The twelfth generation Ford F-150 came out in 2009 and lasted for just five years. This isn’t very long, but the Yank’s do love their full-size pickups, and Ford needed to keep the F-150 fresh, especially as it was launched just as ‘Murica plunged into a financial depression.
But the recipe was so successful partly because it is so straightforward: a big engine, beefy suspension, and a solid but effective drivetrain mean that the F-150 tends to stomp its way across rough terrain in a way that would make Range Rover owners shudder in their Hunter wellies and Barbour jackets.
But that same simplicity also breeds reliability, so the F-150 owner will still be motoring along quite happily while the owner of one of Land Rover’s finest might be sitting at the side of the road waiting for the recovery truck. Again…
The 5.4-litre petrol V8 is as straightforward in its design as it is in the way it goes about doing its business: 320bhp might not be an especially impressive figure given the engine’s capacity but it also delivers almost 400lb/ft of torque and makes the nicest noise this side of a six-figure supercar. It also lasts forever, so if the body is rust-free, anything else can be replaced for pennies.
Or cents, plus p&p and custom’s duty, obviously.
The Vehicle
The Ford F-150 Harley Davidson edition has recently made a comeback, with the new F-150 model being offered with this very attractive top-of-the-range trim package. That it took Ford so long is the only surprise because who wouldn’t want to own an F-150 that looks this good? Please note that this example also has the selectable four-wheel drive option.
The current owner is only the second registered keeper here in the UK, and he’s owned it for the past two years. It has spent time with him in France, which explains all the French paperwork in the history folder, and has never let him down.
It has been converted to run on LPG, which a common conversion on big petrol engines because a good LPG conversion gives diesel-like running costs while retaining almost all of the performance of a petrol engine.
This means that the Ford F-150 is likely to prove very economical to run; not only are you saving big bucks at the pumps (the owner tells us that £32 of LPG gives him around 200 miles of motoring, or the equivalent of well over 30mpg in financial terms) but it’s probably almost depreciation proof by now, which means you are dodging the two biggest costs when it comes to running any vehicle.
That you could probably insure it on a limited mileage, classic car policy to save even more is the icing on an already very attractive cake.
On the Outside
The paintwork might look black but it’s actually got an attractive, subtle purple hue to it that we thinks looks spectacular, offsetting the Harley Davidson-edition matt black trim to perfection.
The coachwork is in very good condition and is free of damage such as scratches and dents, thanks in part to a careful owner and in part to a professionally fitted stone chip deflector that protects the front end from stray debris.
The alloy wheels do have some marks but none are serious, which means that refurbishing would be straightforward and relatively inexpensive. All the tyres have good tread.
Some of the suspension components under the vehicle has some very light surface rust but there is nothing either structural or serious under there and a weekend with a wire brush and a tin of black Waxoyl would have it looking as good as new and fit to face another decade.
However, the spare wheel, which is mounted underneath the pickup, is not pretty and may well need some attention before you have a puncture if you want to avoid verbal ridicule when you come to fit it…
The rear receiver hitch features a Ford cover that illuminates when the vehicle is being braked. Other nice little touches are an LED light bar that has been wired in as an auxiliary reversing lamp, an extendable rear step, keycode entry system on the driver’s door, and reversing sensors and a camera.
The rear load bed features a Harley Davidson load liner and is where the LPG tank calls home. The only fault the seller has told us about is the retractable load bed cover, which he says doesn’t go all the way back. However, we wonder whether this is a safety feature to keep the LPG tank covered?
On the Inside
The dark red and black Harley Davidson leather seats and matching trim are all in good condition, being free of rips, tears and other damage. The power seats all work and adjust as they should, as does the memory function.
In fact, the vehicle is laden with goodies, including interior LED mood lights that can change colour, retractable side steps, four-way steering column adjustment, electric pedal adjustment, cruise control, ice-cold air-conditioning, and both 12V and 24V power outlets.
The wooden veneer trim is in great shape too, as are the carpets and headlining. The CD player/radio head unit is also iPod compatible and has Bluetooth streaming for hands-free telephone use.
The all-important Harley Davidson badge, complete with the vehicle’s VIN number to prove its authenticity as a genuine factory model, is in place on the centre console.
The owner purchased a new genuine Ford Motor Company original equipment tool kit for £250. This has never been used and will be supplied with the vehicle.
Underneath
The pickup has been serviced recently by a garage that specializes in servicing and repairing American vehicles. The owner has not stinted either, very recent work included having the engine flushed to remove contaminants as well as the replacement of all eight spark plugs at a cost of almost £250 for the plugs alone! As a result, the owner tells us that the F-150 drives perfectly and that he isn’t aware of any faults with the vehicle that the new owner will need to attend to.
The technician who carried out the service is no stranger to LPG conversions, so his compliments about the high quality of the LPG installation is worth knowing. The LPG conversion comes with all the associated paperwork as well as an adaptor that helps it fit the nozzles in French filling stations as well.
Interestingly, the F-150 also features a power trailer braking system, which would be invaluable if the new owner wanted to tow something like an Airstream. This may need modifying to meet the requirements of current UK law now that their use is permitted, but this is a well-trodden path for those with an interest in towing heavy stuff and those that have tried them invariably come away as converts.
History Highlights
The online MOT history confirms that the MOT runs out in June 2019, and that there have been no failures, or even advisory points, since its record began. The vehicle comes with an up to date, fully stamped service history book, a receipt for a recent full service, and some French paperwork from its time there with the vendor.
Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this paperwork as well as some other bits and bobs.
What We Think
We expect this spectacularly equipped Ford F-150 Harley Davidson edition pickup to sell for between £15,000 and £20,000, at which price point you are getting immense road presence, massive reliability, and stellar performance, all with the benefit of diesel-like running costs.
As such, it would make the perfect towing vehicle for the weekend racer, Airstream enthusiast, or anyone with a need to tow more than a puny European pickup can handle.
It would also make the perfect intercontinental overland vehicle with a demountable camper body on the back; the Europeans love their Yank metal, so maintenance would be a doddle, and that LPG conversion would make it hugely economical to run.
Viewing is always encouraged, and this car can be seen in Welwyn Garden City; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car, AnyVan for transporting it, and Footman James for classic car insurance.
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BORING, but IMPORTANT: Please note that whilst we at The Market always aim to offer the most descriptive and transparent auction listings available, we cannot claim they are perfect analyses of any of the vehicles for sale. We offer far greater opportunity for bidders to view, or arrange inspections for each vehicle thoroughly prior to bidding than traditional auctions, and we always encourage bidders to take advantage of this. We do take a good look at those vehicles which are delivered to our premises for sale, but this only results in our unbiased personal observations, not those of a qualified inspector or other professional, or the result of a long test drive.
Also, localised paint repairs are common with collectable and classic cars and if they have been professionally carried out then they may be impossible to detect, even if we see the car in person. So, unless we state otherwise, please assume that any vehicle could have had remedial bodywork at some point in its life.
Additionally, please note that most of the videos on our site have been recorded using basic cameras which often result in 'average' sound quality; in particular, engines and exhausts notes can sound a little different to how they are in reality.
Please note that this is sold as seen (Caveat Emptor) and that, as is normal for used goods bought at auction, a return policy does not apply. See our FAQs for more info, and feel free to inspect any vehicle as much as you wish.