Unchopping a chopped 57 Ford Ranchero windshield

This chrome thingy... is a 58 Edsel wagon tailgate latch which shares the same outer section of the latch with the 57-58 Ford station wagons and Ranchero's... the Ford's center has a Ford Crest... the Edsel has this circular raised area with an Edsel emblem... Ian is known for his Pewter "Flying Eyeball" pins which he does the designs, molds, & castings... the circular recess seems to be ideal starting point for a unique tailgate latch

 

I owned this Ranchero for a few years. I bought it from Butch when he had his auction. I know the Ranchero came out of Arizona, but I forget who did the chop.

I just talked to Butch a couple of days ago, I'll see what information I can get about the Ranchero for you.

 

I would appreciate it... do you still have your other Ranchero? I was busy on the T and didn't get started on this one til last fall... still into Y-Blocks?... here is a couple shots of the one in the T

 

Man I really dig both the T and the Ranchero. Too cool.

 

Dude! cool dash!!!

 

I'm sure we could do it, just need some dimensions.

 

Getting back on the build track... here is the lower cowl splice... a lot of the decisions on this car were based on available parts on hand... when I bought this car it was basically a decent shell... and with a reasonable amount of effort and a parts car it could have been made into an average driver quality car... ok, problem is I don't have any average parts... most of my spares are NOS or you could wax them if they were the right color... not a bad problem... but, I can't justify putting a 40 year collection of parts on a car that doesn't justify it... If I buy a car nice enough for the parts and accessories it probably doesn't need them and I still have parts that take up space... so only time will tell how far this project goes...

 

This the damaged area of the cowl that was removed... a fender bender that was repaired in an unseen area... not pretty but it was just transportation and it diddn't matter... in of itself - it would not have justified a cowl replacement...

 

If you haven't figured it out... the T and the 57 will be a pair... the T is vintage correct land speed, circle track, drag car... which means it is a ticket just waiting to happen on the street... no lights, windscreen, etc... it's not up to todays spec for racing either... so the plan is a single axle vintage style trailer pulled by my wagon or this Ranchero... cruise to events, cackle around in the 27, and not have to check the weather report since the 57's have a top and windows that roll up

 

Another shot before blasting

 

That engine looks a little..........snug...in there.

Nice car, is there a build thread on it? I'd like to see more of it.

 

Thread on the 27 which will have some updates in the near future

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=431579

 

Thom, Looking forward to new updates on the "T". Now that sir is going to be one neat Hot Rod ! Is inspiration to my '31 "A' Coupe with Marine Y-Block. Still love the rear end center section on your "T:".

Dave

 

I don't want to accused of being a cross-treader... appreciate comments on both cars... I posted the tread for the 27

 

We wanted to get more done before blasting but when you live in Ohio you take any opportunity that comes your way... it started snowing before the top was finished... bare metal beats a two tone roof

 

Talked to Butch today. He does not know who chopped the Ranchero. He bought the Ranchero out of Tucson, AZ and had a friend tow it back. Sorry I couldn't get any new information...

 

Now you can begin to see the forward rake oa the A pillar on the Retract cowl... the door was spliced at a slight angle and a relief cut was made to bring the top angle back in place... later you wil see were a relief cut required in the splice to keep the vent window surface flat

 

Butch, bought it from my Father. I will ask him in the AM who chopped it.

 

This picture shows the chop... it isn't radical and I seriously don't think a lot of people would not even notice unless you compare to a stock hiegth one

 

Looking good. Good thing you are good at fabricating.The vent windows were
a challenge for me with my limitited skills.

 

I have a buddy that just went through it on his Merc... and I thought we would be able to use the shorter 500 Series... the angles ar right but the corner is to sharp of a radius

 

I like this shot because it shows all the splices

 

Great Teck and educational for sure. I will have to go check out the T now and love the y block

 

If your following this thread and trying to make sense out of the referances to 300 Series and 500 Series this may help... I couldn't find any side views of a Retract so the Vicky will represent the 500 Series with two inches longer wheelbase and seven inches overall than the 300 Series... I'm told that the windshied is one and a quarter inches lower (I'll confirm this dimension when I obtain a windshied)... I know that the angle of the A pillar is more upright on the 300 Series... when you think of it like a manufacturer it makes sense... the cowl and dash has to remain the same for all the parts to interchange... the angle of visability was engineered to remain constant too... the only angle left to lower the top is the A pillar... as rodders & customizers we angle the posts to meet the existing top... a manufacturer just made a new roof to fit - wider & longer to match the longer quarter panels... a lower and longer profile gave Ford an upper hand to compete with Old, Pontiac, & Buick... and the 300 Series was aimed at Chevy... a good stratagy to test the waters to see if the buying public wanted a bigger ride... 57 and the carry over 58 restyle were the only years Ford built two separate platforms... marketing found what the public wanted and the smaller Ford was history... but the combined choices and the restyled wagogon (120K units) stode the lead from Chevy

 

Retract or Skyliner... the roof sets higher and farther back on the production model (it is three inches longer than the Fairlane to accomodate the folding top)

 

Thom, Now that is one HOT ! - Ranchero. Like the trim and quad lites.

Dave

 

Thank you for explaining the differences on the 300 & 500 series windshield frames. It has always confused me, and now it makes sense. The progress of your Ranchero cowl exchange has been invaluable to me with my own project. I look forward to seeing more!

 

Lookin' good, Thom! Hopefully I'll get over to the garage soon to check it out!