Ford truly was rife with “Better Ideas” in the 1960s. After beating Chevy to the punch with the Ranchero in 1957, they circled the wagons and downsized it on the Falcon platform in the face of sagging sales in 1960. The ploy worked, as sales improved from 14,196 in 1959, its last year on the full-size platform, to 21,027 for the first year of the Falcon Ranchero, seen here. It was brought to us by Barn Finds reader Sam61, who found it on Marketplace in Batavia, Ohio, with an asking price of $9,000. Act fast, because it seems like a deal.
Unfortunately, the seller gives us little to go on in the advertisement, saying that the Ranchero is in “good cruiser condition” with a “clean Ohio title” in his name. It does have a six-cylinder with a three-speed-manual transmission, and in 1960, that six would have been the only engine available (according to my materials), a 90-horsepower 144-cubic-inch “Falcon Six.” One way to tell one Ford engine from another in the 1960s was to look at the air cleaner and valve cover colors; in 1960, those were painted blue on the 144. The engine block, however, should be black, and while this picture doesn’t quite make that clear, the block appears to be blue. Therefore, it could be just about anything; it would be worth a message to the seller if you’re truly interested in the truck. I don’t think anyone would be upset if it were a 200 from a later car; maybe Ford aficionados could highlight small differences in this engine family in the comments.
The interior is in nice condition aside from the classic Vise-Grip window crank accessory on the passenger window regulator. While it might work fine, I imagine that there would be no problem sourcing a correct crank for a 1960 Falcon. Aside from that, there appears to be an extra hole in the passenger door panel, and the steering wheel has seen some better days. For the price, however, these are minor flaws. The seat and the carpet look excellent, and the metal dashboard has no pad to crack. The fuzzy dice can find their way to the donation box, unless you’re a fan.
The ad doesn’t mention why there’s a transmission sitting on a tire in the bed: Has it been replaced? Does the transmission in the car need replacing? Regardless, the bed looks solid, although we can’t see what’s under the mat.
This is certainly a truck that’s been owned by someone who likes accessories, including fender skirts, window “shades,” wide whitewall tires, spotlights, and those aforementioned fuzzy dice. Accessories are a controversial topic in the collector car world; I’d immediately remove them, but plenty of people think they’re fun and have no problem leaving them on. It’s the buyer’s choice on this clean Falcon Ranchero, and I imagine that we’ll see a “Sold” sign on it soon.
I think this is an amazing find – although it would be nicer without the fender skirts, spot lamps on the cowl and JC Whitney window deflectors. Theft-proof with 3 on the tree. The 1960-only air cleaner housing is rare.
I agree, fewer of the add-on accessories would be better. But adding a window crank (a quick search shows repros available for under $30) and repainting the steering wheel in the correct ivory white would be appropriate. I like the three-on-the-tree. Overall could be a fun Ranchero, appropriate for the routine runs to Home Depot.
Thanks Aaron.
This is the first Falcon based Ranchero I’ve ever seen with Fender skirts. For some reason I like. If you were to ask me before seeing this, I’d say no way. I agree with Bob above, maybe lose some of the extra accessories ( but keep the skirts) paint the steering wheel the appropriate ivory color and a window crank handle and you’re good to go.
I too like the skirts but might keep the accessories as well upon inspection. I have a 66 F-100 that was supposed to have the same steering wheel as the Falcons, but a previous owner replaced the wheel with a safer one with rubber grip. This Ranchero seems to be priced right if it runs as good as it looks and has little rust.
it Looks Like the Fuel Pump is on the Wrong Side for that Yesr notice Gas Line is on the Passenger Side The Fuel Line is Normally the Same side as the Pump Suggesting a Newer Block. and a Pair of Vice Grips For a Window Crank Cheap. the Hole in the Door Panel Maybe Upholster Mistake. I Owned a 1960 Ranchero.
This site has become extremely glitchy once again. I’m tired of writing posts and having them disappear and writing them over, and over. I’ve got better things to occupy my time.
I’ll try in a week or so and hopefully there will be improvement.
Bunky, my post just above yours disappeared as well. I tried backspacing and saw the entry before posting, tried posting again but it said that I already had posted. Then try “refreshing”. Sometimes the post then appears, sometimes not, a mystery and maybe a challenge. My post did appear after I returned an hour later. Does the site check for a word that may have tripped something “incorrect”? Other times posts go thru immediately. Anyway, I like it here, its free and an opportunity to work the old brain.
Look’s perfect for Spike (Snoopy’s relative) with those fender skirts
Man, where was THIS when I was looking last year?
those skirts really don’t work for this ranchero
Good looking Ranchero. ALWAYS check for rust right behind the cab and behind the seat. That’s the issue on these early Rancheros. I hated the fender skirts at first. But they are starting to grow on me. But the dummy spot lights can’t hit the trash can fast enough. It looks like new door cards should be on the list. Otherwise it looks good to go!
fuel pump is by the dizzy’n ‘yellow toped’ coil. Mount coil separately off the motor to reduce its heat. The mechanic, owner or restorer took the short cut on fuel filter too (along w/window crank) & hasa efi one. Here it’s screwed into the carb (a lill brass one) probably already on the carb.
“…One way to tell one Ford engine from another…” Glad you used ‘families’ as that’s the ford modality. There are 6 (ThriftPower) ford i6 motors 1960 – 96. 2 have a separate intake – 240/300 or 4.9 (’83 & beyond) in it’s terminal yrs w/efi comin in its last 10 yrs. The 4 smallers (integral ‘log’ intake) were kinda on the european business plan (grew in displacement yrly) and of 2 designs. The 144/2.3L, 170/2.8, 200/3.3 and odd ball 250/4.1L (the ‘separate’ design). Each time stroked (many other differences too but true basically). And ‘the odd ball’, tallest deck hada separate bell, one like the smaller ford bent8. The 240/300 also had this “ford small block” bell for truck transmissions (that’s how I got the NV 3550 5 speed in my 1st gen Bronco). BUT… my short answer to “…tell one Ford engine…” is not by easy-to-swap-out A/C, paint color or V/C is:
those removable intakes, number of water pump bolts, deck hight, # of frost plugs, (harder: dia of dizzy hole, # mains, casting numbers & so forth). Wont go into the Oz fords but the hot iron head 2v (pre crossflow i6) was the one for me! THAT also hada removable intake (plus…) Love to put the 200 w/that head on and go full livery SCCA or this head
https://www.vintageinlines.com/product-page/deposit-only-aluminum-head-package
or turboed efi w/the 250/4.1L, again ina canyon carver.
Never believe the seller – they may not know themselves (like many other car sellers). You must know. Any1 can slap on those 2 items or a coat of paint, be sure, know~
The ‘spats’ look OK on these, they must B mounted correctly tho (just take a look @ these – gaps, twisted metal).
‘Oddjob’ had a white one, it held a crushed,cubed Lincoln(?).
I guess it was owned by Auric Enterprises..