Autopedia
Register
Advertisement

Ford 1960 courier 00
Ford Courier
Ford
aka Mazda B-Series
Production 1972 - 1982
Class Compact pickup truck
Body Style 2-door, 2-seat Front-engine Pick-up
Length length - type here
Width Width - type here
Height Height - type here
Wheelbase wheelbase - type here
Weight Weight - you get the point
Transmission transmission + drive
Engine engine
Power N/A hp @ N/A rpm
N/A lb-ft of torque @ N/A rpm
Similar similar (competition)
Designer Designer (lead designer if it was a team effort)

The Ford Courier is a compact pickup truck which was sold in the United States and Canada from 1972 to 1982 and elsewhere to the present day. It is considered to be the forerunner of the Ford Ranger.

The Courier name has also been used on various other Ford models since 1952.

The Courier was manufactured by Toyo Kogyo (Mazda)[1], and imported and sold by Ford Motor Company as a response to the unforeseen popularity of the small Toyota and Nissan/Datsun pickups among young buyers in the West. Like the other mini-pickups of the time, it featured a sub-2 liter four cylinder engine, a four speed manual transmission, rear wheel drive, an impressive load capability of 1,400 lb (635 kg) considering its size, and a fairly small price tag compared to full size pickups of the time.

To circumvent the 25% Chicken tax on light trucks, Couriers (as with Chevrolet LUV's) were imported in "cab chassis" configurations, which included the entire light truck, less the cargo box or truck bed and were only subject to a 4% tariff.[2] Subsequently, a truck bed would be attached to the chassis and the vehicle could be sold as a light truck.

See Autopedia's comprehensive Ford Courier Review.

Recent Changes[]

Mention any minor facelifts or major changes made to the vehicle here.

Styles and Major Options[]

Certain vehicles come in different trim levels or body styles. Features and major options should be mentioned here.

Pricing[]

Add more fields as necessary.

MODEL Trims
Trim1 Trim2 Trim3 Trim4
MSRP
$Price1 $Price2 $Price3 $Price4
Invoice
$Price1 $Price2 $Price3 $Price4

Gas Mileage[]

Add more fields as necessary.

As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Trim
Trim1 Trim2 Trim3 Trim4
MPG
c/h c/h c/h c/h

Engine and Transmission[]

Specifications, details, graphs, pictures and other information regarding the powertrain is placed in this section.

Performance[]

Please make sure to write information of the vehicle's performance in a third-person point of view. This section should include information about the car's acceleration figures, handling, braking, etc.

If using information gathered from Road Test articles from a reputable automotive source, then please make sure to cite the quote.

Reliability[]

Warranty options and scheduled maintenance information should be mentioned here.

Safety[]

This section should reference points on safety ratings and features of the vehicle.

Photos[]

Add Photos of the vehicle here.

Please make sure not to use copyrighted photos.

Colors[]

List the colors that the particular <MODEL> is offered in.

Main Competitors[]

Create links to other <MAKE> <MODEL> pages in this section.

Hybrid Models[]

If there are hybrid versions of this vehicle manufactured, then please elaborate a little bit on it here.

Unique Attributes[]

If there are any features of this vehicle that sets it apart from other vehicles in its class, then mention those unique attributes here.

Interior[]

This section should include information on the interior's design, build quality, ergonomics, space (head and legroom, front and rear), features, stowage compartments and overall comfort and livability. Add pictures wherever applicable and keep information in a third-person point of view.

Resale Values[]

Add more fields as necessary.

<MODEL> Year
Year X Year X-2 Year X-3 Year X-4
Resale Value
$ $ $ $

Criticisms[]

Please make sure to keep critiques in a third-person point of view. If using criticisms from a reputable automotive source, then please make sure to cite the quote.

Generations[]

Fill in as many as appropriate. Add more if necessary and pictures wherever applicable.

Please make sure NOT to use copyrighted pictures.

Second generation (1977–1982)[]

In 1977 the Courier was redesigned, and a host of new options was available. The truck was available with front disc brakes, as well as a Ford built 2.3 liter engine option (which was the same as that of the Ford Pinto and Mustang II). The key identifying feature of the Courier from Mazda's B-Series was still the singular headlights, although with park and indicator lights placed inset starting in '78 ('77s still had the turn signal lights in the bumper).

In 1979 the base model engine was increased in size to 2.0 liters (120.1 CID). The optional Ford 2.3 L (~140 cu in) engine was produced in Brazil.

The Courier continued to be sold until 1982, in which year power steering was added. For 1983, Ford introduced its own Ford Ranger to fill its compact truck segment, which replaced the Courier in the U.S. and Canadian markets.

A Ford Fiesta-based Courier pickup, smaller than the Ranger, is currently sold in Mexico.

First Generation/Origins (1972–1976)[]

The first generation Ford Courier was introduced in 1972 and sold for a little over $2,000 when introduced—close to the price of an F-100.

When the Courier was introduced it came standard with a 1.8 liter overhead cam engine, which produced 74 hp (55 kW) at 5070 rpm, and 92 lb·ft (125 N·m) at 3500 rpm. A 4-speed manual transmission was standard, and there was also a 3-speed automatic option (the 5-speed manual option came in 1976).

The body styling was effectively that of the related Mazda B-series, however its frontal treatment was unique, with a grille designed to emulate the larger Ford F-series, and large single headlights, instead of the B-series' smaller twin units.

Badging changed a few times in the first-gen series. In 1972, the tailgate read "FORD COURIER" in large raised letters, with a small "COURIER" badge on the front of the hood (from '73 on through '76 the hood badging read "FORD"). In '73 the tailgate read "COURIER" in large letters, with a small "FORD" badge on the upper left. In '74 it read "FORD" in large letters, with a small "COURIER" badge on the lower right. In 1976 the cab was lengthened 3 inches (76 mm), and the grille received added trim.

Variants[]

Diesel variants[]

The Ford Courier was never available with a diesel engine in the US. However, the 1980 Mazda B2200 was available with a Perkins-built 4.135 (4 cylinder, 135 CID) 2.2 liter diesel engine, producing 66 hp (49 kW) at 2,100 rpm. This same diesel engine was available in the 1983 and 1984 Ford Ranger, however it was replaced by the Mitsubishi 4D55T 2.3 liter Turbo Diesel (also used in Mitsubishi's own Mighty Max and the Dodge Ram 50) for the 1985 to 1987 Ford Rangers.

Electric variants[]

Between 1979 and 1982 a number of electric Ford Couriers were produced - Jet Industries purchased "vehicle gliders" (Ford Courier bodies minus their engines), and put in a series DC motor and lead acid batteries, to produce the Jet Industries ElectraVan 750.

These were sold mainly for service trucks, general to local government departments. They had a top speed around 70 mph (113 km/h), and would go 50 to 60 miles (97 km) on a full charge. A number of these vehicles still exist, usually with upgraded motor control systems and higher voltage battery packs.

Body conversions[]

A number of Couriers were sold as cab-chassis units, with rear decking. These were commonly fitted with rear utility bodies, flatbed decks, box truck bodywork, camper bodies or "stepside" deckbeds.

Engine conversions[]

While the Courier's engine bay was always fitted with inline 4-cylinder motors at the factory, owners have fitted larger engines into their Couriers, notably Ford V6 and smallblock V8 units. To cope with the increase in power new drivelines generally are also fitted.

Suspension conversions[]

The Ford Courier was never available as an OEM 4 wheel drive version in the US (the Mazda B-series didn’t get 4 wheel drive until 1986). However, there were several companies doing 4x4 conversions of the Ford Courier by adding a transfer case and solid front axle beginning in 1975 . From 1975 to 1979 Northwest ATV in Kelso Washington converted about 1500 Couriers to 4WD, which were sold as the Ford Courier Sasquatch, in the WA, OR, CA, and ID markets only. (Ford Sasquatch brochure). Other conversions of early 80's Couriers were done by other companies as well.

Worldwide[]

If the vehicle is sold in other markets worldwide, then this is the section to mention that information. Also, mention if the <MODEL> goes by another name in these other markets.

Design quirks and oddities[]

Refer to any pop-culture tidbits about the vehicle in this section.

Awards[]

List out notable awards that the model has received while in production. Boldface the company or organization that gives out the award, and Italicize the name of the award.

See Also[]

Mustang-piece2 new
FORD

Ford Motor Company


Ford | Mercury | Lincoln | Mazda | Edsel | Continental | Merkur


Current

Cars: Puma · Fiesta · Fiesta Crossroad · Bronco Sport · Maverick · EcoSport · Focus · Mach-E · Focus (International) · Ford Fusion (International) · Galaxy · Ikon · Ka · Mondeo · Metrostar · Mustang · Sportka · Streetka · S-MAX · Taurus · Shelby GT500 · Grand C-Max · Figo · Vertrek abc

Trucks/SUVs: [[link titleFord Cargo|Cargo]] · Bantam · E-Series · Chateau Wagon · Econovan · Edge · Escape · Escape Hybrid · Flex · Expedition · Explorer · Explorer Sport Trac · Everest/Endeavour · F-150 SVT Raptor · F-Series (includes Super Duty) · Fusion (International) · Pronto · · Courier · Territory · Tourneo · Tourneo Connect · Transit · Transit Connect · Van (Taiwanese) · i-MAX (Europe and Asia) · Kuga · Courier (South America)

Historic

Model A (1903-1904) · Model AC · Model B · Model C · Model F · Model K · Model N · Model R · Model S · Model T · Model TT · Model A (1927-1931) · Model B · Model Y · Model C · Model CX · Junior Popular · Junior De Luxe · Aerostar · Anglia · Bantam · Bronco · Capri · Consul · Corcel · Corsair · Cortina · Country Sedan · Country Squire · Del Rio · Eifel · Escort · Escort (European) · Fairlane · Fairlane (Australian) · Fairmont (Australia) · Festiva · Galaxie · Köln · Laser · LTD · LTD Crown Victoria · Mainline · Maverick · Meteor · Parklane · Pilot · Pinto · Popular · Prefect · Rheinland · Sierra · Thunderbird · Model 7Y · Model 7W · Vedette · Ranchero · Squire · Taunus · · Versailles · Zephyr · Falcon · GT40 · Torino · Torino Talladega · Elite · LTD II · Fairmont · Granada · Bronco II · Del Rey · EXP · Orion · Probe · Scorpio · Telstar · Tempo · Verona · Aspire · Contour · Puma · Windstar · ZX2 · Excursion · Five Hundred · Freestar · Freestyle · GT · Customline · Taurus X · Tudor · Futura · Ranger EV · Crown Victoria · Police Interceptor · Laser · Lynx · Tierra · Ranger

Concept

Fairlane Concept · Thunderbird Concept · Sports Roadster · GT70 · GT90 · MA · Forty-Nine · Gyron · IndiGO · Visos · Iosis · Reflex · Shelby Cobra Concept · Shelby GR-1 · TH!NK · Interceptor · Model U · SAV · SYNUS · Bronco · Equator (2000) · Equator (2005) · Iosis X · Faction · Airstream · Mighty F-350 Tonka · Explorer Sport Trac Concept · F-250 Super Chief · Atmos · Cougar · Allegro · Vega · Flux · Focus ST · GTX1 · Punk · Mustang GT-R · Mustang Giugiaro · Mustang Bertone · Volante · Nucleon · Predicta · Street KA · Mondeo ST · Mustang GT Concept · P2000 · 021c · EX · Verve Concept · Kuga Concept · Verve Sedan Concept · Explorer America Concept · Santa Fe Concept · Ranger Max Concept · iosis MAX Concept · Transit Connect Family One Concept · Start Concept · Taurus Police Interceptor Stealth Concept · Focus Race Car Concept

Special/Competition

Fusion Hydrogen 999 · FG01 V8 · Arrow Land Speed Record Car


Racing

Focus WRC · Escort WRC · Taurus NASCAR · Fusion NASCAR · Falcon V8 Supercar · Fiesta Group N Rally Car · F150 SVT Raptor R · Fiesta S2000 · Fiesta WRC


Platforms · Engines · Vehicles · Category · FPV · SVT · SYNC · SVO · Elena Ford · Ford Motor Company of Australia · The Henry Ford Museum · MyFord Touch


Henry Ford Corporate website A brand of the Ford Motor Company



Ford cars made for the European market
Köln | Y | Rheinland | Eifel | C Ten | 7Y | 7W | Prefect | Anglia | Pilot | Zephyr | Consul | Squire | Taunus
Vedette | Comète | Cortina | Popular | Classic | Corsair | Escort | Capri | Granada | Fiesta | Sierra | RS200 | Orion | Scorpio | Probe | Mondeo | Galaxy | Ka | Puma | Focus | Cougar | Maverick | Fusion | GT | Focus C-MAX | S-MAX
Edit this template

External Links[]

Please include any external sites that were used in collaborating this data, including manufacturer sites, in this section.

News and References

Enthusiast Sites and Discussion Forums

Advertisement