All Original One Owner XLT Ranger is Mint

New Clock

Auto experts claim that Ford pickups have the worst resale value, but the market must have missed the memo. Used F-150s are now commanding new truck money—or more. A case in point is this 1979 Ranger XLT in mint condition, but it also costs one. With only 10,859 miles on the clock, this XLT has only done about 250 miles per year since the new.

Photos courtesy of Harwood Motors.

Western Survivor

Listed with Harwood Motors in Macedonia, Ohio, the Light Sand over Gold Metallic F-150 has an asking price of $54,900. They state that mileage is not a misprint and the ad reads as follows, “One owner western truck. Original paint, interior, and 400 cubic-inch V8. Automatic, cruise control, 4-wheel drive. Aftermarket wheels, roll bar, and exhaust—otherwise stock. Fantastic survivor!”

Cherry Two-Tone

To put the asking price in perspective, the original MSRP for a 1979 Ranger XLT was around $6,300—just over $25,000 in today's money. It begs the question, is this XLT really worth it? That all depends, but it is hard to say no to a two-tone, cherry short bed with big wheels and KC HiLiTES mounted on a chrome roll bar.

Blissful Getaway

Sold by Dan Wiebold Ford, now Corwin Ford, in Nampa Idaho, the Ranger was purchased by a farmer and his new bride. The couple then took the truck on their honeymoon. While no romantic destination was disclosed, Harwood Motors did state that they had pictures of the couple on their post-nuptial getaway. Those blissful images did not accompany the ad.

Production Report

Upon returning, the newlyweds drove the truck sparingly over the next forty-or-so years. Unlike the honeymoon pictures, the Ranger's current documentation is quite extensive. Among other papers, it includes the original window sticker and purchase documents, along with a report from Marti Auto Works—a Ford licensee with access to the Motor Company's entire production database from 1967 to 2017.

Assembly Combination

The Marti report reveals some interesting production details. The farmer's former truck is one of only eight Ranger XLTs ordered in the two-tone Light Sand over Gold Metallic paint combination, out of the approximately 13,000 Ranger XLTs produced in 1979. It also indicates that the truck was built on January 13 at Ford's Twin Cities Assembly Plant in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Popular Stroke

The Ranger was optioned with Ford's 400 cubic-inch V8, backed by C6 'SelectShift' automatic transmission, with 3.50 gears in the axles. Introduced in 1971, the high torque, low RPM 400 engine replaced Ford's venerable line of FE motors. Based on the popular 351 Cleveland, the 265 horsepower 400 engine had 'square' proportions, with a four-inch bore and stroke.

Luxury Time

The truck's interior is remarkably clean and appears almost new. Free of cracks, the simulated burled walnut dash is in near-perfect condition. With cruise control, a sliding rear window, and AM radio, this Ranger XLT was the height of luxury in its day. A time capsule today, this next-to-new truck might just be worth the asking price.

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