Most of us have heard of Marti Reports in regard to Ford vehicles, but some of us may not know the story behind this company, including its founder, Kevin Marti. It’s interesting, and this rust-free 1979 Ford Ranchero 500 has a Marti Report as part of the seller’s photo gallery. They have this LTD II-based Ranchero posted here on craigslist in beautiful Northeast Phoenix, Arizona, and they’re asking $7,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Rocco B. for the tip!
Beautiful, and I don’t know too many folks who would refer to the last generation of the Ranchero, based on the LTD II, as being beautiful – other than me, I mean. The two-tone paint scheme is Light Chamois and Burnt Orange Glow, sort of like a leisure suit my dad had in this era. We know the exact color due to the Marti Report, of course. Here it is, although it was a tiny photo and basically unreadable, so I enlarged it a bit, making it somewhat pixelated. Maybe the seller would send a bigger copy to any interested parties. Kevin Marti started selling Ford restoration parts in 1982 as a side business, and it blossomed into a name known around the world. His company has access to the entire Ford production database between the years 1967 and 2017 (!), so if you have a couple’three hundred bucks and want a detailed history report of your Ford, check out their website.
According to the Marti Report, this Ranchero 500 originally had “hubcaps and trim rings,” and the wheels have been changed to the current Magnum 500 chrome wheels. The last gasp for the legendary Ranchero came between 1977 and 1979, and the tailgate appears to have the only ding or other issue on the exterior of this example, at least from what we can tell from the photos. The Ranchero 500 was the base model, if there was such a thing. There was also a Ranchero Squire with woodtrain exterior trim and a Ranchero GT, which required male drivers to have a permanent, a mustache, and to wear a cowboy hat at all times. Here’s a fun brochure showing the ’79 Rancheros.
The seller says this was originally an Idaho car and is rust-free, the two best words in all of autodom. The steering wheel is great, although I’m personally not a fan of the fat cover on it, which isn’t factory spec. This car doesn’t appear to have power windows or a power seat, both of which were optional. The “Chamois Vinyl Flight Bench Seat” (MT on the Marti Report) looks great in the photos. Why is the word flight in there? I’ve seen that before on bench seat descriptions, and this one has a split back with a fold-down armrest in the center.
Sadly, with all of the good photos, the seller didn’t bother to pop the hood to show us diehard gearheads the most important part of any vehicle: the engine. This one is Ford’s 351-cu.in. Cleveland OHV V8. Originally with a two-barrel carburetor, it now has a four-barrel carb and intake, according to the seller’s listing. The two-barrel version had 150 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque when new. Backed by an FMX automatic sending power to the rear wheels, the seller says they drive it at highway speeds every day, and it works great. Hagerty is at $9,600 for a #3 good-condition example; this seems like a bargain at $7,500 to me. Have any of you gotten a Marti Report for your Ford?
To answer your question SG, yes I have a Marti Report for my 1979 Mustang. I have the documents mounted on a high-quality display board, which I have on the garage wall with the car. I can also display it with the car at shows.
Several years ago I heard Kevin Marti make a presentation on how he came to be able to access the info. It’s a great story. It took a long time (years), and was full of twists and turns, dead ends, dealing with corporate bureaucracy, and such. But I’m glad he persevered, and I’m sure other Ford owners are thankful for his efforts.
Back to the Ranchero…. like other Fords of this time period, they certainly lost something with the big bumpers. That said, these Rancheros have a sleek, large-and-in-charge presence and feel. This one doesn’t look bad. A vehicle segment we may never see again?
Regrets I’d never be able to grow the prerequisite facial hair. Never again…
First off, thank you for the history on Kevin Marti Scotty. I’ve heard the name, and of his very detailed reports for Fords and Mercury’s for many years, but I didn’t know about the parts business. As for this generation of Ranchero, it’s not my favorite. However, this one really caught my eye. I don’t know if its the two tone color combination, or what, but this one looks good. I think I had a Matchbox of one of these as a kid that I liked. Or maybe a Hotwheels? I can’t remember now. But anyways, this one looks very clean and quite frankly, the price seems reasonable to me……… Or is it I’m just numb from seeing such high prices everywhere??? A tip of the hat to Rocco B for finding this Ranchero, and of course to Scotty G I enjoyed your write up! Thank you.
Nice one SG, thanks for the laughs. I especially love the brochures,
With a moustache like that, who needs abs?
I hate it when you offer someone a compliment on their moustache and suddenly…. she’s not your friend anymore.
2.47 open rear. This Ranchero was designed for the highway cruiser crowd 🏜
Is that a radar detector on the dash? I’m not too wild about the color scheme, but this asking price makes up for it! Again, on the other side of the country from me.
Can’t find the etymology of the term “flight bench seat”, but in small aircraft, certainly after WWII, rear seats were designed to fold down for use carrying cargo. Automakers use the term for seat with a common bottom, and separate backs.
Thanks Scotty/ Rocco. I’m with you Scotty, I think this generation of Ranchero looks good. Especially when they first came off the line. The LTD II, Torino Elite, T birds, Lincolns, etc. of the mid to Late 70’s with the huge front bumpers looked good and were appropriately representing the times.
I am a huge fan of keeping/ restoring a vehicle to the original condition and these are just a part of it.