Matt, you probably saw this link in one older post. I forgot that Melvins had reproduced the console base in a gelcoat/fiberglass combination. Looks like about 3x more expensive than when I first posted it. I do think the originals were injection molded but if you don't mind a reproduction this might get you there without reinventing the mold, etc.

Melvin's Classic Ford Parts

 

Chad, yes, I saw that thread today, and took a look. I guess in all it would be about $600 or so to put one together, and that might be the best approach if I cannot find an original Spirit or Ranger console in good shape. Then again, looking at other old cars like the Mustang of the same timeframe, they had consoles that included the shifting area, and ran up under the dash. That, if done well, could look cool and offer more space to integrate and hide a retro air system if I so desired (although living in Germany, chances are I won't ever need A/C so that is not likely ever to happen).

All that said, my obsession has been focused around the '65 - '66 Ranger option and from everything I have found online to date, you are it. Meaning that you took over for Ms. Michelle, and seem to be the only one keeping track of the various Rangers brought to your attention. Thanks for that. I was thinking that a Ranger Register would be neat to see just how many of the old ones still exist. Hard to tell, I have come across some others but not sure they are on your list. Would you be willing to share your list with me? I came across an older thread that Ms. Michelle was running and it looks like she was trying to ensure they were in fact originals with photo proof of the build plate, and then had other information from the build plate listed too.

Anyway, I will continue to obsess, and thank you for your input and suggestions. I hope that in the next few months I will be able to get back to the States to see my Father and maybe coordinate that with the show down in Pigeon Ford. If so, any chance you would be there?

Regards from Germany -Matt Dassler

 

Michelle lost some of her pictures even before I got involved. She had let a few 1965 trucks onto her list on the Slick 60's forum that did not have a 1965 Ranger body (F, G or H81) code. She and I discussed this some and the reason she did is she knew the 1964 XL trucks didn't have a specific code to indicate bucket seats. The earliest 1965 with correct Ranger code that she had recorded (G81) was a 657115 sequence which is February 1965. Considering they made the 1964 XL trucks starting no later than January 1964 it didn't make sense that they delayed the 1965 Ranger until February 1965, when production usually starts in August/September the year before. So, as long as the person gave her good pictures of the original warranty plate and an original looking interior she added it - let's say with an asterisk next to it *. It had to be a 6 digit DSO special order truck, too. That was one of her stipulations.

That first G81 one came from @kjvforme If he doesn't have any pictures of it, they are not in what I have. He has not officially logged on here since February 2021.

I do have pictures of some of the other early 1965 with non-Ranger codes that are on her list. Here's one that had a D81 Beige body code but this interior. Do I kick it off the list? I kinda hate to do that since there are not an overwhelming number of trucks on the list yet anyway.



And, if we do consider those 5 she had on her list then the oldest one is November 1964 which is still a couple of months into production. Sounds about right.

No trips planned for this year.

 

Chad, (hope it is ok to refer to you by your first name) as always, thanks for taking the time. I have read about the "XL's" that were produced before the official Ranger option and maybe those 5, are trucks that the dealer set up or ordered based on those earlier XL's. Maybe they were done by the early owners right after the Rangers hit the show rooms because the owners had relatively new trucks and wanted to upgrade. Regardless, I can see your point of not knowing what to do. I myself, am not a purist, and yet I am...

Anyway, I am not a computer guy, I am a furniture maker. And while I can build just about anything and do it well, oh and let me not forget a perfectionist to boot, I have two left hands and no mind for computer stuff. That said, I have thought about a Ranger Register and if so, would ask a friend to help build the site. Then again, as I said previously, it looks like you are the Ranger register and I am not really sure how many of us Ranger owners would even bother to register or visit such a site if there was another one. It seems the early Rangers are largely not known about.

That said, I can envision a site that is dedicated to the '65 - '66 Rangers and naturally that should include the XL's, but could maybe have a dedicated page within for tribute builds, and a place to share thoughts or stories....Humm, sounds a lot like FTE....

Anyway, part of me thinks it would be nice to be able to go to a site and see a list of what other Rangers are out there and a place try to connect with those owners to swap thoughts or ideas. I suspect in a few more years if the market holds, the Rangers owners will be in a better position to command more for their trucks if they want to sell them, for no other reason than the rarity of them, and the register would help support that. But as I really don't want to sell (even if my wife thinks I should), that too is just a side note.

Anyway, in my search for all things early Ranger, I came across several for sale on line on sites of undetermined age, and always wondered it they too were on the list. If you would be willing, is there a way to share your list? Not sure how you have it Excel or in some other formate and maybe what I am asking is more trouble than its worth so please forgive me if so.

Thanks again,

Matt Dassler

 

There have been people who requested of Michelle and separately others of me to not post their VIN numbers. That didn't apply to any of the 1964 XL trucks that I have so far. Michelle never posted all of the VINs or details she had.

Too bad these trucks aren't valuable like a 70 Hemi Cuda convertible. I'd be like Galen Govier flying in to do a decode and full documentation of peoples F100s. The Ranger trucks are sort of a novelty but with the ease of creating a clone with reproduction seat brackets and a set of Mustang seats there may never be a large uptick in prices over another F100 or F250 in similar condition. You can easily get a reproduction warranty plate stamped to make any truck appear to be a genuine Ranger and no way to prove it is or isn't at that point. Too bad Ford didn't safeguard all of the documentation on all of our trucks. I doubt I'll be funding my retirement when I sell mine, but prices will hopefully continue to rise.

My old 1971 Trans Am sold recently on BaT. I have one more of these in my garage that I'm working on finishing.

No Reserve: 1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 455 HO 4-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $135,000 on November 25, 2024 (Lot #171,919) | Bring a Trailer

 

Chad, Respect!! That is a beautiful ride!! And reading through just some of the endless comments posted, quite an education about the early Firebirds. How long did it take you to do the restoration?

As for the "List", I can understand why some folks don't want their vin posted. In a world of endless scams, I can understand some folks caution. Sad that we must think that way,

Thanks for taking the time, and enjoy your other projects. Is restoration your full time passion and job, or just a very rewarding hobby?

Again, cheers from Germany

Matt

 

interesting. 2nd high bidder Chip a local friend of mine.
he does currently own a T/A and has great collection.
a well known stunt plane pilot has first and 2nd gen ford gt’s with a GTD in the way. All the same color as is one of his stunt planes. He drives his cars a lot always at the local cars n coffees

his T/A May 5, 1970 a 4spd car. Quite nice