In 1987, Ford Motor Company introduced the all-new Ford F-Series with its 8th generation, lovingly named the “Bricknose.” The changes from the 7th generation “Bullnose” are most prominently observed in its front end, which abandons the full grille and sealed beams in favor of composite housings and a smaller grille. These alterations not only improve the truck's aerodynamics but also retain elements of the iconic style seen in earlier Ford trucks from the 1980’s. Over the past 36 years Ford trucks have retained a large portion of their popularity as work trucks and daily drivers, becoming a collectible entity amongst truck enthusiasts of all demographics, and I personally can see exactly why they are so beloved.

This 1988 Ford F-250 XLT Lariat is a major example of the collectability of these stylish trucks. Draped in two-tone browns and tans, a 7.5 liter fuel injected big block mated to a simple 3-speed C-6 transmission, with the absolute comfort of the Lariat editions cloth seats, leather steering wheel and even A/C and working radio! At just 82,000 km on its odometer, this incredibly fine example of a true survivor was about to be my only way from Vancouver back home to Calgary, a journey just shy of 1000 km.

I met with the seller, Brett, at the Tsawwassen ferry port at 8:30am Sunday, June 25, with no knowledge of the truck's true condition other than photographs and knowing it was a low kilometer survivor, with a fear of knowing just about anything can happen. I saw the truck after it had exited off the ferry, and amongst the yellow and lime green taxis and bland modern whites and grays of modern cars, this brown and tan behemoth emerged from behind and towards where I had planted myself. The sun gleamed off its metallic finish, the chrome reflected the sky around us, this was the best F-Series Ford I’d ever seen with my own eyes. Not a tick, not a miss, this truck ran like an absolute dream and sounded as healthy as it rolled off the assembly line December 10, 1987.

I met Brett, and he handed me the keys to the truck, he removed his license plates from the front and back, and after less than 5 minutes with him, he was back on his way headed home to the island once again, and I was left with the new task of returning this truck back home to its new owner in Calgary. I hopped into the truck, threw the transit permit on the windshield and away we were off! In Canada, obtaining a transit permit allows you to travel freely between provinces. This is in contrast to the USA, where each state enforces its own unique regulations. To secure this permit, all you need to do is visit the registry with your ID, bill of sale, and insurance. You're then legally permitted to travel without plates for 7 days, clear across Canada.

The first stop was not that of a fuel station, but the nearby “Stay Gold Custom Car Show” in Langley, British Columbia, but more of that in a future story to tell. 

4:00pm came extremely fast, at this point I was heavily sun burnt and flat out exhausted from running around the show photographing all the cars I could, having been a few hours late. From there, I still had over 900 km to go till I returned home to Calgary with the Ford. From the show, I set off towards the city of Abbotsford for the first fill up. I watched as the gas gauge plummeted towards empty, 7.5 liters of V8 power was beginning to drink the fuel away like beer at the Calgary Stampede. This journey was going to become an expensive one quickly.

I fueled up the truck, at $1.94 per liter and taking in 62 liters of fuel, my heart stopped instantly, I just began hoping the truck was more aerodynamic than it looked for the rest of the journey. I checked the fluids, looked for leaks, and with the golden star of approval from myself, we were back on the road headed home. I cruised right around 100 km/h for the majority of the first leg, watching the pine covered mountains fly behind me, the cool wind blowing through the vent windows and filling the truck with the beautiful aromas that British Columbia has to offer. Being a low mile survivor with a clean CarFax report, she pushed along the highways with ease and grace. At least until I made it to Merritt.

Merritt is a small city about 200 km away from Abbotsford, making it a perfect stop along the route to overlook the truck, and of course keep the thirsty tanks topped up. Pulling up to the pumps, I hopped out and headed inside to pay for fuel. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a '90s Honda Accord in the lot, its hood popped open and tools strewn about. Curiosity piqued, I turned to the clerk behind the counter and asked about the car's story. She explained that its occupants were on a journey from Calgary to Vancouver when their car gave out - a route eerily similar to my own. Walking back to the truck I spotted a small puddle underneath the truck, thinking it may have been from the broken-down car, I carried on filling one of the dual tanks. The pump shut off, the tank was full. I headed to the front of the truck to check everything over, and after popping the hood I realized the small puddle was indeed from the Ford I was driving. Coolant had begun pooling on the front of the engine, specifically next to the thermostat housing.

After some deliberations about whether it would be safe to continue on, and a quick chat with the truck's new owner, it was decided that the leak was somewhat superficial and we could continue on with the journey. The next planned stop would be Revelstoke, however with the long day in the sun and exhaustion beginning to get the better of me, I had to stop partly overnight in the town of Sorrento, just before Salmon Arm, to get some rest. A “one hour power nap” turned into a three-hour sleep, ignoring my alarms while sleeping in the truck and using my flannel shirt as a blanket and my camera bag as a pillow. After waking up to the cooling mountain air and shivers from the cold, I fired up the truck and continued back on my way towards Revelstoke.

Once I entered Revelstoke, I went to the nearest fuel/fast food stop that was open to get ready for the final stretch of the trip. Upon inspecting under the hood and checking all the fluids, it appeared the coolant leak that started back in Merritt had miraculously healed itself. With that wonderful discovery, a Tim Hortons breakfast, and pumping in 61 liters of fuel into a single tank, I was back underway home.

The rest of the trip home was a breeze. While rummaging around the FM radio channels for some shred of country music, just after passing Banff, I was gifted with the familiar sounds of my favorite country station and its familiar homely voices I listened to every day. The final stretch home was on the horizon, after nearly ten hours on the road. I ended the journey with an impromptu shoot at possibly one of the city's best spots to showcase a classic country pickup like this, at the Ranchman’s Cookhouse & Dancehall. Where else would you picture an old truck of this pedigree best being showcased within the big western city?

The journey ended on the same high note it began with. A 1000 km road trip that began in the Lower BC Mainland, through the Rockies, ending back home in Calgary without any issues other than the superficial coolant leak that popped up in Merritt. This truck truly was a dream to conquer the Western Canadian Highways with and bring home to its new owner. As I finish writing this, I’m already in the process of planning my next journey, but until that time arrives, get an old car, or get yours on the road, and take a journey somewhere new or old and make some memories!

 

- Kyle Hanger