1969 Ford Ranchero

Description

Ford's fabled Fairlanes have always been some of the coolest and most popular classics around, and the comfort and ability provided by the pro-touring movement really puts icing on that cake. But this classic… Well, it's a bird of another feather. A stylish ute that supplemented decades of Fairlane greatness with a trick rear-half that directly stoked America's love of trucks, Rancheros were extremely desirable the moment they started rolling off the assembly line. And today, after detailed restoration and the addition of a stroked and fuel injected 351, this sweet Ranchero is about as cool as resto-mods get!

CONSERVATIVE FASHION

The beneficiary of detailed restoration that mixes pleasing polish with outsized performance, this slick Ford wraps conservative white two-stage around retro stampings that are both solid and crisp. At the front of the car, a stylish stainless grille hangs traditional headlights between a thick bumper and bold “F O R D” lettering. Behind that grille, a sculpted hood centers a “351” branded Rio Grande scoop amid a glossy Rio Grande stripe. That stripe plays well with a tight vinyl roof, which aligns requisite bull badges with fresh glass, matte wipers and Rio Grande-spec Racing Mirrors. That tinted and stainless-trimmed greenhouse shades a long profile behind polished handles, subtle markers and stainless-trimmed fenders that flow well with sporty “Ranchero” scripts. And at the back of that profile, a second thick bumper frames dynamic taillights and a “F O R D” branded tailgate that reveals a fully painted bed.

ABOUT THAT 351

Hoist the hood and you'll find 393 cubic inches of stroked Windsor power! Beginning life as an authentic Ford 351, that proven mill breathes through a painted Edelbrock Torker II intake, which props Lokar-controlled MSD Atomic fuel injection under a retro Bat Wing Air Cleaner. That fuel floods CNC-ported Air Flow Research heads that are dressed in attractive Ford Racing valve covers. Those heads enact solid lifters, hardened pushrods and aluminum roller rockers over a flat-tappet Lunati cam and forged Eagle stroker components. A reliable MSD Pro-Billet distributor sequences spark between a hot MSD Blaster SS coil and fresh MSD Street Fire Wires. Behind those wires, coated Hedman tubes make easy work of spent gases. At the front of those tubes, a billet serpentine drive spins a polished compressor opposite a polished alternator. Cooling comes courtesy of a big aluminum radiator, which is finished with a polished tank, a ThermoCap and SPAL electric puller fans. And first-rate detailing, like braided hoses and quality Wilwood brake components, round out a very impressive engine display.

BETTER THROUGH TIME

Check the bottom of this Ranchero and you'll find solid, road-ready floors that frame a thoughtfully modified drivetrain. Behind the 393, a stout C4 3-speed has been fully rebuilt to incorporate a billet servo, a TCI valve body and a TCI StreetFighter torque converter. Speaking of torque, a custom driveshaft twists a 9-inch Ford axle that's finished with a Torsen differential and fun, 3.50 gears. That familiar pumpkin pushes a fully sorted suspension, which cages RRS power rack-and-pinion steering in a tubular Total Control Products front-clip. Braking is equally class, with 6-piston Wilwood calipers leading staunch factory drums. The aforementioned headers dump spent gases into custom pipes, which center an X-shaped crossover in front of polished turbo mufflers. A quick electric fuel pump drains a modern stainless tank. And everything rolls on bull-branded Magnum 500 replicas, which lap 245/45R17 Yokohama AVID Ascend GTs in front of 275/40R17 Yokohama AVID Ascend GTs.

CONSERVATIVE CUSTOMIZATION

Given the broad aftermarket support enjoyed by Ford, it's relatively easy to build a serious performer. But most builds fail to refine that muscle into something that's livable on an everyday basis. After all, what fun is turning heads down Main Street if the ride there is almost insufferable? This Ranchero's customized cockpit kicks off with plush leather and suede seats that feature striking white accents. A monochromatic dash hangs modern, blue-lit telemetry over billet foot pedals and controls for Vintage Air conditioning. An abbreviated console founds stainless cupholders behind a short Lokar shifter. The driver spins a stylish, bull-branded steering wheel around a tilting column. And that laid-back style continues through a suede headliner and custom door panels.

Classic cars are cool, hot rods are cool and trucks are cool. That means this Ranchero, a rather uncommon classic hot rod with a pickup bed, is cool simply by default. And that's not even considering the swagger afforded by the car's stroked Windsor, built drivetrain and tastefully massaged aesthetics! Call, click or visit https://www.RKMotors.com to get behind the wheel of a true American original!

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Awesome Ranchero resto-mod that's benefitted from detailed restoration
• 351 cubic inch Ford Windsor V8 that's been stroked to 393 cubic inches
• MSD Atomic fuel injection
• Ford C4 3-speed automatic transmission that's been strengthened with TCI components
• Ford 9-inch rear axle with a Torsen differential and 3.50 gears
• Modern air conditioning
• RRS power rack-and-pinion steering
• Wilwood disc brakes
• Total Control Products front suspension
• Customized leather and suede interior
• Ranchero Rio Grande exterior styling elements
• 17-inch polished Magnum 500 replicas
• All RK Motors vehicles receive a comprehensive, multi-point inspection
• We can arrange shipment of your purchase anywhere in the world