Ford had an interesting idea in 1957: take a 2-door station wagon and turn it into a pickup truck. And that’s what they did and called it the Ranchero. The utility coupe – or “Ute” as they’re sometimes referred to – would become a Ford staple for the next 22 years – though the concept would change a bit over time. This 1958 Ranchero is a field find that the seller has brought back to life. At first glance, it may appear solid – until you start finding rust in the nether regions. A solid runner, this “gentleman’s pickup” is in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and is available here on eBay for $8,500 OBO.
For its first three years (1957-59), the Ranchero was based on a full-size platform. Chevrolet became interested in the concept and rolled out their version, the El Camino, in 1959. Ford would transfer the Ranchero to the Falcon compact body for 1960-65 and then settled in as a mid-size from 1966 to the end of production in 1979. Early Rancheros weren’t huge sellers with the warmed-over 1958 editions accounting for less than 10,000 units (but it was a recession year in the economy).
Changes in 1958 were nominal. The front end was modified to handle quad headlights, but all the big Fords had that change. What didn’t change was the taillights which were a carryover from 1957 while the passenger cars went to twin designs on each side. We’re told the seller (s) recovered this Ranchero from a field in Oklahoma, and set about to get it running, which it does nicely now. The seller provides a list of all the parts replaced and they’re significant. Enough to make a sizeable dent in the asking price.
While it runs great now, the body will need a lot more attention than the photos might suggest. We’re advised that the undercarriage is loaded with surface rust and some of it will need repair. There are already some patches, and it looks as though the inner fender wells will have to be replaced if you opt for a restoration. At 82,000 miles and with a plethora of new parts, you could probably just drive it on the weekends over the near future. No speed demon here, with a 223 inline-6 engine and a “3-on-the-tree” manual transmission.
One cool thing is that on the rear fenders, the script has been changed from Ranchero to Farmchero as we don’t think there ever was such a thing. Maybe that is an indicator of the truck’s former life!
I don’t have much to comment on as to the vehicle, other than it is something you don’t see very often and is kind of cool with its very basic powertrain.
But take a look the ebay ad. It isn’t devoid of info, like so many ads are (even coming from dealers). And it doesn’t seem full of exaggeration or half-truths. Rather, it sounds more like you have run into a friend at the coffee shop and he begins telling you about this old Ranchero he has acquired and is working on. The pics are pretty good too.
My ’57 sedan had that six in it and it was a great engine. 70 mph on the road with ease and great gas mileage. Went cross country and back with it . Nice condition for an old work truck here.
This is one fine looking Ranchero aside from the rust issues. The 223 was known as the “mileage maker”. You must have had an overdrive in your sedan to hit 70 mph. I have a 223 in my ’55 truck…it’s a great engine.
IMO Ford made a great looking car in ’58. Nice find right here.
Interesting that the ‘58 retained the 1957 tail lights (?)
was glad to see Ford return to the round tail light (passenger cars) in 1959–
they continued the round tail light theme from 1952 until 1967 (Falcon only).
The 58 passenger car tail lights were an oddity with exception of the Ranchero.
… and then there was 1960…
Actually the early 58 cars did as well.
Nice Ranchero.
Not all these finds need to be restored. Some are just perfect fixed up a bit, made road worthy and put back on the road. Then upgrade as you can.
Born to be driven. And I say this after being coddled as I drove a friends 2021 suv this morning. Can you say sterile? Boring?
My daily is a 30 year old M-B wagon with an AMG 6 in-line under the hood that I had put in there. Wouldn’t have it any other way.
Someone took a lot of pride (other than sheet metal screws to hold the spear trim on) putting this old girl back together at one time. Having sit in a field, bed filling with water, appears in good shape. Door sills and bottom of doors don’t look bad, but that right quarter scares me. Not sure how many gallons of bondo are in there, but the cracks say a lot. I love the fact seller relined the clutch. When was the last time you heard of a fellow doing that?
I usually dont like these kind of vehicles…..but this one is nice!
This brings back memories of my youth. We had trucking company and I worked for the live stock buyer. Cleaned pens, feed/water hogs. Typical Iowa part time job. The buyer had one identical except w/292 v8 3 speed. The guy was a terrible driver, went thru 3 clutches in same about of years. I would drive him out to check on the 2 farms he owned and run errands at 16. I may have helped to rush the clutches and rear tires along in their early demise. Then for HS graduation, dad redid a ’58 convertible the same color, but with 352 automatic. Ahh the days. ’58 Fords definitely formed my younger lifestyles.
The cracks in the right quarter panel are ominous and that rust on the left rocker panel may be worse than it appears. Could be a nice project for someone who likes to do bodywork and I would leave the original drivetrain in there; how often do you see a 6-cylinder ’58 Ford of any kind?
I like the original 6 cylinder setup in this 58 Ranchero, but had rather have the V8 model. Pretty much a Ford Fairlane that drove like a lumber truck. I prefer the Torino Rancheros over this earlier version, but fun to see this basic drivetrain, untouched by time and other builders, because a 351 would fit just as well in there.
I remember a customer at my dad’s gas station drove one of these back in the early 60’s when I was a kid. His vehicle of choice was either a 57-58 Ranchero. Period. Cigarette hanging out of his mouth, pack rolled up in his sleeve, quite the character. I see these Rancheros and think of Sonny Jones.
I had one of these & one of the rods always sliqqed off the rocker arm other than that it ran fine. mine had a little rust too & didn’t look nearly this good, it was qrimer brown.
Ranchero’s or UTE’S began a lot earlier than that when a Farmer in Victoria Australia went into his ford dealer in 1933 or 4 and asked about a vehicle that he could take The Wife to church on Sundays and yet still be used around the farm on other days! Hence the birth of the ute! then grabbed a 5w coupe and changed the rear into a commercial vehicle, everybody was happy!
LEW BRANDT was the name of either the designer or the customer, age prevents more accuracy on my part = sorry!
sold.