. specifically western Washington. knows we get our share of misty rain. but hardly ever any snow.   The first few falling flakes cause panic and everybody stays home.   Truth is. our winter roads are rarely salted. so you'll see very few vehicles here with any serious rust problems!  Climb over. under and around this rig - I know you'll come up smiling!  No rusted-out floorboards or truck bed here! 

When you open the hood. you're in for nice surprise.   This Ranger has a manually-choked. great-running factory 360 CID engine.   The second you fire it up. you know it was built to last!  The addition of a 650 CFM Carter Competition Series four-barrel Carb sitting atop an Edelbrock-style aluminum high-rise intake adds greatly to overall horsepower.   You'll love the deep burble this strong motor makes through the dual exhaust.   Almost sounds like a hot rod!  

The automatic transmission shifts smoothly through all gears and we all know how great Ford rear pumpkins are in these old trucks.  

The data plate mounted to the driver's door specifies a limited-slip differential with 3. 5 gears (H2).   Having power steering also makes for easy turns!   Here's how the VIN code breaks down:

F25 – Ford F250 4x2

Y     - 360 Cu. In. V-8 engine

R     - San Jose. California Assembly Plant

D44 – June. 1968 production date

F254 – Heavy Duty 6900 GVW Camper Special

M7  –   Harbor Blue over Wimbledon White paint

G   -    Automatic Transmission

38 –   3. 73 Dana 60 Rear Axle

The data plate also indicates the truck was delivered here to the Seattle Sales District (#74) when new.   It has always been a local Western Washington rig.   We've found no special order information. so most likely it entered regular dealer inventory shortly after rolling off the San Jose assembly line.

Up in the cab you'll find full factory instrumentation.   The past owner added some aftermarket gauges to augment the factory ones as they don't all work.   The speedo/odometer are fine.   Look at my pics of the bench seat.  Sometime back in the 90's it replaced the original.   The un-faded fabric is in great shape and there's no spring or underlayment breakdown either.   Both sun visors are original. as is the headliner.  Carpeting was added some time ago and is a bit weak. but still passable.   For nostalgia sake. everyone likes a factory Philco radio.   This AM model still works great and has good reception even with just a stub antennae.

Outside I know you'll be impressed by the classic blue over white paint.   It's had one respray to the factory color combo and is in excellent condition; no rock chips. fading or other issues.  The bed's been lined with aftermarket texture paint and also looks great.   When the truck arrived at my warehouse a few weeks ago. we didn't need to do much of anything other than a tune-up and adjustment of the steering box to tighten up handling a bit.

I've always appreciated the look of stock 16 -inch steel wheels with “dog dish” covers.   I'd estimate remaining tire wear to be at least 30 percent all around.   The spare is mounted in the usual place under the bed.

Please feel free to email. text or call me with any questions during the auction.   My name is MARKand my direct number is 206/914-1173.   You're also welcome and encouraged to come by my Auburn. WA warehouse to inspect & test drive the truck.   You might also make an offer before the end of the auction. as many of my listed vehicles sell to smart “early birds” that call and work out a deal prior to the auction's end.   I always reserve the right to sell during this period.

A Few Additional Terms and Conditions:

A nonrefundable $500 deposit is due within 48 hours of the auction's conclusion.   The balance is due by cash or certified funds within seven business days unless prior arrangements have been made with me.     Please remember you are bidding to buy and I fully expect the winning bidder to fulfill their Ebay contract!  You're NOT bidding to hold or then come inspect the truck later as you're more than welcome to do this before the auction ends.

If you decide to have the Pickup shipped home. there are scores of vehicle transport companies to choose from.   I send off vehicles regularly and suggest that you get a transport bid from Dependable Auto Shippers (DAS).   They're EBay's preferred transporter and will give you a fair quote.   Call them directly at (888) 817-6203.   Give the rep. my affiliate number (2362642) and they can pull up all our information for station-to-station or even door-to-door quotes.  

As an alternative. you might also get bids from the U-Ship. com website.   You'll be able to choose a transport broker from multiple offers.   The zip code for pick-up would be 98002 (Auburn. Washington).   For Oregon and California buyers. I have a great transporter that regularly delivers for us up and down the I-5 Corridor.   The shipping of the vehicle and company chosen are the responsibility of the BUYER.   

You're welcome to keep the rig free of charge at my location for up to two weeks after the auction ends assuming full payment has been received.   After that. storage is $20 per day.

Want to buy this car?