1978 Ford F100 Pickup



In 1925 the Ford Motor Company introduced the first "pickup" based on the Model T Runabout. Ford offered the rear "pickup box" separately at their dealer parts department for $25.00. The box was then bolted onto the back of the vehicle as an accessory. Since the box was "picked up" at the parts department by the customer, the term "pickup" took hold for this style of vehicle. Later the box was installed at the factory and evolved into today's pickup trucks.



For consignment, a totally restored from frame up Ford F-100 short bed step side pickup truck from 1978. Lots of attention to detail has been paid to this truck, and the final product shows it. These trucks seem to be very popular at Classic Auto Mall lately, so it is suggested you show up sooner rather than later for your chance to have it permanently in your collection.



Exterior

Charcoal gray was one choice in the palette of available original build paints and this truck now has a new coating of it and it displays with some dry spots and inclusions particularly on the hood. With clean and shiny body matching painted grille, and a single round headlight flanking either side this is iconic design for 70's Ford trucks. This grille has been blackened to add to the mystique, and even the bumper has been painted. The all-steel hood and side panels as well the doors are all rust free and have nicely minded gaps. Window surrounds have been blackened and the handles painted the charcoal gray. Large side view mirrors on either side remained shiny chrome. Moving to the step side bed sides and rounded fenders outside the bed allow for more space within the bed. Speaking of the bed, it has brand new unmarred oak planking separated by shiny mounting strops on either side of the stained and finished planks. In back is a straight tail gate, and a chromed bumper is below on the back. A sliding rear glass on the cab allows for airflow through the cab. American Racing wheels are on all 4 corners, and these have black painted hub centers and multiple bolts holding the shiny edge rings to the black.



Interior

Swing open the charcoal gray painted door surrounds, and you are immediately welcomed with nice clean black vinyl door panels looking like new. This center panel presents in a brick pattern and has a molded armrest and window crank. New weather stripping is on, and all is nice and tight. Inside we slide on to a black tuck and roll black vinyl bench seat black smooth sides and bolsters. This bench floats on a sea of clean black carpeting. On the hump in the center of the seat is a long-armed shifter. In front of the shifter is a carbon fiber box that houses 3 aftermarket gauges that monitor water, volts, and oil. The vertical rectangle dash is in good condition with very clean instrumentation. An Aftermarket AM/FM/CD radio replaces the original in the dash just below the temp sliders. On the driver's right, a large tachometer has been bolted on to the steering column. The remainder of the dash has been painted charcoal gray and the top is black padded vinyl with no cracks. Behind the seat is a speaker case with woofers and tweeters in the same box.



Drivetrain

A flip of the hood and you are gazing into a wonderful completely restored engine bay, which includes a fully rebuilt 302ci V8 cylinder engine, which has been bored over and stroked to create a 331ci V8, so says the consigner. On top is an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor and a set of cast ribbed valve coverings add some more bling to this stroker. A 4-speed Toploader manual transmission is on the back and a Ford 9-inch rear axle is installed. Headers and a Flowmaster exhaust have recently been put on, and new power steering, power brakes, a clutch assembly and flywheel are new to when the engine was re-done.



Undercarriage

Plenty of attention to detail was paid to this undercarriage. Now we have black painted steel framing with no rust or even a hint of road dirt. As the truck was re assembled, no expense was spared as it pertains to quality body mounts and hardware, suspension rebuild, brake lines and linings for the front power disc brakes and rear power drums, and a like new exhaust system. The underside will be seen as nice as the topside, and it makes it abundantly clear that there are absolutely no issues. Showroom condition underneath.



Drive-Ability

No fooling around here, this restoration has yielded a beautiful ride, great acceleration, bias free panic stopping, and really solid handling. All functionality is working perfectly, and it was a comfortable cruiser.



For an individual who just enjoys a nostalgic truck cruise in a truly original looking and correct truck, this could be it. For the collector who wants to show a beautiful example of the F-100, this could be it. For the business who may want to use it as a promotional piece, and attract a lot of eyeballs, this

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