“America’s most distinctive trucks…”, so says a 1962 brochure about Ford’s Sedan Delivery and Ranchero. How great would it be to own one of each? At one time, about 15 years ago, give or take, that was a goal of mine and sadly, I still have yet to own either one. The seller has this 1962 Ford Falcon Ranchero posted here on craigslist in the beautiful Billings, Montana area and they’re asking $6,500. Here is the original listing.
As plain-Jane as this car appears to be, I believe that it’s a Deluxe model, showing chrome trim around the windows, armrests, and a few other things associated with the slightly-upgraded Deluxe models. I’m not sure, but I think it may have originally been white, because of some white showing up in the under-hood photos. Either way, I love it.
The first-generation Falcon was made between 1959 for the 1960 model year until 1963. They are, by far, the most innocent-looking, “quaint” examples of the Falcon to roll out of the factory, or various factories. The Falcon Ranchero for 1962 was a second-generation Ranchero, as Ford offered a 1957 through 1959 Ranchero that was based on a bigger, full-sized platform. With the tailgate folded down on the ’62 here, you’ll have eight feet of hauling room in the back. The hauling bed doesn’t show off quite as well as the rest of the body does, but the rear also has a few issues as you can see in the photo of the tailgate.
The Deluxe white steering wheel has some cracking, but many parts are available for these cars. The front seat appears to have been recovered, most likely when the exterior body was restored, whenever that was. The seller doesn’t say anything about the restoration, but they list a ton of new parts and maintenance work that has been done. This car has a three-speed manual and column shifter, perfect.
The engine is a step up from the base 144-cu.in. inline-six, this one being a 170-cu.in. six. It would have had around 100 horsepower and 165 lb-ft of torque. This one has had recent fuel system work, cooling system work, brakes, new tires, etc. Hagerty is at $13,000 for a #3 good-condition car so this could be a steal. Have any of you owned an early-60s Ranchero?
I always thought the arrangement of those underhood body braces was weird and inconvenient, running right over top of the master cylinder.
I saw one of these where someone had done some impressive metal work re-shaping that driver’s side brace to clear the master. It was really well done, you’d think it was a factory thing.
That is a 63 grille for sure
…and front bumper?
And parking lights. A ’62 would have clear lenses. A ’63 would be amber.
This is a good buy. I have always liked these, the more Plain – Jane the better. Our neighbor had a white one back in the 70’s. He would drive it to the square on Saturday morning’s and sell fruit and vegetables from the tailgate. I would simply repair the issues around back, detail the engine compartment and repaint it white as it came.
Anyone remember in the film ‘Goldfinger’ when Oddjob has a Lincoln limousine crushed into a cube and then dropped into the back of a Ranchero like this? Makes me burst out laughing every time.
That was a ’64,If I remember correctly.
Hi Eric, to be clear, the Lincoln had no motor or trans. Pure Hollywood, as even a Lincoln without the motor would still overwhelm the Rancheros 800lb. rating. I had a short infatuation with owning one for spell,,until I actually drove one, that is. Finding one with a floor was a challenge, and it really is a lackluster vehicle, but adequate for the day. It handled poorly, almost unsafe by todays standards, and had a limited market, when most just bought a regular pickup. I had a “144” in a Falcon, and was understandably a small motor, but it was as if the gas pedal did nothing. I don’t recommend one to anyone.
Weak spot for 3 on the tree. I was 13 years old and we had a 64’ Comet with the 3-speed manual on the column. My buddy would wet the street with the hose and I’d pop the clutch and spin the tire. Mom came out grabbed me by the hair so that stopped
That day lol
That was back on the day when corporal punishment was swift and just. I remember back in school if I mouthed off to my teacher she would swat me and then haul my ass off to the principal where I would get swatted again then my mom would get called and she would swat me all the way home and then I had to wait for Dad to get home and then he would really swat me. After all that I figured out quick I won’t do that again.
I think its a great car for the money.
63 taillight lenses to, not the deluxe model either no chrome around the bed and no ford emblems on the front fenders
top contender in my book. (Brat, rampage/scamp, some of the sukies). Like this to the Thriftpower i6 (6 of them 2.3 – 4.9), early model (cleaner lines @
pre ’64) era, & ford.
After owning 7 of these the love only grows stronger!
I’d like to have this one!
Looks like a ’63 to me…
Appearantly it’s ’63 for two reason…. 1) Grille and 2) Speedometer cluster shows that it’s a ’63… The ’61-’62 has different appearance design otherwise.