Rare Muscle Truck: 1971 Ford Ranchero GT 429 CJ

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Oh for the days long ago when one could buy a very functional car/truck like this 1971 Ford Ranchero GT and max it out with cool options. I’ve often hoped for the return of the Ranchero/Camino and thought maybe Pontiac would pull it off in ’09 with their Holden-based Sports Truck. As it turns out it was a “no Ute for you” false start. Not only no Sports Truck but ultimately no Pontiac either – what a calamity. I don’t want to live in the past but I do like to review it from time to time and will choose to do so with this hot rod Ranchero. It’s located in London, Ontario Canada and is available, here on eBay for a BIN price of $75,000 CDN which is about $56,250 U.S. at today’s exchange rate. There is a make-an-offer option too.

The seller tells us that this Ranchero is a lifelong California resident and was domiciled there until he bought it years ago from the 92-year-old widow of the original owner. At the time it had been garaged since 1992 and started occasionally. It is said to be rust-free and that appears to be the case. Being beige makes for a rather mundane-looking GT but I always liked understatement and the finish is still pretty fair. There are a few scrapes here and there but nothing major and the cargo bed is seriously solid looking. There are numerous images of the underside and there are no dashed expectations, it all appears to be sound. I had forgotten about Ford’s styled steel wheels in use here, I like them but they look like a copy of Chevrolet’s everywhere rally wheel.

The big news is the 370 gross HP (the seller says 375 but I think he’s off by 5) J-Code 429 CI “Cobra-Jet” engine that’s parked behind the non-closed hideaway headlights. The listing states that it has been started and runs but maybe not driven. Along with its C-6 three-speed automatic transmission, the accompanying Marti Report claims this configuration to be one of only 82 produced.

There’s only one image of the interior and it’s of the instrument panel – no other images are included. The limited description states, “The Interior is reasonably tidy it does need the seat reupholstered. Dash is uncracked. Gauges all work. Horn and lights also“. The positive, however, is that a Ranchero interior is limited in size so that aspect does help to contain any restoration work that is needed. This is an A/C-equipped truck but the belt is off of the compressor so I imagine that it doesn’t work.

The originality and completeness of this Ranchero, not to mention the 429 CJ engine does make this a very special find, but, $56K+ worth of fine? That’s trending into big-block El Camino territory and their values have been continually ascendent, though slightly behind that of the SS passenger car. It’s good to know that there is a make-an-offer option – that will probably be necessary. Anyway, the marketplace will ultimately determine the sale price but the ask here seems like a stretch. What’s your thought on that matter?

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Comments

  1. Troy

    Well there is a fun car with its I don’t want to sell it price

    Like 27
    • John Jameson

      As the ad starts off, Oh for the days long ago when on could buy, unquote. Yes I long for the days long ago when one could buy almost any running old car for, around give or take, 1500 hundred. The mid to late 70s to the late 80s my passed bro, dad, and myself bought, built, sold, wrecked, many of these I see now sell into the 5 figure + column. If we had only knew. No one except a few people give a rats a… about old cars and they were cheap to mess with. Now to get anything worth the time to mess with, you got to be a Rockefeller. I feel bad for kids today that would like to fool with old cars but can’t bc everyone thinks theirs is made of gold. Even im out. Thankfully I still have my dad’s 48 F1, but can’t buy swap anymore, I just ain’t rich enough. All good things come to a end, and actual home built hot roddin’ obviously has. Good while it lasted though.

      Like 14
  2. Stan StanMember

    Love it. Big 429 power sent to the C6 Cruise-O-Matic, probably a 3.25 gear ⚙️ perfect.

    Like 11
  3. Chris Cornetto

    Ions ago when I worked in a wrecking yard, a squire version of this rolled in. A 429 sjc, shaker, ac, power windows. The one we scrapped also had that little tachometer to the left of the steering column. The unit also had a leaf spring up through the bed. Northeast rust had done this one in by 84. Very neat unit that likely won’t sell but you don’t know in today’s world.

    Like 5
  4. Ray Gifford

    Although the 429 and shaker good make this a rare and desirable piece of rolling stock, that price seems awfully high for one in this condition. Maybe if they’d made it into at least daily driver condition first, but still….

    Like 15
  5. Big C

    What are they smoking up north? Or are the forest fires causing them to lose their minds when they price out their vehicles?

    Like 17
    • Trenton Wuchter

      Welcome to California dreaming. You can blame the internet and sites like this for the prices. Being from the Midwest I see our cars and everything else being basically taken from us. They go east and they go west. Where someone gets paid three times what they should. Unfortunately everybody has to belly up to the bar if you want to play. Hope it stays in California. It should cost about 6.00 to start it. Nice car wrong place to buy.

      Like 2
      • Jim ODonnellAuthor

        Whoa there, don’t blame this site, we have nothing to do with pricing, we just report what’s going on in the market.

        Oh and it’s not “stayin’ in California” it hasn’t been in the Golden State for years, it’s in Ontario, Canada.

        JO

        Like 4
  6. ACZ

    I’m an El Camino lover but this would make a great garage mate for my Elkys, if only the price were realistic.

    Like 4
    • Jim

      For a car in this condition it should be at least 1/3 this price. 15k. The price they asking is for a good condition running and driving truck/car.

      Like 2
      • Trent wuchter

        I would give 7500. For the condition it’s in. You’ll end up withanother12500 by the time everything is fixed. If you do the work yourself.

        Like 2
  7. BIGBLOCKSROCK

    Price seems a bit optimistic, eh?

    Like 6
  8. RalphPMember

    No way on God’s green earth would I pay $75K for THAT! Fix it up, restore it, whatever, and MAYBE it would get that much at a Barrett-Jackson auction.

    Like 6
    • Wilhelm

      It’s $75K CAD!!!

      Like 1
      • RalphPMember

        AH! I didn’t catch that. Even at 50K US would be dreaming at Barrett-Jackson.

        Like 2
  9. Memohis harris

    429 CJ ? How cool is that.you and a bale of hay 0-60 yesterday

    Like 1
  10. Dan HerlehyMember

    I’m sorry but 75K?? the world has lost its mind. I’m a car guy but Please!!

    Like 4
    • Les Framer

      Yes this guy has lost his mind on this one and just because it’s a cl. Eng.not that hard to find and get car’s with at 20 Grand redone and fastback instead..

      Like 3
    • Wilhelm

      It’s $75K CAD!!!

      Like 0
  11. C5 Corvette

    Only 150 miles away from me. Problems are Customs, import duty, paying Canada Tax at the border, Over 50K US and then paying State tax when putting on the road in NY. In the past I bought 2 cars in Canada and brought them back to NY. It was not a fun project getting them across the International Bridge. The Canadian government did refund the tax they charged after awhile, but it took along time and lots of paper work!

    Like 4
  12. Dr Ron

    Typical alternate reality flipper.
    This seller is obviously on another planet.

    Hagerty values for a 1971 Ford Ranchero GT 429 Cobra Jet are:
    Concours $58,500
    Excellent $34,500
    Good $23,100
    Fair $15,300

    Considering that this Ranchero is pretty much a beater with a heater I wouldn’t spend more than $12K at the very most for it. And that’d be extremely generous. It’s not the most desirable color, a bench interior and doesn’t even have the band tachometer.

    I’ve restored, enjoyed and eventually sold three Rancheros over the last 22 years and I have a very personal appreciation and knowledge of them.

    The primary reason that I’ve owned 1970 351 Cleveland GT and a 1971 429 Cobra Jet GT models is because they cost about one half of what a Torino GT would go for.
    The third Ranchero was a rare 1967 S Code 390 with buckets, console and four speed and it also went for about half of what a 1967 S Code Fairlane GT would go for…
    And the bottom line for me was that they offered just as much fun and conversational value as their coupe counterparts for a lot less admission price.
    So….
    This guy is waaaaay outta line on this Ranchero.

    I sold my very clean, excellent condition ‘71 Cobra Jet (with Shaker) four speed manual, factory A/C in Grabber Blue and black bucket interior for $32,000 three years ago.

    If it had been a Torino Sports Roof 429 GT Cobra Jet I could’ve asked $10-$15K more.
    So….

    Maybe the seller wants the cash to buy that ‘72 Olive 911?

    Like 5
  13. Gary

    Its to much a half the asking price.

    Like 0
  14. Trent wuchter

    To the staff. I RESPECTFULLYrespond that your forum doesn’t set prices. In fact it scores elatvated pricing. My comment on California dreaming was not based on location but the mind set. The statement is the illusion that because it’s survive their entitled to the brass ring. If I offended I apologize as an adult.

    Like 2
    • Jim ODonnellAuthor

      No offense taken Trent, just trying to keep things straight.

      Thx,

      JO

      Like 0
      • Trent wuchter

        Then the car was in California till 92.went from the west to the east. Correct? I’ll bet you whatever you’d like to lose that if t h e car sells it goes back to the west coast. And you have to admit the price is ludicrous.

        Like 0
      • Jim ODonnellAuthor

        The listing states that the car was parked, by the original owner, in ’92 and the current owner bought it some number of years ago and moved it to London, Ontario where it now resides, and has for some time. Maybe your crystal ball gets better reception than mine as I have no idea where it will end up and don’t assume that CA is any more likely a destination than any other place.

        Price? Yes, it’s out of line. Some keep saying that $75K is outrageous, but just for clarity, it’s $75K Canadian, which is about $56K U.S. Regardless, $56K U.S. is too much $$$ for what it is. Of course, you know the old saw, the price is what a willing buyer will agree to pay and what a willing seller will agree to accept…

        JO

        Like 0
  15. Trent wuchter

    I wish everyone was as rational as you. The laws of probability say Cali. I’m willing to make that statement. Been watching the market and trends for years. Was a regular at and festival in Indiana since I was was 5. My father lived for it every year. Got my love for cars from him. He kept a 51 Hudson hornet from 1955 to 2005 when he felt he couldn’t care for it properly anymore. I’VE owned my roadrunner sinceI was 19. I couldn’t afford to buy it now. Have had multiple offers and most come from the west and the east. The Hudson went to Sunnyvale. I speak from experience not from contempt. As for the price anyone who would pay that much for that car would go to a ministers funeral dressed in feathers. That last statement will do my father proud God rest his soul.

    Like 0
    • Trent wuchter

      Auburn cord deuenburg festival

      Like 1
  16. Bama

    Except for the shaker scoop, this is pretty much a stripped sleeper. Fine if you’re into that type of car, but for that kind of money it should be loaded with every option offered. Too much Barrett Jackson mentality out there, seen one on TV so mine is worth as much.

    Like 1
    • Trent wuchter

      Maybe we’ll change the name to CANDA DREAMING. it’s not as catchy but Jim told me to keep it factual.

      Like 0
      • Jim ODonnellAuthor

        Canada Dreamin’ Eh? Can’t wait for the music video…

        JO

        Like 1
  17. Trent wuchter

    It’s kinda like this car. A one hit wonder. LOL

    Like 0

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