Ford introduced not one but two new creative products in 1957 that were not matched by Chevrolet (at least right away). One was the Skyliner, the car with the retractable hardtop. The other was the Ranchero, a utility vehicle (“Ute”) based on a 2-door station wagon (aka a “gentlemen’s pickup”). First-generation Rancheros were built through 1959, the year the seller’s truck left the assembly line. Though the mileage is said to be low (29,000), it has a later Ford V8 (probably from the 1970s). Located in Lake of the Hills, Illinois, this semi-survivor is/was available here on Facebook Marketplace for $9,500 (the listing is about three months old).
Developing the Ranchero probably involved less work than the technically complicated Skyliner. They started with Ford’s 2-door wagon and slipped in a truck bed where the back seat and cargo area would have been. Chevrolet followed suit with the El Camino in 1959, the only year both products would be offered together on their respective full-size platforms. In 1960, the Rancher moved over to the new Falcon compact chassis and the El Camino went on hiatus until 1964, returning as a derivative of the new mid-size Chevelle.
Though the Ranchero got there first, it was typically outsold by the El Camino most of the time (the Ranchero was around until 1979, the Chevy through 1987). In 1959, Chevy outsold Ford by more than 50% (22,000 vs. 14,000 units). The seller’s Ranchero was quite snazzy for its day as a pickup truck with power windows was practically unheard and this transporter has them. That probably makes this vehicle even more rare than it otherwise might be.
This Ford may have had either a 292 or 352-cubic-inch V8 when it left the factory. But that has been replaced by a “Cleveland” 351, an engine FOMOCO used extensively in the 1970s. We don’t know if the automatic transmission was swapped at the same time as the engine, possibly going from a 2-speed to a 3-speed setup. This is shaping up to be an ineresting tip from “Kiwie49”!
While the seller says this Ranchero is in good condition, age is certainly a factor. A bit of rust can be seen invading the white over turquoise paint and the matching interior is getting a bit tired. But the bench seat may be wearing an old set of those plastic, see-thru “grandma” seat covers that were popular in the 1950s and 1960s. Besides the push-button windows, we’re told this Ford also has power door locks (did they even have those in 1959?) and a power seat. This is far from a vintage bare-bones cargo hauler.
The ’59 Ranchero brochure shows a 2-button power window switch for the optional power windows, not sure why this truck has four buttons? Either not original or could the extra two buttons have operated the power door locks? (no mention of power door locks as being an option in the brochure)
I saw that 4 button switch – I thought maybe power windows *and* power vent windows. I see that the vent windows have rotation latches with button release (or are they called button locks?)
More likely there are two scenarios: 1. Power windows and seat later added from a 4 door.
2. A 2-button window switch for this is rare and harder to find, and initially damaged somehow, so a 4-button was substituted.
It seems to have all the Galaxie 500 trimmings, including trim. Maybe they upgraded the Ranchero with Galaxie 500 bits along with the engine. I don’t remember seeing that body trim on the lower rear fenders, on one of these.
Details like these power window switches can interesting to try to figure out. In the brochure(s) for the full-size Fords, I see a couple sketches (not pictures) which look similar to this four-switch model. Which would make sense for a sedan or hardtop. I also do not see any mention of power door locks, but maybe they did exist. Or maybe like John suggests, it is a replacement switch panel? In any case, a cool feature on this Ranchero.
How about for the butterfly vent windows. Maybe the second set of switches
Description says it has power door locks. I am surprised it is still for sale.
I love it ! ……I bet it won’t last long. ….
There was a 1960 El Camino, it didn’t go on hiatus until 1961. There was one in my neighborhood and the owner “customized” it with 8 tail lights!
Not sure if that’s a Cleveland based on the position of the upper radiator hose. No matter how well optioned, 11 weeks on the market says it’s overpriced.
Steve R
Does look like a 352FE….and is that a power brake pedal in there ?
Beautiful body, a work of art.
That doesn’t look like a Cleveland motor.
Valve covers look like a 292 y block motor
Didn’t Y-blocks have two studs running through the top of the valve cover? I’m not too familiar with early Ford V8’s, but would always look for early aftermarket valve covers at swapmeets, that was something I’d notice on Thunderbird VC’s.
Steve R
The Y block had the distributor in the rear. This looks like an FE motor.
It’s definitely an FE, probably a 352 Interceptor, that was an option that year for all 59 Fords, including the Ranch.
It’s probably the original engine, which makes it even more valuable IMO.
Y-block distributors were at the rear of the engine. My guess is a 332/352 engine.
Read the original add, he indicated, PW,PD,P SEAT, AND AC.
The engine pictured is definitely not a
Y block, and the valve covers don’t look right for a 351C. Bet it’s the original 352 Super Interceptor. “Interceptor” was a
2 bbl, as strange as that seems. Also, the 4 button power window switches, and the corresponding door panels, were designed for a 2 door sedan, or 2 door wagon. Could it be that this was a special order, and the factory subbed these because they didn’t have anything designed for the Ranchero? Courier (sedan delivery) would be the only other passenger car based vehicle with only two side windows, and power windows in a normally bare-bones vehicle like that would be bizarre!
I’d look good driving this! 🤓
Learn something everyday. Didn’t realize that there were two versions of the Interceptor and the base version was 2bbl. The 4bbl version was called the Interceptor Special V8, which this car appears to have. I have a 58 Ranch that came with the 4bbl version and there is badge on the glove box door that says Interceptor Special V8. I think the 59’s also have that badge but it can’t be seen in the pictures provided.
Looks like it also has factory AC.
That is not a 351 C, it is a FE series engine.
It IS an FE! The center two spark plugs face each other…any Ford lover knows that. And yes, the valve covers are another giveaway. Someone back up the owner chain got a hold of a Fairlane 500 or a Galaxie that was highly optioned and scavenged it for these items, including the “washboards” on the quarter panels, as I’ve never seen even a deluxe Ranchero with them, tho they’ll fit.
They scavenged the door cards, too. The picture showing the power window buttons also shows the front of a ‘sculpted’ upholstered door pull.
They did not offer Power Door Locks on 1959 Fords.
The sellers description lists the engine as a 351 Cleveland. Seems as though the owner would know what power plant was in it. Now I will readily admit that I am something less than an expert on Ford products but I would think that those power accessories would be fairly uncommon on a Ranchero.
Don’t need to know anything about something to own it. This car could be decades older than its owner, who may have had little-to-no contact with sixty-plus-years-old Fords.
They scavenged the door cards, too. The picture showing the power window buttons also shows the front of a ‘sculpted’ upholstered door pull.