Good morning! On today’s Shitbox Showdown, you might think I’ve made a mistake because both links will point to the same ad. But this is one ad for two cars, and they’re both cool, so I’m just going to use them both.
Friday we looked at a pair of really rare old cars, one of which was not all there by a long shot. In fact, the amount of car missing was about equal to the percentage of votes it didn’t bring in. You preferred the intact but derelict Hino Contessa by a huge margin, and I can’t say I blame you.
That Contessa really is a cool little car, and the Renault-based mechanicals do open up a world of possibilities. No one can say for certain how many parts would be compatible, since this is a license-built copy of a Renault, but it’s worth investigating. Just get ready for damn near everyone to ask you “What is that?” when you take it out in public.
Now then: As I’ve mentioned, I’m in the process of a cross-country move. Most sane people, and even David, will rid themselves of excess vehicular baggage before a move like that. I’m not one of them. My wife and I are bringing all four of our vehicles, and our vintage travel trailer, with us to the East Coast. It’s going to involve either three crossings or two crossings and a carrier for two of the cars; I’m not sure which yet. Either way, it’s going to be an experience, and I might pitch an article about the process to the powers that be (which means I probably shouldn’t poke any more fun at David).
The seller of these two vehicles is moving as well but has chosen to sell a couple of cars beforehand. Skirting Craigslist’s five-dollar fee for vehicle listings, they have decided to double up and get two ads for the price of one. I have to reward such frugality and resourcefulness by giving both vehicles a little more exposure. Here they are.
1988 Ford F-150 XLT – $3,900
Engine/drivetrain: 302 cubic inch overhead valve V8, five-speed manual, RWD
Location: Auburn, WA
Odometer reading: unknown
Operational status: Runs and drives “excellent”
Here we have a truck that will look familiar to the Autopian faithful. What do you get for the man who has everything, including a self-destructing aorta? A Ford truck! If you’ve ever looked at Jason’s truck and thought you’d like a Marshal of your own, you’re in luck. This 1988 Ford F-150 is a good old-fashioned standard cab/long bed, with a manual transmission and a bench seat like any good work truck should have. Unlike the Marshal, which relies on a 300 cubic inch inline six, this old Ford has a 302 cubic inch Windsor V8 under its hood.
We don’t know how many miles are on this truck, because the seller isn’t sure, but it doesn’t really matter; these things rack up the miles like a traveling salesman’s frequent flyer account. It runs and drives flawlessly right now, that’s what matters, and if something breaks, you just replace it and keep going. No planned obsolescence here; this is a tool meant to last.
It’s in nice condition inside and out, too, with just enough bumps and bruises to give it some cred down at the lumber yard parking lot. It’s a fancy truck for its time, with power windows and locks, cruise control, and even carpet!
The steel in the bed floor has been replaced, though the seller doesn’t say whether it was from rust or damage from some load or other. I know first hand that hauling gravel and rocks in a truck bed can beat it up, and the wheel wells in the bed are beat to hell, which makes me think the floor was too, But that just means it was earning its keep, and can continue to do so for a new owner.
1966 Plymouth Fury III – $7,500
Engine/drivetrain: 383 cubic inch overhead valve V8, three-speed automatic, RWD
Location: Auburn, WA
Odometer reading: 44,000 miles, but probably rolled over
Operational status: “Gets terrible gas mileage but is fun to drive”
And as if a really cool root-beer-brown truck weren’t enough, this person also has one of my favorite old mid-’60s cars up for sale: the 1966 Plymouth Fury III. It’s seventeen and a half feet of slab-sided Americana, with a nice healthy 383 V8 and a Torqueflite automatic propelling those stacked headlights forward into a future that looked way cooler than what we actually got.
This one’s engine was just rebuilt and has a new Edelbrock carb, and runs like a top. It is a bit of a gas hog, but if you want fuel economy, get a Prius. This thing is about presence and comfort; it’s for Saturday morning Cars & Coffee, or Sunday afternoon ice cream runs. It has dual exhausts, and I bet it sounds terrific.
Inside, it’s in good condition, but not so pristine you’d be afraid to drive it. Long, low, and wide is the theme here; take it easy on the corners so you don’t slide into the door panel. Also, I see it has no power brakes – I’ve driven a Chrysler Newport of this era with a 383 and manual brakes, and it’s frightening how quickly it gains speed, and how slowly it scrubs it off. All the more reason to go easy on it.
Outside, it’s a nice “driver quality,” with a few dings here and there, but nothing you’d notice from ten feet away, so who cares? It’s cool-looking, it makes V8 noises, and it’s a whole lot cheaper than most “classic” cars. What’s not to like?
Actually, you know what? This is actually a fantastic two-car garage, so I’m going to break precedent and give you all a third “Both” option on the poll today. If you really prefer one or the other, then cast your vote accordingly. But if, like me, you think this is too good of a package deal to pass up, I’ll give you that opportunity too.
(Image credits: Craigslist seller)
I’ve already got a comparison for both of these in my stable. My truck is a little newer- 2002 F250 with the V10 and a manual, and my Fury is a little older and in worse shape. 1965 Fury 3 with the same 383 , but mine is a two door. This one hits close to home!
I like the cut of this owner’s jib.
both.
Thank you for the ‘Both’ option. That would’ve been a tough choice. The seller has pretty good taste.
Right? Makes me wonder what cars he’s keeping.
I was hoping for the “Both” option as soon as I saw the choices and the prices. Taking the truck was a no brainer but that Fury is pretty nice. My favorite Chrysler products are the 69-70 variety like the Cuda, Charger and Challengers but then I guess so is everyone else’s since the prices have been crazy for years on those.
I would definitely use that truck. The last F150 I had was a 91 in a similar rusty brown and was the dealership loss leader that I got for a great deal. Let’s see how far Auburn is on Google Maps.
If I had to pick just one, it’d be the Fury. But I would be temped to see if I could talk the seller down by taking both.
The Fury, but I’d add a power booster and a front disc brake conversion. That 383 is no pushover and will make a ton of speed quickly.
Hate to split up a litter, but the truck is what I’d want. Had enough fury in my life to last me.
O/T- I’d be down for an article on your move.
I’m showing up with 3 drivers and $10,000 cash. If the seller balks at that, then I’ll buy the Fury alone and cruise home to the sounds of the exhaust burbling and the fuel tank emptying.
I’m curious if these cars get sold because they’re featured here. Ever get feedback from the sellers? Ever get negative feedback from sellers?
Next time I Craigslist one of my hoopties, I’m most surely going to submit the link here to see if it gets featured!
I haven’t seen that happen here yet, but on Ye Olde Site there were a few times when the seller got involved in the comments. There weren’t as many all caps threats as I would have expected!
It has happened here, with a Saab 900 if I recall. And at least once, we’ve heard back from someone who bought one of the cars, a little Mazda GLC.
Cool, I don’t recall that one. It might have happened on a day I didn’t visit the site. I hope the seller came in arguing unironically for why their car should be the winning shitbox.
Quick question about the Plymouth Fury, will it sneak out of the garage at night and chase down your enemies or was that feature only on the earlier models?
Oh, and thank geebus for the Both option today.
Love the truck. Love the Fury. I wish the truck was 4wd and the Fury was a two-door, but those two wishes just make it harder to decide on one over the other. Both it is!
Both are boxy but quite unshitty, so an easy choice.
I can not unsee how the Fury III front grille and lights are very phallic in appearance. Doesn’t bother me in the least, as I’ll take both of these shit boxes ????
Dude, I can’t unsee it now.
Dualling dongs
LMAO! I didn’t notice at first, but now I’ll never unsee it. The same way I can’t look at a 1st gen Colorado ZR2 pickup and not see the dong spoked wheels.
I’m not really getting the phallic thing to any degree beyond what’s expected with a powerful car with a long hood. What kind of strange dicks are you usually looking at?
Look at the 2 bezels that are in the grille and wrap around the headlights before going tip to tip at the Fury III badge in the middle.
To your question: don’t kink shame! strange dicks are still dicks! Lol
It’s funny, I wish the truck had four doors and the Fury two, but I guess we are stuck with what we have.
I’ll never get the people who order 2wd trucks; even if you never once put it in 4×4 it seems like the resale boost alone would be enough to make it worth it. And even if Washington isn’t Minnesota, it’s not exactly Florida either.
Plymouth for me.
Resale value is moot for me, I drive everything into the ground and don’t expect to ever sell a car I own. I did that once, and ended up never driving my Cadillac because I was worried about it. Never again.
I respect that attitude, but surely you must know it’s an extreme minority among car- buyers.
Speak for yourself.
I literally had a wheel fall off (bearing fail). Then a little while later the car had a new bearing and spindle so back on the road it went.
I would not take the opinion of commenters here as representative of anything typical among car buyers, whether for good or bad.
“Drive everything into the ground” implies the car is ready for the scrapyard so SOMEONE, somewhere is driving that car until its ready for the scrapyard.
Sure lots of people sell a car for *reasons* but usually to someone else who will either drive it into the ground or sell it for their own *reasons* to someone else who will drive it into the ground. Eventually that car is driven into the ground somewhere, maybe Africa maybe Mexico but somewhere every car ever made has been or is being driven into the ground by someone.
Of course, that is why I said it was moot for me. I just don’t understand why someone would buy a car expecting to sell it down the road and expect resale value. If you are looking for that, just lease a car.
There’s a difference between buying a car expecting to make a profit when you sell it and buying with the idea of paying the least depreciation and therefore the lowest total cost of ownership over whatever period of time you plan to drive it.
The former is a pipe dream, the latter is prudent financial planning.
If your intended sale is to the junkyard for scrap value, then sure, it barely matters, but that is not reality for 99% of new car buyers.
A brown, manual, single cab longbed truck from the 80s might tear a hole in shitbox spacetime.
I was leaning F150 because I think the Fury is a few bucks overpriced (well, they both probably are). But, the masses are right, I think he’d take a package deal discount, so I voted both.
That F150 is only a couple hundred bucks in accessories away from being a absolute Grampa Truck
The only thing that truck needs is some yellow and orange stripe decals. Still, both is the obvious choice here, and the Fury would be my pick if we only could get one. It’s just gorgeous and perfect for cruising around.
Like both but picked the Fury because the truck doesn’t have the 300-6. My only experience with a 302 was not good.
Huh, I don’t think I have even heard anyone disparage the Ford 302 before. They can make more than adequate, reliable power and the aftermarket will keep them running almost as long as the SBCs. Was your experience with a used one maintained by 16 y.o. who never heard of an oil change?
The 302 was in an 84 F-250 homemade dumptruck someone gave me for use as a yard truck. Was rebuilt, had low miles but always gave me problems whenever I used it, probably due to lack of use. Got fed up and turned it into a dump trailer instead. Probably unfair to compare it to my 92 F250 with the 300-6 since it has EFI. That can sit several months but always fires up and goes.
Both is the answer here. A worker and a cruiser. Doesn’t get better than that. Try to go low on the offer so you still have money for gas…
Oh yeah! These are a fine pair. I bet if you wave 10 stacks in front of the seller’s face, you could take these both home, and you’ve done very well on both counts.
I’ll take the cool and fun Fury!
The truck is nice, but without the 300 I-6, it’s not as attractive. To know straight-six Ford pickups is to love straight-six Ford pickups.
(It’s ironic that Ford conquered the market with promoting V-8 power in cars and pickups — but ultimately it was the 300 straight six that made the F-150 the icon it became.)
Growing up in rural Manitoba (and seeing trucks across the prairies), almost every F-150 I ever saw had either a 302 or a 351 V8 under the hood. As cool as the I-6 is, I am flabbergasted by how it’s dominated the conversation here on The Autopian, since I had only seen a handful with the six-cylinder engine. Is it a Canada versus US thing?
I don’t think so, my experience is the same as yours.
I think it’s a combo of the perceived reliability and cheapskate nature of the six being the base engine and mostly appearing in base trucks, both of which appeal to the commenter base here.
It certainly can’t be the driving experience of the engine, which was awful the only time I was subjected to it.
At my wedding in December, our priest — aware of my love of cars — noted in his homily that God owned a Plymouth, citing a passage in Genesis that He drove Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden “in His Fury.”
It’s a “dad joke” — more like a “Father joke” — and it killed.
Now, then: I appreciate this Plymouth, but Chrysler products are my least favorite of this period … and I love a bricknose Ford … so we’ll take the row-your-own F-OneFitty.
Think he’d take 10k for both?
I do. It’s only a little over a grand off his asking price, and to sell both on one shot and be done would make his life pretty easy. You’d be buying well too
Can’t hurt to ask him. Maybe you’ll get yourself 2 fine automobiles.