The big news for Ford Motor Company in the mid-1960s was of course the new Mustang. But we can’t forget to recognize some of the other vehicles that shared showroom floors with Ford’s revolutionary pony car. This was one of them.
The Pick of the Day is a 1965 Ford Ranchero Custom listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Leesburg, Florida. (Click the link to view the listing)
“Fully restored with only 77,220 original miles on this factory 289 V8 and Cruise-O-Matic three-speed transmission,” the listing says.
Classified as a “coupe utility,” the Ranchero was produced from 1957 through 1979 across seven distinct generations. The second generation, ranging from 1960 through 1965, was technically called the Falcon Ranchero because it was based on Ford’s compact Falcon underpinnings. Engineers started with the two-door sedan delivery and transformed it into a light-duty pickup truck. The idea was to market the car as a practical, yet capable vehicle that was priced more cheaply than a full-sized pickup. Speaking of the price point, some of Ford’s marketing materials at the time said things like, “Looks like a million, but you needn’t be a millionaire to own it!”
Included in the listing is a walk-around video showing the exterior, interior, and engine bay. The car looks to be largely original with exception of a dual exhaust system and a set of chrome five-spoke wheels wrapped in a set of Ironman tires. The seller says that the car was acquired from an estate sale and has undergone recent mechanical services including replacement of the carburetor, fuel tank, tires, brakes, and battery.
One unique thing about this Ranchero is that 1965 was the only year from the second-generation Ranchero when the 289cid Windsor V8 was offered. That motor produced plenty of power for a compact truck. Load capacity was rated by the factory at 800 pounds. That number was a far cry from some of Ford’s full-size pickups (which could carry upwards of 4,000 pounds or more). However, the reality was that most people’s occasional truck-use needs did not warrant a great deal of capacity. The same idea holds true today, which is why smaller crossover-based pickups are so common.
“Car is in mint condition; we also have the original hubcaps, brochure, and wiring diagram,” the seller says.
Sure, a 1965 Mustang will turn heads, but a 1965 Ranchero can double as an occasional workhorse!
The asking price is $34,995 or best offer.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, click over to the library at Pick of the Day.
