The 1959FordRanchero continued the design revolution started with the 1957 - 1958 Ford Ranchero , America ’s first forward-looking car - pickup loanblend . The 1959 Ford Ranchero was restyled and treat to mechanically skillful updates . It would necessitate all the help it could get to fightChevy’shot new copycat , the El Camino .
Classic Truck Image Gallery
in full restyled , the 1959 Ford Ranchero tire a broad grillwork filled with slight stars , and quad headlamps snuggle in cock-a-hoop wing housings . minuscule vestigial fin , punctuated by backup lights , scale gargantuan rotund taillights .
Supporting the new shroud alloy was a frame broad , heavier , and strong , with side rails bowed outwards almost to the boundary of the dead body , to allow more passenger room . Suspensionimprovements all aimed at a sonant ride .
The 1959 Ford Ranchero powertrain also got attention . The optional Fordomatictransmissionwas redesigned and was lighter and simpler , with 105 few theatrical role . It trade for less than the one-time version , but still had only two forward-moving speed .
The Cruise - oxygen - Matic three - speed automatic was only slightly alter , and both machine rifle now placed the selector quarter-circle on the steerage newspaper column rather than in the instrument control board . That panel was new , and the parking brake was foot - engaged , though it had to be unfreeze by helping hand .
engine were sextuplet and V-8s , as before , top by a 352 - cid V-8 with 300horsepower , which turn out to be seldom ordered by Ranchero buyers .
befit an improved U.S. saving and its new styling , Ranchero output rebounded to 14,169 units for 1959 , despite competition from the just - introduce 1959 Chevrolet El Camino .
Despite improved prospects , however , the 1959 Ford Ranchero would be the last full - size version of Ford ’s car - pickup blend . For 1960 , the name would be applied in the heavyset Falcon line , where it was an immediate hit .
The Ranchero remained a compact Falcon or midsize Fairlane or Torino - based model . By the end of the 1979 modeling year , however , production had at long last fall victim to the rise popularity of small , fancy import and domestic hand truck – not to mention Ford ’s substitution to front - parkway gondola platform .
Collectible Pluses of the 1959 Ford Ranchero
Collectible Minuses of the 1959 Ford Ranchero
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