It took the Ford Ranchero a few years to decide what it wanted to be. First introduced in 1957 as a coupe utility or “gentlemen’s pickup,” it was a full-size truck based on a station wagon platform. Then for six years starting in 1960, it was shrunk to ride on the new Falcon carriage design. From 1966-on, it would be a mid-size, like the Chevy El Camino, and remain that way through 1979. The Ranchero GT was the performance version of the pickup, like this beautiful 1970 version with a 429 Cobra Jet V8. Located in El Cajon, California, this likely restoration is available here on craigslist for $59,000. Thanks for the tip, Pat L.! Who wants to come out and play?
The fifth generation of the Ranchero, like the ones immediately before and after it, was patterned after the Ford Torino intermediate. For 1970-71, the vehicles lost the somewhat boxy look of before and were more aerodynamic and stylish in appearance, with a pointed front clip. For the first time, Ranchero badging was affixed on the glove box rather than Fairlane or Torino identification, in case you forgot what you were driving. The Ranchero GT was the equivalent of the Torino GT, and as such could be had with the Ram Air on the 429 cubic inch V8 along with a shaker hood to accommodate that hardware, if so ordered (not so with the seller’s truck).
Total Ranchero production was 508,355 units over a 23-year-run. In 1970, Ford cranked out 21,640 of them and 3,905 of those were the Ranchero GT like we see here. So, it was in a fairly rare company then and certainly so today. This GT is black on black including a vinyl top, and the body, paint, and stripes present quite well. The seller says there are only 500 miles on the odometer which likely means one of two things. Either that’s the mileage traveled since the entire pickup with restored or it’s spent the last 52 years in near isolation, protected from the elements.
This is a numbers-matching truck and the 429 is paired with a C6 automatic transmission. We’re not told how well it runs, but it’s probably one of the faster pickups you’ll come across. You’ll pilot this vehicle in style as the black vinyl interior with bucket seats and a console looks most inviting. Extras on this Ranchero include hidden headlights, Magnum 500 wheels with raised white letter tires, and air conditioning (vintage?). If you were looking for a car/truck of this era, it might be hard to find one that seems any nicer than this one.
Me like! Nice ride and looks like it was done well, have to assume that those miles are from restoration. Feeding it with today’s gas prices your not going to take any road trips unless an overdrive is installed such as a Gear Vendor unit.
This is a beautiful 1970 Ranchero GT. The Seller claims that it comes with a 429 Cobra Jet V-8. However, the 429 Cobra Jet V-8 came with Aluminum-Finned Valve Covers and a Yellow-Labeled Sticker on the “Chromed-Lid” Air Cleaner. I know this because I had this Specific Engine back in the 1970’s…
Very nice. Classy looks, yet with the stripe, eye-catching. Plenty of performance. Cool ribbon tachometer. Has a later Ford sport steering wheel which looks good. The person who can afford this Ranchero probably isn’t too concerned with gasoline prices. Thanks Russ.
Cruise-O-matic is nice so one hand can be free to hold a cold drink , on a hot El Cajon summers day ⛱️
Nice!
Sharp!
WOW !! i’M A CAR NUT BUT I TOTALLY FORGOT ABOUT THESE. LOOKS BAD A$$!!
Excellent shape I like it…
Wow !! Looks sharp and ready for cruising the streets !!!
Absolutely beautiful, but I’m pretty sure it’s missing one thing. The round GT emblem in the center of the grille. I had a 70 GT from new, and it seemed like 2 years later, the mylar? GT emblem started peeling off the chrome center piece. Mine didn’t have hidden headlights, so maybe the hidden headlights option didn’t get the GT emblem in the center of the grille? Not sure. I liked the emblem because it broke up the width of the grille.
Very Nice! But I don’t recall ever seeing one sell for this much.
Not picking but if it was a CJ it would have aluminum valve covers and it has a later model electronic distributor and A/C compressor. To me the later model stuff would be fine but wonder if it’s a real CJ. That makes a big difference in price. Does it have a Rochester or Autolite carb? If a real CJ would be a very rare care for sure. Would love it either way!
Appears to have non factory A/C compressor. Wonder if mileage is true. Beautiful example, always wanted one of these, and not even a FORD guy.
Sweet!! And a 429.