What car was the Ford Ranchero based on?
The Ford Ranchero was a unique vehicle that blended the characteristics of a car and a truck. It was produced by Ford Motor Company from 1957 to 1979, and it was designed to provide the utility of a truck with the comfort and handling of a car.
Origins of the Ford Ranchero
The Ford Ranchero was based on the Ford Fairlane, a popular mid-size car of the 1950s. The Ranchero was essentially a Fairlane with a pickup-style bed attached to the rear, creating a vehicle that could haul cargo while still providing a comfortable ride and car-like handling. This design was inspired by the Australian "ute" (utility vehicle) concept, which had been popular in Australia since the 1930s.
Key Features of the Ford Ranchero
The Ford Ranchero was available in a variety of trim levels and engine options over its 22-year production run. Some of the key features of the Ranchero included:
- Car-like unibody construction for improved handling and ride quality
- Pickup-style bed for hauling cargo and equipment
- Available in a range of engine sizes, from inline-six to V8 options
- Offered in various trim levels, from basic work trucks to more luxurious models
- Shared many components with contemporary Ford passenger cars
The Ranchero's unique blend of car and truck features made it a popular choice for those who needed the utility of a truck but preferred the driving experience of a car.
The Ranchero's Legacy
The Ford Ranchero was a pioneering vehicle that paved the way for other car-based pickup trucks, such as the Chevrolet El Camino and the Dodge Rampage. While the Ranchero was discontinued in 1979, its legacy lives on as a unique and innovative vehicle that combined the best of both worlds.
How much is a 1957 Ford Ranchero worth?
The value of a 1957 Ford Ranchero can vary greatly depending on its condition, mileage, options, and history. Typically, you can expect to pay around $19,733 for a 1957 Ford Ranchero in good condition with average spec.
What Chevy is similar to the Ford Ranchero?
Chevrolet El Camino
Chevy's first attempt to compete with the Ranchero was a utility vehicle based on the Brookwood two-door wagon. Available with a full-size Chevrolet drivetrain, early El Caminos carried Bel Air trim and Biscayne interior. The top engine was a 348-cu-in V-8.
What was the other car that looked like an El Camino?
GMC Sprint/Caballero (1973–77, 1978–87)
Special models mirrored the Chevy, with the Sprint/Caballero SP essentially the same as the El Camino SS, and the 1978-80 Caballero Laredo (renamed the Amarillo for 1981-87) essentially the same as the El Camino Conquista.
What is the Chevy version of a Ranchero?
The El Camino was introduced for the 1959 model year two years after the Ford Ranchero. According to Chevrolet stylist Chuck Jordan, GM Harley Earl had suggested a coupé pickup in 1952.
What is the Ford Ranchero based on?
This is because Ford based the second-generation Falcon on its a Fairlane platform beginning in 1966, which meant that the 1966 Ranchero was a blend of elements from two model lines, using the Falcon's front sheetmetal, trim, and interior parts, but riding on a modified Fairlane station wagon chassis and wearing ...
What was the Ford equivalent of an El Camino?
A: Francie, here's my initial answer: Yes, the Ford Ranchero, as you say, “Has it all over the Chevy El Camino,” and in my opinion for several reasons. First, the Ford Ranchero debuted in 1957 and never looked back, all the way through its final 1979 production year.
Is a Ford Ranchero a Falcon?
From 1973 until 1991, Ford Motor Argentina developed and sold a utility version of its own Ford Falcon called the Ford Ranchero.
How much is a 1972 Ranchero worth?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $15,217 for a 1972 Ford Ranchero 500 in good condition with average spec.
What is a 79 Ranchero worth?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $11,875 for a 1979 Ford Ranchero 500 in good condition with average spec. What is the highest selling price of a 1979 Ford Ranchero 500? The highest selling price of a 1979 Ford Ranchero 500 at auction over the last three years was $26,250.
What is the best year of the Ranchero?
Ranchero production was modest, with 508,355 sold in 22 years. The best years were 40,334 in 1972 and 45,741 in '73, but sales were usually half that. The rarest model is 1958, when only 9950 left the factory—fewer than half the 21,696 sold in the launch year.
