The Ford Ranchero may be the first pickup combined with a car that comes to mind, but it was not the first of its kind. From the time the Model T was introduced , people who owned vehicles wanted them to haul when needed while still being used as daily drivers. Most families were lucky if they could afford one car, so they tried to maximize its use. The Ranchero was a unique vehicle that combined the best of both worlds. Even though the Chevy El Camino helped regain some sales numbers, it was a fun ride that many will have fond memories of owning. Let's jump in and see just how unique they really were.
Started Life As A Station Wagon
The designers at Ford did not think it would be necessary to create an entirely new frame and chassis because they were already producing several vehicles they could use for the starting point of the Ford Ranchero. They wanted the vehicle to have the bed of a truck, but the design they had in mind could not possibly use the foundation that the pickups used. The next best option was to use the station wagon as the starting point. All they had to do from there was cut off the back section, turn it into a bed, and then add the back window to close the front cab. The Ranchero was then born from a truck's roots and the station wagon's foundation.
"More Than A Car! More Than A Truck"
In 1957 The Ford Ranchero was marketed to the American public using one of the great advertising ploys of all time. They claimed that the vehicle was "More Than A Car! More Than A Truck!' while showing off a picture of a man on a horse looking down at a man in the back of the Ranchero with admiration in their eyes. The public had been asking for a vehicle to haul hay and farm tools while serving as the car to drive to church on Sunday. The Ranchero fit the bill, and the marketing for the year hit home, giving a slogan that still fits to this day.
The First-Generation Only Came With V-6
Many people remember the Ford Ranchero that could keep up with the most powerful muscle car, accelerating so fast that the driver had to hang on to the steering wheel. When the vehicle first came out, though, it was not designed for speed and was definitely not made to race around town. The original Ranchero came with a small inline-six. It was rated as a 223 engine that could produce 144 horsepower, perfect for a truck that needed to be a functional work vehicle and a run-around car that did not eat up gas. The larger V-8s could be ordered when buying them from the factory, but not many people opted for the option unless they were planning to haul heavier than normal loads.
More Hauling Capacity Than Many Conventional Trucks
When looking at the production numbers of the Ford Rancheros, it can be seen that almost 10,000 more Rancheros were built than the F-100 truck. It would be correct to think that the Ranchero was a very popular choice when the first years of the vehicle were produced. One of the most amazing things that can be seen when comparing these classic trucks is that the Ranchero was able to haul 1,190 pounds, while a half-ton truck is rated to haul around 1,000 pounds. Since the cargo area was larger than the truck, the Ford Ranchero could carry up to 190 pounds more, but the advertised difference was only 50 pounds more.
The Second-Generation Was Built As A Compact
In 1960, the new generation of the Ford Ranchero came about, along with the Ford Falcon compact car. This generation of the half car half truck was shorter, smaller, and more fuel efficient because it was based on the Falcon foundation. The base engine was also still the smaller six-cylinder to decrease weight and improve fuel consumption, but of course, it could be upgraded to a bigger engine that had more power for hauling and towing.
The Third-Generation Offered Muscle Car Options
The end of the 60s brought a considerable surge in consumers wanting muscle cars. The 1966 and 1967, which was the third generation of Ranchero, offered some of the same options as the muscle cars of the decade. The smaller six-cylinder was still a viable option, but the Ranchero could come with an engine as big as the 390, which was a beast of a motor for such a light vehicle that was so close to the ground and had such a wide stance.
The Fourth-Generation Ranchero Was A Torino With A Bed
As it had done throughout its history, the fourth generation of the Ranchero followed along with the new vehicle structure coming off the production lines. The 1968 Torino was the car to have, including the Ford Ranchero, that had all the options of the car, including the GT package. This change made the car turned into a truck longer, wider, and meaner. In essence, it was a lighter version of the Torino that had the power to bury competitors in the ¼ mile track but could still put in a full day's work on the ranch.
The Fifth-Generation Ranchero Came With A Cobra Jet Engine
One of the most famous engines that Ford has ever produced is the Cobra Jet, especially the 429 Cobra Jet. It is a monster motor that can push out around 370 horsepower without any modifications. The great thing is that the Mustang was not the only Ford vehicle that came stock with it. The Ford Ranchero also had the option of having this awesome engine under the hood, and if a consumer ever had the pleasure of being behind the wheel of one of these nimble Rancheros, an experience that was like no other occurred.
The Sixth-Generation Was Tuned Down And Restyled
The 1972 to 1976 model was perhaps one of the most unique Rancheros ever built. They had styling with a heavier design and an oval grille. Because of the changes in emissions regulations, the engines began to lose power, even when the buyer opted for the 351 Cobra Jet or one of the Windsor motors. Both bumpers became larger to satisfy the bumper crash testing, and anything other than the 500 models had to be special ordered.
The Seventh-Gen Ranchero Was A Luxury Car With A Racing Stripe
The Torino's production ended in 1976, so the '77 Ford Ranchero had to be built on a different frame. Since the car manufacturer was in the process of building a great luxury car, the Mark II, it was decided that the Ranchero would follow along those lines. The body had an extensive overhang on the front, which allowed the stacked headlights to be placed in the front. The interior went more towards luxury, but the muscle truck version was still available by special order, with a racing stripe down the middle.