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Truck Of The Day: March 9, 2010; Matchbox '78 Ford Custom F-150
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Topic Started: Mar 9 2010, 03:12 AM (454 Views)
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Swifty
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Mar 9 2010, 03:12 AM
Post #1
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
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Today's car of the day is Matchbox's 1978 Ford Custom F-150.

- Wikipedia
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The F-Series is a series of full-size pickup trucks from Ford Motor Company sold for over five decades. The most popular variant of the F-Series is the F-150. It was the best-selling vehicle in the United States for 23 years and has been the best-selling truck for 33 years, though this does not include combined sales of GM pickup trucks. Analysts estimate that the F-Series alone makes up half of the Ford Motor Company's profits in recent years. In the tenth generation of the F-series, the F-250HD and F-350 changed body style and joined the Super Duty series.

For more information and pictures of the real car please visit: Ford F-150

This is a 1982 casting, of the 1978-1979 Ford F-150 Custom trim. This was one of my most wanted models as a kid- I had the orange Baja Bouncer, but one of the Matchbox 48 car carrying cases showed this blue one and I was enamored by it. And I never got one. The one you see here was purchased in 2008 at the Hershey Matchbox show (incidently, every single car showcased this week is an '80s Matchbox purchased at that show!) and is a favorite. Bouncy suspension, rugged looks, and childhood memories of desire.

- Wikipedia
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The next major redesign came in 1980. The new truck had a squarer look, with sharp lines and flat panels; the trucks were designed with improved fuel efficiency in mind, and to this end, Ford added its new AOD automatic overdrive (four-speed) transmission as an option on light-duty models. Also new was Ford's first use of an independent front suspension on 4X4 models. The Ranger trim line was dropped from the F-Series in 1982, since that name was to be applied to the new Ford Ranger compact pickup, which replaced the Ford Courier mini-pickup line. Trim options became XL, XLS, XLT, and XLT Lariat. In 1982 the "F-O-R-D" letters were removed from the hood and a blue oval logo appeared on the grille.
The big-block 460 CID V8 was dropped for 1980, but returned in 1983 along with the 6.9 L V8 diesel option. In 1982, the 335-series "Cleveland" V8s were discontinued. The 351M was replaced by the 351 Windsor (an older design that now made its debut in light trucks), while the 400 vanished altogether (Ford's competitors had ceased selling engines in that size range a few years before). The 5.0 L V8 switched over to fuel injection, first as an option in 1985 and then as standard in 1986.
The new Essex V6 was added in 1982, but didn't sell particularly well. It was dropped after 1983, and the long-lived 300 inline six continued as the standard engine through the series. A work truck package called "6+6" was available, pairing the 300 CID inline six with the C6 transmission. These were also the last American vehicles to have a column-mounted manual transmission.
The F-100 was dropped as the base model at the end of 1983 and the now-familiar F-150 took its place as the base model F-Series truck for 1984. This generation also saw extensive use of galvanized body panels to fight corrosion which is now gaining them popularity among restorers.
The various changes that occurred between the 1981 and 1982 model years were accompanied by a slight cosmetic change- 1980-81 trucks have a plain grille with "FORD" spelled across the front of the hood in chrome letters, similar to the previous generation. 1982-86 models had the letters removed, and a Ford oval placed in the center of the grille. This made the 1982 the first model year to feature a blue oval on the front, something that has been on every model that followed it, with the exception of the 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor.
This generation saw two different sets of trim levels:
In 1980 and 1981, there was:
Custom- Base model with manual locks/windows, vinyl seat, and black rubber floor mat. Ranger- Intermediate trim that added a color-keyed floor mat, extra chrome, and woodtone dash trim. Ranger XLT- A step up from the Ranger that added better seat trim, a color-keyed headliner, color-keyed carpeting, aluminum tailgate trim and optional power windows/locks. Ranger Lariat- a step above the XLT that added a plusher interior. For 1982–1986:
Base - basically the same as the Custom of the previous years. XL - replaced the intermediate Ranger trim for 1982 as the Ranger name would be used for Ford's new compact truck. XLS- a new trim level that featured a blacked-out grille, bumpers, headlight bezels, and windshield trim. It also featured a stripe graphics package and black and silver dash trim. Available exterior colors were red, silver, and black. XLT Lariat- featured floor carpeting, color-keyed headliner, a standard chrome grille, and optional power windows/door locks. In 1985 the tailgate trim was changed to a "flat" full width aluminum with a red "reflector" towards the bottom with chrome FORD letters. Explorer - Was basically a step up from the XL line. The "Explorer" trim line received a higher geared rear end, an AM/FM radio, chrome bumpers, xhrome fender well trim, and a chrome grill. The Explorer Line would later be dropped to introduce the Ford Explorer SUV in 1991. This generation of Ford trucks are the latest to become popular restoration projects as most of these trucks are becoming emissions exempt in most states and now old enough to be registered as classics or antiques.
In Mexico, there is an "F-200" which was introduced in 1976. This variant remained until 1991.
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ErnestHughes
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Mar 9 2010, 03:47 AM
Post #2
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Fullsize
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I got one of those, I think.LOL
EH
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james_autos
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Mar 9 2010, 03:48 AM
Post #3
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Minivan
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I don't think I've ever seen this one before!
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Scooter
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Mar 9 2010, 11:55 AM
Post #4
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Fullsize
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i got a red and orange version but not the blue
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Sak
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Mar 9 2010, 08:25 PM
Post #5
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Ezekiel 25:17
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Sak likey.
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ivantt
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Mar 9 2010, 08:53 PM
Post #6
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New casting? Quick! Take it apart!
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- james_autos
- Mar 9 2010, 03:48 AM
I don't think I've ever seen this one before! I've never seen this one, either!! And I thought James Auto had just about any MB available to him at one of his cold, dark, damp, early morning bootsales!
OH, I GET IT, Swifty!! It's "Trailer hitch" week."
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Supraman
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Mar 9 2010, 09:07 PM
Post #7
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Swifty's @Work Alter Ego
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Nope- the Saab didn't have a trailer hitch. But it is 1980s Matchbox week- spotlighting the transition from Lesney to Universal.
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craftymore
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Mar 9 2010, 10:59 PM
Post #8
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Support your local demo derby.
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Add me to the growing list that never saw this blue version before. It's stunning! Unless something else in the next few days really wows me, this will get my vote.
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Tone
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Mar 13 2010, 05:15 PM
Post #9
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Rocket 88
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I only have the ones with larger wheels.
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