Vehicle Description
1969 Ford Ranchero
Leepers are some of our favorite cars here at Classic Auto Mall.
Not only because they're fast and soft-spoken, but also because
they represent the ingenuity of putting big horsepower in anonymous
and sometimes unpopular packages. It's a side of our personality
that, given the pages of polished cars on our website, you probably
wouldn't expect to see. And I know what you're thinking...you doubt
my sincerity about introducing a genuine, road-ready sleeper. But
alas, after you take just one look at this Ranchero, you'll quell
your convictions.
Looking very nice with a late 70's/early 80's vibe, this nicely
restified car, er...uhh, truck has lived the good life and is ready
to continue doing so under your watchful eye. Wearing nice sheet
metal and having been treated to some upgrades, both on the
aesthetics and performance front along the way, this truck was
meant to be a driver. A grocery getter by day and by night a
cruiser with a 351ci Cleveland V8.
Exterior
A color change to clean white adorns this car and is looking good
from a distance, but up close we can note some inclusion, runs in
the finish and evidence of prior bodywork. The gaps are still well
minded, trimmings are used sparingly and on the sides are
traditionalFord style red reverse C-stripes and polished surrounds
for the glass and top of the uncovered bed. Up front, the standard
Fairlane grille, slightly sunken back into the body, leads the way
with chrome highlighting, GT badging and outboard dual headlamps. A
chrome bumper with heavy rust and missing plating on the right side
hangs below and gently wraps around the lower edges of the front
fenders. Leading back to the stainless trimmed windshield is a
scooped and red striped hood, adding some muscle to this hauler.
Hovering below the rockers are chrome side pipesthat help create
that late 70's vibe. Out back a FORD badged tailgate hovers above
another nice chrome bumper and is flanked on the sides by tall
ovoid tail lights. Peering into the bed gives us a view of the fold
down tailgate handle then exposing the Rhino lined bed which
presents with a few dents and dings along with a removable central
panel. Keeping this hauler grounded are 15-inch Magnum 500 wheels.
These wheels are shod in like new staggered width blackwall
radials.
Interior
A swing of the door and we see black vinyl and tweed panels with
some chromed trimmings and handles and cranks. Inside more black
vinyl combines with a tuck and roll tweed insert that presents with
notable tearing on the drivers upper and lower cushions. Floating
this bench is a slightly faded black carpet with a TCI Outlaw
shifter mounted on the hump. The dash upfront is a foursome of deep
inset circles with aftermarket black face gauges shaded nicely for
viewing. These include a tachometer, speedometer, water temp and
oil pressure. This padded dashtop is in a black much like the seat
surrounds and the lower part of the dash shows a band of brushed
aluminum that holds the fuel gauge, some knobs and pulls, ignition
toggles and an Alpine AM/FM/CD stereo. Fronting the dash is a thick
black rimmed Grant GT wheel, and above is a stippled pattern vinyl
headliner, remaining clean and taut.
Drivetrain
A non-original 351ci Cleveland V8 is under the scooped and pinned
hood and is fed a precise mixture of air and fossils from an Holley
4-barrel carburetor and Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold. Bolted
to the back is a 3-speed C6 automatic transmission that sends power
rearward to a 3.00 geared Ford 9" axle. Some chrome dress up has
been added for the air cleaner lid and ribbed Ford badged aluminum
valve covers are seen as well.
Undercarriage
Half and half would best describe the undercarriage, with half
sprayed in black and the back half left to age with the car.
Overall showing some patina and surface rust but all including the
unibody remain solid with a small patch welded onto the left rear
unibody rail. Independent coil spring suspension is up front along
with disc brakes and in the rear we note leaf springs and drums.
Headers with chrome side pipes create the sound we love and expect
and does so with a thunderous roar.
Drive-Ability
An easy starter, smooth idler and comfortable driver. Sinking into
the tweed bench afforded me the time to gaze upon not only
aftermarket gauges but the additional units installed under the
dash. A movement of the shifter into drive and I was off like a
prom dress. 3 laps around our test track rewarded me with unlimited
acceleration, bias free braking and surprisingly good handling for
a truck. All functions were operational at the time of my drive
save for reverse lights that wouldn't light up.
A very retro styled hauler, upgraded in both the looks and
performance categories, but not losing the original charm it was
born with. Loaded with great features, this car/truck is ready to
haul you right out of our Hallowed Halls, then you can impress your
friends by hauling some ass!
9A47F262698
9-1969
A-Atlanta, GA Assy Plant
47-Ranchero
F-302ci V8 2bbl
262698-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 66A-Ranchero
COLOR I-Lime Metallic
TRIM 2Y-Gold Vinyl Bench
DATE 10G-July 10th
DSO 72-San Jose
AXLE 6-Ford 9" 3.00 Conventional
TRIM X-FMX Cruise-O-Matic
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
