West Coast Classics are proud to present a beautiful example of this original southern California 'Black License Plate' 1968 Ford Ranchero Fairlane 500 Pick Up with upgraded factory options which include it's original 302 2V V8 engine, the desirable 4 speed manual transmission, Heavy Duty suspension with a 3.25 axle, fairly new tires, original AM radio, completely original 'Charcoal Black Corinthian & Kiwi Vinyl' bench seats interior and matching color carpet and kick panel carpet and nice original dashboard. This truck was purchased by its original and only southern California owner on 3/19/1968 at 'Lutz Ford' of Palo Alto, CA and still boasts its original owners manuals, window sticker & Protecto-plate and we have a copy of it's 'Deluxe Marti Report' showing to be a very rare 1 of only 141 built with this engine & manual transmission.
The Ranchero was launched from Dearborn, Michigan in 1957 as the industry's first ever car/pick-up, two years before Chevrolet's belated response of the 'El Camino'! Undeniably handsome and perfect for the small businessman in the service industry, the model evolved in the late sixties into a full force muscle machine! In 1969 the Ranchero GT was offered with the 351 Cleveland engine or the ultimate 428! The Ranchero was up-sized again in 1970, longer, wider and lower than before in it's ultimate incarnation that lasted for only two years before the gas crisis ended the muscle car era in Detroit.
This particular model came with the highly desirable upgraded 302 V8 engine matched to a 4 speed manual transmisison, one of only 141 such ordered trucks! No signs or any history of any accidents or damage and obviously always well maintained by it's southern California owner's since new. This rare truck must be seen and driven to be fully appreciated - the engine is extremely strong, the transmission shifts smoothly through the gears and the engine temperature always remains cool.
This is one very fine example of this increasingly collectible and desirable late sixties Ford Ranchero, an original southern California truck in rare turn-key ready, daily appreciating, daily driving and daily head-turning condition! An all time classic American muscle truck with it's original matching # 302 V8 engine with a desirable 4 speed manual transmission!
