September/October 2021 Vintage Truck

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The September/October 2021 issue of Vintage Truck magazine is available in our gift shop now and will be available on newsstands soon. Our cover story features Ira Stephens’ 1966 F-100. The article was written by Loren Hoekema and photographed by Al Rogers

Rare Ranger

With his 1966 F-100, Ira Stephens owns one of Ford’s very first Ranger pickups!

In 2019, Ford Truck unveiled the newest product to bear the Ranger name—a mid-size pickup introduced to do battle with the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Toyota Tacoma, and Nissan Frontier. Folks probably remember that the most recent Ford to wear the Ranger nameplate was a small import-fighter introduced in 1982 as a 1983 model and produced through three generations until 2012. A few people in the new truck market today recall that the top trim level for Ford’s 1967–82 F-series was also called Ranger, but how many people remember or even know about the very first Ranger pickups?

In 1965, Ford introduced the Ranger package as an upgrade to its top-of-the-line truck, the Custom Cab. According to Ford, “Drab cabs are out!” The package consisted of bucket seats sourced from that year’s Mustang and carpeting that covered the entire cab floor and the rear of the cab above the gas tank. A customer could also specify an optional center console from a 1964–65 Ford Falcon Sprint. These trucks were only produced in 1965 and 1966 and were rare when new. At present, they are scarcer than the proverbial “hen’s teeth.”

For 1967, Ford introduced a new F-series design, and the Ranger became the designation for its top trim level. Even though the 1967 Ranger still had carpeting and was a deluxe truck, it had a bench seat, albeit a dressed-up bench seat. Bucket seats were still available as an option for all light-duty Ford trucks, including those equipped with the standard cab, but Ford dropped the console option, and the exclusiveness of the 1965 and 1966 Rangers seemed to disappear.

To read more about the 1966 F-100 pick up a copy of the September/October 2021 issue of Vintage Truck magazine!

Articles in this issue include:

  • Swap Meet Souvenir
    Peter and Carol Schultz’s 1966 Chevrolet C-10 was a lucky find!
    Story by John Lee, Photos by Brad Bowling

  • Selling Prewar Trucks in Postwar America
    Jerome Kampwerth’s 1947 Dodge WC pickup benefitted from a 23-year restoration!
    Story by Bob Tomaine, Photos by Brad Bowling

  • Rare Ranger
    With his 1966 F-100, Ira Stephens owns one of Ford’s very first Ranger pickups!
    Story by Loren Hoekema, Photos by Al Rogers

  • Drive Your Old Truck Day 2021

  • The Sand Rover
    Todd Hudkins’ 1974 Land Rover began as nothing more than a dream on a Welsh beach!
    Story by Robert Gabrick, Photos by Brad Bowling

    DEPARTMENTS

  • Letter from the Editor

  • Letters to the Editor

  • For Ford Fans: 1978 Ford F-150 4X4

  • The Workhorse: 1974 Dodge “Ugly Fred”

  • The Road Less Traveled: The Austin Mini-Moke

  • Books in the Bed: Reviews by Robert Gabrick

  • Aid for the Anxious Amateur: Radiator Replacement, Part Two

  • Hey Loren!

  • Photos from the Attic

  • Classifieds

  • Show Guide

  • Granny Gear: “Noo Jersey”

If you can't find Vintage Truck on a newsstand near you, call 800-767-5828 or visit our Gift Shop to order current or back issues. To subscribe, call 888-760-8108 or click here.