Originally Posted by
jas88
Is it possible that Ford made a running change on the later 73 Rancheros to the upcoming 74-style grille?
No, absolutely not, this would have affected all Torino's, not just Ranchero's. It never occurred.
I am seeing a lot of Rancheros that are advertised as 73 models with the 74-style grille and header. I know you can put a 74 grille/header on the 73 fenders, but I just think I am seeing too many of them this way that it is just happenstance that so many POs switched them over.
Did Ford perhaps run out of 73 grilles or headers
late in the run and just decided to switch over early instead of making more obsolete parts?
Both the grilles and header panels were still available in 1983!
Advertised as 1973 models but are actually 1974's. 1974 production began in
August 1973 as new vehicle introduction time began in September.
Back then, some states registered vehicles in the year they were first
sold .. not by their actual model year.
Look at the upper corner of the Safety Standard Certification Label for the production date. The VIN begins with the year.