This is one of those wow vehicles, one of those cars that almost any car guy or car gal would like to own. Based on the Ford Torino for the fifth-generation, this 1970 Ford Ranchero Squire has a monster V8 lurking under that unassuming hood. The seller has it listed here on eBay in Placerville, California and the current bid price is $6,100. Let’s check it out.
I was under the impression that the Ford Ranchero Squire would have had woodgrain sides and on the tailgate similar to the Country Squire wagon, but maybe there was a woodgrain delete option or maybe it has been removed over the decades. It’s clearly listed as a Ranchero Squire on the Marti Report that the seller has included in the exhaustive collection of photos that they’ve provided. Thankfully, they recently added a couple of engine photos so you can see what’s under the hood.
The body on this Ranchero has a few issues but overall it appears to be in great condition seeing that it’s now five+ decades old. This half-car-half-truck has 119,000 so it isn’t a low-mile trailer queen but clearly, it has been taken care of over the decades. The odometer shows 14,941 so maybe it’s not working or the photos were taken 4,000 miles ago.
The interior has a few issues, possibly from the California sun. There are a couple of cracks in the padded dash, the radio appears to be missing, and the steering wheel needs help or possibly replacing it with one that’s in better shape. But, the seller says that this Ranchero Squire has no rust and working factory AC! Clearly, the bidders aren’t paying attention to Hagerty which lists a #4 fair condition Ranchero with a 429 4-barrel as being worth $3,800 and a #3 good condition car is listed as being worth $9,300. I don’t know if this car is in “good” condition given the interior and exterior issues, but being rust-free, having a giant V8, and working AC appears to be driving the price past their estimate.
Here’s the biggest deal with this Ranchero, the 429 cubic-inch, four-barrel equipped engine bay. I believe this combo would have pumped out 375 360 horsepower which should be more than enough to have the AC running and still do a Jay-Leno-like burnout. It appears to have a new brake master cylinder and possibly new front shocks? There’s no word at all as to how it runs but I’m assuming that it runs as good as it looks. Any thoughts on this Ranchero Squire?
This Ranchero has the N-code 360 horse Thunder Jet 429, not the J or R code 429 Cobra Jet 375 horse engine.
Thanks for the clarification, Des!
any big block half-station wagon/half-truck has to be a blast to drive without a load in the bed.
heck, my tired ole 76 SS 350 Elky would break traction going into second most days.
this or a similar 396 or 454 mill would smoke ’em for blocks!
The 68-72 El Camino actually weighed slightly more than a comparable Chevelle and had a slight advantage in weight distribution as well. That being said my 70 Elco SS will indeed smoke them for blocks!
a guy from our high school class (84) still drove a white 69 SS396. i ran into him recently & shared how intimidated by it i was but bet it was tough to get off the line. turns out he still has it. surprisingly he says just drop the tailgate & it hooks!
This one reminds me of Tom Cotter’s car with the 427 and a 4 speed. It’s unique enough that I would be inclined to put the squire wood grain back on it it was equipped as such. I know there was one on BarnFinds a while back and it was definitely a polarizing car but there is nothing wrong with a head scratcher like a RS Camaro with a 6 cylinder.
It’s listed for sale at $11,750 firm on Hemmings and other websites.
I’ve driven a big block Ranchero and it was a blast. It would be a fun car to own.
This brings back a memory.
My 71 Ranchero: factory 250/3 on the tree.
Had the form fit fiberglass topper. Easily removable by one guy.
Went on many weekend fishing trips with my little boat in tow.
No problems going thru the Colorado mountains.
I’ve an ORIGINAL 70 351C, c/r 4 speed/ ram air/ ‘bucket’ seats/ hood locks/ surprisingly there’s it’s image in Santa Maria, a friend mentioned that I was driving mine in that he’ed looked one over that is exactly the same, I looked outside and thought my car had been stolen until I recalled it was in the garage!! Yes, it does need a LSD and the wide ratio tranny to improve it’s drivability and rear tire wear. OH! and most didn’t have the wood decal but COULD GET THE GIANT REFLECTIVE ARROW UP THE SIDES!
I’ve an ORIGINAL 70 351C, c/r 4 speed/ ram air/ ‘bucket’ seats/ hood locks/ surprisingly there’s it’s image in Santa Maria, a friend mentioned that I was driving mine in that he’ed looked one over that is exactly the same, I looked outside and thought my car had been stolen until I recalled it was in the garage!! Yes, it does need a LSD and the wide ratio tranny to improve it’s drivability and rear tire wear. OH! and most didn’t have the wood decal but COULD GET THE GIANT REFLECTIVE ARROW UP THE SIDES!
And yet another “429” power plant. This is the sleeper you don’t want to wake,loaded in the back or not! BF has Ford/Mercury big-blocks!
Sure would like to hear the story of why the buyer paid extra for the “Squire” model, but deleted all exterior trim and badging, since there’s no sign of it having been removed.
There was a Drag Pack, 4 speed Shaker Ranchero in my town years ago. Concrete under the rear floor and in the tailgate. Still didn’t bite with the tires of the time
One of one? I do not believe there was only one 70 ranchero made with a 429/automatic. Why do they not show the factory literature proving this? If it is a one of one, shouldn’t the value be 50 or 100 thousand? Why so rare and so cheap?
Auction update: this one ended at $7,793.63 and no sale.