1971 Ford F100 – James B.

The Story of Ole Yeller
The story of my 1971 Ford F100 Ranger XLT Pickup is one of serendipity, surprise and restoration. It all started late one night in 2007 when I was mindlessly scrolling through eBay, supposedly looking for camera equipment. But as I clicked through, old trucks started popping up in my feed and one in particular stopped me in my tracks—a bright, almost blindingly yellow Ford pickup.
At first, I assumed there had to be a catch. Most of the other trucks in the listings looked like they had been abandoned in a cow pasture sometime during the Reagan administration—rusted, missing parts and barely recognizable. But this one… this one was different. It was still gleaming, the chrome reflecting like it had something to prove. Curiosity got the better of me and I decided to message the seller.
To my surprise, he responded almost immediately, sending extra photos and details. With every new image, I found myself more and more captivated. The truck’s bright Chrome Yellow paint was still vibrant and its condition was shockingly intact. On a whim, I placed a $4,000 maximum bid, fully convinced there was no way I’d actually win.
A few days later, an email popped up with the subject line: “Congratulations! You are the winning bid!” I blinked, reread it, then blinked again. Surely, there had been a mistake. But no—no one else had placed a bid, and just like that, I had become the proud owner of Ole Yeller for a mere $2,500. Shipping from Michigan to Texas cost another $900, but even with that, I was thrilled.
It wasn’t until later that I learned the truck’s full history. I was only the third owner. The original owner had purchased it brand new in 1971 after retiring from Ford and kept it for nearly 36 years, meticulously maintaining it and keeping detailed records of every oil change, tune-up and repair. He took great pride in the truck, treating it with the same care he likely had on the factory floor. But eventually, he decided to sell it to his neighbor—the man I bought it from.
That guy, however, only had it for three months before he ran into an age-old problem: his wife wanted her car in the garage. With limited space and unlimited marital wisdom, he did what any smart man would do—he listed Ole Yeller for sale and that’s how it ended up in my hands, where it was destined to stay.
Over the years, I’ve poured a lot of love (and a fair amount of money) into keeping Ole Yeller on the road, with the help of LMC Truck. They’ve been an indispensable resource, supplying the parts needed to keep this classic running smoothly. But by 2023, I knew it was time for a full restoration.
With the expert help of LMC Truck and Inline Paint and Body in Kempner, Texas, we set out to bring the truck back to its former glory. Every detail was painstakingly considered—from matching the original Chrome Yellow paint to restoring the trim. The original Ford FE 360ci engine and 3-speed manual transmission are still in place, keeping the truck as close to its original state as possible.
Now, after years of care and effort, Ole Yeller is restored to perfection. Every time I get behind the wheel, I can’t help but grin like a kid with a new toy. This truck is more than just a set of wheels—it’s a reminder that sometimes, you don’t find the perfect truck—it finds you.
It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m excited to share it with you all, thanks to the fantastic support of LMC Truck and everyone who played a part in this restoration. Sometimes, the best stories come from the most unexpected places—and Ole Yeller is living proof of that.