Posted on 10/13/2026 11:23:17 AM PDT by Red Badger
Ford has a Mustang ute sitting in its Experimental Vehicle Building. I'd much rather see it in my driveway.
Despite being a die-hard DIY type with more ongoing projects than a film studio, I’m not what you’d call a “truck guy.” I appreciate them for their capabilities, but I’ve never really felt compelled to carve out driveway space for one. I’m a bit too high on horsepower and handling chops to get excited about big, practical pickups. But a ute, like this one-off Ford Mustang with a factory-engineered bed? In the immortal words of the sultan of Hatay, I even like the color.
In fact, this machine looks suspiciously similar to a Mustang GT350 R I drove several years ago. It could very well be; prototypes and press vehicles are often consigned to the crusher after their jobs are done. By comparison, giving one to some metal shop apprentices seems like a stay of execution.
The project gave apprentices the opportunity to hone their skills on their own concept vehicle. In place of the Mustang’s rear seat and ample trunk, there’s a surprisingly large pickup bed (parts of which were lifted from a production Ranger, Ford says). The students even fashioned the rear panel of the trunk into a makeshift tailgate, which you can see open here.
(Excerpt) Read more at thedrive.com ...
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I don’t think so.
I think it is just a body mod.
No suspension mods.
That was my first thought too.
I own a truck for working, moving, and pulling stuff. Why would I want a car for that.
But the more I think about it, this mustang wouldn’t even try to replace a truck, and why would you even want it to.
Sure you could still use it for a small load, like a trip to pick up an appliance, but I think it fits more into the sporting niche. It’s not even big enough to but an ATV or motor bike on, but you could definitely get plenty of camping or fishing gear in there. If you already got an SUV, you wouldn’t need this, but a mustang is more fun than a SUV.
Kinda ridiculous. Mustang can barely stay competitive as it is. More and more auto makers are getting out of the sports car and sedan business - apparently people want SUV’s and regular sized pickups.
It’s a modern day el camino.
Thats not an el camino
Its a Musterino
If the Mustang GT and a Ranchero was to have a love child…..
bed is too small to be useful for any real work. Might as well have SUV.
It’ll never see production, nor was it meant to be. Excellent hands on project for the apprentices......
Ford Ranchero concept car.
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/2026-ford-ranchero-ute-comes-back-to-virtual-life-based-on-the-s550-ford-mustang-mach-1-249416.html
I hate the tail spoiler.
It wasn't meant to be viable. It was merely a shop project for the apprentices in the EVB Metal Shop....
Yeah, it's the spoiler that makes or breaks it.
The whole thing is horrible.
I know, but one can never underestimate the stupidity of American Car manufacturers.
Whoever allowed the pony on the front of that car, regardless of performance, should be sentenced to death by Ford Pinto.
The first Ranchero utilized the Falcon body, and the later Rancheros utilized the Torino.
Just hope they don’t bring this concept to real life and some corporate idiot decides to name it the Pinto!
Ranchstang?
Fooooogly!!
Just bring back the Ranchero (and, El Camino).
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