Known for its power, durability, and popularity within the diesel performance community, the Ford Super Duty equipped with the 7.3-liter V8 Power Stroke diesel engine is simply iconic. Following the 6.9-liter indirect injection (IDI) and 7.3-liter IDI (non-turbo followed by turbo), the 7.3L Power Stroke was offered for model-year 1994 through 2003; the Power Stroke name was birthed in 1994. The lovable old body-style (OBS) trucks (1994-1997/8) gave way to the F-Series Super Duty name and updated styling (1999-2003).

The legendary 7.3-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel that we remember today featured direct injection, a waste-gated turbocharger, HUEI fuel injectors, and an air-to-air intercooler. It was a workhorse from the start, reliable and powerful enough to handle heavy towing and payload capacities. Mated to either a four-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual transmission, the engine went on to make 250 hp and 505 lb-ft of torque in its final years, the manual making a little more. Hardly impressive by today’s standards, these numbers proved mighty back then. The 7.3-liter was replaced by the 6.0-liter Power Stroke diesel engine for the 2004 model year, and after that, the 6.4-liter and then 6.7-liter.

It’s hard to believe that OBS Ford Power Stroke trucks have been out of rotation for nearly thirty years. While they’ll always hold sentimental value in the diesel enthusiast world, do they still hold monetary value? You hear crazy stories of owners asking tons for these trucks, but are enthusiasts actually paying exuberant amounts of money for these machines? Is it all hype?

We caught wind that a super clean diesel truck was hitting the Mecum auction block: 58,000-mile extended-cab long-bed OBS 1997 Ford F-250 XLT 7.3-liter Power Stroke backed by an automatic transmission. We don’t know the truck’s full specs, but highlights include power steering, power brakes, 40/20/40 split-bench seat, spray-on bedliner, and sliding back glass. It looks like the side mirrors were changed out at some point.

We knew we had to check back to see the results. When all the dust had cleared, the four-wheel-drive truck sold for $34,100. It’s hard to know for sure, but that could be double what the truck cost new in 1997. How’s that for some OBS love?

Catch your breath. Yes, that a lot, but we expected nothing less for such a low-mileage OBS 7.3-liter. A quick Kelley Blue Book search indicated it could be worth $13,000-$18,000. A similar listing (1997 Ford F-250 SuperCab with 35,000 miles) with a gas engine came in at $30,000, but we don’t know if it will sell for that price.

With its straight body, clean engine bay, and low-wear gray interior, we’re guessing the old Ford truck was probably a good deal for all involved. Enjoy the drool-worthy pictures. We’d love to hear about your OBS Super Duty. Drop us an email!