The recently launched Ford Maverick - opens in new window or tab. compact pickup is a huge success. Buyers are plunking down substantial deposits and waiting several months to take one home. That signals new interest in compact trucks that are easy to maneuver, frugal on fuel, and capable of carrying ample cargo.
It also rekindles interest in classic examples, like the 1973 Ford Courier sold on eBay in 2023.
From the Land of the Rising Pickup
Ford launched the Courier in 1972. In that era, buyers had their pick of similar trucks from at least half a dozen different manufacturers, mainly from Japan. Datsun and Toyota spearheaded the wave of mini-trucks, giving buyers the utility of a full-sizer with much better efficiency. Chevrolet used Isuzu to build the LUV, and Dodge had Mitsubishi build the D-50.
The Ford Courier was based on the Mazda B-Series - opens in new window or tab. truck, sharing its powertrain, underpinnings, and other components. However, the Courier got a distinctive nose to cleverly ape the full-sized F-100 - opens in new window or tab., capitalizing on the brand’s established dominance in the truck market. By adopting the Mazda design rather than starting from scratch, Ford quickly captured a piece of the growing demand.
The Courier for sale on eBay is a beautiful example. In 2012, the rust-free truck received a complete frame-off restoration costing more than $18,000. Since that time, the truck has been lightly used and carefully maintained. The paint gleams like it just rolled off the showroom floor, and the like-new bench seat remains covered in plastic. The restored truck now shows 72,000 miles on the odometer.
Getting the Details Right
Several pages of restoration receipts in the listing detail the extensive work.
The tasks included:
- A rebuild of the Ford Courier's 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and four-speed manual transmission
- Gutting and reconstruction of the interior
The meticulous restoration included virtually every other major mechanical component and fine details like a new chain for the tailgate. The truck was repainted in the correct original yellow rather than a modern hue. The muted, earthy tones typical of the 1970s highlight the simple lines of classic pickups.
The goal was to keep this Ford Courier as period-correct as possible. The restorer has even seemingly repurposed the clear plastic sofa slipcover - opens in new window or tab. more typically found on your great aunt Mildred’s floral-print sofa (you know, the one you mischievous kids aren’t allowed to sit on) to preserve the cloth/vinyl bench seat within this beauty.
The underside looks almost as clean as the exterior. The truck remains rust-free and has been garaged and covered since its restoration, with only a few miles added yearly.
This Courier was reportedly owned by a Ford marketing executive and later spent time on display at the company museum - opens in new window or tab. in Dearborn, Mich. It has desirable options, including air conditioning and an AM/FM cassette stereo - opens in new window or tab..
With a Buy-It-Now price of $24,999, this time capsule was available for less than one of the new compact trucks—and about half the price of a fully-loaded new Toyota Tacoma - opens in new window or tab.. Buyers lament how smaller pickups have gotten so huge, making them hard to maneuver in the city. A compact like this vintage Ford Courier shows how we can find our way back to rationally-sized trucking.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.