Vehicle Description
1970 Ford Ranchero
The Ford Ranchero is a coupe utility that was produced by Ford
between 1957 and 1979. Unlike a standard pickup truck, the Ranchero
was adapted from a two door station wagon platform that integrated
the cab and cargo bed into the body. With Torino production ending
after 1976, the 1977 Ranchero was restyled in line with the Ford
LTD II mid sized car line using the same platform as the Torino.
The same three models available since 1968 were still offered and
the Ranchero could be ordered in quite luxurious form. Production
ceased in 1979 with, among the traditional choices, a commemorative
"1979.5" model being available.
For consignment and straight out of 1970, bathed in Pumice, and
sporting the best of both worlds, a car and a truck combined. Look
out on the road....it's a Torino.....No....It's a
truck.....No.....it's a Ranchero, and it comes with a binder over
an inch thick of receipts and invoices for the build. Purchased by
our consignor in 2000 to replace his high school hot rod that had
succumbedto the dreaded Michagan "tin worm", this truck was found
in Nevada and was brought home. After settling into its new
climate, the powertrain from the old hot rod was swapped over, then
came 2 years of working the electricalgremlins out of the system.
Follow that up with a 18 month long body redux and another year to
sort out the suspension and get thingsroad ready. Following up this
extensive work was a full on interior treatment and in 2014 the old
transmission gave up the ghost. At this time the engine was pulled
and re-ringed and re-sealed. With the perfect sound, perfect
stance, and perfect look, this truck is ready to be driven, and
draws a crowd nearly everywhere it goes. We proudly give you this
drivable dream, a 1970 Ford Ranchero!
Exterior
With straight steel body panels wrapped in a color change to
1990'sFord Pumice, we see correct badging, chrome, and brite work
which remains in nice condition as it is nearly new. This color has
a pinkish silver hue, but tends to pick up its surrounding tints
creating some head scratching among show attendees as to the real
color. Gray finished racing mirrors adorn the doors, a top dead
centered hood scoop, wide stainless rocker moldings with 3D 429
badges on the lower front quarters, clean drip moldings and window
surrounds create some extra highlights. A few custom touches were
performed during the redo with the antenna and side markers shaved,
chrome A-pillar trim added and a 1971 grille and chin spoiler
added. The biggest custom change was a relocation of the fuel
filler to inside the bed as the factory style tended to leak when
overfilled and according to our consignor lookedridiculous. Noted
is a dent in the driver's side front quarter panel thatshows with a
crack in the paint finish and we see some bubbling in the lower
driver's door. A notable ding/chunk is missing from the leading
edge of the driver's door and a few small areas of body work show
light cracking on the rear wheel arches. Tall and thin chrome
trimmed tail lights flank the clean and rust free tailgate. Black
textured spray in linercovers the flooring and inner sides of the
bed and we get a good look at the custom work done with the fuel
filler relocation. Polished 16 and 17-inch American Racing Torque
Thrust wheels adorn the corners and are wrapped by staggered width
Nitto radials.
Interior
A swing of the door, and we are met with a black covered door panel
with a chromed spear trim, and some corresponding spear pattern
stitching. Manual window cranks and a toggle for the sport mirrors
is also noted. Moving inside we sit on charcoal leather Pontiac
Fiero bucket seatsshowing some color loss on the driver's outer
bolster. These buckets flank a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix console that
has been custom fitted to the hump and holds a storage area under
the armrest, cup holders, tachometer, and the B&M ProStick
shifter. A clutter free black dash with all its factory parts,
knobs, and gauges fronts the buckets and is also in excellent crack
free, fade free condition. Our consignor added a wood applique
laden Squire lower dash and another squire donateda panel to make
the center gauge pod. A bank of toggles and lights resides to the
driver's left and an aftermarket Pioneer AM/FM/CD radio has been
fitted into the dash. Below, black carpet covers the floor, and
also has no fading or staining. The headliner shows some wrinkling
and sagging but shows with no markings or tears. Let's just say for
this interior black is beautiful.
Drivetrain
A lift of the long hood and we are met with a very clean, and shiny
engine bay. All buttoned up for this fairly fresh, (re-ringed and
resealed in 2014), 466ci big block Ford V8 with chrome valve covers
and a chrome air cleaner lid atop. The cylinder heads are E3
castings that have been extensively ported and now hold stainless
valves. Actuating the valves is a Comp Cams .544 lift and 244
duration camshaft and Keith Black pistons create the squeeze. This
automotive masterpiece is topped off with an Edelbrock intake and
Holley 870cfm Street Avenger 4-barrel carburetor. An Art Carr C6
3-speed automatic transmission with a 3200rpm stall converter is on
the back of this mill and drives an older and narrower than stock
Ford 9" 3.50 TracLoc rear with Moser 31 spline axles.
Undercarriage
A nicely preserved rust free environment under here with a strong
frame, and mar free floorboards. A new exhaust system is present
complete with Hooker headers and Turbo style mufflers to handle the
exhale and power disc brakes are seen up front with power drums
reserved for the rear. Keeping this car....err...truck stuck to the
tarmac is an independent coil spring front suspension with a slight
drop that works with leaf springs and air shocks in the rear. Let's
go for a ride shall we?
Drive-Ability
She fired right up and the 8 cylinders propelled us on to the test
track and more! It's a great cruiser with a nice smooth ride and
plenty of power. Good brakes are in order and bring us to a bias
free panic stop. No surprisingly, we were stopped a few times by
visitors of our Hallowed Halls while on the track so they could ask
us what color this hauler actually is.
Well maintained and clean with an eye catchingand fooling Pumice
respray. A beautiful original interior, a great back story, and
some power under the hood, you are ready to put a tiger in your
tank and burn some rubber!
0A49M167555
0-1970
A-Atlanta, GA Assy Plant
49-Ranchero Squire
M-351ci V8 4bbl
167555-Sequential Unit Number
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.
