Ford Ranger: The Complete Illustrated History of America's Favorite Compact Pickup
Ford Ranger: The Complete Illustrated History of America's Favorite Compact Pickup
ITEM E498
Plus bonus coverage of the Ford-badged Courier and the Ranger-based Bronco II
By Paul G. McLaughlin
One of the most popular pickup trucks to ever hit the highways and byways was the compact-sized Ford Ranger pickup that was in production from 1983 through 2011. During that 28-year period, more than 6 million of them were produced and many of them are still working today.
Covers all models of the Ranger from the XL to the sporty Splash, 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive models from the earliest days through to the last days when Ford decided to end production in 2011. Includes information about standard and optional equipment, specifications and other pertinent facts, more than 200 photographs, and also includes Ford’s compact-sized sport utility vehicle, the Bronco II, which was based on the Ranger platform.
Ford Motor Co. recently began producing a mid-size Ranger that is available throughout North America.
Softbound, 126 pages, 200-plus color and b&w photos, 8.5”x11”
Aptly titled, this 2016 illustrated history of the first generation of Ford Ranger pickup trucks offers readers a visual feast of 188 color and black-and-white photographs of vehicles, as well as advertisements and sales literature images. While impressive, choosing fewer might have avoided including some small-sized, as well as at times similar, subject matter photos. Author of four additional Ford vehicle histories published by Enthusiast Books, Paul G. McLaughlin (a self-proclaimed “Ford-storian”) begins his story of the Ford Ranger in the 1960s when Japanese brands dominated the American compact pickup truck market. Ford responded, offering its own variation—the Mazda-based Ford Courier, introduced in 1972. However, the game changed with the introduction of the Chevrolet S-10 and GMC S-15 compact pickups in 1981. The book’s 12 chapters covers the story of the Ford Ranger that made its debut in March 1982 as a 1983 model and ended with the last first-generation Ranger produced in December 2011 at Ford’s St. Paul, Minnesota, plant. McLaughlin also provides detailed coverage (often in the form of charts) of all Ranger models that include specifications, powertrains, color choices and combinations, options, dealer accessories, and often prices.
Book Review by Robert Gabrick
