Photo from the CC Cohort by riveranotario.
Let’s revisit once again the alternative reality of South American Fords. Today’s subject, the Argentinian version of the Ranchero which remained in production in that nation from 1973 to 1991. If you know your Fords, this Ranchero’s early Falcon lineage must be clear to your eyes, notwithstanding the 1980s fascial refresh that graces today’s find. So an early Falcon offspring, once again. And just how big is that family tree?
Early Argentinian Falcon, posted at the Cohort by riveranotario.
The Argentinian Falcon has made its appearance at CC on a few occasions, and its background has already been covered in detail by Paul. To be short, as in many instances, the Argentinian Falcon was a concoction by Ford Of Argentina, debuting in 1962 and making use of Dearborn parts and technology, appropriately re-engineered to suit South American conditions.
Print reads: “Punish me. Mistreat me. Starve me to death. Exploit me. I’m all yours. Falcon.”
Yes, the Latin spirit often plays with odd romantic ideals of sacrifice and devotion. But the concepts behind this promo did fit with the model’s fame in the region; it offered no-nonsense well-proven American engineering, good power, and reasonable economy. Plus trims and options to suit various purses.
As such, the Falcon became a mainstay in the region, staying around for about three decades with relatively minor updates and gaining almost legendary status.
Elsewhere, Ford Of Argentina’s version of the F100 had found much acceptance in that nation. In general, the region’s automotive market was growing, with competition becoming more intense as international players arrived in the region (VW, Fiat, Renault, Chevrolet, Kaiser).
Despite the market’s reduced size, niches were being explored by all. Among those, competitors were offering their sport-utes, and Ford already had one such vehicle in the US and other markets. By the early seventies, the time had come for Argentina to get their own Ranchero.
Rancheros “In the countryside.”
Once the idea was greenlighted, the Ranchero took two years to develop and reach showrooms. Early test vehicles allegedly suffered greatly on the less-than-ideal Argentinian rural roads. Stiffened suspensions and frames came to the rescue, alongside other engineering tweaks. After almost 100K of test miles, the Ford Ranchero debuted in August of 1973.
“In the city.” – Like good light ute, early promos sold the Ranchero as a practical lifestyle vehicle.
Those who know their Falcons can easily tell that the 1973 model still pretty much wore 1962 clothing, though sporting updates found on the rest of the lineup. From revised trim and fascias to a new hood and cleaner side panels.
In the case of El Ranchero, two versions arrived to the market. The “light”, with drums all around and a cargo capacity of 465Kg. Then a “heavy duty”, with discs up front and capable of hauling up to 565Kg of cargo.
If the model’s taillights seem familiar, no wonder; they come from the F100. As for power, the Ranchero got the inline sixes available in the rest of the Falcon lineup: A 3.0L with 84HP and a 3.6L with 109HP (Displacements not available in the US, of course). Shifting could either be via three on the tree, or through a 4-speed stick floor-mounted.
Also available, a Deluxe version (in 1974), with upgraded trim and with the 3.6L powerplant as standard.
The dynamics of the smaller South American market allowed the Falcon’s 1960s soul to enjoy a long life in South America. Not that it could remain completely stagnant. To that effect, a new face and updated trim arrived in 1978 (above).
Then, in 1982 the most significant refresh the Falcon would get for the remainder of its run appeared. “With you towards the future” reads the print above. Sure… More like keeping up with the times.
Still, for the market, the clean Euro-Ford face felt very up-to-date, and alongside updates in interior, mechanicals and trims, the Falcons remained a competitive force.
Of those updates, the interior was the most obvious, now covered in 1980s Ford plastics — even in trendy faux-wood if chosen. In the Ranchero, discs up front were now standard (So, all were “heavy duty”?), while available engines remained the 3.0 and 3.6. Electronic ignition arrived as well, alongside an electric choke.
Finally, a diesel variant showed up in 1988, using a 4-cyl. 2.4L engine that provided 70HP.
Today’s find clearly belongs to the 1982-1991 crop. There’s no breakdown on Ranchero numbers, but in all, 494,209 Falcons were built in its many body styles during its run. The last unit leaving the Ford Pacheco plant in September 1991, an event that apparently got a good deal of media coverage. Understandable, as an era had come to an end.
As for the Ranchero, being South America, the vehicles must have performed their dual work-lifestyle roles quite well. After all, small utes are still common in the region and have a devoted following. The picks go from the VW Saveiro, to the Renault Duster and the Fiat Strada. Those now with double cabins and car-like plushness, of course. But from time to time, it’s nice to take a look at how it all was at the beginning.
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Very nice column, Rich! Even though the Ranchero was not sold in Uruguay, I’m almost sure the DeLuxe early version had the same 3.0 engine as the standard, with the 3.6 as an option.
Something that might escape US readers, the picture showing the rear of the Ranchero where the F100 rear lights can be seen, has the lever in what would be the “Park” position. They never had an automatic as far as I know, and even sedans and wagons with an automatic appeared much later and most in top trim levels with floor shifting. So, a standard Falcon with an automatic and column lever is quite a find. So, this Ranchero is simply parked with the lever in reverse, probably just to show it had a three on the tree.
Thanx for this interesting and informative article .
Looks good to me, remember rusty Falcon Rancheros in the 1960’s, these sound better / tougher with reinforced frames .
-Nate
Imagine the money Ford Australia would have saved if it had gone down a similar path, actually on reflection the XF Falcon of 1984 may have been a practice run as it seemed to be out dated on release and hung around for an eternity, sure they may have lost market share (to everyone) but surely worth investigating….
Very interesting indeed.
My first thought on seeing the short doors was that they used the Aussie ute body – but they didn’t. The rear of the cab is quite different, not to mention the tailgate and taillights. More extensive changes, to make it more practical. And while we’re back there, it looks like it has a longer overhang than ours too.
Those engine capacities sure sound familiar though; we had them in the late sixties.
3.6 sounds like the 221 cube engine 3.0 is 200 cube +-, they could have phoned Broadmeadows and got the Aussie parts upgrades they would fit, decent tailgate.