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In 1960, Ford transitioned its popular Ranchero model to the new, compact Falcon line, marking a successful change. Featured here is a 1961 Ford Falcon Ranchero. Explore more classic truck images.With its compact size—perhaps due to it—the 1960-1963 Ford Falcon Ranchero became a favorite among buyers seeking a sleek and functional little truck.
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When Ford introduced the compact Ford Falcon series in 1960, it also launched an open-bed pickup version, calling it the Ford Falcon Ranchero. At the same time, Ford started phasing out this body style and name from its full-size car lineup.
The 1960-1963 Ford Falcon Ranchero proved to be more practical than its small size might suggest. With an 800-pound payload, it could carry 100 pounds more than the much larger Chevrolet El Camino. However, its engine couldn't match the V-8 El Camino's power, with the Falcon's only engine option initially being a 144-cid six that generated 90 bhp.
Although the Ford Falcon wasn't designed with luxury in mind, the Ranchero offered a balanced mix of functionality and style, featuring a concave bright-metal grille, chrome bumpers, and bright trim around the windshield and backlight. The deluxe trim package added whitewall tires, full wheel covers, and accentuating bright touches in the cargo bed.
Two-tone paint options were available, with the secondary color applied to the 'A' pillars and roof; starting in 1961, the 'B' pillars also featured two-tone styling. Aside from a new convex grille, the 1961 Ford Ranchero looked nearly identical to the 1960 model. However, the engine choices expanded, with buyers able to select a larger, 170-cid six generating 101 bhp.
The compact Ford Falcon Ranchero's 800-pound payload capacity surpassed that of the larger Chevrolet El Camino, though the Chevy still offered more power.Sales remained steady around 21,000 units in 1960, 1961, and 1962. In 1962, the Ranchero, like the Falcon car model, received a facelift, including a bolder vertical-bar grille and a hood bulge with a dummy scoop.
Across all three years of the 1960-1963 Ford Falcon Ranchero, the deluxe trim package featured bright metal accents on the exterior, along with thoughtful touches such as a white steering wheel, chrome horn ring, dome-light door switch, and a choice of black/white or red/white all-vinyl upholstery. The standard upholstery, a brown vinyl embossed with a western steer-head design, was also quite stylish on its own.
For its final year in this generation, the 1963 Ford Ranchero came with yet another redesigned grille. More notably, it was now available with a V-8 engine: Ford's 260-cid small-block producing 164 bhp. Production for the 1963 model dropped to 18,533 units.
Collectible Advantages of the 1960-1963 Ford Falcon Ranchero
- Plentiful spare parts, and you can even repurpose some sheet metal from Mustangs
- Strong performance from the 1963 V-8 engine
- Well-crafted and surprisingly luxurious for a truck
Collectible Drawbacks of the 1960-1963 Ford Falcon Ranchero
Drawbacks of Collecting the 1960-1963 Ford Falcon Ranchero
- The 144-cid six engine lacks power
- Prone to rusting; be sure to inspect floors, fenders, and rocker panels
- The collectible market isn't showing much interest, but that might be a positive for some buyers
A sibling to the Falcon Ranchero, the Falcon Sedan Delivery shared the same body as the Falcon station wagon, but with blanked-out rear-side windows.For more insightful articles and pictures about both new and classic trucks, visit:
- Classic Trucks
- Ford Trucks
- Consumer Guide Auto Reviews and Prices
