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Arrow Straight: 1963 Ford Falcon Ranchero

I love writing for Barn Finds. I get to write about cars that are fun, interesting, unusual and rare. This is the first time that I’ve had the opportunity to write about a car where I can say that I’ve actually owned one. Admittedly mine was an Australian model, but for all intents and purposes, it was the same. In fact, my current daily driver is a Falcon utility (only about 35 years newer) that can trace its lineage back to this car. For sale here on Craigslist is this 1963 Ranchero. Located in Indio, California, it is being sold with a salvage title. The seller has priced it at $6,500. My thanks go to Barn Finds reader Rich Greene for referring this Ranchero to us.

Sadly the photos of this old girl are lacking a bit. The seller has taken one clear photo outside, so I’m puzzled why the rest have been taken in his garage. However, the seller has stated that if you are interested and send him a text he has videos of the underside of the car and of it running, and he will gladly send them to you. From what we can see the car looks to be in great condition externally. The tray looks very clean, and the whole car appears to be arrow straight. One potential issue that I did notice was some damage to the grille. It is possible to straighten these, but I’d be banking on finding a replacement if you are looking for perfection.

From this side, things also look really good. Unfortunately, there are no shots of the engine bay, so we can’t really deduce much about it mechanically. If it is all standard fare then under the hood could be anything from a 144ci 6 cylinder through to a 260ci V8. We do know that it is backed by an auto transmission, but once again we can’t be sure what type it is. Regardless, the seller states that he has already invested over $10,000 in this Ranchero but we can’t be sure how much of that has gone into the drive-train.

After looking at all of that bright and shiny paintwork the interior is really disappointing to me. There are a number of little jobs to be completed here. While the seat upholstery looks to be in pretty decent condition, to me it looks out of place in this car. The dash and instruments look good, but the holes where the radio and lighter should be are obvious. Those things aren’t as obvious as the lack of a door card on the passenger side door. I don’t know if there is one on the driver’s door, so I can’t really discuss the condition. The seller doesn’t indicate whether he actually has door cards. He appears to be a man of few words.

Overall I really like this particular Ranchero. If it is solid mechanically and structurally it might not be a bad thing. The interior issues, while they are an irritation and a distraction, are not things that are going to cost you an arm and a leg to fix. I really quite like it, but maybe because I’m biased. Seeing this old girl brings back a lot of fond memories for me.

Comments

  1. Avatar Oldog4tz

    Adam, check the listing again. In the photos is a long story that outlines a 63k, 6 cylinder survivor. My concerns are the details of any work done by the young seller that put him in 10k

    Like 4
    • Avatar Adam Clarke Staff

      Thank you for that Oldog4tz. For some reason I can’t read that from the ad. I’ve saved it and looked at the image with different software and can now read it. I agree with you on that unless he spent a bomb on that paint job.

      Like 2
  2. Avatar Nick

    I recall one of these in the movie “Goldfinger”. They crushed a 6000 lb Lincoln Continental, and supposedly dropped it in the back of this Ranchero. I really don’t think one of these could handle a 6000 lb block of steel in it’s bed, though. Or move, with it’s tiny 6 cyl engine.

    Like 6
    • Avatar jdjonesdr

      Maybe this is the same one and they straightened it out again… lol

      Like 4
    • HoA Howard A Member

      The Ranchero in the movie was a ’65, and the Lincoln had the engine removed, so maybe 4,200 lbs, but you’re right, no way.
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0H0C6FNO5U

      Like 5
    • Avatar GhostNote

      “Mr. Solo has a pressing engagement.”

      Like 4
  3. Avatar 68custom

    Many years ago a friend f mine went to look at a rusty one equipped with the 260/ auto tranny. It was to rusty back then but it would be worthy of restoring it today. Not a ford guy but I dig early falcons. Especially when equipped with V8s from day one! This one looks nice but must be closely inspected for rust before any transaction occurs.

    Like 6
    • Avatar Lance Nord

      68custom,

      Of course you should look for rust, but it is unlikely that you will find any if this is, indeed, a California car.

      Like 0
  4. Avatar Uncle Bob

    It would seem that whatever his college classes are in it’s isn’t marketing………..I hope.

    I’ve been scoping car ads for nearly 60 years and during that time I’ve always marveled at the statement, “easy fix” for some shortcoming or other. My brain always screams, “if it was so damned easy why didn’t you do it to increase the value or salability of the vehicle?” I suspect the experienced here already know the answer to that.

    I would imagine this young man (presumably) is going to have to discount from his “investment” some more due to salvage title, huge negative for most savvy buyers.

    Like 13
    • Avatar Steve R

      Besides, everything you said, these early Rancheros don’t have much of a following. A quick look at completed listings on eBay show several in this price range, over the last 90 days only one has sold, which ran and seemed nicer.

      This car doesn’t run and will be followed by the salvage title for as long as it stays in California.

      It will be hard pressed to clear $5,000, and that’s probably generous.

      Steve R

      Like 5
  5. Avatar kimball4449

    this car would look totally awesome with a high rise lift and some mud runners,,keep it a 6,,whatta head turner it could be,,

    Like 0
  6. Avatar JP

    Sounds like a deal to me. Car looks great, the “easy fix” would be a non-issue if you dropped in a V8, and the price is very right, considering he’d probably accept a lower offer. And the $10k probably includes purchase price plus that nice paint job.

    Like 1
  7. Avatar Jeff Viggiano

    I always thought the dash and upper door trim was painted in a contrasting color, not body color….at least on my ’60 Falcon, they are…..Black dash & moldings/steel side panels with a silver body…..

    Like 0
  8. HoA Howard A Member

    These early Ranchero’s have gotten pricey. They aren’t much of a car/truck, they do neither job well. I like Falcons and wanted an early Ranchero for years, still do, but most of them were in such deplorable shape, that one piece body/bed is hard to fix when rusted and they still want $5g’s. I think that tailgate is Ranchero specific, good thing this has a decent one. This about as clean a one you will find. I like the “Signal-Stat 900” turn signals.

    Like 1
  9. Avatar newfieldscarnut

    $6,500 seems like a really good deal to me . Give this kid a break !

    Like 4
  10. Avatar Kenzo

    The turn signal assembly appears to be an old Sears clamp on model. My dad put one on his 48 Studebaker. Wonder what happened to the factory signal arm & assembly? Wonder if it works?

    Like 1
  11. Avatar Hide Behind

    Anyone ready for its 2020 reincarnation?
    Ford is considering a small pickup, built upon its Focus model.

    Like 3
    • Avatar Dick Johnson

      Looks like Frod has lost their focus.

      Like 2
  12. Avatar Gaspumpchas

    These falcons had notoriously weak signal light switch. easy fix if you can find the parts. Would like to see more pics under the hood and underneath. Looks good from here. An ideal candidate for a 289 4 speed, leave rest untouched–5 lug rear–Granada spindles for good stopping power.
    Good luck to new owner!

    Like 2
    • Avatar Lonnie

      Salvage title came about when the original owner lost the title. It was easier to get a salvage title, evidently, than to properly get a lost title designation.

      Like 0
  13. Avatar Troy s

    Years ago when I was probably 11 or 12 years old a neighbor of ours, big time Ford nut, built one of these to be his tow car for his ’63 Ford Galaxie quarter mile race car. It sat kinda high, had cragars on it, ugly primer red and grey, straight front axle, but the real work he did was dropping a 428 under the hood with a tri power intake manifold. Fender well headers, real worked up engine, can’t remember if it was a stick or automatic, one thing I remember the most was how slow he drove that nasty looking thing, way to squirrelly and he never did use it for a tow car. He still owns that SOHC 427 powered Galaxie but got rid of the Ranchero years ago. Wonderful memories.

    Like 3
  14. Avatar Rustytech Member

    I like the car, but I have never heard of getting a salvage title do to lost paper work, you would get a duplicate title. To get tagged with a salvage title the car would have had an insurance write off, either damaged or stolen. Something here sounds fishy.

    Like 3
    • Avatar Miguel

      I have seen it in California.

      I tried to buy a Toyota Celica once and it had an out of state title that was lost.

      The only way california would issue a title is if it was salvage, which forced the owner to have it inspected.

      I didn’t buy the car because I was going to take it out of state anyway.

      Like 1
  15. Avatar Poncho

    C’mon guys…I’m sure that there others thinking like I am right now. Yank the 6 cylinder, strengthen the frame, drop in a Coyote engine and a manual trans, maybe a Ford 9 inch rear, tub the rear so you can install some fat sneakers on the rear, modern brakes all the way around for safety and the interior is an easy fix. If the body work and paint is already done, then its all mechanical/electrical. I know some guys have some of these parts laying around waiting for a project. This would be an awesome unique ride afterwards that could be a reliable driver/cruiser/touring/show car…whatever you wanted to use it for. $6500 isn’t bad for a solid body, painted starting point. Imagine what the Gas munkey’s would do with it.

    Like 0
  16. Avatar Lonnie

    Hey all, I bought this car. The owner is young and going to college. He needed to pay for tuition. This was his first car. He said it had been painted with a brush and house paint. He did spend a chunk of money on a new paint job. Interior needs a complete redo. Already have a carpet kit on hand for it, an my upholstery guy is getting materials ordered in the next couple of weeks.the electrical does need some rewiring. The turn signals will be fixed with replacement parts. I ordered a Mustang II front end for it, so steering should be way better than stock. I’ll be spending a good chunk of money getting this car to be my daily driver, but sold my Tacoma, so have a little bit of extra money burning a hole in my pocket right now. Looking at wheels and tires right now. Would like to get something out of the ordinary, but not weird.

    Like 1
  17. Avatar Gaspumpchas

    Lonnie, good luck with your Rancho!~ Keep us posted on progress!
    Cheers
    GPC

    Like 0
  18. Avatar Lonnie

    Well, this car has been a money pit. I will say that it is coming along nicely, though.
    I yanked the six, but put a healthy one back in. Rear end was too wide. Had that narrowed. All wiring was trash. Complete rewire. Floor boards were a bit rusted through in a few spots, so cut out,and put in all new ones. While it’s open, sprayed the whole interior with Lizardskin sound deadening and ceramic heat shield. Mustang II front end and new Torque Thrust wheels and BF Goodrich TA radials to give the right vibe. This has been a complete restoration, minus paint.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Adam Clarke Staff

      Lonnie, that is so great to hear. It’s always a nice experience for us as writers to know that one of our readers has bought a car that we have had the privilege to write about. I would love to see some photos because I would be willing to bet that it looks pretty nice now. I envy you because these small Ford pickups are a good thing. I have a later-model Australian Ford Falcon “ute” as my daily driver, and I just love it. Good luck with your restoration, and may it give you many years of enjoyable motoring. Adam.

      Like 0

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