The most 70s thing you'll see today

[BehindBlueI's]

https://images.craigslist.org/00F0F_74ZgCyzWaxAz_0gg0cc_600x450.jpg

Yes folks, that's a 1979 Ford Ranchero, Ford's wrong answer to Chevy's El Camino. With that particular graphics package, the driver must have a porn 'stache, wear a cowboy hat, and leave the top 5 buttons of their shirt undone at all times while operating the vehicle per state law.

[mmc45414]

Not sure I wanna hang out with the person that thought that restoration project was a productive use of their time...

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

[OlongJohnson]

Hardly looks restored. Just parked indoors for a few decades and somewhat recently dragged out.

[BehindBlueI's]

https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/d/shelbyville-1979-ford-ranchero-gt/7357901458.html for those of you who can't wait to take this bad boy home for $3k. Aviator shades not included.

[Lost River]

Ah, breaker one-nine, this here's the Rubber Duck
You gotta copy on me, Pig Pen, c'mon?




I can just hear it playing on the Kenwood speakers!

[awp_101]

If you’re the type that thinks any publicity is good publicity, that’s what you drive to the local show and shine/cars and coffee.

I wonder if he’d include shipping in that $3K…

[jh9]

https://images.craigslist.org/00F0F_74ZgCyzWaxAz_0gg0cc_600x450.jpg

Yes folks, that's a 1979 Ford Ranchero, Ford's wrong answer to Chevy's El Camino. With that particular graphics package, the driver must have a porn 'stache, wear a cowboy hat, and leave the top 5 buttons of their shirt undone at all times while operating the vehicle per state law.

It's 106 miles to Branson, we've got a half a tank of gas, a 12 pack of miller lite, it's 9:30AM and we're wearing sunglasses.

*puts in 8-track*

Hit it!

[Hambo]

[IMG]that particular graphics package

Can easily be covered in rattle can flat black. Getting more power under the hood will be more costly.

[Flamingo]

Maybe because I was a pre-teen when this came out but I think it is awesome! Of course I don't want to drive it.

I do have to admit that I have 1971 Baja Bug now that I bought because I really wanted one in high school in the 1980s.

[RevolverRob]

Maybe because I was a pre-teen when this came out but I think it is awesome! Of course I don't want to drive it.

I do have to admit that I have 1971 Baja Bug now that I bought because I really wanted one in high school in the 1980s.

I did not exist when this one was made.

I still kind of want it. Or I would if I didn't know it was rotten to the core. Looking at the rust in the tailgate and rear fenders tells me this one is beyond saving.

I was looking at this one on CL: https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/seattle-1973-ford-ranchero-351-cleveland/7357755253.html - Can't decide if I want to go down and see it in person. I'm leaning towards 'No', but mostly because I don't have a mullet.

[okie john]

https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/d/shelbyville-1979-ford-ranchero-gt/7357901458.html for those of you who can't wait to take this bad boy home for $3k. Aviator shades not included.

For this listing, it's entirely fitting that the Craigslist icon is the peace sign.

"Owner had invested $12000. in restoration, but passed away 3 years ago." I think that this description will fit a lot of stuff that bobs to the surface in the next 15-20 years.


Okie John

[RevolverRob]

By the way, I don't want to let facts get in the way of a good narrative...but it's clear the Camaro owner doesn't understand his automotive history when he says, "Ford's wrong answer to the El Camino."

Because, in fact, the Ranchero came first in 1957 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Ranchero#First_generation_(1957%E2%80%931959) ) and the El Camino came second in 1959 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_El_Camino#First_generation_(1959%E2%80%9 31960)).

Therefore it has to be the other way around; the El Camino was the wrong answer to the Ranchero. Heck, Chevy even gave it a Spanish name just to take a shot at the Ranchero. :eek:

Signed,

Your Local Ford guy; with a dog named Edsel Ford

[Coal Train]

Not sure I wanna hang out with the person that thought that restoration project was a productive use of their time...

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk
In 1995 the University assigned me a roommate from West Virginia. He and his father had spent the previous 5 years fully restoring a 1978 Monte Carlo. It was Tennessee Orange with a white vinyl top and white interior. It wasn't built into a drag car or anything, it was pretty much back to show room condition including all the wonderful emission equipment. He had a multiple volume picture book documenting the process. It wasn't a family car or any sort of sentimental history it was what he picked out. Keep in mind at this time you could still pick up late 60's muscle cars for reasonable money but he picked a 1978 Monte Carlo. No doubt, it was a great father/son project but............it was Tennessee Orange with a white vinyl top and white interior.

He was not fun to hang out with.

And if you have Amazon Prime check out the newest Grand Tour which features some classic 70's coupes.

[Borderland]

Ah, breaker one-nine, this here's the Rubber Duck
You gotta copy on me, Pig Pen, c'mon?




I can just hear it playing on the Kenwood speakers!

I remember sometime in the late 60's my brother had a CB in his bedroom hooked to a big ass out side antenna. He would get on that thing and talk to people thousands of miles away late in the evening when atmospheric conditions were kind to radio frequencies.

Then one day the black unmarked FCC vehicle showed up in front of the house. Shortly thereafter he went mobile.

[Lost River]

Maybe because I was a pre-teen when this came out but I think it is awesome! Of course I don't want to drive it.

I do have to admit that I have 1971 Baja Bug now that I bought because I really wanted one in high school in the 1980s.

Holy Crap!

I HAD a 1973 (if I recall the year right) Baja Bug in the 80s in high School! It was an off road, mountain climbing, machine! I used to run it across sections of river too. Ends up VWs will float for short periods of time!

[BehindBlueI's]

By the way, I don't want to let facts get in the way of a good narrative...but it's clear the Camaro owner doesn't understand his automotive history when he says, "Ford's wrong answer to the El Camino."

Because, in fact, the Ranchero came first in 1957 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Ranchero#First_generation_(1957%E2%80%931959) ) and the El Camino came second in 1959 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_El_Camino#First_generation_(1959%E2%80%9 31960)).

Therefore it has to be the other way around; the El Camino was the wrong answer to the Ranchero. Heck, Chevy even gave it a Spanish name just to take a shot at the Ranchero. :eek:

Signed,

Your Local Ford guy; with a dog named Edsel Ford

Nope, you win there. I didn't realize the pre-Falcon platform version existed. It would appear to be the best looking version of the abomination, and they decline as the years go on.

[Bergeron]

The tough part is that it's a '79.

The 6th Generation cars ('72-'76) were far more attractive than the 7th Generation ('77-'79), whose looks and larger size I frankly despise.

I have buddy who has offered me a free 460 if I ever wanted it, and there's a non-zero possibility that instead of yet another project gun, I'll want to get a 6th Gen project car to turn into some sort of "Apocalypse Car" along the lines of a Road Warrior Interceptor.

[Caballoflaco]

I’m just a few minutes with a trimmer away from having the mustache to go with that car. Thankfully I don’t feel like driving up to Indianapolis this weekend, and my attention-whoring days are mostly over. Get thee behind me BBI’s.

[RevolverRob]

Nope, you win there. I didn't realize the pre-Falcon platform version existed. It would appear to be the best looking version of the abomination, and they decline as the years go on.

Fighting Words.

I honestly think the '59 El Camino is the best looking of the Chevy bunch, but I think the '67/68/69 Rancheros (based on the Fairline in '67 and Torino in '68/'69) are the best looking of the Rancheros. The late '60s El Caminos look too much like a Chevelle with the ass end cut off. Not that I'd turn down a free one, mind you.

That said the Falcon-ero is my bread and butter. I've had three different Falcon-based FoMoCos over the years and that's a platform I know extremely well inside and out. A Falcon-ero is definitely on the short list if I find a nice one at a good price.

[OlongJohnson]

Screw both of you for making me go refresh on Australian Falcon knowledge. Falcon utes come with fuel injection and maybe even turbos down there.

[AKDoug]

The in-laws have this annoying family story that Grandpa Chub invented the Ranchero. The story goes that he ran into the back of his 1960 Falcon with a piece of farm equipment, destroying the trunk lid and rear window, so out came the torch and he turned it into a pickup. The story continues that he ran into a Ford designer at a local diner and then the Ranchero was born. I got about 1000 negative son-in-law points the first year I was married to my wife when I mentioned the Ranchero came out in the 50's. My son did me proud last week at a family get together when he did the Iceman "bullshit" when the story was repeated once again.

My little league baseball coach had a 1976 like in RR's link. I'd buy that car today if it was local. I need a beater run-around rig and that would fit the bill perfectly.

[rayrevolver]

I was looking at this one on CL: https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/seattle-1973-ford-ranchero-351-cleveland/7357755253.html - Can't decide if I want to go down and see it in person. I'm leaning towards 'No', but mostly because I don't have a mullet.

https://victoriawilcoxbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/val-kilmer-doc-holliday-sick.jpg

Go grab that spirited 1973 Ranchero...and make her your own. Take that beauty and run, and don't look back.

Live every second. Live right up to the hilt. Live, RR. Live for me.

[Jim Watson]

A coworker had one of those. I was unimpressed.
But later I got fascinated with an El Camino. Fortunately the RX7 came out that month and I went sporty.

[ccmdfd]

You want some '70 s stuff?

Somewhere around the house I have an 8-Track tape of the Bee Gees.

[MickAK]

I feel like my desire to own this is somehow genetic.

[RevolverRob]

I feel like my desire to own this is somehow genetic.

The only people who don't feel a twinge of desire to own either a Ranchero or an El Camino what fuzzy dice and shag carpeting are vegans, commies, and people who enjoy 'locally brewed small batch IPAs'.

Really, all this is saying is your desire merely demonstrates that, "You're a red-blooded, dead animal eating, 'Merican."

[Amp]

https://images.craigslist.org/00F0F_74ZgCyzWaxAz_0gg0cc_600x450.jpg

Yes folks, that's a 1979 Ford Ranchero, Ford's wrong answer to Chevy's El Camino. With that particular graphics package, the driver must have a porn 'stache, wear a cowboy hat, and leave the top 5 buttons of their shirt undone at all times while operating the vehicle per state law.

Don't forget the gold chain necklace and nugget ring/bracelets.

[Baldanders]

https://images.craigslist.org/00F0F_74ZgCyzWaxAz_0gg0cc_600x450.jpg

Yes folks, that's a 1979 Ford Ranchero, Ford's wrong answer to Chevy's El Camino. With that particular graphics package, the driver must have a porn 'stache, wear a cowboy hat, and leave the top 5 buttons of their shirt undone at all times while operating the vehicle per state law.

Is he holding some 'ludes?

Wait a sec, which forum is this?

[Baldanders]

By the way, I don't want to let facts get in the way of a good narrative...but it's clear the Camaro owner doesn't understand his automotive history when he says, "Ford's wrong answer to the El Camino."

Because, in fact, the Ranchero came first in 1957 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Ranchero#First_generation_(1957%E2%80%931959) ) and the El Camino came second in 1959 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_El_Camino#First_generation_(1959%E2%80%9 31960)).

Therefore it has to be the other way around; the El Camino was the wrong answer to the Ranchero. Heck, Chevy even gave it a Spanish name just to take a shot at the Ranchero. :eek:

Signed,

Your Local Ford guy; with a dog named Edsel Ford


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3nAj7td3FE

All I know is one Ween only made a song about one of them, so whatever the question is, the answer is obviously EL CAMINO!!!!

[MistWolf]

The only people who don't feel a twinge of desire to own either a Ranchero or an El Camino what fuzzy dice and shag carpeting are vegans, commies, and people who enjoy 'locally brewed small batch IPAs'.

Ranchero, yes.

This Ranchero-?
https://images.craigslist.org/00F0F_74ZgCyzWaxAz_0gg0cc_600x450.jpg

No.

Fuzzy dice and shag carpet?
No. Nay. Never. Absolutely NOT!

[RevolverRob]

Ranchero, yes.

This Ranchero-?

No.

Fuzzy dice and shag carpet?
No. Nay. Never. Absolutely NOT!

Do you also like fancy cheese and beard oil to go along with your small batch IPA? :D;)

[olstyn]

I'm leaning towards 'No', but mostly because I don't have a mullet.

This is a 100% solvable problem.

[MistWolf]

Do you also like fancy cheese and beard oil to go along with your small batch IPA? :D;)

Keep it up, Rob, and I'll tell the Cascadian hippies you're a fine purveyor of hand made scented candles and custom blend pumpkin spice and where to find ya!

I like cheese, fancy or not and don't know what an IPA is, small batch or large. No need for any sissy beard oil. My wife likes her man clean shaven.

Just for that, I won't tell you about the Root Beer Store at 20015 Highway 99, Suite G, Lynwood WA 98036. Probably ain't man enough to handle a good rootbeer, anyways!

I'm also not gonna tell you about my favorite Washington gunshop, Lynnwood Guns- just get off the Kingston Ferry and take the road straight up over the hill to 20829 Hwy 99 A, Lynnwood, WA 98036.

Yep. I'm just gonna keep that to myself...

[Edster]

The only people who don't feel a twinge of desire to own either a Ranchero or an El Camino what fuzzy dice and shag carpeting are vegans, commies, and people who enjoy 'locally brewed small batch IPAs'.

Really, all this is saying is your desire merely demonstrates that, "You're a red-blooded, dead animal eating, 'Merican."

I feel better about myself now. Thank you.

[OlongJohnson]

https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/d/shelbyville-1979-ford-ranchero-gt/7357901458.html for those of you who can't wait to take this bad boy home for $3k. Aviator shades not included.

Finally clicked on the link and noticed it's in Shelbyville. Why am I the first person to point this out? A bunch of heathen up in this thread.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT7YZQEHHVE

[OlongJohnson]

Fortunately the RX7 came out that month and I went sporty.

You could just take the back glass off, or even leave it open, and you basically had a mini-Camino anyway.

[Lost River]

There is a legitimate chance that several chicks named Lisa, Donna, and Pattie were knocked up in that car, er truck, whatever, while listening to Air Supply, Chicago, and Reo Speedwagon...

[Duelist]

https://images.craigslist.org/00F0F_74ZgCyzWaxAz_0gg0cc_600x450.jpg

Yes folks, that's a 1979 Ford Ranchero, Ford's wrong answer to Chevy's El Camino. With that particular graphics package, the driver must have a porn 'stache, wear a cowboy hat, and leave the top 5 buttons of their shirt undone at all times while operating the vehicle per state law.

All staff was back on the high school campus today. One of the teachers showed with a ‘stache that would go perfectly with that car.

[Lost River]

.... And as I just was typing this,my oldest Kimber just comes up the stairs listening to Black Sabbath, "Paranoid".. Shit You NOT!

She's 18.

I just asked her why she's listening to my stuff, and she asked if I even knew what that song was called . :rolleyes:

As she called me an old man.

[Joe in PNG]

Don't forget the gold chain necklace and nugget ring/bracelets.

Not to mention the coke spoon.

[Lex Luthier]

There is a legitimate chance that several chicks named Lisa, Donna, and Pattie were knocked up in that car, er truck, whatever, while listening to Air Supply, Chicago, and Reo Speedwagon...

I would bet that at least one of the owners was named Carl. (apologies to anyone *here* named Carl)

[Trooper224]

Looks like Corvette Summers white trash cousin.

https://static1.hotcarsimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Chevrolet-Corvette-Summer-Movie-Car-via-Pinterest.jpg

[Amp]

Not to mention the coke spoon.

And a leisure suit:

75016

[Lost River]

I would SOOO drive that while sporting a Joe Dirt wig with a chick in the passenger seat who has a leather mini skirt and a Doobie Brothers shirt, just to mess with my daughter!

Rocking out to Little Feat!

[OlongJohnson]

Screw both of you for making me go refresh on Australian Falcon knowledge. Falcon utes come with fuel injection and maybe even turbos down there.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kd2mMa0KqE

[OlongJohnson]

.... And as I just was typing this,my oldest Kimber just comes up the stairs listening to Black Sabbath, "Paranoid".. Shit You NOT!

She's 18.

I just asked her why she's listening to my stuff, and she asked if I even knew what that song was called . :rolleyes:

As she called me an old man.

You done good, old man.

[KellyinAvon]

The tough part is that it's a '79.

The 6th Generation cars ('72-'76) were far more attractive than the 7th Generation ('77-'79), whose looks and larger size I frankly despise.

I have buddy who has offered me a free 460 if I ever wanted it, and there's a non-zero possibility that instead of yet another project gun, I'll want to get a 6th Gen project car to turn into some sort of "Apocalypse Car" along the lines of a Road Warrior Interceptor.

I'll concur with that. The Gran Torino dog house Rancheros were all right in my book. Don't get me wrong, a 68-70 El Camino would be preferred by this bow-tie guy...

[KellyinAvon]

Looks like Corvette Summers white trash cousin.

https://static1.hotcarsimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Chevrolet-Corvette-Summer-Movie-Car-via-Pinterest.jpg

There should be a Constitutional Amendment banning doing this to a Corvette. And while we're at it, banning the designated hitter.

[Caballoflaco]

75026

[Shotgun]

https://images.craigslist.org/00F0F_74ZgCyzWaxAz_0gg0cc_600x450.jpg

Yes folks, that's a 1979 Ford Ranchero, Ford's wrong answer to Chevy's El Camino. With that particular graphics package, the driver must have a porn 'stache, wear a cowboy hat, and leave the top 5 buttons of their shirt undone at all times while operating the vehicle per state law.

Wow! That is one fantastic time machine. That got me to thinking about only three TV channels, green shag carpet, lime green appliances, and 8 track tapes. Never had a leisure suit thank goodness. Some of you who have said you weren't around back then, well, you might have been conceived in something like this.

Just curious, how did you come across that? Are you in the market for a land boat?

[Baldanders]

There is a legitimate chance that several chicks named Lisa, Donna, and Pattie were knocked up in that car, er truck, whatever, while listening to Air Supply, Chicago, and Reo Speedwagon...

Minor correction: how many males can maintain arousal while listening to Air Supply?

Maybe that's just me.

Not a good memory from youth.

[Duelist]

Minor correction: how many males can maintain arousal while listening to Air Supply?

Maybe that's just me.

Not a good memory from youth.

That depends more on the girl than the music, IIRC.

[Yung]

If that vehicle is out of Indianapolis, there's a good chance Tam spotted it if she didn't get a picture.

[P30]

Tom Selleck's car in Magnum:
Ferrari 308 GTS (1977 - 1980) (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrari_308#308_GTB/GTS_(1975%E2%80%931980))
https://www.classic-trader.com/de/magazin/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Ferrari-308-Kaufberatung-seitenansicht-1-1200x790.jpg

Burt Reynold's car in Smokey and the Bandit:
Pontiac Firebird Trans Am (1976) (https://www.topspeed.com/cars/everything-you-should-know-about-the-the-trans-am-from-smokey-and-the-bandit-ar188117.html)
https://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop_webp/202004/everything-you-shoul-8_1600x0.webp

My favorite car from the 70s:
Porsche 911 Carrera Targa (G-Modell) (1973 - 1989) (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_911_(1963)#G-Modell)
https://www.classicdriver.com/sites/default/files/cars_images/911_2_7_rs_targa_silber_schnabl_ml_y_dertinger_333 .jpg

[CSW]

This one can go with the 70's porn 'stache, or the 70's purple pimp hat.

Any of y'all remember the LTD II?

https://buffalocars.com/WebSites/1421/Images/Blogs/2215/77_ltdii_blk_wsen_f.JPG

[BehindBlueI's]

Just curious, how did you come across that? Are you in the market for a land boat?

My son has his learner's permit now, so I'm looking for something for him. I've been perusing Craigslist with the only parameter being under a certain price and "by owner" and that beauty popped up.

[ER_STL]

That’s bitchin’


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ed L]

The nostalgia is very strong on this one for me: a 1979 Trans Am with the optional T/A 6.6/W72 400 cubic inch V-8 Engine. I am not affiliated with the seller, but if I don't execute judicious self restraint I might become affiliated with the car.

This was the car to have when I was in high school. Most Trans Ams of the time came with a less powerful Oldsmobile 403 cubic inch V8 that produced 185 horsepower. However there were some 1978 and 1979 Trans Ams that had the more powerful T/A 6.6/W72 Engine 400 cubic inch V-8 engine which produced 220 horsepower--which was a lot for those days. I think I prefer the styling of the 1978 Trans Am which has a different front end as reflected upthread.

A couple of months ago I found an old article that I clipped out about this car which had it performing 0-60 in 6.7 seconds and the quarter mile in 15.3 seconds. Those horsepower and performance numbers may be unimpressive by today's standards, but in the late 1970s they were spectacular. So what started for me as an internet search of curiosity led me down a nostalgia rabbit hole of 'Hey, I could buy one of these as a collector piece and drive it occasionally.' Then I started examining the situation seriously. Even if I got one in great shape or one that had been restored well--and that would cost money--as soon as something malfunctioned and needed to be fixed or replaced, it would become very costly and a pain in the ass to find a competent person or garage to do it.

75078

and a reference point to the car as it is listed on ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/313614164305?fbclid=IwAR26OERN5yE_cZvgSkCY-VKbyrCW_327aGM_fI6-kvQp3vSdemwRl5X0g6k

Things like this remind me of something Robin Williams once said: "Cocaine is God's way of telling you that you have too much damn money."

[Trooper224]

THE 70's car.

https://media.gq-magazine.co.uk/photos/5e8214d2013fff000829dcf8/1:1/w_1080,h_1080,c_limit/20200330-car-07.jpg

[BobM]

This one can go with the 70's porn 'stache, or the 70's purple pimp hat.

Any of y'all remember the LTD II?

https://buffalocars.com/WebSites/1421/Images/Blogs/2215/77_ltdii_blk_wsen_f.JPG

I learned to drive in 1981 in a 72 LTD four door. I don’t remember what year the LTD II came out.

[Borderland]

That depends more on the girl than the music, IIRC.

Who the hell ever needed the music? Mostly it was just do you believe in free love?

The answer to that was pretty easy. I had that one popped on me a few times in the early 70's.

[Chuck Whitlock]

My grandfather had a '79 Ranchero. Ordered it new, with a 2-tone metallic maroon/bronze over tan paint scheme. First vehicle I got to drive in on private property. Understand that in and around this time frame, pickups were staight work/utility vehicles. A nice, top-of-the-line model might have an A/C unit. This thing was like driving a Caddy with a bed on it.

[Bigghoss]

My first car was a '74 Ranchero. That thing hauled ass and plywood. The 77-79's were just ugly though.

[CSW]

I had a chance to purchase a 1972 El Camino SS with a 454 when I was in my youth.
Turned it down in lieu of a'69 mach 1 with the 428 super cobra jet.

[Shotgun]

My son has his learner's permit now, so I'm looking for something for him. I've been perusing Craigslist with the only parameter being under a certain price and "by owner" and that beauty popped up.

Very exciting time! Let me be an advocate for your son and say please no Ranchero for the first car if there any other choices at all. The jokes and ribbing he would take about driving a mobile bed like that would be endless.

[rd62]

I had a chance to purchase a 1972 El Camino SS with a 454 when I was in my youth.
Turned it down in lieu of a'69 mach 1 with the 428 super cobra jet.

You did the right thing!

[OlongJohnson]

I recall that at the time he was President, Bill Clinton had owned just two cars in his life. One was a light blue '65-ish Mustang convertible. The other was an El Camino with Astroturf in the back.

[Welder]

Very exciting time! Let me be an advocate for your son and say please no Ranchero for the first car if there any other choices at all. The jokes and ribbing he would take about driving a mobile bed like that would be endless.

After a very short stint with a '79 Plymouth Arrow that was T-boned, my second car was a '72 El Camino as I have mentioned here recently. I'm loathe to put pictures of it here in this Ugly Ranchero thread though. :p :p

And I LOVED that car. My girlfriend's brother had a '70-something Dart and we were the only ones at my school with class. :cool:

[HeavyDuty]

I’ve always loved Rancheros and El Caminos. My first car bought with my own money was a clapped out ‘69 or ‘70 with hidden headlights.

There was a guy near my first house that had a last body style El Camino that he converted to 4WD. It was very tastefully done, and I wanted it with a visceral passion.

[Bigghoss]

Right before I was born, my father owned a 1976 Ranchero while he was in the USMC. He was an MP, I [i]think[/] at Camp Pendleton but I don't really know. Important thing was he was an MP in the Marine Corps and owned a Ranchero. He had lent the Ranchero to a buddy and while he was on duty he got called to a car accident on base. Well you know where this is going. While my dad's buddy was stopped at a red light a drunk driver rear-ended the Ranchero. He showed up at the scene, realized it was his car that had been hit and yelled "THAT'S MY CAR!!!". And that's when the DD realized how badly he'd fucked up.

[Borderland]

After a very short stint with a '79 Plymouth Arrow that was T-boned, my second car was a '72 El Camino as I have mentioned here recently. I'm loathe to put pictures of it here in this Ugly Ranchero thread though. :p :p

And I LOVED that car. My girlfriend's brother had a '70-something Dart and we were the only ones at my school with class. :cool:

I remember the Dart. My oldest brother put a few hundred thousand miles on a 63 slant six. Unheard of in those days. My uncle bought a new 64 Polara. That was about as cool as you could get if you were 15 unless you had a HD Sportster.

[Duelist]

After a very short stint with a '79 Plymouth Arrow that was T-boned, my second car was a '72 El Camino as I have mentioned here recently. I'm loathe to put pictures of it here in this Ugly Ranchero thread though. :p :p

And I LOVED that car. My girlfriend's brother had a '70-something Dart and we were the only ones at my school with class. :cool:

In high school, I had a 76 F250, but dad took it for work, so then some crappy 4 bangers until I got a 74 Dart/Duster - I can never remember which now, because my family ended up with a Plymouth and a Dodge that were the same car, same engine. 318 V8, same as the 69 Coronet I learned to drive in. The 2bbl carb in mine sucked - the choke wouldn’t open enough to cold start the car unless I propped it open. The Holley was much better.

[Welder]

The 2bbl carb in mine sucked - the choke wouldn’t open enough to cold start the car unless I propped it open. The Holley was much better.

Did you do it right and put a 4-bbl intake on it, or did you just use a spacer plate? :p Or did you use a <gulp> Holley 2-bbl?

[Duelist]

Did you do it right and put a 4-bbl intake on it, or did you just use a spacer plate? :p Or did you use a <gulp> Holley 2-bbl?

I don’t really know - my sister’s MOPAR-head friends fixed it up for me. I was basically a light-holder and wrench grabber. I know I wanted a 4bbl.

She had the other car - it had a much louder exhaust system than mine. Of course, she was older, had a job, and money to spend letting her friends play around with putting cool parts on her car. I just needed my car to start without having to stick a hangar in the choke.

[mmc45414]

That depends more on the girl than the music, IIRC.

Speaking of, we had a dude from high school (1977) that was a big party guy and perceived to be a lady killer, who had a El Camino with a topper. Pretty much making a two door station wagon, fixed up as a mobile love shack. Same guy also had a sweet 1960 (I think) Corvette that we all envied, that is until he wrecked it in a minor fashion (slid into a curve and broke the suspension, IIRC) and never fixed it. Nice friendly fun loving guy, but knowing what we know now (he was only a year older than I and has been dead a few years) it is easy to speculate that the love shack was probably most often used as a pass out crash pad.

[BN]

Nobody has said anything about the neat Chevies in the back ground of those pics. A late 70s Impala with a hood scoop behind the Ranchero and a 55/56 convertible beside the LTD II.

[Borderland]

Did you do it right and put a 4-bbl intake on it, or did you just use a spacer plate? :p Or did you use a <gulp> Holley 2-bbl?

I had a 73 Dodge Power Wagon with one of those 2 barrel Holly carbs. IIRC it was a 360 CID V8. Never did figure out why they put a 2 barrel on a big V8. I replaced it with a Carter 4 barrel and a high rise manifold. Better performance and better gas mileage. It wasn't a very good PU. I think I sold it with about 50K and bought a Toyota Hilux PU. At least I didn't have more repair bills.

[RevolverRob]

This dude, spotted on my walk into work this morning - he can buy the 'Chero from the OP no questions asked.

75176

[iWander]

https://images.craigslist.org/00F0F_74ZgCyzWaxAz_0gg0cc_600x450.jpg

Yes folks, that's a 1979 Ford Ranchero, Ford's wrong answer to Chevy's El Camino. With that particular graphics package, the driver must have a porn 'stache, wear a cowboy hat, and leave the top 5 buttons of their shirt undone at all times while operating the vehicle per state law.You forgot the two pounds of gold chains around your neck and encircling your chest hair...

[rayrevolver]

Dang, jealous of some the cars you guys had as firsts. Mine was a 1973 Super Beetle in orange. It was bought the summer before I went to college and immediately needed a new engine. I'm still looking for that shyster used car salesman.

The generator light was ON which meant I had nothing charging my battery when I bought it. The salesman said it was the battery charging light. I was 17 and needed wheels. The topped off battery finally died in a big intersection, luckily a firetruck was at the light and the guys helped me push it out of the way. Did I mention I am still looking for that SOB used car salesman? My neighbor said to hit the voltage regulator with a mallet, light went out and I never had a charging issue again.

This was in Prescott, AZ, next to my buddies 1951 Chevy:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51356363810_d98005fc1f_c.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/gp/151953216@N05/b4Y570)

[CSW]

Can't find any pictures of the Mach 1, but did find pictures of the Boss 429, amx 390 and Javelin that I had owned.
See if I can scan them and I'll post them.

[rd62]

Can't find any pictures of the Mach 1, but did find pictures of the Boss 429, amx 390 and Javelin that I had owned.
See if I can scan them and I'll post them.

Please do

[Joe in PNG]

My sister and I shared a '66 Mustang hardtop as our first car, back in the way early 90's during our HS years.

It was an automatic, with straight 6 & no A/C (in Florida), but still super cool.

[rd62]

I had a 65 Mustang hardtop with a 289 and automatic as my first ride.

It was Ragoon Red with a Shelby style grill and fiberglass hood, hood pins, and white racing stripes. Black interior and styled steel wheels.

It was about '93 and I was the beneficiary of a shared love of Ford Mustangs with my old man and his disposable income.

My brother got a 79 Trans Am with T-Tops and a 403 if I remeber right. It was ragged out and rode like a brick but was pretty cool.

[Joe in PNG]

I had a 65 Mustang hardtop with a 289 and automatic as my first ride.
It was Ragoon Red with a Shelby style grill and fiberglass hood, hood pins, and white racing stripes. Black interior and styled steel wheels.
It was about '93 and I was the beneficiary of a shared love of Ford Mustangs with my old man and his disposable income.
My brother got a 79 Trans Am with T-Tops and a 403 if I remeber right. It was ragged out and rode like a brick but was pretty cool.

One of my classmates had a 65 Fastback manual with 289, so he won the "coolest car" contest.
He also wound up as an F-16 pilot later on.

[rayrevolver]

Can't find any pictures of the Mach 1, but did find pictures of the Boss 429, amx 390 and Javelin that I had owned.
See if I can scan them and I'll post them.

My HS friend had an AMX with a 360. I swear I saw him launch so hard all 4 wheels were off the ground. It was a very cool car and rare in the 90s, at least where we lived.

I drove the family Pontiac Transport throughout HS. Again, jealous of you guys with cool cars... or any car for that matter.

Looked just like this. 3.8L V-6 though and I used to stomp on all the Honda boys with fart cans.
https://cs.copart.com/v1/AUTH_svc.pdoc00001/PIX48/92c879cd-4630-4a4b-befb-84f3f7707063.JPG

[Bergeron]

Lol, yeah, I like hearing stories about awesome first vehicles- my first was an ancient '91 Pontiac Grand Am that I took to college with over 100k on the clock. I festooned it with the most ridiculous conglomeration of bumper stickers that I could and incessantly drove it all around the American Southeast, praying that it wouldn't die getting off the interstate...

So pony car and beachcomber highschooler/college rides are great to hear about, because that experience was far beyond my experiences.;)

[Joe in PNG]

Then again, it's odd to think that a 25 year old '66 Mustang in 1991 was cool in a way that a '96 Mustang isn't in 2021.

[BehindBlueI's]

Then again, it's odd to think that a 25 year old '66 Mustang in 1991 was cool in a way that a '96 Mustang isn't in 2021.

Sometimes you can just tell a car isn't going to age well. That's one reason I really like my early 5th Gen Camaro. I think it's aging much better than the 6th gen, and even Stevie Wonder knows they aged better than the Dust Buster body 4th gens. The 3rd gens, maybe, depending on the year and trim.

[Malamute]

I remember the Dart. My oldest brother put a few hundred thousand miles on a 63 slant six. Unheard of in those days. My uncle bought a new 64 Polara. That was about as cool as you could get if you were 15 unless you had a HD Sportster.


I had a Yamaha 650 at 16, then an H-D Super Glide at 17. At 20 I built a 47 H-D knucklehead basket case chopper into a road bike, and had the old farm truck for my 4 wheel transportation.

[Bergeron]

Sometimes you can just tell a car isn't going to age well. That's one reason I really like my early 5th Gen Camaro. I think it's aging much better than the 6th gen, and even Stevie Wonder knows they aged better than the Dust Buster body 4th gens. The 3rd gens, maybe, depending on the year and trim.

Well, you've got a quality engine, and you're driving Bumblebee around, so fun seems pretty well assured.

Really, any performance sports car impress us plebes. I'm a GM nerd, for whatever reasons, and stupid money would put me in a C8 Vette, but I still really like crazy Mopar stunts and 460 adventures.

Dad drove a Chevy SS pickup that was worth a few fun stories as stupid little kid, and I have an uncle who liked the boost on MKIII Supra. I'll never be cool, but I know guys who were.

[0ddl0t]

Then again, it's odd to think that a 25 year old '66 Mustang in 1991 was cool in a way that a '96 Mustang isn't in 2021.

I think that is more a reflection of the 96 mustang than on the 90s in general. RWD Japanese cars of that vintage - 300zx, rx7, supra, mr2, 240sx, etc - are probably as cool today as the '66 mustang was in 1991.

On the other hand, a lot of kids today just don't care as much about cars as they did in the 90s. I'm constantly amazed by how many choose not to get their license.

[Borderland]

I had a Yamaha 650 at 16, then an H-D Super Glide at 17. At 20 I built a 47 H-D knucklehead basket case chopper into a road bike, and had the old farm truck for my 4 wheel transportation.

You win some kind of cool award. The only kid in our neighborhood who rode a Harley was a high school drop out named Buzzy Hartman who lived down the road. Of course me and my buddies though he was pretty cool. He gave me a ride on his 74 and I think that's where I got hooked on motorcycles. My dad told me to stay away from Buzzy when he found out about it.

I bought a new Triumph 650 when I was 20. I probably would have bought a Sportster but there weren't any Harley dealers in Morocco. I had to ride the Triumph from Spain through customs as it was. Some customs official got a nice bribe.

[JRB]

I think that is more a reflection of the 96 mustang than on the 90s in general. RWD Japanese cars of that vintage - 300zx, rx7, supra, mr2, 240sx, etc - are probably as cool today as the '66 mustang was in 1991.

On the other hand, a lot of kids today just don't care as much about cars as they did in the 90s. I'm constantly amazed by how many choose not to get their license.

The 90's Japanese sports cars are red hot right now. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1995-toyota-supra-38/

Yes, that's a 7000 mile 1995 Twin Turbo 6-spd Supra in immaculate original condition that sold for $201,000.
Being a deep-in 'OG' Supra owner myself, there are examples that are in more desirable color combinations with fewer miles that are trading privately, for numbers that are routinely in the same ballpark.

In 2015, I was commissioned to do a PPI on a 31k mile 1997 TT 6-spd in very similar condition. The seller wanted Sticker MSRP from the window sticker, which was ~$45k and change IIRC.
I privately engaged other well-heeled buying candidates in the Supra community, and the seller received 3 phone calls total before it was sold. Zero BS. I was paid for the PPI, paid a finder's fee, and paid a commission out of the sale.
Still, I wished I had the means to buy it at the time, and doubly so now because that same car has ~35k miles on it and recently sold again for $122k, also privately. I was contacted to confirm it was the same car via VIN and compare inspection pictures of VIN tags and various underbody parts etc. These are investment grade collector cars now.

I've got a comparatively modest collection of hoopties, but between all my old Japanese 'shitboxes' I could probably sell them all off to consolidate funds and probably afford a Porsche 997.1 or a C7 Z06 outright, and that's damn tempting at times.


Meanwhile, to your second point - I've got a PFC that just joined the Army and he's 21, married, and they're expecting their first child. Yet the first time he ever drove *anything* was when I put him in our driver's training beater M1097 Humvee a few weeks ago. He's a good kid, and he did okay, but I'm still baffled. I asked him why he never got a license or drove, and all he could say was 'cars are so expensive and complicated, I didn't want to waste all my money on one'.
That comment cut me deep, thinking about how much money I'd have had for guns if I'd just bought a Corolla or Accord in the late 90's and never been bit by the car bug.

Then I remembered there was no such thing as getting laid as a teenager without at least having a car, preferably a cool car.... so I think what we're seeing is a general shift in societal standards among young women and what impresses them, and the rest is just second and third order effects of that.

[BehindBlueI's]

I asked him why he never got a license or drove, and all he could say was 'cars are so expensive and complicated, I didn't want to waste all my money on one'.
That comment cut me deep, thinking about how much money I'd have had for guns if I'd just bought a Corolla or Accord in the late 90's and never been bit by the car bug.

"A driver's license and a marriage license are the two most expensive things you'll ever get in your life." - Hippy John

[Borderland]

Meanwhile, to your second point - I've got a PFC that just joined the Army and he's 21, married, and they're expecting their first child. Yet the first time he ever drove *anything* was when I put him in our driver's training beater M1097 Humvee a few weeks ago. He's a good kid, and he did okay, but I'm still baffled. I asked him why he never got a license or drove, and all he could say was 'cars are so expensive and complicated, I didn't want to waste all my money on one'.
That comment cut me deep, thinking about how much money I'd have had for guns if I'd just bought a Corolla or Accord in the late 90's and never been bit by the car bug.

I think that's pretty common these days. Lots of kids in college don't own a car, especially if they have to buy it, maintain it and pay for their own insurance. I know several Millennials that didn't learn to drive until they were in their late 20's early 30's. Some of them would rather spend their money to travel outside the US. That's what perplexes me, why would anyone want to travel outside the US before they've seen anything outside of their own local area where they grew up?

[Ed L]

I came across this in a parking lot recently. A 1977 Corvette with the L82 engine with a whopping 210 horsepower (it was powerful in its day). Sadly, I did not meet the owner or buy the car.

75443

[RevolverRob]

I've got a comparatively modest collection of hoopties, but between all my old Japanese 'shitboxes' I could probably sell them all off to consolidate funds and probably afford a Porsche 997.1 or a C7 Z06 outright, and that's damn tempting at times.

Keep one shitbox, sell the rest, build the one. Smash 997s and Z06s at the track. :cool:



Then I remembered there was no such thing as getting laid as a teenager without at least having a car, preferably a cool car.... so I think what we're seeing is a general shift in societal standards among young women and what impresses them, and the rest is just second and third order effects of that.

Wheels, a job, and some cash in your pocket will always get you laid. I refuse to believe otherwise. It's antithetical to life, because COOL and car ownership is a Venn Diagram that is basically a circle.


That's what perplexes me, why would anyone want to travel outside the US before they've seen anything outside of their own local area where they grew up?

Because they have been taught their whole lives that things are superior outside of the US. So, their immediate goal is to go out and get some confirmation bias on. You ever notice how people who travel to shitholes in their lives recognize how good their home country and other developed countries are? But people who have never been outside their own bubble think that Spain, Canada, the UK, etc. are all superior to their home country?

It's confirmation bias at work. Travel around and see some of the way the other 'half' (more like the other 90%) of the world lives and suddenly you stop thinking where you live is so bad. Food, shelter, clean running water, roads you can drive on, sidewalks to walk on, electricity - It's all really underrated until you've been someplace without it.
__

For awhile there has been some debate on how technological growth of the mid-to-late 90s and the internet has accelerated 'generation' times in the United States from ~20 years to around 10-years. I'm really beginning to think this is true. I feel, culturally, as far away from folks born in 1995 as I do from folks born in 1975 (I was born in '85).

In 2005 when I was 20, many of my friends went off to fight in a war, several never came back. We all had driver's licenses and jobs before we were 18 and those of us who had cellphones only had dumb phones, because Blackberrys were expensive. Most of us got into college without trying too hard, because it wasn't that difficult. Many of us entered our early adulthood right at the 2008 Depression. We were largely fucked when it came to good jobs it took many of us an extra 5-years to establish ourselves.

Those who turned 20 in 2015 and those who will be 20 in 2025 just aren't facing those same things. Not even close and the technology gap between 2005 and 2015 is almost the same as 1985 to 2000. The rise of smart phones, apps, 24-hours a day of internet access, etc - It's resulted in some very distinct cultural changes that means I just don't have the same things in common with people 10-years my junior.

[peterb]

Because they have been taught their whole lives that things are superior outside of the US. So, their immediate goal is to go out and get some confirmation bias on. You ever notice how people who travel to shitholes in their lives recognize how good their home country and other developed countries are? But people who have never been outside their own bubble think that Spain, Canada, the UK, etc. are all superior to their home country?

I dunno. If you don’t drive, flying to Madrid isn’t any more hassle than flying to Cleveland, and probably not much more expensive. Plus churros, so why not? ;-)

[Borderland]

I'm surprised at the number of people in their 20's and 30's that either don't own a car or if they do it's a 10 yo beater. I bought my first new vehicle when I was 24. I had a decent job and traveled a lot for the different companies I worked for, expenses payed. My first wife and I bought a new house when I was 28. She was 25. So it's a different time for sure. Looks almost like we're into some kind of generational depression, or maybe values are just changing. I know a few millennials, spent some time with two of them on Sat. They're married with 2 small kids. Their house is 110 years old (constant maintenance and upgrades) and they've never purchased a new car. Both have college degrees, one with a masters.

[Borderland]

I came across this in a parking lot recently. A 1977 Corvette with the L82 engine with a whopping 210 horsepower (it was powerful in its day). Sadly, I did not meet the owner or buy the car.

75443

Even those will become classics some day. ;)

Just kidding. I had a friend who owned an 82 Stingray. I drove it and it had enough power for me. Of course I had a 4 cyl Toyota PU at the time so anything with a V8 was a rocket ship.

[mmc45414]

I just found the antidote for that godawful Ranchero...

No knowledge or affiliation, just drove by and want it...https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210918/bda1e07354cbced715c931c1f9871a17.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210918/5549d0bb6e41d49904a0da9206d9e7fc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210918/6b4f69537849fd181e97424d75860c29.jpg

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

[KellyinAvon]

I just found the antidote for that godawful Ranchero...

No knowledge or affiliation, just drove by and want it...https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210918/bda1e07354cbced715c931c1f9871a17.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210918/5549d0bb6e41d49904a0da9206d9e7fc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210918/6b4f69537849fd181e97424d75860c29.jpg

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

64-65?

[mmc45414]

64-65?Yes, pretty sure that body style was only those two years.

Dad had a 64 Malibu when I was a kid, and I had a 65 SS Chevelle when I was 16.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

[Bergeron]

Man... I’m more impressed by engine work, be it a tuned-up 460 or 454 than by a Ford or Chevy logo on the ride in question...