A few weeks back, I covered this 1972 Ford Ranchero and stated, “Full disclosure, Ford Rancheros, such as this 1972 example, don’t capture my imagination the way that Chevy’s El Camino does“. Well, that lack of imagination capture extends through the last version of the Ranchero (1977-1979) too. But again, there’s no denying the condition of this end-of-the-line 1979 example. It’s a, dare I say, a “Survivor”? It certainly looks like one so let’s delve in and see what’s here. This Ranchero can be found in Coral Springs, Florida and is available, here on craigslist for $24,900 or a near offer. Thanks to T.J. for this discovery!

One could suggest that Ford pulled the plug on the Ranchero too soon. As Ford wound down their last generation, Chevrolet had just introduced their final version (1978-1987) of the El Camino and ended up as the sole participant in that marketing slot. Unfortunately, fuel economy and car vs. truck regulations, etc., along with changing tastes, knocked out the “Ute” market in the U.S. some time ago. There were other minor participants like the Subaru Brat, VW Rabbit pickup, and the Dodge Scamp but it’s all gone today. The popularity of this segment continued in Australia (where it is said to have originated) right up to GM’s engineered demise of Holden a few years ago. Some still pine for the car/truck mashup to return, myself included, but I’m not holding my breath.

This 1979 Ranchero is based on the mid-sized Ford LTD II, which served as a replacement for the Torino and was offered in 500, GT, and Squire trim levels. This example appears to be a 500 version that has had some tape stripes applied. The GT is recognizable by a unique stripe/badging package, but those applied to this Ranchero are not the same. And the reason for the confusion is because this example is one of 2,100 ‘79.5 Commemorative examples that were built at the end of the production run. Ranchomeister, per Car Gurus, explains further: I have a 79 1/2 Special Edition Ranchero. According to Kevin Marti, Ford built 2100 of them. They are all Ranchero 500s, no GTs. All had leather seats, leather padded dash, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Thunderbird door panels, plush carpet, power windows and seat, cruise control, intermittent wipers, tach and gauges, imitation woodgrain trim on dash. I believe that they all had Dark Valino Red interiors, and most had vinyl roofs that color. I’ve seen some with white vinyl roofs, usually with Candyapple Red paint. Most have the thick wheel well moldings, as used on the Ford Elites, or the Thunderbird half-moldings and body-side trim”.

The seller claims that this Ranchero is wearing its original clothes and they’re definitely still in style. The body is straight, the chrome shines, the “Pastel Chamois” (who thinks up these names?) finish is strong, the vinyl roof covering is taut, and the cargo bed appears to have seen little use in this Ford’s 75K recorded miles of use. The wheels are not original, but the born-with wire-wheel covers are included in the sale.

There’s no engine image provided but the powerplant is the optional 151 net HP, 351 CI V8 and it is claimed that it, “runs like new“. I’m not sure what the “351 High Performance” fender badge is all about, but unless this Ranchero’s engine has been modded, high-performance does not reside under this car’s expansive hood.  A three-speed automatic transmission was the only gearbox available.

The interior is the optional “Brogham Decor Group” and owing to its “Commemorative” provenance, the upholstery is leather and that explains the cracking. It still looks fine, it’s just showing the result of age and use. The carpet, dash pad, and the door panels, in particular, are in sound nick. Note the in-dash 8-track player, it looks original! This is a working A/C equipped Ranchero.

I think I still like the ’72 version that I referenced above a bit better, but then it ostensibly has more going on in the engine room than this example does. Still, this is a sharp-looking, and rare, Ute, and the fact that it is the end of the line for this storied Ford model makes it all that more enticing. What do you think, priced right, or not quite?