With spring almost here, we have already begun thinking about what to get for a summer project. This 1971 Ford Ranchero Special was garage kept for most of its life and could be a great project. It was used as a daily driver for many years, but is still on the road. It needs some work, but should make a great starting point. Find it here on eBay or in Woodstock, Georgia.
The Ranchero could be ordered with a variety of engine options. This one came with the base 302 V8 and a three on the tree manual transmission. The 302 doesn’t put out the kind of power one of the bigger V8′s does, but it should be adequate for hauling supplies for those spring projects and evening cruises around town.
The Special Package was a visual package that included two tone paint with special side stripes, vinyl top, black lined truck bed, and a multi-tone interior. This one’s body is clean, but has some dents and dings. The paint is claimed to be original and has the right patina to be. The interior has seen better days and needs some work, but could be used as is.
The seller has already done most of the major work to make this a solid daily driver again, but there are a few things that could use fixing. The seller has set a BIN price of $8k, but hopefully they have set their reserve considerably lower than that. We only wish it had the 429 Cobra Jet in it, but it would make due just as is. If the seller’s production numbers are correct, then this could be one rare Ranchero. Do you think this would make for a good summer project or is there some other classic you already have your eye on?
I like it and I’m a Chevy guy. This era Ranchero was the best looking i think. Until 73 when the 2 ton bumpers started to appear. 3 on the tree… well it’s original, but i think making a hole in the floor for a 4 speed wouldn’t be too offensive would it? A new intake manifold and a 600 cfm four barrel might wake up the 302 a bit too. I think these will gain in value, just like el camino’s are slowly gaining. My 69 el camino has just lately been climbing up, I think these will too, and think 8k might be a bit high now, but won’t be for long.
I’M WITH YOU ON BEING A CHEVY GUY BUT I DO LIKE THIS ONE.MY BODY SHOP SPECIALIZED IN THESE ONLY BECAUSE I BOUGHT A COUPLE AND WANTED A PLACE FOR MY TOYS TO BE DONE.WE DID A LOT OF THE OLDER ONES BUT DID A FEW OF THESE. IF IT WERE MINE IT WOULD HAVE A 429 COBRA JET IN IT OR PRO REBUILD FROM SOMEBODY LIKE ROACH,SHELBY,SALEEN, OR MOTION MOTORS..JUST MY IDEA…….
A guy in HS drove his dads Ranchero to school from time to time. It was this body style. Red with a black top and wood grain down the sides. Ranchero Squire maybe?
Another friends dad had one of these in light blue. Took it to Lake of the Ozarks pulling a boat. Had to run it without the a/c on since it would overheat. That was a fun trip.-)
I would prefer an automatic but that’s because I tend to get lazy behind the wheel. If it was mine, I’d try to track down some original style wheels and caps and get rid of the mags. Other than that I’d drive it the way it is, boring as it may be.
It comes with stock wheels caps and trim rings Mags are not included according to ebay ad
OK. Thanks for pointing that out. For some reason I didn’t go to Ebay; I guess I’d better do that from now on.
a nice old truck.
The seller says the original wheels come with the car. The mags would be negotiated.
~ i agree that this is perhaps the most attractive Ranchero body style. looks more svelte than later models, less inelegant than the earlier Falcons. if cutting a hole in the floor it would be for a 5spd and i’d try to find a tilt column.
I like it, although the three on the tree would be gone for a four on the floor
I drove a ’71 Torino to college so naturally I love this but a vinyl roof on a Ranchero?!? REALLY?? I have no doubt they are rare…I do not remember ever seeing one.
What is all that rust under the hood up by the firewall ( ebay ad)? Otherwise looks like a $6000 ride
Looks like they blew a radiator hose at one point, some people don’t understand the value of keeping fresh anti freeze in, so when a hose blows the result is a very rusty substance all over the engine bay area.
I usually like to keep something as original as this, stock, but I agree with everyone else 5 spd thru the floor & get rid of the dreadful seat & put some nice Recaro’s or something along that line, I would keep the 302 at the gas prices today, also we don’t want to add anymore weight to the front but put the AC back into it.
A modified 302, bored, stroked, balance and blueprinted with aluminum heads can give you 400-500 horsepower. Personally, I would rather have a modified 302 than a stock 429.
Hey Robert, I agree with you on the modified 302. It would be as, if not more powerful and lighter to boot. But in terms of resale value, the 429 is worth more.
Sorry guys. I am a fan of the standard shift on the column. It is fun. No one under 35 years old has a clue how to drive one. It is the way Ford built this machine. The interior space is very small. Try hauling two other people with a floor shift and a bench. No longer fun to drive. Taking out the bench in favor of buckets you remove the utility of hauling that extra person. It is not a performance car so leave the toploader in the bed.
Yes but no, yes I have driven them, but no I like it from the floor.
I WOULD ALSO PUT A HOLE IN THE FLOOR FOR A FOUR OR FIVE SPEED. IF I WANTED TO TAKE FRIENDS TO THE BEACH I HAVE OTHER VEHICLES FOR THAT.AS I STATED ABOVE THE MOTOR WOULD BE REBUILT OR REPLACED WITH A COBRA JET.
I cant afford a pot to pee in, but this would be a very good daily driver while you cleaned it up.
Geez you’d think the seller would clean the engine compartment a bit. Rust or even that red georgia clay dirt would clean off. Definately not an 8k car w that dirty compartment.