The Ranchero was the first of the “gentleman’s” pickups, which was based on a car platform rather than a truck. While it started as a full-size model in 1957, the Ranchero shifted to a compact when the Falcon came along in 1960. This ’62 Ranchero, which looks mostly solid, was driven as recently as a few months ago and comes with a spare drivetrain. Located near Dallas, Texas, this Ford is available here on craigslist for $10 (they must mean $1,000 or $10,000).
Ford had trouble deciding what they wanted the Ranchero to be. From 1957-59, it was a big pickup. For 1960-65, it was a compact. And from 1966-on, it was an intermediate. Technically considered a “utility coupe,” the Ranchero was adapted from a 2-door station wagon platform that integrated the cab and cargo bed into the body. They would sell more than a half-million of the trucks in 23 years, so it filled a need in the market.
Output would kick up by 50% when the decision was made for the Ranchero to become a compact in 1960. During its six years on the Falcon platform, annual production would hover around 20,000 units, including 20,842 in 1962, the year the seller’s edition was built. We’re told this Ranchero is a mostly complete “barn find” and its overall condition suggests it spent a lot of time indoors. The body looks good, and older repaint fair, and rust may only be limited to the surface variety, especially in the truck bed. The interior is also serviceable for a vehicle that’s nearly 60 years old.
Mechanically, these pickups were as simple as the Falcon. An inline-six is under the hood, but not the original motor, and it’s paired with a “3-on-the-tree” manual transmission. The sale includes a spare transmission that’s been rebuilt and the original engine that came out of the truck, which we assume has problems. Both could be 144 cubic inches in displacement as that was standard fare, but a 170 was optional. According to Hagerty, one of these trucks in good condition could fetch $10,000, which would likely be what the seller meant to put in the ad as the asking price. If it was $10, I’d be on my way to the “Big D” right now to pick it up!
The first thing which came to mind when I saw this Ranchero is “what goes around, comes around.” I see Ford’s new compact Maverick pickup as the spiritual successor to this compact Ranchero. Yes I know they are different…. front/rear drive, two/four door, fifty years of technology. But at their core they are inexpensive compact pickups with small beds.
(From what I’m seeing, the Maverick is well-received and is selling well… or more accurately, it is accumulating a ton of reservations for when production is able to pick up the pace.)
Back to this truck… looks like a straightforward project. About as mechanically simple as they come. One could just spruce it up and have something fun to run errands, or go deeper with a restoration.
I like the idea of the Maverick also, but why only a four door? Make it a two door and give me the added bed length. We need small trucks. If it sells, maybe Dodge and GM will see the light, but why hasn’t the Japanese companies (or Koreans) given us this already? Heck, I would even buy a Chinese truck if the size and price were right. Come on America, don’t let us down. Hail to Ford for at least giving us this.
Honda Ridgeline. New Hyundai utility coupe.
I’d prefer a 2 dr as well but current pickup sales prove the majority want 4 dr’s so not cost effective to tool up for a 2 dr.
A couple weeks ago Ford announced the hybrid model was sold out for the 2022 model year and no more orders would be accepted until next summer (you can still order an EcoBoost one), so there’s definitely an unmet need for a high-mpg pickup.
Not sure about the “small bed”. On the modern Maverick, yes, very small. The Ranchero however has a full 6′ bed which is longer than most of the Extra Doors Baby Bed full size trucks sold today.
really like these the most (the ’round body’ ’60/3 as well as nxt gen2. The 3rd- Fairlane based, quite different, is great too, love anything w/stacked hdlghts) turbo the 144, 170 is killer as is (in my ’66 bronk) & 200 is a lill rever. 6 Keihins would be a ‘trip’! The 250/4.2 is a good off rd as is the 240/300 (4.9 is known as “the gasser that’s a diesel”) that ran onto efi in ’96. The falcon (& 6 ‘Falcon motors”) originally a challenge to the vee dub bug brought on the SUV (we’re still in) invasion (bronco is 4 WD falcon) and the muscle/phony (stang is a hopped up falcon) eras. Nt bad for a lill idea, ‘a better idea’
I like this a lot but the tailgates has something wonky going on kind of wavy like Bondo? I have had 5el camknos inclding my current project but like the compact size of these I would have to put in a 5.0 and 5 speed plenty of fox body drive trains out there and almost all mustang suspension parts bolt in on this
yeah, my dream would B full SCCA livery (w/MaxMotorS’s equipment). An affordable slot in the 30 or so classes. Start w/R&P steer, new K member, 5 lug & tube control arms, etc, etc. This model w/o the chrome & ‘side dents’ seen in 64’n up. There’s a sweet spot to these mods where they can still be a driver and yet perform on the twisties round here (is it the Street class? EP Production?)
First thing came to mind when I saw this was, how the heck did ‘Oddjob” fit in one of these compact Ranchero’s? Must have used a mighty big shoehorn!
Not to mention that Oddjob put a cubed Lincoln that had a trunk full of gold bars in the back. Don’t think this puppy could handle Oddjob and the payload.
These are about as simple to work on as they come. Easy to find any part you need. Hopefully it has the 170 six. Recently saw a couple of Mercury Rancheros that were only produced and sold in Canada. Those were sure nice. Great find.
I’m thinking late 1980’s or early 1990’s 300 inline six (fuel injected) paired up to the original 3 on the tree. Inconspicuous, reliable, fairly economical.