1969 Rio Grande Ranchero (Full Version)

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1969 Rio Grande Ranchero

  

QJM15c -> 1969 Rio Grande Ranchero (5/7/2008 12:59:00 PM)

Hello! I'm new to the forum. My Dad and I Have stared restoring What we thought was a 1969 Ranchero GT. But the more we look into it the more we find that no one has herd of before. the truck was white with black strips on the rocker pannels, the hood was blacked out down the middle where the hood scope is, it has the fairlane 500 interior with bucket seats. it has the 390 with the 4 speed. and we have all four origanal magnum 500 wheels with the ranchero rio grande wheel centers, this is what no one has ever seen before atleast in casper, wy [:D] I have tried to find info on this version of the ranchero but all I can find is that it was only produced for one year (1969) it came in three colors, and that there were only 400 of them made.

I'm looking for anyone who could tell me anything about these ranchero's, there's just not alot of info on them. anything would be helpful.

thanks
Quinton 

  
Hayapower -> RE: 1969 Rio Grande Ranchero (5/7/2008 3:00:18 PM)

A little-known and extremely rare offering in 1969 was the Rio Grande. Available on special order, this was essentially a GT in the so-called "Grabber" colors of "Wimbledon White", "Poppy Red" or "Calypso Coral," partially blacked-out hood with scoop, side stripes, bed rails, vinyl top and unique "Ford Ranchero Rio Grande" wheel centers. As a result, Rancheros so equipped received Ford's "SPECIAL PERFORMANCE VEHICLE" identification on the data plate regardless of engine choice. These vehicles may be identified by the aforementioned designation as well as a blank space where the trim code would normally be found. Production figures are unclear, but may have been around 900 total units.

goinstrong -> RE: 1969 Rio Grande Ranchero (5/7/2008 11:49:37 PM)

With the low production figure - obviously worth restoring. I've seen the GT's but none of these. Although I JUST slipped through Ebay and saw a set of BRAND NEW wheel centers for this.

goinstrong -> RE: 1969 Rio Grande Ranchero (5/7/2008 11:55:40 PM)

Maybe as far the the bookwork you could try bookstores (some are interconnected and may send you in the right direction), maybe your local library (you never know), flea markets, car shows, and old car parts dealers. My book only has them up to '65 or '66 so I'm just shy of the mark by a few years. Maybe even internet search engines may shed some light.

QJM15c -> RE: 1969 Rio Grande Ranchero (5/15/2008 10:28:02 AM)

Thank's for the info guys. I have another problem now, ford can't even tell us what this means. the door tag has the special performance vehicle writing on it but the order numbers are not correct or thats what ford says.

the numbers are as follows

9A48S281857

66B                HA     24F       512563     6     5
Body    Color   Trim   Date        DSO    AXLE  Trans

there is no color code and ford is saying that the DSO number is not valid. the way I wrote it is the way it apears on the tag.  any one have any sugestions on what this means?

I have a 69 ford torino restoration guide book that lists a few ranchero things in it. it shows the rio grande wheel center but nothing eles on this particular model. it says that the DSO number is supost to be two digit's not six. we also found the build sheet in the passenger seat back, none of the numbers match the door tag on it either.

Any and all info will help

P.S. goinstrong thanks for the tip about the wheel centers on ebay I picked them up for 34.00, fig they would be a good thing to have around[:D] 

  

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