’69
Ford Explorer
This is long, thorough and worth reading if you are really
interested in this truck.
I have provided 73 photos showing the condition of the truck also. There are several underside photos is the Ebay Picture Viewer.
History
This truck came to me two years ago from the family of the
original owner. He purchased it in 1969 as he was retiring. This is the last
truck he purchased in his life, so he bought the most highly equipped truck he
ever owned. This was also true for the times when a truck was quite basic. He
lived to a very old age of around 100 and had this truck until he died. He and
his Wife lived here in the area until they moved to their country home in
Northwest Louisiana. It was kept in a partially enclosed carport since new,
right up until the time that I got it from the family and rolled it out of
there.
After his death, it was rarely driven, started and let run occasionally
by his Wife in order to keep it up. It had not been driven at all for a few
years when I bought it. She had lost the keys, was in care and no longer able
to drive anymore. We picked it up, brought it home, installed a new ignition
switch, overhauled the carburetor…a little gas, it fired right up, running nice
and smooth. The build sheet is still in the back of the seat. It is tattered,
so I did not attempt to pull it out.
This is an overall non-restored truck (no need) that has had some
cosmetics, paint etc...
Miles- --36,128 showing on the odometer. The family had no idea. His Wife
is the one who might know, but she has been in care for years now and out of
touch with the truck. I would think it to be 136, 128 miles. With the condition
the truck is in however, I think it could easily pass for a 36, 128 mile truck.
It sure drives like one. In my opinion, it drives like a new 1969 Explorer,
just incredible.
(It has never been smoked in! The cigarette lighter and ash tray
have never been used).
This is much like the truck Ford used in the brochure for the
Explorer, but it seems you don’t often see one like it. This one has the spray
on top.
Equipment
-360 C.I. Motor
-C6 Automatic
Transmission
-Air Conditioning
-Power Steering
-Power Brakes
-Factory spray on
simulated vinyl top
-Factory and original
AM Radio
-Rear Cargo Light
-Emergency flashers-switch
in glove box
-Carpet
-Front and Rear chrome
bumpers
-Ranger trim
-Explorer package,
including wheel covers
-Original 2 barrel
carburetor
-Dual Exhaust
Condition…
Mechanical
Motor
Excellent!
The original 360 motor is
in excellent condition. This man took excellent care of his equipment and it
shows here. The oil and filters were kept changed regularly. He kept it tuned
on a regular basis. It has no leaks, oil or otherwise. It does not smoke. It
makes no adverse noises, even on cold start. The compression is about 145 psi
all the way around. The truck was never driven hard or abused in any way. Bump
the key and it starts right up every time!
Transmission
Excellent!
It shifts smooth and sure
just exactly as it should. It has no leaks here either.
Suspension
Excellent!
As you can see in the
photos, the truck sits up just as it should. It drives straight down the road,
no wondering or slack. You can feel that the suspension and steering is nice
and tight, as it should be.
Brakes
Excellent!
I have not had the brakes
pulled down and physically checked because I see no need to. It stops great,
nice and straight, no pulling either way. The power vacuum system seems to be
in good working order and it has a very good and full pedal.
Rear End & Drive Shaft
The rear end and drive
shaft are quiet and tight with no noises or vibrations.
Exhaust
Excellent!
The dual exhaust is in nice shape all the way back. It was painted with Eastwood coating to keep rust free as it is.
Tires
Excellent all the way
around! It still has what I think may be the original spare. It has tread,
looks good and holds air. It is sitting on the bed floor because the spare tire
holder inside the bed was removed long ago.
Air Conditioner
It has the original
dealer installed Clardy Industries air conditioner with the original sticker
still on the rear window. The air does not work. It needs a condenser core as
many of these do. It is coming apart. The compressor does have the belt on it,
but it is noisy (knocks). Just to make it clear, though I figured that it was
the A/C compressor only that was knocking, I had it checked by a mechanic to be
sure that it was only the compressor. He confirmed what I already knew. I think
the compressor will likely still work, but these compressors are cheap and I
think it would be best to replace it, if you want to repair the air.
Compressor, condenser and dryer should fix it right up. The inside unit and
hoses all appear to be in good shape.
Electrical
All gauges and other electrical
components work great with the exception of the horn which works sporadically.
Body
Excellent!
There is no rust. I can see where there was some surface rust on
the inside of the hood and a couple of small repairs at one time. These had to
have been very minor because there is not much to see when looking at it from
the underside. I can see no signs of any accidents. The body is straight with
only 3 very small door dings on the driver’s door with no broken paint on them.
You really have to look for these to see them. The doors have no slack in them
at all. They open and close like new.
Paint
Excellent!
It has had one repaint in its original red. The paint is
beautiful as in the photos with only a few small touch up places. It was
painted in the bed also and it looks very nice. There is a small scratch here
and there in the bed with most of them on the inside of the tailgate. There is
nothing that detracts from the truck’s sharp and beautiful appearance. The
paint on the top appears to be original. There are a few small dings there. I
thought to have them repaired, but did not want to disturb that nice, clean
original rust free top. None of it detracts from the appearance of the truck
either. The paint is really nice!
Underside
Excellent!
The cab and bed floors are nice and rust free along with the rocker and all lower panels. There is a light dusting of paint on the underside that my Son did. It is thin and it is obvious that it's not covering anything up that shouldn't be there.
Frame
Excellent!
The frame is rust free and nice as you might expect.
Chrome-Aluminum-Stainless
Excellent Overall!
The front and rear bumpers are really nice. There is some
bubbling on the cab corner paint dividers between black and red. The aluminum
trim pieces are very nice. There are some nicks here and there along with other
imperfections, but it is all far too nice and original to replace. The original
grille is outstanding. The original stainless west coast mirrors are almost
like new.
Glass
Excellent Overall!
There are some minor blemishes. There is some scratching from the windshield
wipers on the driver’s side, but minor. There is no de-lamination and the glass
is all nice and clear.
Rubber
Excellent!
I had the original rubber replaced on the back window and door
jambs only due to aging. The windshield rubber is still original and is very
decent. There are no leaks around the windshield, so I did not want to fix what
was not broken and left it alone.
Interior
Excellent!
The interior is very nice. There was one crack down the middle
where the radio speaker is, so I had a dash cap installed. It is a good one and
looks nice. I also had the original seat recovered when I first bought the
truck. It still had the original red and orange plaid inserted seat. It was not
worn, but was dry rotted. The original seat belts, door panels, headliner and
sun visors are all excellent. The carpet is also excellent.
Lights and lenses
The lights all work. The lenses are in great shape with only one
crack on reflector under the tail light on the driver’s side rear above the
bumper.
Summary
This is a very nice truck and one well worth owning. I have a
lot of confidence in it and personally would drive it anywhere. It is just a
beautiful truck and drives just as nice as it looks. It is just an excellent
truck that probably drives much as it did when new.
Contact
I have done my utmost to describe this truck accurately and
thoroughly for you, just as I would want for myself. It is not perfect, but is
exceptional. If you feel that I have missed anything or just want to know that
there is a warm body on this end, feel free to call… (409)-790-1297
Transportation
Transportation is your responsibility. I will accommodate your
carrier as best I can. If you choose to fly in and drive it back, I think it
will make a trip just fine. However, let it be known that this is an older
vehicle and I cannot guarantee anything. It is my opinion that it will get you
home, but anything can happen. We do have nearby Jack Brooks Airport. I can
meet you there with the truck or pick you up and bring you to it.
Payment Terms
The payment terms assume that you have the money in place to pay
for the truck at the time of bidding and purchase. I do require a $500.00
non-refundable deposit be made through PayPal immediately after the auction.
The PayPal default states 24 hours, but it is required immediately after close
of sale. The balance must be paid within 3 days of auction end by bank wire
transfer only.
Buyers from outside the U.S.
You are welcome to bid
and buy this truck!
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