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Old Apr 28, 2007 | 01:26 PM
  #1  
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Ranger name

Hello all,

Any of you Ranger fans know why the Ranger was called the Ranger, and not F-50? I am just curious why they did not stick with the tried and true F-100, 150, 250, 350 theme and call it a F-50. Sort of like Dodge with the D-50. Of course, maybe that is the reason, they did not want to imitate Dodge, or thought it was too close to sounding like a D-50. Anyone know for sure?
 
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Old Apr 28, 2007 | 02:31 PM
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not sure, although "ranger" was a trim level on F150/F250 trucks back in the 70's (and maybe before that even) along with the "explorer" name. i think the explorer pkg ment tape stripes & hood ornament, ranger pkg ment chrome trime and hubcaps. (at least from what i can gather of trucks ive seen)
 
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Old Apr 28, 2007 | 02:45 PM
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A nationwide contest was held in 1956 by Ford Motor Company to name their new coming E-Car. The contest was actually an advertising ploy to cast attention to the new car which Ford had already named EDSEL. The 4 most popular entries did become the 4 Edsel models for 1958. The names were Ranger, Pacer. Corsair and Citation. So the first Ranger was an Edsel, an auspicious start. The Edsel was introduced in the summer of 1957, and was an abject total sales dud. The last Edsel, a 1960 Ranger was produced on November 2, 1959. The jokesters back then refered to the Edsel as the Dead Sell! Some said it looked like an Oldsmobile sucking a lemon.


In 1965 Ford revived the name for the "fanciest" F100. This new Ranger came with all the Custom Cab trim plus bucket seats (Mustang) and a center console (Falcon) plus other goodies. In 1966 both F100/250's could be had as Rangers. F350's were added in 1967. The Ranger, Ranger XLT and Ranger XLT Lariat were staples of the Ford pickup line throughout the 1970's.


The first small Ranger was introduced in 1983.
 

Last edited by NumberDummy; Apr 28, 2007 at 03:00 PM.
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Old Apr 28, 2007 | 04:23 PM
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Cool thanks for the infor Numberdummy. I never knew the Edsel by any other name. Citation and Pacer eh? So that is where Chevy and AMC got their names.
 
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Old Apr 28, 2007 | 05:13 PM
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That was when the big three was the big five or six or whatever. They were cutting throats left right and centre till the big three sat down one day (mafia style) and said enough was enough. Remember the Tucker?

Fred
 
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Old Apr 28, 2007 | 05:40 PM
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A total of 51 Tuckers were made in 1947/48. The engine, mounted in the rear, was a 334ci flat six from a helicopter, that was originally air cooled but converted to water cooled by Tucker "engineers."-(a grand total of one!). The transmission was a 4 speed manual with a hydraulic operated Bendix pre select gear box. A mechanical nightmare...then and now.


Nighteyez: ****** used the name Corsair on a compact car in the early 1950's. It used an F head 6 cylinder engine. Ever seen an F head engine? The intake valves are in the head, the exhaust valves are in the block.


Another rolling pile of miseries to ride wide of.
 

Last edited by NumberDummy; Apr 28, 2007 at 05:53 PM.
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Old Apr 29, 2007 | 09:26 AM
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Interesting info NumberDummy, thanks for that. Learn something new everyday from you it seems.

Citation, Pacer...you guys had me going on airplanes for a minute there.
 
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Old Apr 29, 2007 | 11:17 AM
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I have never seen an F-head, but if I remember correctly I did see a flat head with both intake and exhaust valves in the block. This was back in 1984 at a community college auto shop class.
 
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Old Apr 29, 2007 | 11:25 AM
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Thats interesting. My great uncle has an old 1960's ranger. it's an ugly green color. it has a v8 in it. really cool truck. neat to know it's heratige
 
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Old Apr 29, 2007 | 01:00 PM
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I would kill for a '66 F100 Ranger SWB with a 352 and OD in black with red interior.
 
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Old Apr 29, 2007 | 03:07 PM
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Hope they never get rid of the name because it's long been an icon for the Ford Truck series. They should have never gotten rid of the "Bronco" either for that matter.
 
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Old Apr 29, 2007 | 07:13 PM
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Originally Posted by sfcwoodret
They should have never gotten rid of the "Bronco" either for that matter.
NO KIDDING!!! I'm missing the Bronco. The guy who lives behind me has a gorgeous one, fresh paint, 300-6, 4 speed with granny gear, 4x4 (of course), 31"s, 4.10s and front and rear lockers. I'd die to have that thing sometimes. Just so much fun to go play in the mud.
 
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Old Apr 29, 2007 | 07:55 PM
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if memory serves me right, it werent but few years ago Ford had a new Bronco concept. it was 2 door with a SOLID FRONT AXLE wished they would have actually brought it to production instead of teasin ppl... like most concepts they just end up as concepts. which makes me wonder.. where do those cars/trucks/contraptions end up after the shows?
 
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Old Apr 29, 2007 | 08:14 PM
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I'd imagine they're either stored somewhere for the company, auctioned or sold, or broken up to prevent someone from getting their hands on them.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2007 | 11:22 AM
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We've got a '59 Edsel Corsair 2 dr Convertible in the shop right now for a paint job, we are getting a '72 Corvette in partial payment.
The Edsel is HUGE!!!! It is at least 4 feet longer than any of the Vettes. We use the trunk for a break table. I don't think I've ever seen a bigger car than it. lol
 
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