Vehicle Description
1969 Ford Ranchero 500 Rio Grande
"Ranchero by Ford. America's hi style, hi performance pickup.
Sleek, smart and sporty, the '69 Ranchero is a powerful performing
pickup, the ultimate in luxury pickups with quicker handling and
quicker, more powerful engines. Choose from the Ranchero, Ranchero
500, or Ranchero GT." From the 1969 Ford Ranchero brochure.
For consignment, a 1969 Ford Ranchero 500 Rio Grande with a title
verified 50,499 actual miles. The Rio Grande package is fairly rare
with just 819 produced in 1969. Family owned since 1993, this car
was first ordered and sold in Idaho, then resided in Southern
California before heading East, all the while carefully stored and
barely driven, accounting for its relatively low mileage.
Exterior
One of three colors offered on the Special Performance Vehicle from
Ford, Calypso Coral provides the shine here in two stage
application. The hood scoop, which was standard on the GT and added
as part of the Rio package, also includes the black center stripe.
In profile, other special additions are noted including the side
stripes above the rocker panel, the side rails, and the 14-inch
Magnum 500 wheels and you can tell this car is a special one from
the other side of your ranch property. A black vinyl top
accentuates the black and orange palette and tall, vertical tail
lights that retain distinctive Ford design. Side molding bisects
the profile, Ford's widely used dual round headlights lead the way,
and the black painted bed is clean. Some bubbling on a quarter
panel is the only imperfection we note.
Interior
A simulated wood insert on the black vinyl doors puts the luxury in
luxury truck, as it was in 1969, and they both present cleanly
serving as the entry points to the stylish full width seat in black
pleated vinyl with a few tears in the stitched seams, but otherwise
clean. The jack and spare are stowed away in the space behind the
seat and our black plastic steering wheel ahead has a crack in the
rim. A stitch design is molded into the gauge housing on the dash
for a bit of a Western flair, while the electric clock in the
fourth cove is part of the 500 upgrade. An AM radio is on the mid
panel and the open floor is covered cleanly with black loop carpet.
While up top, the stitched black headliner and visors are in great
shape.
Drivetrain
Ford Blue colors the 351ci Windsor V8 under the hood and the Holley
4-barrel carb supplied powerplant is good for 290 horsepower. The
shifter on the column operates the FMX 3-speed automatic
transmission and sends power to the Ford 9" with 3.25 gears in
back. Power brakes are supplied with discs up front and drums in
back.
Undercarriage
Driver quality conditions are found underneath with a mix of
surface rust, red oxide primer, general oxidation and patina and
mostly dry conditions with a light film of residual oil on the pan.
The exhaust looks newer, and the dual system runs back to
FlowMaster mufflers before terminating behind body panels after the
back wheels. Coil spring suspension is utilized up front with leaf
springs in the back. We note the dust cover on the power steering
rack is torn.
Drive-Ability
Never a dull option, driving any Ranchero like vehicle is a cool
adventure from a bygone era, and one that's bound to make a
comeback! Meanwhile, the trusty 351 fires right up and delivers
good power on the test loop, tracking straight and surefooted on
235/60R14 tires. Despite its single row, the cabin is roomy and of
course, car like and other than the clock, all functions on board
operate as they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that
these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we
cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of
your purchase.
Business up front and party in the back? Or is it the other way
around? With 290 horses under the hood, the party might be up front
and if you used the bed as intended, well, it would be all business
back there. But this car gave up the ranch life a long time ago and
is now ready for the show circuit because it's cool, unique, and
somewhat rare. The orange paint makes it pop, and its special
features make it cool. Giddy up, because if you're in the market
for a vintage luxury pickup, this is a fine candidate.
9A48M282061
9-1969
A-Atlanta, GA Assy Plant
48-Ranchero 500
M-351ci 4bbl V8
WARRANTY PLATE
BODY 66B-Ranchero 500
COLOR
TRIM 5A-Black Cloth And/Or Black Vinyl
DATE 24F-June 24th
DSO 732562-Salt Lake City Special Order
AXLE 9-Ford 9" 3.25 Conventional
TRANS X-FMX
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
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Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
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