Canadian Ranchero is Picture Perfect

Tinged Outcome

Pictures of sunsets are among the top images uploaded to the internet. Snaps of Ford Rancheros are a little further down the list. For best results, combining the two is a shutterbug's recommendation. A case in point is this 1957 Ranchero in 'Tu-Tone' Dresden Blue and Colonial White, and graced by an orange-tinged Western Canadian sunset. The outcome is picture-perfect.

Photos courtesy of BaT.

Scooped Snowbird

Hailing from Brooks, Alberta, this Ranchero is a long way from its home in Mahwah, New Jersey, where it rolled out of the assembly plant over six decades ago. Far from settling down for its sunset years, this truck was recently scooped up at auction. It is once again heading south to the U.S., after a lengthy 'snowbird' stay.

Scrambling Success

The Ranchero is a derivative of the popular Australian-designed Ute, or 'utility coupe.' Released in 1957, Ford's sleek sedan molded into a light-duty pickup truck was the first of its kind on the North American market. In a democratic sweep, the Ranchero appealed to everyone from farmers to car enthusiasts. Its success sent Chevrolet scrambling to issue the El Camino in 1959.

Platform Cues

Ford entered a new era of production in 1957. Setting the standard for years to follow, a redesigned frame that moved the rails farther apart was introduced for the passenger car lineup. The Ranchero was based on the new short-wheelbase platform, while taking cues from the successful Ford Courier—a 'sedan delivery' that featured an enclosed station wagon body.

Pickup Production

The 1957 Ranchero was offered in two trim levels. Available as the utilitarian Standard, alongside the more swish, Custom model. The latter offered two-tone paint choices, stainless steel bodyside moldings, and options from the upscale Fairlane. For the duration of its production, the Ranchero was built on the automobile assembly line but sold as a pickup through Ford's truck division.

Cowboy Themes

In its Custom trim, Ford's 'utility car' was badged both as a Fairlane and a Ranchero. Of note was the unique Longhorn symbol located below the Ford-crested tailgate handle. Evoking a Spanish-influenced American Southwest, Motor Company advertising played up ranching and outdoor themes. Illustrated with a giant flying cowboy hat, brochures proclaimed, “Yippee -it's more than a car! -it's more than a truck!”

Stout Bottom

Powering the 'sunset' machine is a 272 Y-Block, hooked to a three-speed Ford-O-Matic transmission. Aptly named for the deep skirting around their bottom end, Y-Blocks were stout engines, proving to be strong and reliable. Introduced as a replacement for Ford's Flathead V8 in 1954, the popular Y-Block was phased out in the mid-1960s, making room for the FE and Windsor motors.

Plush Destination

Sporting a six-foot bed with a white tonneau cover, color-matching fender skirts, crisp bodyside molding, and chrome bumpers, this 1957 is one sharp looker. Not to be outdone, the plush Fairlane-trimmed interior features power steering, air conditioning, and a retro-style cassette stereo. Its destination is unknown for this wandering ranch hand, but hopefully one with many more picture-perfect sunsets.

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