The Ford Courier Pick-up. It really wasn’t a Ford at all.
It started a relationship between Ford and Mazda that would last for years. In this video we cover its history, features, options, and models year by year. Get into the all things Ford Courier.
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A transcript, created by AI and edited by a staffer, is below.
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Transcript:
One of the first small trucks imported into the U.S. was the Datsun in 1958. For younger viewers, Datsun was the name Nissan used until the mid-1980s. Domestic manufacturers largely ignored small pickups at the time, assuming they wouldn’t sell well. That was mostly true until the late 1960s and early 1970s, when they became very popular, especially in California.
Ford decided it needed an entry in this market, which brings us to the Ford Courier pickup. Despite the name, it wasn’t really a Ford—it was a rebranded Mazda pickup. That partnership marked the beginning of a long relationship between Ford and Mazda.
The Courier was introduced in 1972. Ford gave it a grille that resembled the full-size F-Series and fitted it with two headlights instead of Mazda’s four. The tailgate read “Ford Courier” in large letters. Power came from a 74-horsepower, 1.8-liter Mazda four-cylinder, paired with a four-speed manual transmission. The truck rode on a 104-inch wheelbase, measured 172 inches long, and carried a six-foot bed with a payload rating of 1,400 pounds, which included passengers and cargo.
The suspension used independent coil springs with a stabilizer bar in the front and leaf springs in the rear. Inside, the Courier had a vinyl bench seat, padded dash, and a basic set of gauges. Options included air conditioning, an automatic transmission, AM radio, tinted glass, wheel covers, and various trim upgrades. The starting price was $2,222, which would be about $17,000 today.
In 1973, the tailgate lettering was updated, and in 1974 it changed again with “Ford” spelled out in large letters while “Courier” was reduced to a small badge. A few new options were added, including swing-out mirrors and a bed cap.
The truck remained largely unchanged until 1976, when the cab was lengthened by three inches and a five-speed manual was added. Ford promoted this version as having the best fuel economy of any pickup, with EPA estimates of 36 mpg highway and 23 city.
The second-generation Courier arrived in 1977 with a more boxy design, new grille, wraparound tail lamps, and a seven-foot bed option. A new 2.3-liter engine was offered alongside the standard 1.8. Fuel capacity increased, and the XLT trim brought more chrome, upgraded interior trim, carpeting, and extra lighting.
In 1979, the standard engine was replaced with a 77-horsepower 2.0-liter Mazda four-cylinder. A Sport Group option added bucket seats with plaid cloth inserts, black carpeting, sport steering wheel, and unique trim.
By 1980, the Courier was advertised as the most fuel-efficient compact pickup, claiming better mileage than competitors like the Chevy LUV, Datsun, and Toyota.
From 1980 to 1982, the Courier carried over without major changes. Production ended after 1982, replaced in 1983 by the domestically built Ford Ranger. The Courier had served as an important stopgap for Ford and helped solidify its partnership with Mazda. Ford initially took a 7% stake in Mazda for the project, which grew to 24% by 1979.
The Courier was also tied to U.S. trade policy at the time. All units were imported as incomplete stake-body trucks, with beds added in the U.S. to avoid the 25% “chicken tax” tariff on imported pickups.
Thinking about the Courier today brings up parallels with a new truck coming to the U.S. market: the Slate. It’s small, basic, comes without a radio, and will reportedly cost around $20,000 after tax incentives. It’s a reminder of how the cycle of compact, affordable trucks continues.
If you have experiences with the Courier, share them in the comments. And if you want more on Ford pickups, check out the video on the first-generation Ranger. Thanks for watching.
