Your favorite year for the Ranchero?

[71ranchero500]

What's your opinion for the best year ford made a ranchero and why? I have a 1971 that i just started working on after its been sitting garaged for the past 2 years. I live in So CA and maybe have seen 2 other 71s around, a hole lot of mid-late 60s and a few over 73+. when i go to the local car shows i dont see anything above a 69, just wondering what you all think.

Check out my gallery while your at it, i just put some pics of it in there.

[primemover22]

Ive had a 61 a 64 now a 69 and I think I like the 64/65's the best, but now I would really like to have a 59.

[71ranchero500]

Yea i would love to have anything from 57- 59 but the work i would have to put into in a year like that.

thanks for you post

[jimluw]

'71 man! I think they have the best body style. And they came with some nice motors. I had a '71 when I went to college, and I still want to get another one. That thing had a 351 C in it and it would go so fast it would scare you. OOhh Weee! The memories. I keep telling myself that a '71 Ranchero will be my next project, but I'm all wrapped up working on my '79 Bronco right now. Oh yeah, that '71 of yours is way nicer than the one I had. Good luck with it. If you ever sell it, you'll be telling stories like mine and wishing you still had it. Later.

[71ranchero500]

LOL thanks I enjoy my year too but I don’t have a 351 that would be sweet mine has a 302 but I cant complain it is quick but the only think I can do is upgrade and that’s whmy plan, I'm going to be doing so with a new manifold and a 500 cfm 4b then some duel exhaust, and a electronic ignition, that’s my plan for the next few months.

Maybe one day ican add some pain and Interior, and a gt hood would be sweet too

Thanks again

[jimluw]

Yeah, The GT hoods do look sweet on the '71. I think your Ranchero will be smokin' with those upgrades. At least you've got a nice clean body to work with. I think mine had more rust than sheetmetal. Maybe that's why it was so fast. It didn't have much to lug around. LOL

[71ranchero500]

lol yea i have no rust but i have a few dent in the tailgate and a few lines on the sides but its not too bad but i hope one day i can get it all done

[Skipstowin]

Primemover,

I agree on a 59...am in the process of stretching a 59 and creating a 59 Ranchero crew cab. Skip

[71ranchero500]

Do you have any pictures of your 59?

[Skipstowin]

I have pictures of the Ranchero and the donor 4 door station wagon pre surgery.

They are both at a chop shop now awaiting the "creation".

60 days at least according to the builder. They will chop and weld it then return it to me to finish out. Skip

[bassdude]

i had a 69 ranchero gt. it had a 428 cj, stock tach sweet interior mustang gt wheels, cold air intake into the hoodscoop. boy would i like to have that car back!

[Sanddoc]

Hey 71ranchero.. I'm in Torrance Cal...
have a 77 ranchero with a 351 C I put
in it...
I think the nose on the 71 is ther best
looking, but I prefer the size of the 66-69
do not care much for the 73 and later cars
they just kept getting bigger, like all Ford
products in the mid to large size...
351C would always be the best choice
for a fun car... good power to build from..
lighter then a 428-429-460 motor...
I would love to find an inexpensive 71 or 72
to swap my current setup into...
drop me a line
sanddoc46@yahoo.com
best
Dave

[71ranchero500]

bassdude all i can say is WHY! that such a sweet setup yea i love alot of the years i actualy like the 73 down but i cant get enough of my 71, i just want a GT Hood and a nice 351 would be great my 302 is ok i guess but yea a 352 would be sweet

Thanks for your posts guys

[bassdude]

i was young and stupid. i really didn't know what i had at the time. get this, i paid 1200 bucks for it at a used car dealer here in co.springs. that was in 1980,so it was only about 10 years old.

[71ranchero500]

We all make mistakes thats all i can say
i sold mine at one point but i got it back after a year, im glad