The seller says this 1977 Ford Ranchero Brougham is “rust-free, to bottom” and despite the primer on the parts that would normally be rusty, it does look pretty solid in the photos. Maybe the primer was just used to cover up surface rust, who knows. They have it posted here on craigslist in Cedar Hill, Tennessee and they’re asking $4,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Chuck F. for the tip!
Having grown up in northern Minnesota with rusty vehicles all my life, seeing primer on a car like this means just one thing: rust. Still, the seller says this one doesn’t have an issue with that so we have to believe them. If it’s just surface rust, no problem, and there are a few dents and dings to work out while you’re at it, but hopefully there won’t be a need to drag out the welder for this one. This car is wearing Ranchero GT wheels but I’m not sure if it’s a GT, I’d guess it’s a base or 500 model. Speaking of that, Hagerty lists a 400 V8-equipped Ranchero 500 in #4 fair condition as being worth $5,700 and a #3 good example as being $10,900. Body and paint will be $5,000+ all day long unless you do it yourself.
Ford made the seventh-generation Ranchero from 1977 through 1979 and they were based on the LTD II, as you can tell from the front half. Speaking of that, I made a couple of quick “Photochops” a few years ago based on the previous generation Ranchero but using a Thunderbird front clip. The same could be done with a seventh-gen car if a person wanted a Thunderbird-looking Ranchero. The seller includes at least one underside photo and it does look solid.
The paint color of this Ranchero is “Cream” and this car appears to have the fancy Brougham Decor Group interior. Seeing what appears to be mold is rarely a good sign, but maybe things can be cleaned up inside. Speaking of that, a weekend spent on this car sure would have made a world of difference in the presentation. Hey, is that the original air cleaner on the seat? I believe it is.
The engine compartment looks pretty nice compared to the rest of the car, but still, a few hours spent cleaning it up could have added some $$ to the price I bet, or at least to the number of people making offers. The biggest engine available at the time would have been a 400 V8 and this is said to be a “new crate” 400-cu.in. OHV V8, with an undetermined number of horsepower (175?) and only five miles on it, according to the seller. They say that the transmission was rebuilt two years ago and it has a new exhaust, new brakes, a new carb, and a new gas tank. The engine alone almost makes this car seem like a steal at $4,200, what’s your offer?
Scotty, that “Thunderchero” (??) photochop is pretty cool.
With the new powerplant, this one might be worth the effort, if the rust isn’t bad.
Thanks, Bob! Those oddball creations are fun to do sometimes, when they turn out. Happy 2025!
I guess the sellers definition of rust and mine differ widely because I clearly see Rust in the pictures.
could pull the making tape off the plug wires? really!
Needs work, but it’s priced right and the rebuilt powertrain parts are a plus. It has potential for the right buyer, either someone with good body and paint skills, with access to a paint booth, or someone with pockets deep enough to pay for the necessary work. The split bench seat is a definite plus, but no word on if power assist is part of the seating package.
My question is: Are these unibody cars, or still body-on-frame, like the previous generation (1972-76)? Body-on-frame would be preferable, as upgrades are easier with a body-on-frame car.
No, that’s not the original air cleaner. Even on my iPhone I can see “Holley” stamped in the top.
This Ranchero probably takes the prize for “most front overhang” on a vehicle.
I agree. For some reason, Ford seemed to go out of its way to make its version of the 5 mph Federal bumpers extra hideous, compared with either Chrysler or GM, although the early examples were all pretty awful, like giant chrome railroad ties bolted to the nose of the car, and the rear bumpers weren’t much better!
He’s talking about the air cleaner base on the front seat.
To be clear, I was replying to the second (2nd) paragraph in 1963Tempest’s post, where he laments the large front overhang of the subject Ranchero. Part of the reason for the large overhang (but not all of it, to be sure) is the hideous front bumper, which was designed to comply with Federal rules requiring all bumpers to survive a 5 mph impact, starting in 1973 for the front, and in 1974 for both ends of the car. The need to provide a “crumple zone” for the front of the car may also have contributed to the long front overhang, but no matter the reason, it still looks awful! The stacked rectangular headlights don’t do anything for the look either, IMHO! I like the styling of the 1972-76 examples much better!
The pic of the interior has the “original” cleaner there on the passanger side. At least that’s my take. lol!!
Good catch! I like the open element air cleaner better, as it allows the engine to “breathe” better, at the expense of a longer warmup time. The stock air cleaner had the heat stove feature, for faster warmup in cold weather, in an attempt to reduce emissions during a cold start, but expecting the engine to breathe well through that tiny snorkel is ridiculous!