Old Ranch Hand: 1959 Ford Ranchero

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Readers of a certain age may recall the starring role of a Ford Ranchero in the TV series “The Real McCoys”.  The gentleman’s pickup truck was likely a product placement by Ford, but it sure looked good on screen and you can delight your inner Grandpappy with this 1959 Ford Ranchero here on eBay out of Orange, California. The opening bid of $2,750 remains unmet and the auction ends tonight!

This sunburned hauler has been recently pulled out of a 20 year storage by the seller and given new brakes, spark plugs, wires and a battery. He also states that the fuel tank has been dipped and sealed and that the car runs, drives and stops.

Power is provided by a V8 – likely the 292 cubic inch fed by a two barrel carburetor – with a column shifted three speed manual transmission with overdrive.  The seller says that it runs without smoke and does not leak oil.

Rust is an issue, but it shouldn’t be a deal-killer. There is perforation at the lower edges of the body near the wheel arches and the floor needs patching behind the seat.  The rest of the body shows some surface rust due to gouges and paint wear.

The interior is fairly basic due to the cheaper specification but it is mostly intact with stained upholstery on the seats and broken up rubber floor mats needing attention. The rest of it should only need a good cleaning to make it usable.

Cleaned up and made mechanically reliable, I think it would make a great survivor/driver. How about you?

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. Junior

    Cool beans!

    Like 2
  2. Ian C

    While I would like to see it restored or as a resto-mod, I agree with you on this particular truck. I would get it mechanically sound, make the interior a little nicer, and just use it for what is was intended. Daily drive it and use it for trips to your local home store. Smiles-a-plenty for for both driver and spectator alike!!

    Like 4
  3. geomechs geomechsMember

    My Dad had a ’59 Ranchero; he ran a lot of pickups but he always managed to get pulled back into the Ranchero/El Camino game. He would use them like a regular truck until he realized that they were NOT a regular truck. Then he would go through a half ton or two and try another car/pickup. But he always had a special place in his heart for that red and white Ranchero. He often said that if Ford would’ve kept building a full-sized Ranchero he wouldn’t have bothered with an El Camino.

    Like 2
    • Fred W

      My dad bought Rancheros every two or three years starting with the ’57 and right through the ’78. Then he got a ’79 El Camino and was done with the car/truck. He bought a Courier with a transplanted 289!

      Like 3
  4. 86 Vette Convertible

    Unfortunately the ad is pulled. Looks like it would have been an interesting vehicle

    Like 2
    • Uncle Bob

      It was a no sale at $2750 in two previous auctions, sold yesterday at $2k even.

      Like 3
  5. Bob C.

    Looks like somebody didn’t hesitate to scoop this up. Yes, it looks like a 292 with the distributor in back, along with the two bolts through the valve covers.

    Like 1
  6. Fred W

    They were selling a running vehicle with no serious rust for the typically asked price of a parts car. Will probably be flipped by the weekend.

    Like 2
  7. half cab

    I’d drive it n be glad to have it.

    Like 2
  8. Wrong Way

    I would bring it back to like new then drive it! Awesome find!

    Like 2
  9. stillrunners

    As they say at Mecheeum……bought well….

    Like 1

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