I’m known around these parts as a ute fan. Any car you can dream up, I’ve probably come across it built into a ute, and I’ve almost certainly liked that version better than the original. Once in a while, though, we have to pay respects to the originators of the ute life — the El Caminos, the Holdens, and of course the ever-gorgeous Ford Rancheros. Take this one, for instance: A 351-swapped 1967 Fairlane Ranchero that’s not a hideous restomod.
This Ranchero, while modified and maintained over the course of its life, is gloriously free from any terrible four-spoke steering wheels or gaudy blue LED gauges. It does have an air conditioning system of questionable provenance (the control/vent unit doesn’t appear to be either the factory Ford in-dash option available in 1967 nor the period-appropriate round-vented dealer accessory) as well as a modern single-DIN radio, but those are welcome and unobtrusive changes — they don’t distract from the classic character of the car. The wheels certainly do, but some five-spoke American Classics will fix that handily.
Just a good old fashioned ute
Under the hood, though, is the mod that really matters: The Ranchero’s factory 289ci V8 engine and its associated three-speed manual gearbox have been replaced with a 351 ci V8 and a four on the floor (with a Hurst shifter, even). It’s not technically a period-correct swap, as the 351 postdates this Ranchero by a couple of years, but it’s close enough that I’ll count it. Better than putting a Coyote under there and pretending that the Ford badging maintains the car’s character.
This OEM-plus Ranchero is on Bring a Trailer right now at a bidding price of just $2,500, which falls firmly into “Amber wants this” territory. I’m going to need you all to bump that number up until this ute starts to look like more of a bad idea to me, or Jalopnik’s local kei car and motorcycle girlie might just end up with a giant hunk of American muscle street-parked outside her apartment. Surely you’ll save me from that fate, right?
