By Dean Larson

Photos: Seller, Craigslist

Traditionally, pickup trucks have not been collector cars. But unless you’ve been living under a rock the last five years, it’s hard to not take note of the rising prices of four-wheel drives, classic work trucks and early SUVs. To really hit a homerun though, you have to find the rare models in original condition with low miles, and this first-generation Ford Lightning delivers.

You can likely chalk the booming vintage truck and 4x4 market up to progress. Old trucks were quirky, rugged and rough around the edges. New trucks on the other hand, are pretty easy to live with, boasting every creature comfort imaginable, 360-degree cameras and heated steering wheels. As our modern vehicle offerings get more complex, people want to return to simpler times, and simpler cars, trucks and motorcycles. For that reason, I think the classic truck market is here to stay.

This 1993 Ford Lightning has all the makings of a future auction star. It’s in fantastic original condition with all its original equipment, with a remarkably low odometer readout of 1,918 miles. First-generation Lightnings like this one served up 240 hp and 340 lb-ft, from a modified 5.8-liter Windsor V8 — that’s 5 hp and 60 lb-ft more than the ’93 Mustang SVT Cobra. Those improvements were thanks in part to a special Lightning intake manifold, hypereutectic pistons and Ford’s better-flowing GT40 iron heads. Ford also beefed up the E4OD automatic (the only transmission offered in the Lightning) and upgraded the driveline with an aluminum driveshaft and 4.10 gears out back. Lower and stiffer suspension meant that the Lightning felt less like a pickup, and more like something fun you could drive every day.

Ford built just 11,563 first-gen Lightnings from 1993 to ’95, and only built them in black, red and white (available only in ’94 and ’95), before moving onto the supercharged 5.4-liter second-gen Lightning. While second-generation models command $10,000-$20,000 more, early models are on the rise, along with all ninth generation Ford trucks, and could match or exceed its 5.4-liter younger brother.

With just 1,918 miles on the clock, this 1993 Lightning is about as good as it gets. It’s factory original from front to back, except for the rubber, and some paint correction as disclosed by the dealer. How in-depth that paint correction was and how it will affect the value, we can’t be sure, but the low odometer readout is sure to bring in high bids.

Right now the best first-generation Lightnings with lower miles are selling right around $20,000, which makes this truck quite a bit overpriced at the $45,500 the dealer is asking. You have to keep in mind that it’s essentially brand new, and if a good one with 30,000 miles on the clock gets $20,000, this one is probably worth closer to $30,000. If a deal could be struck, this one’s sure to bring big money down the road. If you’re not sold on that, remember that BringaTrailer.com has auctioned off two low-mileage classic Ford trucks for nearly $100,000 a piece this year.

See the 1993 Ford Lightning here on Dallas Craigslist.