“We are ‘THE KING OF AFFORDABLE CLASSICS’!” opines the listing for this 1969 Ford Ranchero. The listing also emphasizes “PRICE REDUCED!!!!” on this ute, which is finished in a rather memorable shade of… (you fill in the blank). Los Angeles, California, is where you’ll find this half-car/half-truck combo, and it’s available here on craigslist for $11,995.
Ford’s Ranchero from this era doesn’t get the respect, or the number$ that Chevrolet’s corresponding El Camino generates. And that’s too bad on one hand, and maybe an opportunity on the other. A ’69 El Camino would have to be a cobbled-together pile to only yield an $11,995 ask, but this Ranchero, the color notwithstanding, appears to be, overall, pretty fair. Its appearance is that of a standard Ranchero, not a GT, though the third and fourth digit of the VIN (49) indicates it is a GT version. The grille badge, which looks tacked on, does not make this one genuinely a GT, but I suppose it could be. As for popularity, a total of 18K Rancheros were produced during the 1969 model year. Regarding its body, it’s nice and straight with no indication of rust or rot – even the cargo bed appears to be un-abused. My guess is that the “butterscotch” paint job is a respray, and not a hue I would have ever chosen, but to each their own.
The red vinyl upholstered interior is another clue that the exterior color is not original – the two don’t really go together. That said, the innards are in nice shape! The carpet, door panels, dashpad, and headliner are all in good nick, with just some cloudy gauges detracting from the overall presentation. This is a non A/C equipped car.
Standard V8 power in ’69 was a 220 gross HP, 302 CI V8 engine, and that’s what’s ensconced between this Ford’s signature shock towers. The seller tells us, “Reliable, runs great. Excellent suspension and brakes, etc. Shifts perfectly, does not get hot.” The odometer reads 21K miles, but there’s no claim to that recording as being authentic. The engine appears to be unmodified, other than the air cleaner, and an aluminum radiator that helps this Ford keep its cool. Gear changes are the responsibility of a three-speed automatic transmission.
So, what do you think? This Ranchero seems like a reasonable deal, though an in-person assessment would be warranted. Generally, Ford guys/gals stick with Fords, and Chevy people hang strictly with bowties. But this Ranchero does beg the question, would it be a good substitute for a priced-out ’69 El Camino? What’s your thought on that matter?
This might be the 1969 color Ford named ‘Freudian Gilt.’
What’s not to like, great price, on a tidy looking classic.