First Year 1957 Ford Ranchero Custom For Sale: Video

The Ford Ranchero was first introduced in December of 1956 for the 1957 model year, beating the Chevy El Camino to market by two years. It was an amalgam of a two-door Ranch Wagon station wagon, short-wheelbase Custom sedan, and a Courier sedan delivery, with an integrated cab and reinforced cargo box. Though built on an automobile assembly line, the Ranchero was sold through Ford’s truck division.

The 1957 Ford Ranchero could be had in one of two trim levels: the standard model, which was quite spartan, and the Custom, which could be had with most Fairlane options, stainless steel side moldings, and two-tone paint. Either trim level could be ordered with any engine available for Ford cars.

The Ford Ranchero was well received by both the buying public and the press. It had the ease of operation of a car combined with the utility of a pickup, filling a previously untapped market segment.

Our feature 1957 Ford Ranchero is finished in Willow Green and Colonial Cream, with the full-length stainless steel side molding acting as the perfect separator. Clearly the recipient of a thoughtful restoration, the stainless and chrome trim, as well as the chrome bumpers present well, with no dings, dents, or patina of note. The glass appears to be in excellent condition, free from nicks, cracks, or wiper tracks.

The bed of this Ranchero appears to be unused, at least since it was repainted, and the floor of the bed is protected by black painted bedliner. The painted steel wheels, markedly wider than the factory units, are wrapped in modern blackwall radial, and topped by polished and painted caps.

The bench seat and door panels of the Ford Ranchero have been refinished in an attractive white vinyl and green cloth combo. The dash looks to be in fine nick, with climate controls, gauges, AM radio, clock, and steering wheel looking to have been restored, as well. Fresh medium green carpet covers the floors. Behind the seats is a healthy amount of in-cab storage.

Under the hood of the Ford Ranchero lives the Y-Block 312 cubic-inch V8 that’s backed by a three-speed automatic transmission. The engine block is finished in a bright red hue, with contrasting finned black valve covers and a chrome air cleaner cover. Atop the intake manifold is an Edelbrock four-barrel carb. The engine compartment is clean and tidy, with inner fenders painted matte black.

This cool but utilitarian Ford Ranchero is being offered by Streetside Classics for $39,995. The video below provides a closer look.

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