Our Cars--1980 Ford Courier
Submitted by Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame
Much of the appeal of Car Lust is the emotional connection made between cars and people. It is the memories that tie us to some fairly unappealing vehicles, and it is the anecdotes about those memories that draw me back to Car Lust every day.
One Car Lust wasn’t a conscious Lust until I started thinking about all the cars I’ve ever had extensive experience with … and then the Lust for a Ford Courier blazed up brightly.
Our family obtained a 1980 Ford Courier around 1982, I think. In any case, it wasn’t new because I don’t remember my parents ever purchasing a new vehicle. It was in excellent condition, however, with a camper shell over the bed. In 1984 I talked my parents into using it to haul our pop-up trailer and two of my friends on a 5-hour trip to the Medicine Rocks Campground outside of Ekalaka, Montana.
Five people in a two-seater mini-pickup? Well, the three teens go in back, of course. We were able to spread our sleeping bags and stretch out quite comfortably among the coolers and other bundles. I remember snacking on Oreos, for what it’s worth. I guess my Dad wasn’t worried about the dangers of carbon monoxide build-up inside the cover, but his lack of worries were justified--we survived the trip just fine.
In time, I inherited the truck. It had a manual transmission, which made it quite peppy when accelerating from a complete stop. I learned to drive a stick in it, and in what I think is typical youthful idiocy, I practiced getting to full speed from a complete stop in 2nd gear, then 3rd, and even from 4th once. Okay, more than once. It’s possible with an extremely liberal use of clutch, of course. And yet, the transmission and clutch never slipped, never needed replacing even as the mileage approached 140,000.
In high school, my girlfriend(s) would sit close to me and we’d do tandem shifting, i.e., after I pressed in the clutch, she’d shift gears when I said “shift.”
I drove it to college, and was able to fit every single thing I owned in the world in the bed to a height that still let me see out the back window, which served me well in several moves between dorms and student apartments. And when my fraternity pledge class needed transportation, we managed to cram 12 adult males in the camper shell.
Throughout its life with me behind the wheel, I would get close to 34 mpg, but that was mostly highway driving. Even in my teens, I liked to take long drives.
The truck finally met its demise (insurance-wise … the truck itself was still easily road-worthy) when a woman across the intersection turned left after not seeing me. The car suffered a mighty blow behind the driver’s door but in front of the rear wheel-well. The damage was enough to take my pickup away from me. But I certainly had fun, fun, fun until then.
--Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame
(note from Chris--I found these photos of similar Couriers from Flickr user dave_7. Not only are these great Courier pictures, but it appears that he has Car Lust-worthy taste as well, judging by the photo of a "mint" Mercury Zephyr.)
Mochi Mochi on March 30, 2008 at 11:27 PM
"Much of the appeal of Car Lust is the emotional connection made between cars and people..." Nathan, I could not have said it better. When I was a kid my friends and I were mad about cars. It was a wide eyed lust for shape, speed, and coolness. Time and experience really change things. Cars stop being about sex-appeal, or specifications, or 0-60, or monthly payments. This brings us back to the re-occuring discussion of the archeology of cars - the time machines - vessels of out memories and experiences.
But I think there is another result to the equations that involve time and cars. Cars change with time - usually for the better. This is an affect that I have noticed with some architecture. Age makes it more beautiful. I think this is true with cars. They actually get better with age.
A car rolls off the assembly line. It is born into the world with a bluebook value and some kind of social status - high or low. It has an expected life span that is usually calculable. But if it survives beyond that expected life span, and the hazards of the open road, then it is strangely transformed. It rises above social status and fashion. It claims a new territory - born anew - it looks different and usually better with age.
The Ford Courier Truck is a perfect example of a small pedestrian highly utilitarian vehicle that 28 years later is incredibly endearing to behold and rises above its origins. Small trucks aren't what they used to be - and in some ways that may be good. Ford and Chevy really redesigned the small truck in the mid-80's. The little trucks that preceded the new wave now have a special innocence and sense of fun about them.
I have not thought of the Courier for a long time. It is great to see it again. It's a nice little truck and I have to say it makes me smile - something that I don't think any Ranger or S10 ever did (as much as I admire those trucks).
Thanks for the great story Nathan. You had a wonderful truck and a great set of experiences with it.
Bullet on April 01, 2008 at 03:54 PM
Awesome truck. I had one and loved it. It was the best little truck on the block. The king of small trucks as far as I'm concerned. All others are just pretenders to the throne. It took me everywhere: camping in the Rockies and surfing near Big Sur. Great memories thanks for the wonderful story. I love mine still. I wish I still had it.
Rob the SVX guy on April 01, 2008 at 05:24 PM
That thing is pretty cool looking. For a while, when my SVX was getting a bunch of work done, I was driving my dad's 1986 Pontiac J2000 type station wagon, complete with fake wooden siding. I felt pretty retro/punkish in it. That thing gives me the same feelings.
Molly on April 01, 2008 at 07:44 PM
I loved my Courier. I used it in our apple orchards, and when I went to grad school it came with me. It was my favorite truck ever. Mine also had the cap and was great for camping. I miss my little truck it was always so happy looking. It was a good friend.
Henry Ford XVIII on April 02, 2008 at 12:21 PM
This is the happiest looking truck I have ever seen. And It's a Ford. I'm a sucker for Fords. Thanks.
courier philippines on January 09, 2009 at 05:08 PM
I have not thought of the Courier for a long time,coz i really dont know what is this all about, anyway keep up the good work.
-missy-
courier philippines on February 24, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Your 1980 Ford Courier looks like good, even though it is late 80's. Anyway, it is really good experience for you. Nice post. Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed reading your post. I will wait for your next post.
-urieqo-
cliff on April 14, 2009 at 06:11 PM
I had my own 80 ford courier. It was my first truck. Drove it through college. Grew up in southern Virginia. Once took a group of college buds from NJ camping and fishing for the first time. We loaded up a 12 ft jon boat in the back and tied it down. They climbed into it with a few cases of beer and we took off. After a few huge hills we jumped in the truck...the rope snapped. In my rearview mirror I watched as the boat slid out of the truck and into the road with three wide eyed new jersey boys sitting in it. Cans of Milwaukee's Best went spewing and flying into the air everywhere...sparks flew...and the three NJ guys rode the boat till it stopped.
We got out, laughed sheepishly...loaded it back up...gathered up a few loose cans that made the trip....tied it back down...and headed off again.
When the truck got about 190,000 miles on it, it leaked oil like a seive....finally signed the title and left it in the glove box and left it in the parking lot at Va Tech with the keys in the ignition and the truck unlocked.
Have always hoped someone found it, fixed it up, and put another 200k on it...
Dave on May 24, 2009 at 05:31 PM
My first new vehicle was a 1978 Courier, 5 spd stick and 1800 cc eng. I managed to put 38,000 miles on it before wife and then child came along. A coworker was constantly begging me to sell him the truck. We needed the room so sell it I did and bought 1978 Toyota Corona. It was one fun little truck.
isaac on June 09, 2009 at 02:09 PM
im 14years old and the the proud owner of a 1979 ford courier xlt it has the ford 2.3 liter 4 cylinder in it with the c4 automatic transmisson i have a lot of hopes and dreams for this truck and your storys made me proud to to own it thanks.
Reaper101 on June 10, 2009 at 11:31 AM
do you know if there was a disk brake option for the front of the courier?
Mark on June 24, 2009 at 08:27 PM
:) I am buying one tomorrow. It's a 1979 xlt with 50456 original miles. The body is very good, the interior is very fair and the only thing that bugs me a bit is the rust under the car (Not around engine)
I keep reading reviews about this truck and more I read more I want to go get it.
Will keep you posted about my experience with my new "Old Courier"