Ford · 1972-1982
Courier
The Ford Courier was a Mazda-built compact pickup sold in the US from 1972 to 1982 as Ford's first small truck. Powered by 1.8- and 2.0-liter Mazda fours with an optional Ford 2.3, it was replaced by the US-built Ranger for 1983.
- Years
- 1972-1982
- Drivetrain
- RWD · 4WD "Sasquatch" (Northwest A.T.V., Kelso WA conversion, ~1,500)
- Engines
- 1.8 L OHC · 2.0 L MA · 2.3 L Ford (Pinto)
- Sold in
- US · Canada
Spec sheet
- Production
- 1972–1982
- Assembly
- Hiroshima, Japan (Toyo Kogyo/Mazda); beds fitted in US
- Sold in
- US
- Canada
- Codes
- Mazda B-Series 2nd/3rd gen (BNA/BVD, PE/UC)
- Body styles
- Regular cab pickup
- Bed lengths
- 6 ft
- 7 ft (optional, long wheelbase)
- Drivetrains
- RWD
- 4WD "Sasquatch" (Northwest A.T.V., Kelso WA conversion, ~1,500)
- Transmissions
- 4-speed manual
- 5-speed manual (1976+)
- 3-speed automatic
- Payload
- 1,400 lb (900 lb with the Soft Ride package), 1982
- Towing
- 2,000 lb (1982, requires the optional 2.3L)
- Launch MSRP
- a little over US$3,000 (1972)
Engines
| Engine | Disp. | Config | HP | Torque | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L OHC | 1.8 L | I4 | 74 | 92 lb-ft @3500 | 1972-1979 | 74 hp @5070 |
| 2.0 L MA | 2.0 L | I4 | 1979-1982 | base engine from 1979 | ||
| 2.3 L Ford (Pinto) | 2.3 L | I4 | 1977-1982 | optional; same as Pinto/Mustang II; built in Brazil per Wikipedia |
Related
Overview
For 1972 Ford revived the Courier name for its first compact pickup, a rebadged Mazda B-Series sold alongside Ford's F-Series to answer Toyota and Datsun. It was built by Toyo Kogyo in Hiroshima and imported as cab-chassis, with the bed fitted in the US, to dodge the 25 percent chicken tax.
Its front end copied the F-Series with a silver grille and single round headlights. The early 1.8-liter overhead-cam four made 74 hp, a four-speed manual was standard, and a five-speed arrived in 1976. In 1977 a larger cab and redesigned bed arrived, with an optional Ford 2.3-liter engine; the base engine grew to 2.0 liters in 1979. The Courier was never sold with a diesel in the US.
Ford's own Ranger replaced it for 1983, and the Courier nameplate lived on in Australia until 2006.
Trims, Bodies and Drivetrains
Cab and bed
- Body styles: Regular cab pickup
- Beds: 6 ft, 7 ft (optional, long wheelbase)
Drivetrain and transmissions
- Drivetrains: RWD, 4WD "Sasquatch" (Northwest A.T.V., Kelso WA conversion, ~1,500)
- 4-speed manual
- 5-speed manual (1976+)
- 3-speed automatic
Highlights
- Ford's first compact pickup, introduced for the 1972 model year
- Front grille emulated the F-Series with single headlights vs Mazda's twin units
- Imported as cab-chassis (4% tariff vs 25% chicken tax)
- Never offered with a diesel in the US (Mazda B2200 had the S2 Perkins-based diesel)
- Jet Industries ElectraVan 750 electric conversions (1979-82)