For sale: California rust free survivor 1972 Ford F-250 Camper Special Explorer. Nicely equipped for a 1972 with A/C, PS/PB, dual tanks and the Camper Special and Explorer packages. Purchased new from J.H. Sanders Ford in Clovis, California the Ford appears to have lived a life of leisure in the California High Desert. I purchased the truck earlier this year from a gentleman in Fresno who had purchased it a year or so earlier from a relative of the original owner. The Ford is Lifelong CA truck showing just over 78,000 miles on the odometer (the gentleman I purchased it from claimed the miles to be original and the truck shows that to be true)!. The word "survivor" is frequently abused here on Ebay, and adjectives like "amazing", "incredible" and "pristine" are hurled about often. This is the real deal.
This truck is very clean and original for a vehicle of this age. I am an engineer by vocation but have a keen interest in vintage trucks and 4x4s, and own a large collection of same. Occasionally I have to sell one! I'll do my best to describe this Ford F-250 below, and I'll let the vehicle speak for itself. No detailing has been done, no spray paint, no undercoating, this is an honest rig, what you see here is an unrestored survivor. Still has factory stickers, labels and markings!
Exterior: Truck still wears its original paint. The paint and body are in great shape with just the right amount of patina! All body lines are good and doors open and close nicely. At some point the passenger's door was replaced and repainted. That paint (passenger's door) is now cracking and flaking in a couple locations. Scratches and chips are way less than you would expect for a 45 year old workhorse but they do exist. The body is very straight with the only real blemishes being a dent on the top/front of the hood (passenger's side) and a small dent in the driver's door at the mirror attachment. Windshield does have and 18" long crack @ midpoint, about the rear view mirror ht. Not in the line of sight but something that should be taken care of at some point. Unlike most of the older trucks boasting "rust free" in all caps, this one actually is - A rust free original California blue plate truck with NO RUST! Chrome on the grille and front and rear bumper chrome are nice but not without imperfections. Just a nice clean "Grandpa Fresh" rig!
Interior: Interior is in nice condition. The indian blanket seat cover is protecting the recovered original seat (recovered in a tan velour and not the original nylon or vinyl). Headliner has been tastefully recovered while the door panels are original with only one small blemish (driver's panel - see photos). None of the typical moisture damage or pitting. No rodent damage or smells. All gauges, lights (unless noted otherwise), heater, windshield wipers and washers, flashers and blinkers are in good working order. It appears the temp gauge and the oil pressure gauge read low (typical of these old rigs - probably a resistor in the instrument cluster circuitry). A/C belt is in place but the A/C does not blow cold - Not sure if a charge is needed or? The only non-functioning features I am aware of are the dome light, back-up lights, license plate lights (bulbs/fuse?), lighter (fuse?), the A/C (charge/service) and the factory radio (not installed but included with sale). Just a good honest truck!
Mechanical: Very good mechanical condition. This truck was never wheeled, mudded, kidded or hooned. Very well maintained and whatever this rig needed over the years, it got. Vehicle has not been modified in any way! The 2-bbl 360 V8 is strong and starts, runs, and drives out well. Trans shifts well and truck drives and stops straight. With the exception of an occasional drip from the radiator there are no major drips on garage floor! I've been driving it and it really is smooth, tight, and nice. The only things I have noticed that will need attention are the radiator (top seam is sweating at the tank seam), the manifold to tailpipe connection on the driver's side (I can hear an exhaust leak and I believe that is the location) and the tires (lots of tread but too much age - sidewalls are cracking).
If you are in the market for a clean, low mileage, 1972 Ford F-250 Camper Special/Explorer this is one to keep an eye on! It may be a long time before another this clean and honest comes along. And this Ford F-250 is being offered at NO RESERVE. Feel free to contact dean at 661-703-8402 with any questions.
Good luck and happy bidding!