This was the original car-truck.
Combining a truck and car into one glorious beast was what this 1957 Ford Ranchero is all about. Never before had such a vehicle been created, and it caused a stir for such an original design. Ford marketed the Ranchero as “More than a Car, More than a Truck!” and that about sums it all up. While it sits low to the ground like a car, this Ranchero is rated to carry more weight in its payload than many pickups, making it surprisingly functional.
One of the most amazing things about this Ranchero is that it’s still wearing its factory paint colors. Just like when it was new, this Custom model comes with the Fairlane trim, which means a nice white over green two-tone scheme for the body. A strip of chrome separates the two colors with stylistic flair. Chrome bumpers, windshield frame, and other pieces add a little more class to the design. Steel wheels painted green to match the body tie everything together.
Power comes via a 312ci V8. Because it’s mated to an automatic, you can cruise with one arm resting on the door and the other holding the wheel. Luxurious appointments for the interior make this a fine cruising machine, whether you’re in town or out on the open road.
Ranchero production ran from 1957 to 1979, with seven generations when all was said and done. Of course, Chevrolet tried to copy the success of the Ranchero by coming out with the El Camino, but Ford can still lay claim to being first-to-market with a car-truck. Ford didn’t make many Rancheros, 508,355 over the span of those 22 years. That means there aren’t nearly as many of these as other classic vehicles on the market today, which helps boost value. The fact this particular Ranchero is of the first generation also helps. If you’re interested in owning it, this vehicle will be going to auction through GAA Classic Car Auctions.
