By Jim Brennan
As far as Automotive Icons we appreciate here on Hooniverse, the Ford Ranchero ranks as one of the most coveted… Well, not as high as the El Camino, but I digress. I was looking through the Brown Car Appreciation Society Facebook page and came across the posting about this particular Ranchero. What was odd was the fact that the car/truck hybrid wasn’t Brown (well, maybe the tape stripes were somewhat brown). Still, do you think this car is Hooniversalustworthy?
According to the listing:
1978 Beautiful survivor Ranchero. 54,779 miles Paint is very good and looks to be original. 351 / C6 GT package should be one of the most desirable built. Nice GT’s have been bringing $10 to $12K Several spare parts (new and NOS) included. Starts and runs but has not been driven for a while. The only problem I have found is the A/C Heat control knob seems disconnected. Car can be seen/inspected by appt. Located between Austin and San Antonio.
This is being offered for sale by a friend of mine, if it fails to meet the minimum bid (AFTER THE AUCTION END) it will belong to me. My minimum (when/if I relist) will be closer to $7K I will keep it and drive it until I run across someone that wants it more than me.
About those competing styles… This is a GT Package, but the truck comes equipped with Wire Wheel Covers and White Stripe Tires. Inside, you see there is a Bench Seat, and a Column Mounted Shifter… Not very GT Like. The fender trim seems more at home on an LTD, rather than a truck. But this was back in the late 70s, and Ford tended to have a mishmash of styles going on then. Anyway, the top bid so far is $3,750, with no reserve. See the listing here [sc:ebay itemid=”390628640999″ linktext=”1978 Ford Ranchero GT” ], and let me know what you think.
Jeff Glucker
I'm not a fan of the malaise-era Ranchero. It's full of bloat, with an anemic 351. I can't come up with any reason to pick this over a F-150 with the same engine.
No love here, I really dislike that front end
Just curious, what 70s American snouts do you find attractive?
I'm partial to the round eyes of the earlier Grand Prix and Cordoba.
Well… AMC Pacer, Ford Pinto, some of the muscle cars… I do love round headlights dearly, but I just can't stand enormous barge-cars
This gen Ranchero is my favorite late 70s face, it's like a cathedral on wheels, a pickup cathedral.
Ford had a nice steel wheel/ trim ring/ rally wheel that year. They would give it the GT look that it came with.
As a former owner of a 1979 Ranchero, no thanks. The one I had came with a 2 barrel carb on top of the 351. I grew up with Malaise V-8s, but ones with 4 barrel carbs. This one NEVER gave you that extra push and at least a feeling of acceleration. These things don't make good cars, no covered storage space to speak of and the make horrible pick ups in my opinion. I tried to haul my 48" cut riding lawn mower in mine ONCE and realized I needed a real truck. The Ranchero worked for hauling stuff from an auction or a few limbs around the yard, but it isn't a real truck. Don't get me wrong, they are cool, just not for me.
As a side note, I traded a 1988 BMW 750iL for the Ranchero and then traded it back to the same guy (some stranger on Craigslist) for a 1984 Chevy K-10 about a year later.
Meanwhile, in Australia….
Holden HZ Ute
<img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8462/7961519458_9910333238_z.jpg"width="600">
Ford Falcon 5.8 Ute (351C.I.)
<img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8462/7961519458_9910333238_z.jpg"width="600">
Chrysler Valiant Drifter CL Ute
<img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5131/5580478515_dc51800476_z.jpg"width="600">
Oops,Falcon XC 5.8
<img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7053/6974570107_f98909ec89_o.jpg"width="600">
The rear springs were so flabby they were useless as a truck. The bed was not that bad sized but anything half-way weighty had the headlights in the trees. What WERE they good for?
But most of the time most people don't carry as much as this one…
<img src="http://www.productioncars.com/send_file.php/chrysler_valiant_ute_gold_1978_aus.jpg"width="600">
and meanwhile they drive, brake and handle like a car (in the Falcon's case, like a Mad Max interceptor with a big boot)
<img src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4090/5065603379_96228071e9_o.jpg"width="600">
or a Bathurst racecar
<img src="http://ih2.redbubble.net/image.10587507.6878/flat,550×550,075,f.jpg"width="600">
I'm swooning over those three hooniversalustworthy utes. The Falcon alone is almost worth the hassle of emigration.
Sweet 745
Sweet Courier.
Hello! I’ve been reading your site for a while now and finally got the bravery to
go ahead and give you a shout out from Lubbock
Texas! Just wanted to mention keep up the great work!
Yes! Finally something about commercial headshots.