1969 Ford Ranchero 500 review from North America

I bought the truck with a blown power steering pump, swollen and leaking power steering hoses, and possibly a blown power cylinder. It also had a bad radiator and master cylinder. All have since been replaced.

I still need to touch up a few small items, including a loose driver's side window which has simply pulled loose from its track. The neutral safety switch doesn't work properly, so I have to be rather careful when starting the engine. Front end is a bit noisy, too.

However, we are talking about a utility vehicle that rolled off of an assembly line in Atlanta in April of 1969 and is still in service. For an "intermediate," this thing is a tank, pure and simple. The body on mine is straight and rust-free despite having spent a little bit of time in the Pacific Northwest. The dreaded "tinworm" eats the things in the Rust Belt like they're going out of style.

It handles loads like they aren't even back there with a combination of V8 power and station wagon underpinnings. Drives like the Torino/Fairlane it's based on, so there isn't an issue of it driving like a 1960's light truck.

I know of only two other vehicles like it in my area and one of a mere handful of Rancheros, period. Lots of El Caminos, which isn't a bad thing at all. A Ranchero sighting is a special event, however.

I wish to heaven above that an American manufacturer still made vehicles like this. Rancheros and El Caminos are sorely missed.