Having featured a Chevrolet El Camino in an article earlier today, I felt it only fitting to give Ford a right of reply when I spotted this 1969 Ranchero. Unlike the El Camino, this isn’t a turnkey proposition. However, it features a V8 under the hood and is a two-owner survivor. It hasn’t seen action for a few years, but reviving it for a spot of summer motoring fun should be viable. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Ranchero listed here on Craigslist in Marysville, Washington. If affordability is a key factor in your selection criteria, the seller’s price of $4,500 ticks that box.
Ford’s Fourth Generation Ranchero was a lot like Halley’s Comet. It appeared briefly, shone brightly, and disappeared rapidly. It graced showroom floors in 1968 and 1969, with this Ranchero ordered by the original owner during the second production year. It is a two-owner classic with the seller as its custodian for several years. It hasn’t seen any action during that time, meaning the buyer faces a mechanical revival if they plan to hit the road in this classic as a survivor. However, with its Blue paint tired and rust in the bed and the driver’s side lower rear quarter panel, a complete restoration would seem the logical approach. Unfortunately, there are no clear bed images, so it is unclear how extensive the problem is. It may be a candidate for patches, with the same true of the quarter panels. There are a few visible bumps and bruises, and some trim pieces require restoration or replacement. The glass is clear, and the vehicle retains its factory wheel covers.
One aspect of this Ranchero that may not consume much of the buyer’s restoration budget is the interior. The carpet is tired, and the wheel has cracked. That isn’t the end of the world, because replacements for both are readily available. The seat looks quite good, and the dashpad is crack-free. It shows some UV deterioration, so covering it to prevent further damage would be wise. Therefore, with the identified items replaced and the painted surfaces refreshed, this Ranchero’s interior should look pretty nice.
Ford offered 1969 Ranchero buyers a choice of five V8 engines, with this classic featuring the entry-level 302ci powerplant. The first owner teamed the motor with a three-speed automatic transmission and power steering for a relaxed driving experience. The 302 produced a factory-quoted 220hp and 300 ft/lbs of torque, which would have delivered excellent performance. Of course, those unconcerned about originality could pay a visit to their nearest speed shop, because even such minor updates as a new intake and carburetor would unleash additional ponies. Okay, grit your teeth, because the seller states that this Ranchero ran when parked. It hasn’t seen action in a few years, and a list of typical revival tasks awaits the new owner. The seller mentions flushing the fuel tank and replacing brake lines, but I would probably install a complete set of perishable items for safety’s sake. It is possible that the revival will be relatively straightforward, so returning the Ranchero to active service may require only a few weekends of concerted effort in a home workshop.
While it needs work to recapture its former glory, this 1969 Ford Ranchero shows promise as a project candidate. The V8 under the hood will produce relatively modest power in standard form, but the parts needed to squeeze more out of it are readily available and affordable. A new carpet set and a wheel would markedly improve the interior without breaking the bank. If the rust isn’t extensive, patches might be the ideal answer for those on a strict budget. It will require work to return this Ranchero to its former glory, but are you up for that challenge?
The ugly phase ranchero
Even the pickups had vinyl roofs back then!
Sure. Back then anytime a car had a cosmetic issue with the roof-to-body welding they would cover it with a vinyl top at the factory. I owned a 1970 Mach 1 Mustang that came with a vinyl top. Unusual for sure. When the top succumbed to the Southern California sunshine I peeled it off and yep, the welds were not perfect so that’s why it had the top. I opted to fix the body and repaint rather than putting an ugly new vinyl top on.
I’m with you on losing the vinyl roof! One of the worst ideas to come out of Detroit since the pushbutton transmission, they trap water, which causes rust, and they are a totally unconvincing imitation of a convertible top. Kind of like a bad hairpiece that isn’t fooling anyone, LOL!
Also true. That’s why the Dodge Daytona and Plymouth Superbirds had vinyl roofs, to cover the welding seams where Chrysler welded a “plug” section to form the fastback aero body for the wing car twins. The B-Body cars that formed the basis for the wing cars had a conventional roof line, so rather than develop new stamping dies for new rear quarter panels and a new roof panel, the welded “plug” was the solution. Remember, those cars were holmogation specials, only five-hundred copies of each one were supposed to be built, just enough to satisfy NASCAR’s rules, so cost was always an issue. The welded plug was a low-cost solution to the problem!
Not a big vinyl roof fan myself. Ironically Ford offered vinyl roof coverings on some F100 pickups from the late 1960s and the 1970s. Only saw one. May parents owned a Ford dealership during that era. Not certain the model, think it was a 1971 of 1972 model with a “lime” green body and a “leather looking” brown vinyl top. STRANG looking vehicle. Didn’t sell in our small town. Think that they may have dealer traded it.
For $4500 I would get it running and forget about any extensive bodywork. I’m really not seeing that quarter panel rust, just the trim pulling away, and what shows in the bed looks minimal. I like this and the el Camino. No doubt the Chevy is more complete but the Ford could be a runner with not much effort. It would be nice to have Vintage Air and some cool tunes and you’re Golden. The color if original is great and not that lime gold you see on every Ford of this era.
Nice, its NOT often we see a classic in this condition on here that has a fair price
Very hard restoration on these, a 2 year only design so used parts are hard to find and very few reproduction parts available. Rechroming bumpers and all the moldings cost me over $5,500!
gone! i think it was a scam. i don’t think anybody would be that stupid to see it that cheap but you never know
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