1965 Ford F-100 Ranger: Rarest Truck Ever?
For two short model years, you could buy a Ford truck with Mustang buckets and a console. But just how rare are these early Rangers?
“Rare” is a word that gets kicked around far too often these days. Mostly by people trying to extract maximum value from their old trucks. But declaring something the “rarest” of all is a bit of a stretch. After all, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to track down actual production numbers on most old trucks. And yet, Ford Truck Enthusiasts member MrPotatoHead attached the term to this incredible 1965 Ford F-100 Ranger he recently came across.
“Today I stumbled across the rarest truck I’ve ever seen in person or on any website. It’s a ’65 Custom Cab, Ranger, short bed with the Ranger bucket seats and console. He’s in his late seventies, can barely walk and still thinks he’s gonna get it running someday. He is the original owner and ordered it himself. Needless to say, I told him I am interested in buying it if he ever comes to the realization that he probably won’t ever do anything with it.”
Now, if you’re not familiar with these early Rangers, it’s safe to say that they are pretty darn cool. These trucks came with a pair of bucket seats straight out of the Mustang – something that was unheard of at the time. The Ranger option was ordered on top of the Custom Cab option, and also came with a cover to hide the in-cab gas tank. Buyers could also opt for a console lifted from a ’63 Falcon Sprint or Comet S-22. The option was short-lived, however, disappearing after 1966.
Actual production numbers of these Rangers are unknown, but they are relatively rare. But as our members point out, it certainly isn’t the rarest pickup ever built.
“Just wait till you come across a ’64 with factory buckets and console,” notes tripleframe.
“So many more rare 65-66 trucks than an F-100 Ranger,” said Boss9F100. “Although the truck is complete and cool, it would far far exceed the cost to restore it with no labor involved if the truck were purchased for free. It’s the reason so many get parted out.”
And as resident expert NumberDummy points out, this 1965 Ford F-100 Ranger isn’t even 100% correct.
“’65 Ranger has aftermarket A/C, tailgate finish panel from a 1968/69 Custom Cab/Ranger, 1970 Sport Custom.”
So hey, maybe this 1965 Ford F-100 Ranger isn’t the rarest truck in the world after all. But it is undeniably cool, and that’s all that matters to us! Be sure and head over here to check out all the pictures and the full story on this (kinda) rare truck!
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