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In Storage For 40 Years: 1957 Ford Ranchero

ranchero

Located in Hastings, Nebraska, this 1957 Ford Ranchero has been stored inside for 40 years. I wish there wasn’t as much rust as there is, though – it makes me wonder what kind of life the truck led prior to being taken off the road. This great find was sent in by Barn Finds reader Olaf E. You can find it here on craigslist where the price is $3,950. We don’t know much about the car from the advertisement text, but the pictures show a lot of daylight where there was originally sheet metal. Many patch panels are available, though, if you are willing to. I do like the two-tone paint, although I have no idea if that is an original scheme or not. Interestingly, the interior looks salvageable, especially if you are interested in a driver rather than a show vehicle. The engine is not running at the moment, although many other powerplants would fit if you are not stuck on originality. I’d at least try to get it running with the original engine, then make it driveable, and follow it up with a decision on the cosmetics. How about you?

Comments

  1. Avatar RayT

    Looks to me as if there’s enough left to restore. Someone who is handy at bodywork and welding — or was willing to pay — could take care of the major rust issues and get this into a decent state. From what I’ve heard, the Y-block should be a relatively easy restoration, too.

    Rancheros are way too cool to not restore. I’d have to vote for a full-bore redo on this.

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  2. Avatar don

    i’d buy it in a heart beat if it were closer to me!

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  3. Avatar DENIS

    I love those things…and it’s close to me, but considering the cost of bodywork/paint, I’m done at way before $3950. I would make a badass street-cruiser out of one…429/460, tubs, etc..unless you can do your own bodywork, you better buy one done..

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  4. HoA Howard A Member

    These original Ranchero’s are extremely rare and seem to always bring big bucks. They were terrible rusters, especially in the mid-west. They were unlovingly worked pretty hard by contractors and delivery people and very few survived. This one isn’t for the faint of heart (or wallet), but a nice ride when done.

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  5. Avatar Rick

    Back in the early 70s when I first started buying cars, seems like ’57 Fords were always rust buckets even back then

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  6. Avatar Leo

    Personally i think the seller is smoking crack. $3950 is a stupid price considering all the rust. Its well worth restoring but there will be no upside to it as a project. Like i always say, find the most solid body you can and deal with missing mechanicals as they are tons cheaper than sheetmetal fabrication and hundreds of hours of bodywork. At $3950 ill run away

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  7. Avatar Woodie Man

    The ’57 Ranchero is on my bucket list……ever since I was a kid I love the ’57 Ford look. Given the cost to restore today and my laziness better to start with a car with less tinworm, though at the right price, meaning much less than at present, it has possibilities.

    It looks original down to the interior but that drivers floor is beyond rotted.
    .
    Great Find! More ’57 Rancheros!

    Like 1
  8. Avatar jim s

    it has been on CL for at least 28 days. time for the seller to take an offer and move on.

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  9. Avatar Jim

    57 Fords were very rust prone and once the tin worm takes over the vehicle isn’t worth the time, effort or expense to restore it. I’ve seen 57’s much worse than this Ranchero though so who knows without seeing it up close.

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  10. Avatar Spank Mcfairlane

    I guess the old adage is true, you can always go down in price but you can’t go up. I love 57 Fords and fortunately for whoever buys this there is a lot of sheet metal available. I think the car is probably worth about 2k, it is complete. My first call would be to EMI in Ohio, they make the best reproduction 57 Ford sheet metal you can buy. I hope someone buys it that loves these cars and puts it back original.

    Spanky

    Like 0

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