Any 70s Ranchero owners/fans on the Forum?

[Carolina_Mountain_Mustangs]

I never had a 70's Ranchero but had a 66 until couple years ago had to clear out some vehicles to build the garage. The 66 was based on the Falcon so most pieces are same as Mustang. I sold to a guy that traveled couple hundred miles to get. It was a total rust bucket and almost broke in half when loading on trailer. It was 289 D code 2-V 3 speed column shift. So he was going to use the front spindles, engine, trans, and rear to convert a 66 mustang 6 cylinder to a V-8. Believe it or not I got $1,000 for it I only gave $300 for it years before. We opened the hood and you could turn the engine with the fan blade by hand so not stuck after sitting since the 80's outside in a field.
I am sure most of you know that our Australian friends are why the Ranchero was here. The story I hear is that a woman wrote Ford a letter and wanted a vehicle she could use on the ranch / farm during the week and drive to church on Sunday. It was either 1932 or 1935 that Ford made a prototype build of I think 12 vehicles based on a car front end and a dressed up rear truck bed. Like cutting the top off a station wagon. They were liked so Ford started production. They continued to make them until just a few years ago and each year looked like a car in the front and had the truck bed. I love the 1950 and 1956 models of the UTI. That is what they are called in Australia. Google them they are fun vehicles for sure.
You cannot put much weight in the bed or the doors will not open or close, lol. When I worked on construction in the 60's my boss had one of the Ford F-100 with the bed and body made in one piece, fleetside maybe. He had me cleaning up around a build sight and I had the drivers door open while loading. I pilled broken concrete blocks and bricks in the back and when I went to take and dump the drivers door would not close the unitized body had sagged and door was off by over an inch. I held it and drove to the fill site.
There were a couple in the Mustang junk yard I visited in eastern NC.
David

[basstrix]

I have 2 71 ranchero projects and a parts car. Progress has been slow this summer...I don't know if it's the heat or me getting old lol ...anyway, I'll be back in force when it cools down. Post pics if you get it.

[keiths71]

I love torinos , even 72's. I learned to drive in a 71 351 4v gt. (My dad traded it for an Ltd before I got my license) my brother in law has a nice 70 429 cj 4 speed black cobra. I always offer to drive when we take it anywhere. .That said, I agree with hemikiller if you want a Torino / Ranchero, start with the best and most complete one you can find. If you end up needing parts let me know . I have 2 good connections in fl for Parts and info. I'll get you the phone #s if you want.

[luxstang]

Not an owner but a huge fan.