“More than a car! More than a truck!” Ford proclaimed when advertising the brand-new Ford Ranchero in 1956. The Ford Ranchero raced onto the scene in the mid-1950s, unlike anything anyone had ever seen before.
Ford is a car manufacturer known for its specialty in trucks, and they take that expertise to new heights with the introduction of the Ranchero. The Ford Ranchero takes the cake as far as what a unique legacy truly means. The Ranchero has the utility and practicality of a pickup truck, yet the comfort and station wagon-like design of a coupe. The Ford Ranchero is an unlikely hit, with over half a million sold during its three decades of production. The Ford Ranchero turned enough heads that longtime rivals General Motors put forth the Chevrolet El Camino in the hopes of accomplishing some of that glory.
These days, the Ford Ranchero is still attracting attention. And since we all know the Ranchero as one of America's most classic cars, it's good to know that it is quite the bargain as well.
Is The Ford Ranchero A Car Or A Truck?
The Ford Ranchero is a sometimes unspoken gem among the station-wagon-pickup-truck hybrid. The Ranchero invents a class of its own in that way.
Ford’s unique take on a new style of car was so successful that Chevrolet took notice and began producing the El Camino. With production years from 1957 to 1979, the Ford Ranchero saw seven generations of changes and its non-traditional styling and approach to the automotive world have made it a quirky showstopper.
The Ranchero prides itself on offering the best of both car and truck ownership. You can haul cargo when needed in the bed of the Ranchero, and also enjoy a pleasant ride as if it were a sedan.
Ford Ranchero Vs Chevrolet El Camino: Which Has Better Bang For Your Buck?
Both the Ford Ranchero and the Chevy El Camino were sought after for enough time that they stayed in production for decades. If we look at what a classic El Camino is worth today, the range is anywhere between $10,000 to $50,000. The reason for the higher prices? The El Camino SS model has more gearheads willing to pay a premium.
When compared to what the Ford Ranchero is worth today, there isn't much difference between the price range of the Ranchero and the El Camino. Choosing what truck/car fusion to purchase will end up costing you about the same. For innovation and classic Ford heritage, we are going to go with the Ranchero.
How Much Is A Ford Ranchero Worth Today?
If we take a look at what the first generation has to offer, with production running from 1957 to 1959, we see the classic '50s tail fin style. This look is so iconic of the era that it’s seen from manufacturers across the board in brands like Pontiac, Cadillac, and Dodge. You can expect a drivable 1950s era Ford Ranchero to go for around $20,000 to $30,000.
The second, third, and fourth generations of the Ford Ranchero covered the 1960s in whole. The second generation having a very classic 1960s approach of becoming smaller, overall smoother, and more practical. A 1966 will run closer to the $12,500 range, while the more muscle car styled 1967 iteration will fetch closer to $25,000 to $30,000.
Fourth generation Ford Rancheros rounded out the 1960s. The styling for this generation also will be reminiscent of the El Camino, which may have a more familiar look. This generation has options such as air conditioning, hood scoops, center console, and AM/FM radios. 1968 and 1969 Ford Rancheros can go for up to $40,000.
For the fifth generation, covering 1970 and 1971, Ford Rancheros shifted styles to a pointier center front end. Ford offered options under the Squire trim package, which gave the Ranchero the look of a station wagon with the wood grain side panel. Engine sizes began with a 4.1-liter all the way up to a 7.0-liter, with a shaker hood scoop mounted to the carburetor. Expect an average sale price of about $25,000 for the early 70s model from the fifth generation.
1972 to 1976 covered the sixth generation of Ford Rancheros. This generation saw a larger, chunkier, and heavier body. The front grille is slightly different – more centered and squared versus the previous models with their elongated rectangular designs. The 1970s sixth generation may be the best bargain yet, with prices as low as $12,000 to $20,000 for this car/truck hybrid in decent condition.
The final generation, the seventh, covered 1977 to 1979. This last generation has a pointier front end while keeping the squared grille and an addition of squared headlights. Speaking of the front ends, they could be easily swapped out with other '70s cars like the Ford Thunderbird, Mercury Cougar, and Mercury Montego, to name a few. The final years of the Ford Ranchero is the best bargain, with prices as low as $10,000.
Enjoy The Best Of Both Worlds With The Bargain Ford Ranchero
If you don’t care much about the exact year, a turnkey Ford Ranchero will cost about $15,000 for basic models, and up to $40,000 for ones that have modifications or restorations. The great thing about the Ford Ranchero is that the multiple generations covered such a wide variety of styles that are likely to satisfy lovers of 1950s classics, to the 1960s with the more petite and rounded edges, to the 1970s with a look closely resembling the lines of a muscle car.
Vintage, classic car glory with a more modest price tag? Sign us up.
Sources: Automotive History, Hagerty, J.D Power, Hemmings