A few weeks back, I covered this 1972 Ford Ranchero and stated, “Full disclosure, Ford Rancheros, such as this 1972 example, don’t capture my imagination the way that Chevy’s El Camino does“. Well, that lack of imagination capture extends through the last version of the Ranchero (1977-1979) too. But again, there’s no denying the condition of this end-of-the-line 1979 example. It’s a, dare I say, a “Survivor”? It certainly looks like one so let’s delve in and see what’s here. This Ranchero can be found in Coral Springs, Florida and is available, here on craigslist for $24,900 or a near offer. Thanks to T.J. for this discovery!
One could suggest that Ford pulled the plug on the Ranchero too soon. As Ford wound down their last generation, Chevrolet had just introduced their final version (1978-1987) of the El Camino and ended up as the sole participant in that marketing slot. Unfortunately, fuel economy and car vs. truck regulations, etc., along with changing tastes, knocked out the “Ute” market in the U.S. some time ago. There were other minor participants like the Subaru Brat, VW Rabbit pickup, and the Dodge Scamp but it’s all gone today. The popularity of this segment continued in Australia (where it is said to have originated) right up to GM’s engineered demise of Holden a few years ago. Some still pine for the car/truck mashup to return, myself included, but I’m not holding my breath.
This 1979 Ranchero is based on the mid-sized Ford LTD II, which served as a replacement for the Torino and was offered in 500, GT, and Squire trim levels. This example appears to be a 500 version that has had some tape stripes applied. The GT is recognizable by a unique stripe/badging package, but those applied to this Ranchero are not the same. And the reason for the confusion is because this example is one of 2,100 ‘79.5 Commemorative examples that were built at the end of the production run. Ranchomeister, per Car Gurus, explains further: I have a 79 1/2 Special Edition Ranchero. According to Kevin Marti, Ford built 2100 of them. They are all Ranchero 500s, no GTs. All had leather seats, leather padded dash, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Thunderbird door panels, plush carpet, power windows and seat, cruise control, intermittent wipers, tach and gauges, imitation woodgrain trim on dash. I believe that they all had Dark Valino Red interiors, and most had vinyl roofs that color. I’ve seen some with white vinyl roofs, usually with Candyapple Red paint. Most have the thick wheel well moldings, as used on the Ford Elites, or the Thunderbird half-moldings and body-side trim”.
The seller claims that this Ranchero is wearing its original clothes and they’re definitely still in style. The body is straight, the chrome shines, the “Pastel Chamois” (who thinks up these names?) finish is strong, the vinyl roof covering is taut, and the cargo bed appears to have seen little use in this Ford’s 75K recorded miles of use. The wheels are not original, but the born-with wire-wheel covers are included in the sale.
There’s no engine image provided but the powerplant is the optional 151 net HP, 351 CI V8 and it is claimed that it, “runs like new“. I’m not sure what the “351 High Performance” fender badge is all about, but unless this Ranchero’s engine has been modded, high-performance does not reside under this car’s expansive hood. A three-speed automatic transmission was the only gearbox available.
The interior is the optional “Brogham Decor Group” and owing to its “Commemorative” provenance, the upholstery is leather and that explains the cracking. It still looks fine, it’s just showing the result of age and use. The carpet, dash pad, and the door panels, in particular, are in sound nick. Note the in-dash 8-track player, it looks original! This is a working A/C equipped Ranchero.
I think I still like the ’72 version that I referenced above a bit better, but then it ostensibly has more going on in the engine room than this example does. Still, this is a sharp-looking, and rare, Ute, and the fact that it is the end of the line for this storied Ford model makes it all that more enticing. What do you think, priced right, or not quite?
The lack of headrests on late Rancheros is so old-school Detroit. Probably cost Ford more to leave them out with all the extra variations added to their supplier orders and internal factory inventories than it would’ve cost to include them and make the seats fully common to the LTD II.
But their mindset toward safety features was “If the gummint don’t require it, you can’t have it!” and trucks didn’t require them until circa 1990.
wow never seen one like it. Is that a factory 351 badge ?
No
E-Bay Special. You can also get the POLICE INTERCEPTOR
I had a 77 with two tone paint RED and WHITE. It got so many comments and most said, I like this better than the ElCamino. That is the way it was in the 80’s. 400 CU with air, full gauges.
Minor correction to what was mentioned above – there was no Dodge Scamp. There was a Dodge Rampage offered in 1982 – 1984, and there was a Plymouth Scamp offered for one year only – 1983. These were front wheel drive, and I’m pretty sure they were based on the Omni/Horizon as opposed to the K car, but I could be wrong on that part.
Thx!
JO
You are correct, And they were just like the cars, BIG Pieces Of $hit. I know because I owned a 84 Shelby Charger and NAPA used those little Scamps and Rampager for delivery trucks.
nlpnt: You sell Ford short, maybe too young to remember this campaign? It actually backfired on Ford, public thought your car must not be safe, if you have to make these additions.
https://www.macsmotorcitygarage.com/video-1956-ford-lifeguard-design-pioneering-in-auto-safety/
Jim: Since you seem to be a Chubby fan, surprised you forgot to mention the SSR. Never sure what that thing was, but looks like it could qualify as a ute. And Holden did have a ute that had the same foundation as the “Americanized” GTO, G8, and last of the Impalas. As far as “…Ford pulled the plug on the Ranchero too soon.”, a Ford fan still had this as an alternative to the ElC0: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Durango
Stan: No, not a factory badge, go to any large swap meet, they’re easily found. Which makes me believe this really was a Barn Find. Look at the crud around the Ranchero and 351 emblems. Like those Mustang wheels.
Fugly then and Fugly now! I like Fords but not this model.
Those wheels look sharp. I never heard of Scott Drake wheels, so I looked them up – nice classic style.
https://www.holley.com/products/wheels/wheels/vintage/legendary_wheels_lw20/parts/LW20-50754B
I don’t think the badge is factory for this model. It looks like a badge that 351 equipped Australian Falcons, Fairmonts and Fairlanes would have fitted.
A vinyl roof & leather seats in a vehicle like this seem strange to me.
Sharp Ranchero! Post has been deleted so someone must have bought themselves a nice, classic ride.
This Rancher truck has been relisted in Craigslist Ft Myers for the same price.
Just bought a pristine 79 1/2 Ranchero commemorative edition. White with white vinyl top and magnum wheels ..47 k miles. Bone STOCK .Bed never used. Marti Report and all provenance. REALLY glad it doesn’t have the red vinyl top. Anyway. LOVE IT. A bit of American automobile history and you either love em’ or you hate em “. I LOVE em even if it is 18 ft long !
I would say that they are long. However, if they have good paint that helps to hide the longer front-end appearance. They actually look better than the 68-69 iterations which were very square looking. Nice find and happy times with the Ranch. Hopefully, it has a slider rear window.
no it doesnt…were they available