For Sale at Auction: 1959 Ford Ranchero in Scottsdale, Arizona

FROM THE MISSOULA AUTO MUSEUM COLLECTION Vehicle to be offered for Auction sale January 19th - 22nd 2017 at Russo and Steeles 17th Annual Scottsdale Arizona Auction at the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Please contact us for more information. Named after the noun Ranchero denoting the owners of large tracts of land in 19th Century California Ford Motor Companys versatile car/truck hybrid debuted in North America for 1957. While a new vehicle style here the Rancheros origins date back to the early 1930s when Ford of Australia began development of the Utility or Ute. At the time Australian banks were reportedly more inclined to grant loans to ranchers for the purchase of farm trucks rather than passenger cars. In addition according to legend a ranchers wife who had had quite enough of riding in the farm truck petitioned Ford of Australia to build a vehicle that could haul feed and small livestock yet carry the family in car-like comfort to church on Sunday. The letter moved along through several departments and finally reached the Design Department staffed by one person - a young Lewis Bandt. Bandt quickly sketched a vehicle based on Fords current passenger-car platform that combined a roadster-type passenger compartment with a cargo bed at the rear with additional internal bracing for strength. The resulting Utility or Ute was an immediate success and while the roadster only carried on through 1938 the coupe variant continued until 1958 when it was replaced by the American-designed Ranchero. Interestingly Ford had a difficult time trying to figure out how to market the new Ranchero in 1957. Since they were not yet certain who their target market was early Ranchero ads were quite simplistic. A 1957 Ranchero advertisement describes the vehicle as More than a car More than a truck Consistent with the traditional roots of the new Fords name the picture of said advertisement displayed a Ranchero along with cowboys on horseback admiring the vehicle. From 1957 through 1959 the Ranchero shared the same platform as the full-size Fairlane and featured all the same powertrain options which included the Thunderbird 352 special V8 engines as well as luxurious interior trim options. The Ranchero was offered in two trim levels including a standard model and a custom dressed up with body side moldings and more elaborate interiors. Confirming its versatility and appeal the Ranchero inspired the El Camino Chevrolets me too car-based pickup which arrived for 1959. Offered from the Missoula Auto Museum Collection this 1959 Ford Ranchero retains its original looks with highlights including an automatic transmission a 460 cubic inch engine dual exhaust and dual-circuit master cylinder. The interior is equipped with a factory radio and clock plus a steering column-mounted tachometer and underdash accessory gauge cluster. Riding on chrome wheels with smooth hubcaps this Ranchero is an exciting find at auction.