fbpx

Driving a 1972 Ford Ranchero GT

Say you’re looking to haul some furniture and want something with the sensibilities of a car. Or perhaps you want something that will be a blast to drive out into the country that will allow you to gaze up at the stars. Maybe you want to be drive a muscle car with a roaring V8 and do big, smoky burnouts from stop light to stoplight. You may be thinking that it’s simply impossible to find a vehicle that can do all of this but I’m about to blow. Your. Mind. What you need is a 1972 Ford Ranchero GT.

This brown and orange muscle trucklet has the goods to fit nearly any need you have. The 351 cubic inch V8 under the hood means that the Ranchero GT is like a reverse mullet: it’s a party in the front and all business in the back. The carpeted pickup bed can just as easily swallow a couch and a cooler for that tailgate party as it can comfortably fit two cozy star gazers.

As you sink down into the comfy, tan vinyl bench seat and stare out over the long hood, with its matte black hood scoop, it feels like you’re about to drive a couch straight out of your grandma’s living room. The thin-rimmed steering wheel feels delicate but well weighted in your hands and the whole cockpit is designed to provide all the information you’ll need with the auxiliary gauges pointed towards the driver. Just twist the key and the Ranchero starts right up with an intoxicating roar. After a few moments, the engine settles into a gentle, burbling idle which resonates through the custom exhaust. Pull the column shifter into gear and you’re away.

Given its age, it doesn’t take much to blow the cobwebs out of the engine. The Ranchero feels surprisingly modern in its ability to keep up with traffic. Should your heart so desire, the Ranchero can also show a bit of its hooligan side; plenty capable of spinning up its wheels and scorching the pavement as it surges down the road. With the soundtrack of the V8 ringing in your ears, it’s hard not to be tempted to put your foot down hard on the accelerator and feel the rear of the car squat slightly as it takes off. Of course, if you choose to be more responsible, the Ranchero is perfectly happy just cruising down the street, looking good.

The Ranchero is every bit as practical as it is fun to drive. Not only can you race your buddies in their pickup trucks to the nearest Home Depot in style but you can also load up the bed with all the same stuff that you need for a weekend’s worth of projects as well. Of course, you can’t forget the extra style points you’ll get for having bright orange racing stripes down the sides and a big, matte black hood scoop! All of this adds up to what is essentially the perfect all purpose vehicle. You get style, speed, flair, and plenty of space to haul stuff. What’s not to like?!

So, next time you want to impress your buddies at the local hardware store, garden center, or furniture emporium, make sure you’re driving this Ranchero GT from Morrie’s fleet of heritage vehicles.

Guest blog post written by: Alex Bellus – a well-known automotive photographer in the Twin Cities area and a frequent attendee of MN C&C at the Automotorplex. He is an Automotive Analyst for IHS Automotive and has a wide range of automotive knowledge. Keep your eye out for his next Blog Post where he will highlight another popular Morrie’s vehicle!

.

 

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *