Looks like it’s a dead man’s party up in here. I don’t know what it is about hearses, but folks who love them really love them. Someday, I need to show you all my friend Eric’s custom ’66 Cadillac hearse; it’s a sight to behold. But for now, we have more pressing matters, in the form of two uncommon trucks (or near-trucks) that both need some work. But both of them come with extra parts to help you on your way. Let’s take a look at them.
1974 Ford Ranchero – $2,200
Engine/drivetrain: 302 cubic inch V8, 3 speed manual, RWD Location: Hoodsport, WA Odometer reading: unknown Runs/drives? Technically, but not quite roadworthy First off, for the benefit of our younger readers: When this vehicle was built, the type of transmission it uses had another name besides a manual transmission. It was a standard transmission. Three forward speeds (“slow, fast, and haulin’ ass,” as a high-school friend of mine called them), usually on the column, and a clutch pedal were what you got if you didn’t specify what transmission you wanted, in pretty much any car short of a Lincoln or Cadillac. Most cars were sold with an automatic, but it was nearly always an optional extra.
But whoever originally bought this toothpaste-green Ranchero didn’t spring for many extras at all, it seems, besides extra cylinders. That 3-speed standard is spun by our good friend the Windsor 302 V8, with a two-barrel carburetor, which the seller says runs “perfect.” It does not have power steering or power brakes, so don’t skip gym days; you’ll need your strength.
It has some rust, and the interior isn’t exactly pretty, but the good news is that it comes with essentially an entire new interior in a nice brown, except for carpet, which is available for around $200 (I checked). And the seller has extra body parts you can mix and match, and parts cars you can pull from. It’s like a big Lego set!
It’s as close as Americans ever got to an Australian “ute,” it’s a pre-catalytic-converter V8 with a manual, and it doesn’t even look half bad as it sits. There’s a lot to like here.
1964 International Harvester Scout 80 – $1,800
Engine/drivetrain: 152 cubic inch inline 4, 3 speed manual, part-time 4WD Location: North Bend, WA Odometer reading: 66,000 miles Runs/drives? Nope. Supposedly runs, but steering is broken Rather have your 3 speed standard on the floor, and all four wheels driven? We’ve got you covered. This early Scout 80, International Harvester’s answer to the Jeep, is in what the seller calls “buildable” condition. It has a bit of a lift (likely just from moving the springs above the axles instead of below them) and some big bald tires, but otherwise it looks stock. It’s powered by a 4 cylinder International engine, which is basically a V8 with the left bank of cylinders missing. The seller was told it runs, but wasn’t given keys; I would have assumed they would have tried to hot-wire it by now to make sure it runs, but maybe that’s just me.
The rest of it is rough, with that awful rattle-can camouflage job, but at least it includes replacement front fenders. They aren’t in great shape, but they aren’t cut back like the ones that are installed on it are.
Inside, it’s… well, let’s just say a hazmat suit wouldn’t be the craziest idea before you crawl into this thing. Expect to gut the interior and do what you want with it. But it’s a simple steel box on wheels anyway; you don’t need to get fancy with the upholstery.
It can be saved, I think, and considering what nice restored Scouts are selling for, this might be a bargain. Not to restore, but just to get nice enough to drive and enjoy. Trailer it home, rebuild the steering linkage, remove and probably burn the seats and replace them with something from a junkyard, and add in a good old push-button and toggle switch for the ignition. It could work. There they are, two 3 speed standards in different packages. Which one is your flavor? Quiz maker A ute has all the disadvantages of a car paired with all the disadvantages of a truck. A friend had a Dodge Rampage in the ’80s, kept it for a year and then traded it on a Daytona. It had only two seats but didn’t handle well, had a bed but couldn’t carry anything large or heavy. Probably would have been a great vehicle for a travelling closed cell foam salesman. I always loved Scouts, but not this one. If it had the 304 and four speed, it would be a lot more appealing. The Ranchero is offbeat and somewhat useful for light loads. Fix the interior, get the panels sorted, MAACO paint, and you have a nice driver quality. There is also room for some modern touches like a vintage air system, updated radio that looks stockish, maybe power windows/locks. Grudgingly, the Ford. As the proud owner of a ’69 800A, I had to go Scout. It’s mostly there, and they’re pretty simple to patch up. It won’t cruise the interstates as well as the Ranchero, but there isn’t much on or off road that’ll stop it. That said, the Ranchero is pretty cool as well. I must say, though that these first-gen Scouts are really pretty poor on-road vehicles, and I’m an IH guy from way back. Mine had power steering that was so limp you could drive it with your pinky and I retrofitted power brakes from a Scout II on it, but was still fairly terrifying to drive at higher speeds, and the two 10-gallon gas tanks combined with IH’s famously thirsty V8 led to endless running out of gas events. I got rid of it to some high-school kid for like $1200 back in ’93, and I still hope he didn’t kill himself in it.
