1971 Ford Ranchero GT
The Ford Ranchero is a coupe utility that was produced by Ford between 1957 and 1979. Unlike a standard pickup truck, the Ranchero was adapted from a two door station wagon platform that integrated the cab and cargo bed into the body. With Torino production ending after 1976, the 1977 Ranchero was restyled in line with the Ford LTD II mid sized car line using the same platform as the Torino. The same three models available since 1968 were still offered and the Ranchero could be ordered in quite luxurious form. Production ceased in 1979 with, among the traditional choices, a commemorative "1979.5" model being available.
For consignment and straight out of 1971, bathed in Pewter and sporting the best of both worlds, a car and a truck combined. Look out on the road....it's a Torino.....No....It's a truck.....No.....it's a Ranchero, and it comes to our Hallowed Halls with 131,229 title verified actual miles. Part of the 2 year run where the Torino/Ranchero got the Coke bottle body treatment and 1 of 3,632 Ranchero GT's built, this particular unit is one of 1,441 assembled with the 351ci 2bbl and C4 drivetrain combination. With the perfect sound, perfect stance, and perfect look, this truck is ready to be driven, and draws a crowd nearly everywhere it goes. We proudly give you this drivable dream, a 1971 Ford Ranchero!
Exterior
With straight steel body panels wrapped in a beautiful coating of Light Pewter Metallic, we see correct badging, chrome, and brite work which remains in nice condition as it is nearly new. This color has a goldish silver hue, but tends to pick up its surrounding tints creating some head scratching among show attendees as to the real color. Body colored racing mirrors adorn the doors, a top dead centered low profile hood scoop, wide stainless rocker moldings with 3D GT badges on the lower front quarters, clean drip moldings and window surrounds create some extra highlights. Accentuating all of this is the yellow to gold to bronze to brown color fade laser stripe adorning the lower body. This stripe races rearward from the wrap-around front bumper and slowly tapers down before ending just in front of the rear wheel well. A 1971 recessed eggcrate grille and chin spoiler lead the way along with the central GT badge between the 2 grille sections. Noted are a few areas of orange peel in the paint on the lowers, along with a few chips and less than perfect applications of body filler. Tall and thin chrome trimmed tail lights flank the clean and rust free tailgate. More Light Pewter Metallic covers the flooring and inner sides of the bed and looks to have done little to no hauling over the course of its life. Polished and chromed 15-inch Magnum 500 wheels adorn the corners and are wrapped by staggered width Cooper Cobra radials.
Interior
A swing of the door, and we are met with a black covered door panel with a chromed trim surrounding the arm rest, and some corresponding vertical pattern stitching. Manual window cranks and a toggle for the sport mirrors is also noted. Moving inside we sit on black vinyl bucket seats with smooth outer bolsters and posterior contouring Comfort Weave knitted vinyl inserts. These buckets flank an aftermarket console that has been custom fitted to the hump and holds a storage area under the armrest and cup holders. A clutter free black dash with all its factory parts, knobs, and gauges fronts the buckets and is also in excellent crack free condition with only light wear to the chromed plastic surrounds. The factory AM radio resides in its correct home in the lower dash and a trio of aftermarket gauges help keep an eye on the vitals of the engine. Below, black carpet covers the floor, and also has no fading or staining. The headliner shows with no markings or tears and let's just say for this interior black is beautiful.
Drivetrain
A lift of the long hood and we are met with a very clean, and shiny engine bay. All buttoned up for this fairly fresh appearing and numbers matching 351ci Cleveland V8 drenched in Ford Blue along with the valve covers and a twin snorkel air cleaner lid atop. This automotive masterpiece is topped off with a 2-barrel carburetor and bolted to the back is the correct C4 3-speed automatic transmission. Bringing up the tail end of this hauler is a Ford 9" 3.00 conventional rear. We note this car...er...truck was factory equipped with AC, but it has had a slew of components removed.
Undercarriage
A nicely preserved rust free environment under here with a strong unibody, and mar free floorboards. A dual exhaust system is present complete with Glasspack style mufflers to handle the exhale and power disc brakes are seen up front with power drums reserved for the rear. Keeping this car....err...truck, (ugh, why can't I get this right?), stuck to the tarmac is an independent coil spring front suspension that works with leaf springs in the rear. Let's go for a ride shall we?
Drive-Ability
She fired right up and the 8 cylinders propelled us on to the test track and more! It's a great cruiser with a nice smooth ride and plenty of power. Good brakes are in order and bring us to a bias free panic stop. No surprisingly, we were stopped a few times by visitors of our Hallowed Halls while on the track so they could ask us what color this hauler actually is. All functions worked as they should save for the AC, but again, components of that system have been removed. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
Well maintained and clean with an eye-catching Pewter finish for this 1 of 1,441 built hauler. A beautiful interior and some power under the hood, you are ready to put a tiger in your tank and burn some rubber!
1A48H253847
1-1971
A-Atlanta, GA Assy Plant
48-Ranchero GT
H-351ci 2bbl V8
253847-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.
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