UPDATE – “Return of the Ranchero” could be an appropriate movie title, I guess, for this 1979 Ford Ranchero 500 time capsule with 1,308 original miles. It’s back for a sequel after being featured last December here on Barn Finds (its price has been lower a tad from $45,000 to $42,500). The seller says it was part of a Ford dealer’s collection for most of its life, has an upgraded lush, plush red leather Thunderbird interior, runs and drives like new, and is one of 112 built with this particular color and trim combination. It is located in Yorktown, New York, and is for sale here on craigslist. A big gracias to Mitchell G. for sending this showroom-new Ranchero our way again. Below is fellow staff writer Jim ODonnell’s article from December 22, 2022.
I guess I could have entitled this post, “The End”! From the company that created the hybrid car/truck, known as the Ranchero, Ford decided to pull the plug on their very functional Ute at the end of the 1979 model year. This particular example has a documented 1,300 miles and was a member of a Ford dealership’s collection. Looking now for a new home, this like-new Ranchero 500, located in South Plainfield, New Jersey, is available, for $45,500. Shan gets the nod for this find!
Introduced in 1957, the Ranchero transcended different Ford platforms during its twenty-three year run. In 1966, it occupied the mid-size Fairlane platform and there it stayed, moving through iterations including the Torino and then the LTD II. Three trim levels were offered in ’79, the Ranchero GT, Squire (faux wood sides), and the 500 such as our subject car. Actually, an argument could be made that this Ranchero is really a 1979.5 “Commemorative Model”, offered to signify the end of production. Approximately 2,100 Ranchero 500s got the pizazz laid on and that mostly consisted of very nice leather seats and a vinyl roof covering, though there were some other niceties included too.
Powering this half-and-half is a 151 net HP, 351 CI V8 driving a three-speed automatic transmission. The seller claims it, “Runs and drives like new“. Also stated is that this car is up to date with complete routine maintenance. A tune-up has been performed as well as new shocks, mufflers, tailpipes (dual exhaust system added), a carburetor rebuild, new tires mounted, as well as a new intake manifold and valve cover gaskets installed.
Styling is always subjective and this Ford looks large, it almost seems too large for its station in life but that’s probably more of a visual illusion due to its very creased/formal look. Actually, at 220 inches in length, it is large. There’s nothing to nitpick here, of course – this Ranchero just hasn’t lived the life that usually knocks one of these out after a few years. The only styling miss that I would note is the wire wheel covers, it seems that they would be more appropriate on an LTD II than a Ranchero, but that’s just an arbitrary call.
Inside is very nicely finished with its, what are said to be, Thunderbird seats. There’s lots of red going on in there but it all matches nicely and flows together really well. For utility use, which is how one would expect a Ranchero to be used, the interior is really too elegant. But if an occasional suburban big-box store, round trip is the intended use, then this Ranchero would have you covered.
What more can be said? This Ford is fantastic but then one would expect that of a 1,300-mile vehicle that has played indoors for the last 43 years. The only outlier is the price, low mileage or not, I can’t see $45 big ones for a Ranchero regardless of its condition. My parting thought is GLWTS, what’s yours?
I could think of a lot of better high performance classics in that price range to purchase than a smogged 79 Ranchero. I could see 20k tops imo.glwts.
What you said, but 12k tops.
Not much in 79 to choose from Maggie. This has 351 torque going for it, add a 3.15 gear ⚙️, a 4-barrel carb, probably an Autolite, and cruise in effortless style. The dual exhaust addition by the seller was a nice move.
I second that notion.
fantastic but will never sell for anything near that price
1967 was the first year for the Fairlane Ranchero, from 60-66 it was Falcon based. In 68 it got the Torino front sheet metal until it took on the bloated LTD II front. The original Fairlane/ Torino fronts look way better in my eye than the long overhang of the LTD II. If Ford had of moved to the Fairmont sheet metal it would have been a better competitor to Chevys Malibu based El Camino. Instead it became a huge dinosaur that the public turned against.
Interesting this ’79 does not have a 5 mph REAR bumper – because it is considered a truck?
Nor does it even have headrests, even 10 model yrs after cars had to have them by law. Odd.
Interior seems way out of place – belongs in an LTD instead.
It is legally a truck, and it was axiomatic “Safety Doesn’t Sell.” That translated to, if the gummint didn’t require it, you can’t have it.
4WDs were automatically “trucks” as well, early 4wd Subaru wagons had the international bumpers rather than the 2wd models’ battering rams. They still had headrests, though, not being steeped in Grosse Pointe industry culture their Japanese and East Coast-based local management likely didn’t see the logic of spending more to give the customer less.
Front end certainly looks like a luxury car – perhaps throw some black mats in to break up the red. Unusual vehicle imo, luxury car + light truck, without the power of a luxury vehicle.
A quality* does not have to be loud exhaust is usually a nice add imo.
Looks to be well taken care of, guessing one of the better examples available, if one had to have one, with the disposable cash.
They are only original once , which us what I preferred. This car will sell for a high price.
I believe there is a place for the ranchero or elcamino in todays market. I think Ford or Chevy or even Hyundai tweaked there vehicles a smidge they would have a home run. But a 1979 ranchero is no where worth the asking price my god what are people thinking. Take to Barrett or mecum and see what you get. Nice vheicle just not worth the money.
The Maverick is probably what the 1960 Ranchero would’ve evolved into had it been kept strictly on a compact economy platform and not sidetracked into being a boat.
I once read a description ofthe passenger compartment on these as “looking like a pimple on a smooth expanse of skin” because of the looong overhangs. Now, everytime I see one, I can’t get that thought out of my head! GLWTS!! :-)
At the new “reduced” price, we’ll be seeing this Ranchero written up here again, next year. A very nice truck, but at $42k+? That might be a record ask for these model years. Good luck with the sale.
I have noticed a trend of late, overpriced, super low mileage claimed cars appearing on CL. If true it should go to one of the “ego” auctions, like BJ or Mecum where “drunk” money will gladly over spend! So everyone who has the same vehicles can say, “One just like this car just sold for $XXXXXXXXXXX, so this (insert your car here) must be worth what I want.”
Ad Pulled
It may not be your favorite and you may not be willing to purchase it but a time capsule no matter what car is amazing to see. A lot of non car people hating on an old classic. What’s funny is if they owned this car they would try for a home run. It’s great to see 40 year old cars in this condition.