Vehicles like this 1973 Ford Ranchero GT can offer potential owners an excellent compromise. Although they won’t carry the load you could drop into the bed of an F-Truck, they still acquit themselves well on that front. The interior offers the comfort of a family car, while they generally weigh significantly less than the sedan or wagon upon which they are based. That means that performance is usually better, making them entertaining drivers. This Ranchero GT is an original survivor. The seller purchased the vehicle with restoration plans in their mind. Health issues have scuppered those plans, meaning it needs a new home. It is listed here on eBay in Carlsborg, Washington. Bidding sits at $3,550 but is yet to meet the reserve.
Ford’s first Ranchero appeared on the market in 1957, and by the time our feature car emerged from the factory in Atlanta, Georgia, the badge was on its Sixth Generation. The GT version brought a few visual enhancements, and this car retains items like the distinctive stripes. Its Medium Brown Metallic paint shows some age, but it still shines nicely if the winning bidder elects to pursue its preservation. The panels are straight, meaning the Ranchero has no pressing cosmetic needs. The seller purchased the Ford in 2020 from an owner in California. It spent its life in that state, making its rust-free status unsurprising. The canopy shell is a practical addition, and being color-keyed helps provide an air of originality and an integrated appearance. The Magnum 500 wheels are another improvement that suits this classic’s appearance. If the buyer doesn’t like them, reversal would be easy and inexpensive. The trim looks nice for its age, and I can’t spot any glass issues.
Powering this Ranchero is a 400ci V8, with the original owner ticking the boxes on the Order Form for the C6 automatic transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. Ford introduced the 400 in 1971 as a high-torque motor, and the company’s figures support that. This motor generates a relatively modest 167hp and an impressive 312 ft/lbs of torque. Both figures occur low in the engine’s rev range, making this GT more suited to load hauling than a blast down the ¼-mile. An ET of 18.1 seconds supports that theory. However, hook a boat or trailer behind this classic, and it should be in its element. The seller states the vehicle has covered under one hundred miles since they installed the Magnum 500 wheels, new tires, a four-core aluminum radiator, a new carburetor, and a new battery. It received new heater and coolant hoses, plugs, wires, and front shocks. They include a set of rears for the buyer to install. They supply no information on how this classic runs or drives, but the indications are the news should be positive.
The original owner ordered this Ranchero trimmed in Ginger vinyl, and the first impressions are positive. The seller fitted a new seatcover in the correct color and material, while the remaining upholstered surfaces and carpet are pretty respectable. The dash is in good order, but there are a few shortcomings. The damaged driver’s armrest isn’t an issue because the seller includes a replacement. The factory air conditioning is complete, but it doesn’t blow cold. The flaw that could cost the most to address is the cracked dash pad. They usually retail for around $650, which is eye-watering. The existing cover hides the issue, and the buyer may choose to leave things as they are. It could also allow time to scour the usual online auction sites because good secondhand ones sometimes appear for a significantly lower figure. The seller removed the factory AM/FM stereo radio to install an aftermarket unit, but they include the original for those preferring authenticity.
This 1973 Ranchero GT offers potential buyers on a budget options worth considering. It would undoubtedly benefit from restoration, and the indications are that the process would be straightforward. The lack of rust is enticing, and its presentation is acceptable. That could allow the winning bidder to enjoy the vehicle as it stands while they accumulate the budget required to return it to its former glory. Alternatively, they could fit the parts the seller supplies and preserve its survivor status. Which path would you choose?
Never had much regard for these cars when they were new but the style grew on me over time. I later drove a similar one (slightly darker brown, same stripe) but with a 4 barrel and what must have been a modified 400 because the car was lightening fast. The rear tires would spin so easily and the massive torque increased the fun factor. This looks like a great driver. It’s tempting.
I didn’t know till today, it was Barzini all along… Very nice find. Love/hate with the camper shell.
I to had a 73 Ranchero many moon it was cheap and loads of problems
It had the same motor u had
This was s 351, Cleveland. Very fast. It would have been even faster rebuilt like I know now
I had 74 Ranchero 500, the base model, with a 400,and C6, I installed a shift kit, the tires would chirp with every shift, the 400 wasn’t bad, but a 351C was better. These were sharp looking, much better than the “competition” at the time. I would fix what needs fixing, and certainly leave those wheels where they are, they’re a perfect match.
Agreed 👍 Y. 351 4 barrel. Cool 😎 Ranchero here. Nice brown paint.
Coolio.
Again Adam, unless you have proof of this car as a special order , you should assume it wasn’t , like 99% of cars purchased. A mid size Torino based car would be sitting in every Ford lot in 1973 , alongside dozens of others . Every body style and color combo would be represented . For example , the old TV show “Emergency” was on last weekend, and they had to go to a car dealership to get a tiger out of a car. They filmed at a real Chevy dealership, and in the row they were working in was at least 25 brand new 1975 Monte Carlos -no need to special order , unless you were real picky about what you wanted , and even if you didnt see what you wanted, another Chevy dealership close by likely had another 25 or so Montes in their lot to choose from
If the author knew about cars he should know these wasn’t built to haul loads. These was built for people that wanted both a light hauler an a car. They are pretty cool trucks.. yes trucks..
These aren’t considered trucks any more than an El Camino built on a Chevelle/Malibu frame
They’re licensed as trucks where I live. And actually they have about the same payload rating as a half ton pickup from the same period
Born and raised in Washington and never heard of that city I had to look it up driven through there a few times on my way to the coast to hunt vampires. 😁 not far from a city where they jokingly of course made it illegal to rain because its largely protected from the storms because of the Olympic mountains, I don’t think I would restore it I would just enjoy it and cruise around.
I had a 72 Ranchero that was an evolution of the earlier sharky looking front ends/grills. This flat nose look was a real disappointment, as were the models that followed.
I had a 1973 model, 351 C, and it had the huge rubber bumper guards on the front. Not the skinny ones shown on this one. Eight miles to a gallon, I went back to Dodge.
I had a 76 Ranchero. 400 motor and automatic, I got it as a Florida car with the wear and tear to match its 140,000 mileage in 1986. Had it 10 years, drove it everywhere and in 1989, I used it to move to our new home. I live in NY so the salt on the roads took its toll on the body to the point in 1996 when I went around a corner the bed would rock side to side and rub the tires. It also long had a sheet of plywood as a bed floor. I had a cap like the one on the Ranchero here. Sold it for $500, which is what I originally paid for it. Now having 280,000 miles, Never put a dime into the drivetrain other than normal maintenance. When I got it, it had a shift kit in the transmission, when you nailed it it chirped into second and third, and still did that when I got rid of it.
I currently own and drive a 72 Ranch. The later year ones were not as classy looking, but the fact that they were car/truck styles still keeps them popping up for respectable prices. In my 72 I have a built up 460, as I own an HP engine shop, it will walk away from most of the new stuff built today, but can not pass a gas station with at least 90 octane premium gas. The price we pay for power is unavoidable.
I’ve had three 1972 Rancheros. One of my favorite vehicles to own.
Had a 1975 Ranchero GT 400 Auto, 500 wheels red with silver accents, black/ red interior…it was a sharp vehicle…worst 400 ever, 10 mpg with a tail wind, also had the fiberglass canopy….and pretty much a dog …by contrast FIL had a 1974 LTD with the same 400.. auto..really nice vehicle and he consistently got 18-20 mpg… the Ranchero was basically a glorified reconfigured station wagon…put 500 lbs in the rear and it would sag …it was one of the worst vehicles I ever owned …but did like the way it looked.
I had one after I had the heads done put a cam headers high rise and a elderbrock it was a good runner
Looks to be a decent truck but it depends on what reserve the seller has set.
Made it to $6,400, Reserve Not Met.
This thing has got to go for 10k+ closer to 20k just because of it’s rarity, ElCaminos are getting that price, why not Ford?
Amen
Relisted with a fixed price of $17,500.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/295626320700
This one is in better shape than most survivors, but they are serious gas guzzlers.
Mine wasn’t