Posted on 07/02/2016 12:02:46 PM PDT by mdittmar
American Muscle Car - Chevrolet El Camino and Ford Ranchero
I once heard the original intention of Ford was to target the upscale horse show type female buyer that didn't want to put hay, oats and smelly saddle blankets in the back of a station wagon, but didn't want to drive a pick up truck.
Chevy watched the '57 and '58 Rancheros gain in popularity and jumped into the game in '59. The following year Ford downsized from the full body style to the tiny under powered Falcon. While Chevy won market share in '60, they quit producing El Caminos the following year.
Ford sensed a wide open market and spiced up the little Falcon truck with a small V8 (260 followed by 289) and a four speed. Chevy, having created big followings with the 348 and 409 asphalt kickers came back with V8, 4spd El Caminos in '64 and the game was on.
In my opinion, Ford was never able to match Chevy in either style or appearance after that. It's easy to see why big block El Camino Super Sports bring large bids and Rancheros are largely ignored.
Hauled.
= = =
Read a story of GM Engineers who hopped up (Chev. factory parts, of course) a station wagon to support a racing project, I think.
They had a plaque on the dash:
Station Wagons are built to haul things; this one hauls ass.
Before bo and Govt Motors I am sure.
(Written as a Chevy shade tree mechanic from the olden days.)
Hertz.
Was looking at a local ad for a 73 Ranchero,$1500,almost went to see it,but the rust was to much,had the 351 Clevland.
Hurst:)
Of all the American manufacturers, Ford had the most trouble with the 5 mph impact standard bumpers that were mandated in 1973. The new for 72 Ranchero was a pretty vehicle. For 73 and the years after that, not so much, to me at least.
Regulator country is correct, Hertz>
See.I learned something.
It’s surprising how many of these vehicles made their way overseas. I don’t believe they were exported when new. That photo is from a UK site. I encountered photos of one in Slovenia.
Other folks have thought the same thing. You may be thinking of the “Rambler Scrambler” that was some how affiliated with Hurst. I remember Dad talking about them one day with his buds.
GT350H
That’s what the one I saw in the ad looked like,with alot more rust.
Americans stationed overseas sell them to locals before they PCS home. A friend of mine left a 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 in the UK.
Great pic, Dad’s is white w/blue stripes (and a lot of greasy fingerprints). around the hood area
What geographic area are you searching? I have quite a few classic vehicle sales sites saved, enjoy looking around even if it’s just looking. Might be able to dredge something up that you haven’t yet come across.
Washington State,East side,they are just hard to find cheap,and I am cheap;)
Check Reno, NV craigslist.
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