Ford Ranchero 1963Coordinates 37.7770533,-122.4367276
Picture dated February 2008
In 1934, Ford Australia's designer Lew Bandt modified a coupe with a smoothly integrated loadbed that could be used as a car and a pickup truck, which created the coupe utility (ute) which remains a popular body style in Australia.
Introduced in December 1956, the Ranchero was based on the standard short-wheelbase two-door Ranch Wagon station wagon. The Ranchero filled a market niche hitherto untapped in the United States. An extremely basic standard model was marketed to traditional pickup truck buyers such as farmers, and a “Custom” picked up most of the options and accessories available on the Fairlane line, including stainless steel bodyside mouldings and two-tone paint. The 1958 version remained largely unchanged under the skin save for the new front sheet metal and a new four-headlamp arrangement. In 1959 the size incrased, but the styling didn't much change.
In 1960, the Ranchero became much smaller, and was based on the Falcon. The Ranchero evolved along with the Falcon, becoming just a little larger along with its parent and using a similar basic body style until 1966. In 1965, the 289 cu in V8 replaced the discontinued 260 and an alternator replaced the generator in all Ford cars.
The 1966 version was a one-year model, when Falcon and Fairlane were redeveloped on the same basic platform, with the 1966 Ranchero using Falcon front sheet metal, trim, and interior accents on a modified station wagon platform. The 1967 Ranchero used the basic 1966 Ranchero body with Fairlane trim, front sheet metal, and interior treatments instead of Falcon. It was marketed as the Fairlane Ranchero.
In 1968 the new Ranchero was built on the bigger Fairlane/Torino platform: more angular than before with its a horizontal grille and horizontal headlamps. Three trim levels were offered, beginning with the sparsely trimmed base Ranchero, the Ranchero 500 trimmed like the corresponding Fairlane 500, and the top-of-the line Ranchero GT with its Torino GT trim. This continued into 1969.
1970 had a complete restyle for the Ranchero, which had started with a boxy body style. Both the Torino and Ranchero featured a shallow-pointed grille and front end with smooth lines influenced by coke bottle styling. The 1971 model is distinguished by a grilled divided by a center section.
In 1972, a radical change occurred in the Torino and Ranchero lines. The sleek, pointy look of the previous year's model was replaced with a larger, heavier design. Three models were still available; the now-standard 500, the new Squire with simulated woodgrain "panelling" along the flanks, and the sporty GT. Apart from cosmetic changes to the front end demanded by changing safety standards, the Ranchero remained mainly unchanged until1977.
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