The Honda Ridgeline may be the redheaded stepchild of the pickup truck world due to its unibody construction, but what this vehicle lacks in towing power it makes up for in personality. Nicknamed “Buford,” this baby is the mobile response unit for our sub-contracted development team, Ripley Research and Development. It’s equipped with Honda’s 3.5L V6 24-valve SOHC iVTEC, which puts out a reliable 280 hp. It’s not made to be fast or loud, it’s made to put up with as much abuse as the spectral inhabitants of Hudson Valley and Southern Connecticut can throw at it. It’s got a towing capacity of 5,000lbs, and a max payload capacity of just over 1500lbs. It seats 5 ghostbusters comfortably, and has enough storage in the back for at least as many proton packs, be they full size or Ripley-Spec 80% enhanced packs.

Built using Honda’s  “Black Edition” trim level, it comes equipped with black leather seats that can be wiped clean of any ectoplasmic residue we come into contact with, as well as blacked out exterior trim and 18” black alloy 5 spoke rims. It also comes equipped with a storage locker under the truck bed for securing any experimental equipment the general public should not come into contact with.

But enough about what Honda blessed the vehicle with. Ripley R&D have spared no expense building a modular and ever-expanding array of upgrades for the truck, the most notable of which being the “conversion package.” The truck can be converted from an unassuming pickup into the 1R in less than 10 minutes with a single skilled operator, making it good for scouting missions or the occasional quick getaway from an angry customer. Ripley R&D have also foregone the typical array of ghost detection equipment in favor of leaving the bed accessible for operators to fire their weaponry mid-pursuit of a fleeing entity. That’s right- when one of the other vehicles gets wind of a spook, specter or ghost on the move, the 1R is deployed to rendezvous with a bed full of operators armed to the teeth to hunt it down. (Note, Hudson Valley Ghostbusters and our affiliate partners at Ripley Research and Development do not condone the general public riding outside a vehicle in motion. We’re trained professionals. Leave the stupid decisions to us.)

The vehicle was officially christened part of the HVGB fleet in the 2025 acquisition of right to operate in the state of Connecticut due to a lack of active spectral monitoring in the area. However, Ripley R&D has been known to lend a hand to other groups in need of backup, usually with donning appropriate franchise branding for the occasion. No matter what name is on its doors, if you see the 1R on the road, know you’re in good hands.