1963 Ford Falcon Ranchero

Ford Rancheros were produced between 1957 and 1979. Though "pick-up truck" looking in appearance, the Ranchero was actually adapted from a two-door station wagon platform that integrated the cab and cargo bed into the body. They were adapted from full-size, compact and intermediate cars . The Ford Ranchero sold well enough to spawn a competitor from General Motors Corporation in 1959, known as the Chevrolet El Camino. One Ranchero version, the 1960-1963 Ford Falcon Ranchero, was a hit with consumers looking for a stylish little hauler.

Upon Ford's release of its compact Ford Falcon line of cars in 1960, they immediately supplied an open-bed pickup body and called it the Ford Falcon Ranchero. Simultaneously, it began dropping the Ranchero style and name from its lineup of full-size cars.

Not a weakling , the 1960-1963 Ford Falcon Ranchero was more practical than it looked. Its 800-pound payload was 100 pounds more than that of the much larger competition Chevrolet El Camino. The unfortunate flip side however, was that it's power wasn't in the V-8 El Camino's class. The Falcon's only engine offering (at first) was a 144-cid inline six cylinder engine, rated at 90 bhp. (Cute and handy, yes...powerful and fast, ehhh...not so much.)

The Ford Falcon Ranchero sported a concave bright-metal grille, chrome bumpers, and bright frames around the windshield and backlight. Whitewall tires, full wheel covers, and the bright cargo-bed accents of the deluxe trim package added extra spice. Two-tone paint jobs were available, the second color limited to the "A" pillars and roof, while "B" pillars were two-toned starting in 1961. Also, 1961 Ford Ranchero buyers could opt for a larger, 170-cid inline six , producing 101 bhp. (We're getting there...) The 1962 Ranchero, along with the 1962 Ford Falcon passenger car, recieved a facelift with bolder, vertical-bar grillework and a dummy scoop in a hood bulge.

In all three years of the 1960-1963 Ford Falcon Ranchero, the deluxe trim package provided bright metal exterior accents plus such goodies as a chrome horn ring, dome-light door switch, and a choice of black/white or red/white all-vinyl upholstery. Actually, the standard upholstery, brown vinyl stamped with a western steer-head pattern, was popular in its own right back in the day.

For the final year for this Falcon styling generation, the 1963 Ford Ranchero sported another new grille. More importantly, they were now available with Ford's 260-cid small-block V8 with 164 bhp. (Finally!) However, production for 1963 slipped to 18,533 somehow.

Today, you can still find some examples of these little haulers on the road. They range from rotted but running to full blown restorations in condition. They are hugely popular for purists, customizers, hot rodders and Gasser drag enthusiasts. (The provided photo shows how cool they can be.) Their small size combined with inserting a small to a shoe-horned big block V8 makes them an instant hot rod, with little out of pocket cost. Personally, I just love 'em!