1973 Ford Ranchero

GT "Q" code Other

8 - Cyl.

Manual

3A48Q312030

Clear

Gasoline

This car runs great, the motor and transmission are recently tuned and work fine. The body and interior are in fair condition. Since I bought the car on 10/2008, I replaced the front windshield and made a few other small repairs. Otherwise, the description I got when I bought it will tell the story. I am copying below the description I got when I bought the car. I am not a mechanic, but the person I bought it from is and these are his notes. I completely underestimated the project necessary to make this car a daily driver and I think the notes below are misleading about the body and interior, they need a lot of work. I cannot do what is needed to put this car in usable condition although it is a blast to drive even as is because the motor and transmission work and sound like a hot rod. It starts very easy, the exchaust and tires are new. My fear is that something might break in the suspension or something else might not be safe as it is today. Notes below were Written 10/30/08 The 73 Ranchero GT I am selling is a factory "Q" code (351cj), 4 speed car, I was building the car to be a daily driver about 5 years ago and never quite got all of the bugs worked out I have only driven it about 1000 miles since everything was done, When I got it someone had removed the 351cj, 4speed and put a 400M/C-6 auto. in it, but it still had some of the factory linkage and pedals. I found the parts to put it back to original configuration, here are some of the highlights and issues; Engine: -Rebuilt 351C from a 70 Torino, 2 bolt main block bored .030" over -two barrel (2V) cylinder heads for better street performance -Edelbrock Performer aluminum intake manifold -Holley 600cfm 4 barrel carburetor,vacuum secondaries -RV camshaft- a little lumpier than a factory Cobra-Jet cam-I don't have the exact specs. -MPG windage tray -Factory 351CJ air cleaner with chromed lid. -New dual exhaust Transmission/Driveline: -Factory wide ratio toploader 4 speed- from a 72 Ranchero, I was told it was rebuilt when I bought it, it shifts fine and doesn't make any funny noises. -Factory Hurst floor shifter- -new clutch-resurfaced flywheel -New U-Joints -new TRW rear coil springs -new rear brakes, and bearings in the rear end -9" 3.25 traction-lock rear end- rebuilt Body: -It has an incorrect 74-76 year grille and bumper- I like that front end better than the 73 so I left it alone -The original color was Gold-Glow metallic with an Orange to Yellow Stripe -The paint job is a cheap white paint job and is starting to show it's age, in some places it is flaking off showing the original gold color -It was used as a truck and a daily driver so it has some dents and scratches on it-I have mostly used it for dump runs and swap meets -The car is not a rust bucket, but it does have some rust that would need to be repaired-There is a rust hole in the bed that was caused from an previous exhaust leak from underneath the car, and there is a rust hole below the right tail light, there is some bubbling at the lower quarters and bottom corners of the doors. Interior: -Factory Bucket seats- Brown –poor condition -Factory Sport/GT guage package- Tach,oil press., Amps everything seems to work but they aren't back-lit with the headlights on. -The lower dash was hacked out for a CD player -It needs a headliner, carpet and door panels were removed, still have door panels -New windshield has been installed in 2009 -dash pad has a plastic overlay cover- -the cavity behind the seats-below the bed has surface rust- -It has a 4 speed console that came out of a 72 Torino Sport, it is just sitting in the car all of the brackets to install it come with, I don't think it came with a console originally. -For some reason it has a push button to start it, so you can start it without the key. Wheels and tires; -Factory 14x7" Magnum 500 wheels with stainless steel trim rings and Torino center caps -245/60R14 Grand AM radial Tires from Les Scwab with about 1000 miles on them. I probably have missed some stuff but I want to make sure I am thorough since you aren't here to inspect the car, I hope I haven't scared you with my details, I am an Airplane Mechanic so I am picky and not a good car salesman, it is my work ethic to be honest with everything. It is actually a good solid car. My wife doesn't like Ranchero's for some reason and won't even ride in it. I have a 1970 Torino GT that I've had since High School and a 1969 Mercury Marquis Convertible, between those and working on the house and garage the Ranchero has basically just sat here not being used much, I try to start it up every few weeks and at least move it around the yard. I can take more pictures if you need them. I just sold a non-running basket case Aussie Falcon(Madmax car), shipping to Illinois was $1000. I am pretty firm at $3000 for the car, I have at least $6500 into it, basically it is cosmetics that need to be done to make it a really nice car. On May-29-11 at 09:24:14 PDT, seller added the following information: I posted more pictures of the interior and motor. I have stripped the interior down to work on it so it looks bare. I repaired and rustproofed the floor board some and painted it the red color you see. I replaced the steering wheel and remounted the driver seat although that was not a professional job. I mounted the racing mirrors although they need painting. Since I am not a mechanic, the work I did was enough to prove that this job was more than I could handle. I really don't know how much work on the underside of the car is needed, although I assume it is substantial.