Although the Dark Cordovan Metallic (i.e., brown) paint, gold stripes, and GT decals are faded and worn off in quite a few spots, the body of this 1979 Ford Ranchero GT looks surprisingly solid and they say that it has fewer than 60,000 miles. The seller has this project hauler posted here on craigslist in St. Paul, Minnesota and they’re asking $2,500. Here is the original listing.
Ford made the Ranchero on several platforms beginning in the 1957 model year. Since the Torino-based Ranchero ended production in 1976, Ford used the LTD II as the new seventh-generation Ranchero. They were made from 1977 to 1979 and it’s not uncommon to see a front clip from a Thunderbird or Mercury Cougar grafted on as it was a fairly easy swap. Those wheel covers don’t appear to be one of the choices for 1978 Ranchero buyers, but I’d want Magnum 500 wheels on this car.
Ford offered three trim levels of the Ranchero in this era, from the base Ranchero 500 to the posh Ranchero Squire with woodgrain and other appropriate leisure suit era goodies, and the sporty GT, such as this example. This looks like a rare car where a scripted TV “reality show” really could restore it for a fake self-imposed three-day deadline. The body looks great to me, other than a couple of dings and some surface rust. Ford said that owners could haul 4×8 sheets of plywood with the tailgate folded down. They look great when they’re in nice condition.
The bad toupee dash pad is, I’m assuming, hiding a cracked dash and the seats need help. Both of those things are restorable without too much trouble. I’ve never taken a dash out but I know a lot of you have, how much of a nightmare is that if a person wanted to get their dashpad restored? On a scale of 1 to 10? I’m imagining it being a 10 but maybe it varies with the vehicle. Seats don’t scare me, I know a great upholstery shop that I’ve used in the past and they work miracles.
One thing that does scare me is that I don’t know what engine this is just by looking at it. Ford offered three V8s for the Ranchero in this era, a standard 302-cu.in., and an optional 351 V8 or 400 V8. I have no doubt that Bob or another Ford expert in the Barn Finds family of readers will instantly know what powers this Ranchero GT. Other than being filled with leaves, never a good thing, it doesn’t look as bad as I thought it would. All the seller says about it is that it’s in good condition and it’s being sold as is. I’m assuming it isn’t currently running but I could be wrong. I really like this car, it would be a great winter project. Hagerty is at $9,900 for a #3 good-condition car as a general reference. What engine is this, and for $2,500, would any of you take on this Ranchero GT restoration?
This is another vehicle that fits in my mental “can you believe this type of vehicle was made” list. But when you think about it, maybe it made sense: the then-popular personal luxury coupe in front, with a somewhat useable bed in back.
This example needs work but doesn’t seem terrible. It will never be super valuable, so a rework might end up being a labor of love. Paint and stripes, upholstery and dash pad, Magnum 500’s (those look like the hubcap/trim rings Ford used throughout the 70’s) on white letter tires, plus mechanical work. But if you could get in the ballpark of the outstanding example Scotty provided, you would be proud.
No I don’t know what engine this is.
Thanks Scotty, good work.
1 indent on the intake side = 302
2 indents on the intake side =351M/400
It is a 351/400
Looks like a base 302 2V carb to me…
Make that a 302 hazy pics and old eyes screws up detective work😳🤣
Can’t possibly convey in words how much I hate these things. Even in mint shape.
I would have to say that the odometer has rolled at least once. 21+ hour drive one way and Google maps also says there is a winter storm warning between me and them. So I won’t be making that drive anytime soon will have to pass to someone else
This is a GREAT deal….I’d pull that boat anchor of an engine and drop in a 429 SCJ, THUNDERJET or a 460 …bolts right in
Could be a deal for someone depending on two things: what kind of shape is that drive train in & what’s the underside look like after 45 Minnesota winters? 5
Gross when new, worse now….hood is as long as the bed.
Those are a hard sell…..my running driving 1- owner ordered GT Broham just didn’t bring much money even with a Marti report of a May 1979 build date….about the last one….
You are right, these are a hard sell. They are dogs with fleas. They are overweight, underpowered and not particularly attractive. Late-60’s through early-70’s, which are much better looking, especially when you factor in the later model battering ram bumpers and can be found for reasonable prices by those willing to put in the effort.
The appearance of this car in the pictures, location and description telegraph there are bound to be significant problems and screams money pit. I’d hold out for something in better to come along.
Steve R
Whenever one of you boys have a running, no rust “dog with fleas” Ranchero, that you want to rid yourselves of, for cheap? Let me know. I’d love to help you out.
Valve covers say it’s either a 302 or 351 Windsor.
The Good: The V8, depending on which one lurks under the hood, and body-on-frame construction. The Bad: General condition is best described as fair, with minimal rust. The Ugly: The seats and dashpad in general, with the lack of bucket seats and console as a distinct minus, IMHO. If the V8 is a 302 or 351, that’s a plus, but the 400, not so much. A “385” family engine (429/460) will fit, so A crate motor is a possibility if you’re not up to rebuilding the stock mill. The styling of these final generation Rancheros leaves me cold, with the vertically stacked square headlights as a major turn-off. I much prefer the 1972-76 examples better, but to each his own.
P.S. What’s up with the bungy cord around the steering column? Does it have a tilt wheel that won’t stay locked into position? This one does have A/C and factory cruise control, so it was fairly well equipped.
That’s a 302 2V so a replacement engine is in order. But clean it up, throw on a couple coats of clear and keep the patina, drop in a 429/460, or even a coyote, and drive it. Keep in mind you will have to also change transmission and rear end to keep up with the new power.
Like it or not, these cars were made to work and there isn’t room for a backseat driver! I like it!
My step dad had one like this briefly. What I remember most about it was when he first brought it home down a steep paved road near our house, stopped at the stop sign, attempted to cross the slightly inclined cross street in front of our house and a fourth of the front overhang bottomed out on the pavement. The sound of the front bumper dragging on the pavement was like nails on a chalkboard.
A real GT, with a 351/400, air, cruise, a great fixer upper imho. It’s a sleeper. I had same year, same optioned Cougar XR7. Not a lot of hp, but fun to bop around in. Great price too.
Had the same car/truck in the late 80s. Fun to drive. A real cruiser. Mine had the 351 in it. Can’t remember having any issues with it.
No. It’s willfully ugly.
The aluminum air cleaner cover was indicated the 400
Next to the Aztec – one of the ugliest vehicles ever made. I had a 72 Gran Torino – four door – mild mods – black beauty – extra chrome, a couple boxes of dynamat and a nice audio system. Little limo. Loved it – somebody else wanted it and got it.
Update: the seller has lowered the price by $200 to $2,300.
That’s a 302 the 351/400 had larger valve covers and was much wider, they all had the aluminum air cleaner at that point. Rust wise the body looks good but it’s been sitting in that spot for a while who knows what lying under all the crap in the bed. If it runs and the bed is solid $2300 isn’t bad as the worst part is the interior and paint. I personally prefer the 72 over this body but I’ve always liked these too. My mom had a 77 LTD 2 squire wagon black with dark red interior it dove comfortably even with the 400 it was no power house . This with a 302 you could pull it out get rid of all the choked smog parts build a nice peppy 302 and drop it right in , keep the ac of course. For me it would have to be closer to me so I could see it in person before I would commit to purchase.