Ford Ranchero: Was it a car, a truck, or a "ca-truck"? - STLtoday.com
If an inanimate object could possibly have a split personality, Ford's Ranchero, introduced in the 1957 model year, would certainly qualify. ) The optional "Sunburst" full wheel covers ($19) and white sidewall tires ($50) were just the icing on the cake to make this little hauler look natty as a Marine in full dress uniform. Stretching their creative genius to the limit, the guys in advertising (and I'll bet they were all guys back in the day, except for the secretaries at least) billed it, in the same brochure, as a 'show pony", claiming that it would be wonderful... "And", they went on, "the Ranchero is price much lower than you might think. From the split-back front (well ONLY) seat, with its handy parcel space, forward, it was exactly like the Ford Del Rio Ranch Wagon. Whether behind the deep-dish (for safety) steering wheel or riding shotgun, if you didn't turn your head around, you'd think you were riding in a Ford automobile. the first and only pickup (at the time) to have such a set up. Ford offered the Ranchero in two "brilliant models" as they liked to phrase it— the basic Ranchero, with minimal brightwork and a spartan. Source: www.stltoday.com
