When did Ford start making the Ranchero?
Ford first introduced the Ranchero, a car-based pickup truck, in 1957. The Ranchero was designed to combine the comfort and style of a car with the utility of a truck, and it quickly became a popular model for Ford.
The Origins of the Ford Ranchero
The idea for the Ranchero came about in the mid-1950s, when Ford noticed a growing demand for vehicles that could serve both as a passenger car and a light-duty truck. The Ranchero was Ford's answer to this market need, and it was based on the company's full-size car platform.
The first Ranchero model was introduced in 1957 and was built on the Ford Fairlane platform. It was marketed as a "sedan delivery" vehicle, blending the features of a car and a truck.
The Evolution of the Ford Ranchero
- The Ranchero was produced continuously by Ford from 1957 to 1979, with several design updates and model changes over the years.
- In 1959, the Ranchero was redesigned to be based on the Ford Galaxie platform, giving it a larger and more powerful engine.
- The Ranchero went through several more redesigns in the 1960s and 1970s, including a version based on the Ford Falcon in the 1960s and a version based on the Ford Torino in the 1970s.
- The final generation of the Ranchero was produced from 1977 to 1979, based on the Ford Fairmont platform.
The Ford Ranchero was a unique and innovative vehicle that combined the best features of a car and a truck. It remained in production for over 20 years, demonstrating the enduring appeal of this versatile and practical design.
