Having owned an El Camino back in the day, I can honestly say that having the combination of a car and a truck is fantastic. Right up to the point where you have a couple of kids. Ford beat Chevy to the first car-based pickup by two years. Unfortunately, they ended production in 1979, eight years before the last El Camino rolled off the line. This 1968 Ranchero GT is an original S code beauty in Carpintera, California. It is available here on craigslist for just $9,950. Thank you, Rob, for the tip!
Only 1,669 Ranchero GTs were built with the 390 cubic-inch S-code engine. The 390 was the high-performance option, producing 335 horsepower and a huge 427 lb.-ft. of tire-melting torque. The engine transfers that power to a 4-speed transmission and a 3:20:1 Limited-Slip Differential. There is dual exhaust and a four-barrel carburetor. The engine identification code on the door tag is 322-K, which identifies the 390 four-barrel mated to a 4-speed transmission.
The interior needs carpet, but the pictures show floorboards in very good condition for a 58-year-old car. Aftermarket black high-back buckets are installed. The original paint was Lime Green Metallic, which I think would make this truck stand out much more than the current red. Traces of the green remain behind the seat and in the engine compartment. The vintage Torq Thrust wheels are on all four corners. The bed shows surface rust, dings, dents, and scratches from someone who used it as an actual truck, as intended.
The owner claims this truck starts right up and runs strong. A full loose-leaf binder includes the factory build sheet, receipts, and registrations dating back to the Seventies and Eighties. I can imagine that, with the body and bed in decent shape and the rarity of it being one of the 1,669 built with the S code 390, this would be a worthwhile restoration. You could also throw in a carpet, drive it as-is, and just have fun with it. 390 GTs typically go for $25,000 to $35,000, depending on mileage and condition. Is this a project worth tackling?
This is one of my cars – thanks for featuring it here on Barn Finds! the next owner should be very happy – it is a very solid California car with a strong running 390 and factory 4 speed. It could be made into a daily driver or used for the basis of a nice straightforward restoration. Would make a fun (and fast!) shop truck. It is still available at this point, but I’m already getting a lot of interest.
Not a Ford guy here but a 390/4-speed and clean floors is a good sign here and the price seems OK.
Thanks for the post Kevin and Rob. Props to you Mark_Mitchell for very nice Ranchero project at a reasonable price. I especially appreciate posting the add on CL where all can see and enquire. Some of us old codgers aren’t allowed on Facebook due to protecting our personal info.
Trucks have been my daily driver since 1978 so I would have to call this a truck but, you can’t deny the muscle car status of a 390 4 speed classic Ranchero!
This 68 Ford Ranchero Gt would be a great daily driver for a very reasonable price. The 390 hipo with the 4 speed makes this a highly desirable truck. I came up short in the early 80s trying to purchase a 1968 Ranchero Gt with the 289 and C4 trans I found in the paper for $300.00. Took it for a test drive came back with cash in hand to buy then the numbness backed out at the last minute. Guess I should upped the ante. Love these old Rancheros.