I set my target last summer on getting a Ranchero.. I finally got one!!!
its a 62 with the 170 special.
I bought this off the original OWNER!!
the Interior is Awesome. its all stock!
the radios still there. The seats have the "steerhead" vinyl seats (came with an ectra bolt of that stuff to fix a small tear!)
its the original paint too. Paint needs some touch up though. finally get to spend my weekends they way I want too!! instead of watch all the TV shows and "wishin" I had a rod!!
I sent a photo along too!!
My car

Don't do anything to it! clean, polish, maintain, drive and enjoy!
forget the V8, that gem didn't last 42 years by being beat all to snot.

I agree with Biggarmike, leaving the car as is will make it worth much more as a collectible. Nice find dude.

see its funny that you say that. When I was looking I was trying to get a V8 or a 63 that I could drop a v8 into. I looked at a lot of rancheros where the interior and paint was not original and/or chewed up. The second I sat in this car, it decided its own fate, the interior was so pristine that I just figured I'd keep it the same, im not gonna mess with perfection. Im gonna buy a set of factory replacement knobs, factory remplacements for the visor arms, door handles , shifter etc... but its all gonna stay stock. I may switch over to electric locks and windows, but again im gonna use those "original look" windows and and locks.. Im gonna install a radio in the glove box so its hidden. The only thing im really torn about is the outside paint. I am really leaning towards painting it (wouldnt be anytime soon though) because I am not the biggest fan of red. The paint is in great shape and it polished out really good. In California the last year that you can use "old style" plates is 1962, so I have been trolling ebay for some 1956 commercial plates to put on. I also got license plates frames from "Paso Robles Ford" to go with the california theme. I also put a vintage "rod and Custom" magazine decal that I bought at hot August nights last year. I'ts too late for me to got Hot August Nights this year, but I ploan on takin the ranchero there in 2005. Its just so cool to finally do all these things I have been dreaming about !!!

Cool, very nice.

How much was it?


Alex

Hey it doesnt matter what we pay, especially when you total up how much we put into them. You remember my Dad right HRK?And his Red ford truck?? He has over 20k in truck so far!! Doesnt matter to him or his friends what he paid, just how it looks. I plan to use the same stategy

but for your sake I paid about 3000

not bad considering its an ALL orignal car from the original owner, with all its trim and factory stuff still in it....

go to trader online and price similar condition cars, you'll see that I got a good buy!

I would keep the ranchero as original and add another car to rod out.
Restore the ford and and you won't regret it. Read through a lot of threads about cars people sold and the only if I knew...

Dutch

Sounds like a good buy! It's always nice to see someone get their first rod or car! I'd keep it all orignal and get an S10 or another car where there are tons of parts available to mess around with.

Mike

There aren't too many cherry Rancheros left, I think you're wise in your choices of what you want to do with the car. Enjoy. You made a great deal, imo. Dan

Why would you want 1956 plates on a '62 vehicle. Why not put 1962 plates on it. Nice ride BTW. I wouldn't do a thing except maybe pinstripe it out and add some wheels. Those are probably the 13" rims. Up the size to at least a 14", but that's just my opinion. I'd leave the stock engine but dress it up with some chrome. GOOD FIND.

Kevin

in 1956 california made plates with a "56" on it, in 1956 these plates had slots for metal tabs. in 1957 california decided to issue stickers instead of metal tabs so the 56 remained but the slots were removed. they issued these plates until 1962. 1963 california switched to the black plate with yellow lettering. (1963 plates had the 63 embossed on them so you didnt need a sticker that year). So to be "era correct" My car in 1962 would have had yellow and black 56 plates with a 62 sticker. California allows you to do this if you fill out a "year of Manufacturer" form. but the cars year and sticker have to match. This is why these old plates go for 150-200$ on ebay.

pinstripping!! that is an excellent idea. I was already planning on black steel reverse rims with wide whites on them , my undertanding is 15's wont work unless they are custom made, but 14 should work I will however research 15's more because that is the ideal hot rod tire size. I think you are right about the current wheels being 13's

Nice very nice. Pinstripes and I agree with Kev, too. Chrome! Chrome is nice!

Jealous.

Damn, I looove those things I always wanted to put a 300 six in one, make it nice and fast with that