Ford introduced two new products in 1957. One was the Skyliner, a retractable hardtop that turned into a convertible with a flick of a switch. The other was the Ranchero, a pickup based on a wagon platform rather than that of a truck. The seller has a 1969 edition which has been customized cosmetically – but is oddly powered by an inline-six with a 3-speed tranny. Located in Reeds, Missouri, this “Ranchomod” is available here on Facebook Marketplace, where the seller has reduced the asking price by $1,000 to $8,500.
The Ranchero enjoyed a 23-year run but would morph twice during its tenure. From 1957 through 1959, it was a full-size offering. Then, from 1960 through 1965, the Ranchero became a compact based on the Falcon. Finally, the utility vehicle (“Ute”) became a mid-size in 1966 (Fairlane), a position it held through 1979 when it was discontinued. Ranchero production in 1969 was 18,800 units, far below the 48,400 El Caminos that Chevrolet sold.
Since this Ranchero has the basic 250 cubic inch six-banger engine, it’s surprising that the seller or someone else decided to do a custom job on this pickup. A grill from a 1960 Mercury has been grafted onto the front end, keeping things in the FOMOCO family. But from the rear end, General Motors was consulted, and taillights from a 1959 Cadillac were employed. The interior doesn’t look much like a ’69 Ranchero either.
We assume the strange pickup runs fine, and the seller says it comes with a lot of new parts, whatever they may be. If you decided the mixture here of this and that is your cup of tea, would you opt for dropping in a more modern and robust drivetrain? That would make this oddity a far more interesting package for Cars & Coffee. BTW, the seller would consider trading for a vintage Ford F150.
He used all the optional parts from the AMT kit to customize this :D
There’s nothing like the charm of a classic car. It’s just that ugly is always more interesting. Pristine is just too easy!
At least the tail lights were put to better use than they were on the original Caddy. In keeping with the “oddball” theme, I’d drop a complete 3.5 Ecoboost drivetrain in this, keeping it all Fod of course, finances permitting.
AMT kit is what I thought of too. Actually these styling tweaks look only moderately crazy. And maybe the workmanship is not bad? One can’t really tell for sure, especially inside (one out-of-focus picture). Can’t say that I like it, but it is definitely different.
Marketplace: where the mindset is, it takes only a couple pics and minimal verbiage to sell a set of tires, seems like that’s all it should take to sell the whole car.
The license plate says it all!
I’m sure the owner also owns the light purple chop top in the background ?
One man’s vision is another man’s, ummm, dude, you okay?
Lack of scoot and the characterless appliance white paint doesn’t help much either.
“characterless appliance white paint” 👌
Looks like a “basking shark” front, interesting, but no protection by bumper to destroy the look? Dangerous. Likewise, the rear, which I like less than the front, has only minimal protection with the small bumper at bottom. I don’t mind the 6 engine, but this truck has little practical use. You take your chances driving it or even parking in a lot.
The front, to me, looks more like a 1960 Mercury.
like the grill’n motor. This for the motor: https://www.vintageinlines.com/product-page/deposit-only-aluminum-head-package
AOD behind it
Sad to say they took the best year body style IMHO & fixed it alright!
Went to a lot of work to make an otherwise very cool car , look downright UGLY . Bummer . . .
Did Bad Chad get ahold of this poor Ranchero?