This 1973 Ford Courier recently hit the internet after appearing for sale on Craigslist in the Salinas, California area. Immediately you can tell that the truck is unique by the 50’s style grill. But there’s much more to it than that.
The cab and bed have been grafted on to the unibody of a 2000 Subaru AWD (All Wheel Drive) wagon with a 2.5L engine and manual transmission.
You can see from the photos below that the engine takes up all of the engine compartment, and doesn’t leave any room for a radiator.
The solution was to put the radiator in the bed, and add vents to the side to draw the air in (below). Did you notice the vents in the first photo?
Below you can see the tubes that run the coolant back to where the radiator now sits.
It’s definitely a pretty cool truck. I’m hopeful that the builder or current owner will see this page, and contact me with more details and photos.
About The Author
Growing up, my father always believed that every family needed a truck—there’s just something about having a vehicle capable of hauling anything at a moment’s notice. That philosophy stuck with me, and it’s been the foundation of my lifelong passion for Ford trucks.
While I’m best known for my work with Ford Rangers, I’ve owned a wide variety of Ford trucks over the years—including F-150s, F-250s, F-350s, and even larger rigs like the Ford Excursion, Ford Expedition, and a 1982 Ford Econoline Sportsmobile camper van. I’ve used these vehicles for everything from family transportation to towing car trailers and campers, and each one has fueled my love for Ford’s versatility and durability.
I especially enjoy the styling of 1970s and 1980s Ford trucks—the bold designs, rugged presence, and classic charm are timeless. Sharing my passion for Ford trucks, vans, and SUVs with other enthusiasts online brings me a great deal of joy, and it’s why I created Blue Oval Trucks.
This website is dedicated to helping Ford truck enthusiasts explore, learn about, and celebrate these incredible vehicles. While I share my expertise and experiences here, Blue Oval Trucks is an independent enthusiast site and is not affiliated with Ford Motor Company.
