The Ranchero has always carried a certain charm—half car, half truck, and entirely its own category. This 1970 Ford Ranchero, listed here on craigslist, leans into that appeal with a combination of originality, solid bones, and recent mechanical attention that should make it attractive to someone wanting a usable project. The seller is upfront about its condition, which is always refreshing, and the result is a listing that feels honest and workable for a hands-on buyer. Thanks for the tip, Tony Primo!

This Ranchero is powered by Ford’s 351 Cleveland and backed by an automatic transmission. The odometer reads 37,251 miles but has rolled over, so the true mileage is higher. The standout detail is that it still wears its original paint—something that always gives buyers a clearer sense of a vehicle’s life and condition, especially on a California car like this one.

The seller has recently invested in several meaningful upgrades and replacements, particularly in the cooling and brake systems. The truck now carries a new three-row Champion radiator, an inline radiator filter, a fresh thermostat, a six-blade fan, and a new fan clutch. On the braking side, there’s a new master cylinder, new calipers, wheel cylinders, and rubber brake hoses. Those are not the kinds of jobs you do unless you’re serious about getting a vintage vehicle back on the road safely, which speaks well of how this Ranchero has been treated.

Rust is present but described in clear, specific terms: an area on the floor behind the driver seat in the spare-tire well, a few pinholes elsewhere in the floor, and a spot in the back where the bed meets the cab that has been seam-sealed. For a 1970 California vehicle, that level of rust is reasonable—and far better than what buyers often face with Rancheros from harsher climates.

The seller notes the engine is currently running a bit rough and seems to have a miss, though compression is good across all cylinders. For many project-minded buyers, that’s actually the ideal scenario: a solid foundation with an issue that can likely be tracked down through ignition, fuel delivery, or vacuum checks.

With a clean title in the seller’s name and an asking price of $6,500 OBO, this Ranchero sits in that sweet spot where originality meets affordability. Whether someone wants to preserve it, lightly restore it, or build it into a more personalized weekend driver, it offers a lot of potential without being overwhelming.

Would you take on a mostly original Ranchero like this and sort it out yourself?