| The Ford Ranchero was a car/pickup truck combination vehicle produced between 1957 and 1979 based on full-size, compact and intermediate automobiles by the Ford Motor Company for the North American market.
Though Ford car/truck combinations had been around since the time of the Model TT in 1909 through the 1940 model year and despite the fact that similar combinations called utes were (and are) extremely popular in Australia, the Ranchero was the first postwar American vehicle of its type from the factory and did well enough to spawn a competitor from General Motors in 1959, the Chevrolet El Camino.
A total of 508,355 units were produced during the model's production run.
1957-59
Between 1957 and 1959 the Ranchero was based on the full-size Ford Fairlane platform, specifically the two-door Ranch Wagon station wagon and utilitarian Courier sedan delivery. Essentially a Courier with an open, reinforced bed, its own unique rear window and one-piece cab and cargo box, the Ranchero was initially offered in two trim levels and, throughout the model run, sold as a truck through Ford's truck division. There was a basic standard model, marketed to traditional pickup truck buyers such as farmers, and the Custom which picked up most of the options and accessories available on the Fairlane line, including stainless steel bodyside mouldings and two-tone paint. Both standard and Custom could be ordered with any engine available for the Fairlane, all the way up to the 352 in³ (5.8 L) Thunderbird Special. In Canada, the Ranchero was also available in the Meteor line-up.
1960-66
In 1960 the Ranchero became much smaller, becoming based on Ford's compact Ford Falcon. Ford believed the market wanted a more practical vehicle, one much smaller, lighter and cheaper than a full-size pickup truck, and indeed the Ranchero sold well in this incarnation. The standard powerplant was an economical 144 in³ (2.4 L) straight-6 (at 30 mpg, this is as good as most modern vehicles). In 1961 the 170 in³ straight-6 was offered, and in 1963 the optional 260 in³ V-8 was offered in addition to the 144 and 170.
The Ranchero evolved along with the Falcon in 1964, becoming just a little larger along with its parent and using the same body style for 1964 and 1965. In 1965, the 289 in³ (4.7 L) V8 was offered.
1966 was a one-year model, as the Falcon evolved again; this would be the last year that the Ranchero was based on the Falcon platform.
1967
1967 saw another radical change for the Ranchero, as Ford returned it to the now-intermediate Fairlane platform upgraded in 1966. This was a well-received and unique one-year vehicle, with clean, straight lines, dual stacked headlights, and plenty of power; engine options started with a 200 in³ (3.3 L) straight-6 and went up to a 390 in³ (6.4 L) FE-series big-block V8 giving 315 hp (235 kW). 1967 also saw the largest expansion of trim levels since the vehicle's introduction ten years prior. Supplanting the base model were the new Ranchero 500, 500/XL and GT. The GT-A Ford's one-year-only label for automatic transmission-equipped GT's given to both the Fairlane and Mustang, did not apply to the Ranchero.
1968-1971
1968 saw the Fairlane line supplemented by the new Torino and the Ranchero followed suit, becoming the largest model since the full-sized 1959. Overall, the new Ranchero was not only bigger, but more angular than before with its more upright grille and the loss of the 1967 model's unique stacked headlights. The interior was all new as well, sharing the Torino/Fairlane's distinctive four-pod instrument cluster. Though the four round pods gave the illusion of an engine-turned dash, they instead featured warning lights for coolant temperature in the left pod and charging system and oil pressure in the pod third from the left. In upscale models, the large clock in the right pod was supplanted by a tachometer. A seat belt warning light was a new feature as well, lighting briefly in the far left pod whenever the engine was started. The model line also featured wraparound front side marker lamps which doubled as parking lights and rear side reflectors, mandated by US law for the 1968 model year and still in force today. The rear side reflectors are of particular note since the new law mandated that the markers were to light up when the headlights were switched on. Because of production issues, Ford was granted a waiver on the Fairlane/Torino/Ranchero as well as on the Mustang. The Mustang complied with the law in the all-new 1969 version; the Fairlane/Torino/Ranchero followed suit by the 1970 model year. Three trim levels were offered: The base Ranchero, the Ranchero 500 and the top-of-the line Ranchero GT. Engine choices began with the 250 cubic inch I-6 and ran to several V8 choices including the standard 302 with two-barrel carburetor, the new-for-1968 351 Windsor and the FE-based 390. The powerful 428 Cobra Jet, another FE derivative and the largest engine offered in the Ranchero to date, was a mid-year option. Like the Torino/Fairlane, the Ranchero could be had with virtually all of the same options as its cousins including air conditioning, bucket seats, AM/FM radio, optional wheels, front disc brakes, hood scoop (standard on GT) and even a vinyl top. The 1969 Ranchero saw slight cosmetic changes. Changes across the model line were in the flatter grille less the horizontal crossbar and Ford crest, relocation of GT grille badging from the crest to the lower right corner of the grille as viewed from the front, a change from black-faced instruments to silver and a new steering wheel with slimmer spokes similar to that across the Ford product line unlike the wheel with its broader "safety pad" used in the 1968 intermediates and compacts. The only change unique to the Ranchero was the relocation of the "Ranchero" script from the rear quarter panels to the front fenders.
A little-known and extremely rare offering in 1969 was the Rio Grande. Available on special order, this was essentially a GT in the so-called "Grabber" colors of "Wimbledon White", "Poppy Red" or "Calypso Coral," partially blacked-out hood with scoop, side stripes, bed rails, vinyl top and unique "Ford Ranchero Rio Grande" wheel centers. As a result, Rancheros so equipped received Ford's "SPECIAL PERFORMANCE VEHICLE" identification on the data plate regardless of engine choice. These vehicles may be identified by the aforementioned designation as well as a blank space where the trim code would normally be found. Production figures are unclear, but may have been around 900 total units.
1970 saw another face-lift for the Torino line. Both the Torino and Ranchero featured a shallow-pointed grille and front end with smooth, somewhat more curvaceous lines. Again, three models were available. Like in previous years, all Torino options could be ordered, including the Ram-Air 428 Cobra Jet engine (7 L) with a slightly different "shaker" hood scoop borrowed from the Mustang, so named because it was directly mounted to the carburetor and shook with the engine at idle. Also available was a stylish grille that featured hide-away headlights as well as an optional hood with an oversized scoop which was standard on Torino GTs. Through 1971 the Ranchero followed the changes in its parent model, including the availability of Ford's new 429, even in Super Cobra Jet form.
1972-1976
1972 saw a radical change in the Torino and Ranchero lines. The sleek, pointy look of the previous year's model was replaced with a larger, heavier design. Most prominent was a wide, gaping 'fishmouth' grille and a new body-on-frame design. There were still three models available; the now-standard 500, the new Squire with simulated wood "paneling" along the flanks and the sporty GT. Engine choices remained basically the same beginning with the 250 cubic inch six-cylinder and a selection of V8s that ranged from the standard 302 to the Cleveland series 351 & 400 and a larger 385-series 460. The performance oriented 429 was also available. However, all suffered from lower compression ratios to better meet new emissions standards. The 351 in³ (5.75 L) Cleveland could still be obtained in tuned 4-V Cobra Jet form as well as in a milder 2-V version. A four-speed manual transmission was available on certain GT models.
The 1973 Ranchero saw a redesigned front-end to meet new federal standards for front impact protection. Aside from slight cosmetic differences, the Ranchero would remain basically the same until the Torino's final year, 1976.
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