Those looking for a cheap used vehicle usually go for 20-year-old models. So you’d think that a 1996 Ford F-150 is going to be cheap. But not this one, which is a mint-condition model with low miles, something collectors might be interested to buy.
It feels strange to say that a 1996 Ford F-150 is a collectible. A Cobra Mustang of similar vintage is hot stuff, worth decent money. And you’d be surprised by how different things used to be. Also, this is generally considered to be one of the most reliable generations of trucks ever built, with many examples pushing 300,000 miles. Not this one; it’s got 14,571 original miles on the clock.
In 1996, Hotmail had just come out, and the Motorola flip cell phone was trending. You were probably listening to the Spice Girls, Celine Dion, Toni Braxton, or George Michael. Don’t try to deny it!
The F-150 was, as always, a top seller that year. Even though 1996 was the last before they introduced an all-new generation, Ford still managed almost 800,000 sales.
The 1996 Ford F-150 got rid of the first-gen Lightning due to retooling, along with the Flareside box. The factory also began making the seats with integrated headrests; this example has them.
Read: 1986 Ford F-150 XLT Lariat Is an All-Original Time Capsule
Engine-wise, Vanguard Motors is selling this F-150 with a numbers-matching 5.8-liter V8 with fuel injection. When new, this made 205 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. California models had 5 more of each. This Ford is equipped with 4WD and power is sent to the wheels through an E40D 4-speed automatic, Borg Warner 1356 Transfer Case, Ford 8.8” rear axle with 3.55:1 gears and an LSD, plus the Dana 44 front axle with the same gearing.
Being an XLT, this would have boasted remote keyless entry that normal models would. The F-150 has also been optioned with the chrome appearance package and an AM/FM radio with a cassette player.
Ford offered a couple of two-tone options, Deluxe Two-Tone and the other is Lower Accent Two-Tone. The top is obviously Pacific Green Clearcoat Metallic, and the bottom appears to be Opal Grey. Either way, the paint looks as good as new, even inside the bed or under the wheels. It’s obvious that this F-150 hasn’t seen many days of hard work or even rain.
Even the stickers are intact, so there’s no doubt this perfect-condition 1996 Ford F-150 is valuable. But $59,900 is new truck money. You could get three base Mavericks, two base F-150s, or a luxurious King Ranch.
