Sales of the Ford Mustang peaked at 607,000 units in 1966. Its popularity was enough for a dealer in Beverly Hills, California, to lobby to build the “Mustero,” a cross between a Mustang and a Ranchero pickup. But, as best as we can tell, only part of the Ranchero name was borrowed, not any infrastructure. About 50 were built in 1966, so the seller’s 1968 example is a one-off. We’re told by the Mustang aficionado (aka seller) that it’s a quality job and not a “hack.” Located in Perkasie, Pennsylvania, this nice running hybrid of sorts is available here on eBay for $18,000 OBO. Kudos to Mitchell G. for this interesting find!
Ford was probably happy selling the Mustang as a hardtop, fastback, and convertible, so they didn’t build the Mustero themselves. The same was true for the Shelby Mustang and various Roush editions. Starting with a basic Mustang, the converting dealer (Beverly Hills Ford) modified the roof and created a fiberglass bed to go where the rear seat and trunk once were. No tailgate was in the equation, so its practicality was limited, and the rear quarter panels also had to be extended. The end-result was a $6,500 truck, far more expensive than a regular Mustang or Ranchero.
Most of the 50 that were built were exported and the number known to exist today in the U.S. may be counted on one or two hands. The seller of this example could never find one of the ’66 Musteros, so he and his daughter built this one out of a ’68 Mustang with a six-cylinder engine. Why you would go to this trouble for anything other than a V8 is beyond me. It’s been in the family for years and stays in the garage when not being used. So, it’s time for the interesting vehicle to move on to a new home where it may see more action.
Little is said to be wrong with it and you’ll find a little surface rust as you dig around. The battery is new and the tires are newer. The brakes, water pump, and more were redone within the past year, along with some new chrome pieces (like the rear bumper). With an automatic transmission, it should be great to cruise around in, but you probably don’t want to haul anything heavier than some firewood. The mileage is 128,000, but we don’t know how much of this is post-transformation.
I usually don’t go for this type of silliness, but I actually like it…
The rear overhang makes the side profile look very awkward to my eyes, and the wheel covers don’t help; however, it would cause a stir at the local Coffee & Chrome! GLWTA!! :-)
Well, if you want to drive something that will turn some heads and start a conversation, there ya go !
It may turn heads but that’s because they don’t want to look at it, it’s ugly. Other Ranchero’s, Falcons and Fairlanes, had body lines that worked with the bed out back but this Mustang sure don’t. And the conversation about the car would be, WHY? Why did you do this to this Mustang?
I’m sure someone might like this. To me I don’t know what looks worse, this or an electric mustang.
The electric thing they called a mustang because they were to lazy or didn’t have enough imagination to come up with a better name looks worse by far
I completely agree about the EV Mustang. It is obviously not a Mustang.
You’d think Ford would want to protect that name considering how valueable the Mustang is to there bottom line. I think this dilutes the Mustang name and image.
Yeah, they could’ve found a more suitable name for their EV than Mustang.
They should have called their electric car……. Galax E. Still retaining a Ford name. It is NOT a Mustang at all.
Wow! I am in need of a good wood hauler And I dig ’68 Mustangs. Now about that price….
I think the price is at least $8k to high but if I had this I would get with one of those places they build the truck canopies and have them build one so I would have a sedan delivery type vehicle. Maybe even get them to build a few canopies so you can swap them out with different windows.
Per usual, no tailgate. What is so difficult about making a functional tailgate?
@Moparman,
I don’t feel it’s the overhang that gives its profile its awkwardness, but it’s the roofline. Shave the overhang from the roof up to the rear window and I think it would look more balanced. JMO
The Country Squire side emblem is an interesting touch.
No tail gate is a show stopper for me. That would limit it’s usability too much to make it practical but I’m not a possible buyer so my opinion doesn’t matter. I do kind of like the lines of the shortened roof in the side view shot. The price is “OBO” so I’m guessing it will sell fairly quickly.
I think this is waay cool, moderately useful and almost unique. I think a wheel upgrade would be nice and maybe a 289 swap down the road..but I could see this cruising around Sonoma as a wine delivery vehicle.I’m guessing its load bearing capacity is about the same as my 66VW single cab…that is oh so useful.Love it and wish I had room..
” Firewood hauling ” firewood can be heavy, the profile looks way off it needs to be shortened or the rear axle moved back & a tailgate figured out.
Pretty useless like the SSR and that Hyundai thing. No go show go
I’d say this is how you ruin a good car. No love from me on this one.
A bit ungainly in my opinion. Proportions are all off. I agree with moosie.
Somebody did some nice metal work shortening the cab and extending the rear. But why stop there? How hard would it have been to stretch wheel base by 12” or so. Same with a tailgate, could probably have used factory hinges, latches and panels.
I love the concept but the final product just doesn’t work.
I am looking hi & low for the true thing 1966 MUSTERO anybody Dannys Mustangs.
Just because something can be done doesn’t mean it should be.