1990 Ford F-250 XLT Lariat

Description

Not quite a collectable yet, but if you need a rugged, reliable daily driver that can still put in a hard day's work and look great doing it, this low-mileage 1990 Ford F250 pickup might be a smart choice. The low-key gray paint job still looks smart here in 2017 and it features a host of comfort and convenience options that make it a pleasure to drive every day.

The simple charcoal gray paint job looks upscale and elegant, disguising the truck's working-class origins easily. It's original and in that regard, it's quite remarkable since trucks like this rarely led easy lives, especially the heavy-duty versions like this three-quarter ton F250. On the other hand, 1990 was just about the time that driving a pickup truck instead of a regular car became fashionable, hence the handsome paint job. Hailing from the south, that means no rust or other issues hiding underneath, and it appears that all the sheetmetal is original and unwrinkled by accidents, although there are a few touch-ups here and there. There are also the usual signs of age, but the care this truck has received over the years is evident everywhere you look. The bed features a matching Leer camper top and a spray-in bedliner, so it's still quite useful as a truck with no worries about damage. A bit of bright trim accents the monochromatic paint, and it's all in good shape with a familiar Ford look that will take you back in time.

The upscale XLT Lariat interior is very well preserved, with original upholstery on the bench seat, factory door panels, and heavy-duty rubberized floor coverings that mean it doesn't mind working. The dash pad is in excellent condition and it has a much more upscale look than you'd expect for a truck of this vintage thanks to a lot of burled walnut trim that appears pretty convincing. It offers factory A/C, which is always a nice find, as well as cruise control, a tilt wheel, and a full array of gauges for the driver including a tachometer. The modern AM/FM/CD stereo in the center of the dash isn't original, of course, but it's surely an upgrade over whatever was there originally. And the most appealing feature just might be that shifter on the floor, which makes this thing feel like a big Mustang rather than a utility vehicle. With an interior like this, can't you see yourself hitting the road with your boat or hot rod in tow behind you?

Ford's rugged, reliable, and torquey 5.8 liter (that's a 351 Windsor to some of us) V8 lives under that big hood, and while it doesn't have the same high-performance personality as its Mustang cousins, it remains a torque factory that moves the big pickup with authority. Thanks to that long-runner intake, it hauls loads without straining and still hustles with urgency when the need arises. Someone took exceptional care of it, too; just look how clean it is! All the usual equipment is there, including things like the AIR injection pump, a new A/C compressor, and those two long intake pipes running to the throttle body. It's linked to a 5-speed manual transmission, so it's a lot of fun to drive, regardless of what you're doing. The chassis may show its age a bit, but there are no signs of trouble, no rust, and a dual exhaust system that sounds pretty darned good. Factory steel wheels with hubcaps (dig the 8-lug hubs!) are fitted with recent General truck tires that look good and don't mind the load.

Too nice to be a simple work truck, and perhaps someday these trucks will capture collectors' hearts. In the meantime, you can enjoy a seriously nice truck for not a lot of cash. Call today!