LIFELONG SOUTHERN TRUCK, 302 H.O. V8, AUTO, LONGTUBE/DUALS, PWR BRAKE/STEER, A/C

If you haven't noticed, we're selling a lot of trucks here at Streetside Classics. What we're seeing now is the emergence of a new segment of the hobby, and '70s pickups are at the forefront of affordable classics. This 1972 Ford F100 Sport Custom is a great example, thanks to a high-quality restoration that leaves no question this is a cherished collector piece and no longer just a workhorse.The door tag says this one was originally two-tone green, but when you're restoring a truck from the ground up, you can go with just about anything you want and black always works. Of course, if you're going to spend the long dollar on a restoration, you need to start with the right truck, so these guys found a regular cab/short bed pickup from down south, so rust was a non-issue. The bodywork was straightened and prepped for the paint, which is almost deep enough to swim in. Following a thorough cut and buff, all the original trim and brightwork went back on, and it must have cost a small fortune to restore all that shiny stuff. Everything from the bumpers to the tailgate insert looks great and things like the diamond plate rear bumper add a heavy-duty look. Even the inside of the bed is beautifully finished, effectively ending this truck's hauling days but really showing off just how nice the paint really is.The all-new black interior gives you a glimpse into pickup truck fashion, circa 1972. The Ranger was Ford's top-of-the-line, and it shows with plush cloth upholstery and real carpet on the floor instead of a rubber mat. Like the exterior, the interior was thoroughly (and expensively) restored, with many of the pieces being brand new. The fat 3-spoke steering wheel is the most notable upgrade, but there's also an A/C system under the dash and an AM/FM/cassette stereo radio in the center (which is probably due for replacement). The gauges appear to be original, but Ford gave Ranger buyers a full complement of instruments to keep an eye on the engine; after all, it was probably going to have to work for a living. The engine is a fresh 302 cubic inch H.O. V8, which made its mark in the 5.0 Mustang. However, with a truck this nice, you don't just build a stock motor and call it done. No, this one sports a 4-barrel carburetor atop an aluminum intake manifold, both of which pay big dividends in the power department. Finned valve covers and a chrome air cleaner, both from Ford Motorsport, add a bit of style to the working parts of the truck, and a big new radiator certainly doesn't hurt when you're talking about reliability and performance. Long-tube headers and a fresh dual exhaust system give this truck an awesome sound, the 3-speed automatic transmission snaps through the gears with real authority, and there are easy-cruising 3.25 gears out back. There are also recent shocks at all four corners, and it's wearing late-model aluminum wheels with big 15-inch General radials wrapped around them, adding an updated look.You couldn't duplicate this truck for twice the asking price, and the future looks bright for vintage haulers like this. Call today!