Muscle Car Fan

Posts Tagged: Fairlane Ranchero

Ford Fairlane Ranchero – Conception 1957 to 1959

by Ross Mills

The Ford Fairlane Ranchero, produced from 1957 to 1959, was an innovative blend of sedan and pickup, perfect for taking kids to school and pigs to market. This versatile ride looked great and handled like a car but had the storage of a pickup. It was light enough to become a muscle car and had a larger weight capacity than the F-100. Ford’s international subsidiaries also embraced the Ranchero concept, with Argentina and Australia producing their own versions. In ’59, it boasted a longer bed and bigger windshield.

Ford Fairlane Ranchero from 1970 to 1979½—on the Torino, Thunderbird, LTD platform

by Ross Mills

In the groovy ’70s, the Ford Fairlane Ranchero got a facelift, embracing a curvy Coke bottle shape and a fancier Ranchero Squire edition, complete with wood-grain vinyl—because why not? The mighty 428 Cobra Jet engine shook things up, literally, with its shaker hood scoop. As emissions laws put horsepower on a diet, the Ranchero soldiered on, adapting to the Thunderbird platform by ’77. This quirky classic cruised into the sunset in ’79, but not before a cheeky 1979½ model made a cameo.

Ford Ranchero Falcon 1960-’65 to Ranchero Fairlane-1966-1967

by Ross Mills

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?

Scroll To Top