Based on the compact Falcon series, the second generation Ranchero debuted in 1960 to compete with vehicles like the Chevrolet Corvair Rampside pickup, and the pickup version of the VW Type 2 van. Though on the larger Chevelle platform, the El Camino returned to the market in 1964 and gave the Ranchero some additional competition, and if you were thinking outside the mainstream, you could also buy one of the early Datsun pickups, a Toyota Stout, or a Morris Minor pickup. With an 800-lb. load capacity, Rancheros couldn’t haul too much, but were useful for light duty, and most Falcon Rancheros were therefore sold with the 144ci or 170ci inline six. That didn’t keep owners from upgrading to match the higher 260 or 289 spec – check out this 1965 Ford Ranchero for sale for $3900 in Ukiah, CA.
Light Truck Tuesday – 1965 Ford Ranchero
April 22, 2014Lower! Lower! Lower! – 1977 Fiat 131S Mirafiori
April 21, 2014Well, in case $500 is not a low enough price for a fun project, the crack team of research interns here at RustyButTrusty HQ has found an even cheaper, rarer, and possibly more interesting car. In its brief stay here, from 1975-1981, Fiat’s 131/Brava was an affordable alternative to a BMW or Alfa Romeo sedan, perhaps picking up from where the original Datsun 510 and Fiat’s own 124 left off. As mentioned before here, rear-wheel drive, a twincam four, and a 5-speed are a fairly irresistible combination. You can find this 1977 Fiat 131S Mirafiori for sale for $200 in Reno, NV.
Number 500 for $500 – 1972 MG Midget
April 21, 2014Today, we’re celebrating the 500th posting here, and what makes more sense than a $500 car to go with the theme? Poking around does not reveal many viable, interesting vehicles at that price – even 20-year-old beater cars seem to fetch more than that. So finding a British classic for that price prompted a sigh of relief, almost – check out this 1972 MG Midget, for sale for $500 in Kendall, WA.


