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In the world of Ford’s FE & FT engines, names are as interchangeable as a chameleon at a disco. One moment it’s the “Marauder” in a Mercury, next it’s moonlighting as the “Interceptor” or “Thunderbird Special V8.” These engines are like celebrities with stage names—flexible and market-savvy. With block designs strong enough to lift Thor’s hammer and carburetor setups as diverse as a buffet, these engines are the embodiment of versatility in the muscle car universe.
From 1960 to 1965, Ford’s Ranchero shrunk down to its Falcon roots, offering a compact ride with an 800 lbs load capacity, a peppy 144 cu in engine, and a three-speed “do-it-yourself” shift option. By ’66, the Ranchero flaunted a Fairlane makeover, with a Falcon face and a Fairlane rear end, still revving with a 289 cu in powerplant. In ’67, it ditched the Falcon disguise for a full Fairlane flair, boasting a muscle car brawn with a 390 cu in V8 and a new C6 transmission—perfect for hauling… groceries?
Dive into the world of the Ford Thunderbird, where the ’57 model rolls in with larger grills, tail fins sharper than your uncle’s wit, and power seats that politely slide back when you switch off the ignition—no more gymnast maneuvers to exit. Fast forward to ’58, and Ford’s all about expanding horizons, not waistlines, with a four-seater design and an engine that could power a small country. It’s a car that even got Motor Trend’s nod of approval, proving that sometimes bigger really is better!
The Chevrolet El Camino, born from a long-gestating prototype, made its grand entrance in 1959 to outsell Ford’s Ranchero, proving that size—and tail fins—do matter. With a “Safety Girder” X frame and engines that could make a speed demon blush, the El Camino was a hit. Yet, the 1960 model, with a tamer rear fin and fewer horsepower, couldn’t keep up with Ford’s Falcon Ranchero. The El Camino was benched, leaving Chevy’s engineers scratching their heads, likely while saying, “We’ll be back.”
