This car just came up for sale on Craigslist Los Angeles. The owner claims is it one of three Ranchero Shelby’s built in 1965. He’s asking $185,000. It sounds like a tall tale to us, but we’ve never claimed to know it all. You guys read the ad and decide - maybe someone out there will be able to confirm or bunk this find. First thing that throws us, besides never having heard of a Shelby Ranchero before, is the picture of the Shelby emblem. It appears to be just right of the door to fender gap (or is it on the tail gate?) Yet on the full image of the car there is no such emblem visible.
“HISTORIC Shelby 1965 Ranchero 1 of 3″ - $185000
We have a very unique Shelby Original. This car is 1 of 3 completed by Shelby and is the only one available to the public. The first 2 were returned to Ford for their use. This car is in exceptional condition and has been in storage for about 36 yrs. It is all original with only 4,706 original miles. You will never see a vehicle of this rarity again. There are minor blemishes on the car due to the length of time it has been in storage. Regardless it runs great and is in very good mechanical condition. The price is $185,000.00 firm! We can deliver to any location if desired or come drive it home. I don’t suggest the later. Please be serious about your inquiry as we will not entertain tire kickers.
Spec’s.
1965 Falcon 2 Door Ranchero
White w/red int.
289 HP auto trans.
Shelby Package
Factory A/C
All matching #’s
Deluxe chrome package
Original Ad: http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/car/222097816.html
you know how many times i have had a car no one believe was built - many.
you know how many tim es i’ve had a rare car with some late previous yr , or other model that yr , or early next model yr. part on it that the car was dead orig from the factory and the “supposed EXPERTS ” claimed was wrong - more time than i can count for you !!!
to nah sayers- that why YOU NEVER END UP WITH ANYTHING REALLY SPECIAL.
examine , research , then make the call. i’m not talking about the about 65 ranchero. just in general.
here’s one for you.
i had a 1970 COBRA ( badged from factory) 4 spd , 4.11 locker, 429scj shaker RANCHERO.
TODAY - most say - there where none built- i know better , i had one. (even had fake reptile/gator look vinyl landau top.
traded it for my 67 427 435hp roadster - so i think i came out OK.
35 yr collector and still digging up the rare pieces TODAY.
again - nah-sayers , end up with NOTHING.
take this for what it’s worth . (probably more than most of you will ever learn in your life! unfortunately in one ear and out the other, and on to making the same DUMB ASS remarks and decisions 5 mins later.
but it’s cool saves that stuff you don’t believe in for ME
By old lug nut. October 26th, 2007 at 11:47 amand its worth maybe since in my opinion ruined its worth about $10,000
By Tom. August 15th, 2007 at 10:21 amOh and another thing the grill is clearly a falcon
By Tom. August 15th, 2007 at 10:17 amKING COBRA RANCHERO…its called a Ranchero Scrambler
By DCarson. March 23rd, 2007 at 10:43 pmGeez you people are pitiful, eachone claiming to know more than the other. And at Shelby’s age and due to the size of his company and the years they were in business you honestly think he remembers every single car he built from 50 years ago. And who even cares
By Somereallystupidpeoplehere. February 16th, 2007 at 10:17 amI recently met a fellow in Wylie, Texas who claims he also has a Shelby Ranchero, 1965, which was 1 of 3. He showed me several pictures of it. It looks identical to this one except it was red. The SHELBY badge is on the lower left of the tailgate. It has the same style interior and bench seat, and A/C. He said it was a hi-po 289 and auto. He also claims some Shelby guys and Mr. Shelby himself came out and authenticated it. I would not pay anywhere near that for the car even if it was the real deal. It’s just a plain Jane parts getter.
By skip zzr. February 11th, 2007 at 8:47 pmGlad you enjoyed my little tale, taxpayer. I think we all need to laugh and be silly more often.
By Shelby-Team Ed. February 6th, 2007 at 8:11 pmHey, that was a good one! You got me. But I wasn’t trying to be believable. Just silly.
By ustaxpayer2008. February 5th, 2007 at 5:56 pmSure it’s just a joke; any car enthusiast would/should know that there is no such thing as a Shelbero. But what our joker probably doesn’t know is that he accidentally stumbled into a FASCINATING aspect about Shelby and Ford, and some facts that ARE true! . I was fortunate in those early years to have worked closely with the Shelby “concept team”, as it was called. Taking conversations, directions, and ideas that Mr. Shelby brainstormed with us, we would explore how best to make the ideas become realities. We had a lot of exciting and diverse irons in the fire, and some of them materialized very successfully, while others thank goodness died away. We weren’t O;N the cutting edge of developing speed and handling, folks—-we WERE the cutting edge!
By Shelby-Team Ed. February 3rd, 2007 at 10:48 pmNow at one time Mr. Shelby did consider going in 2 different directions simultaneously. One is familiar history: the Shelby touch applied to the Fords that had the best potential to be primarily Corvette-beaters. As we all know, for a number of reasons (including engine/trans/suspension/tire development potential, sporty styling, probable carryover to showroom sales, etc) the Mustangs fit the bill perfectly, as did the brute-power Cobra, the exotic GT40, etc. But the OTHER idea under serious consideration was to inject the ENTIRE Ford lineup with a shot of Shelby magic. That meant the large & medium sized vehicles too. We explored the idea of making the top-of-the-line vehicle in each category be a Shelbyized one. For example, you’d have a low-cost Ford, a medium-priced one, a luxury-type model, and then a Shelby version. We envisioned some mechanical improvements, but there would mostly be unique styling touches. We’d approach some of the lines (Mercury, Lincoln, etc) with the idea that being “older” doesn’t mean you have to entirely give up “sporty” (done tastefully, of course, like today’s Cadillac CTS). Many hours were spent on this concept….including keeping Ford and Mr. Shelby aware, and mostly listening to his guidance (when he was in the room, the smartest thing you could do was listen rather than talk!). And yes, there would even be a pickup “truck”, a cross between a truck and a car, one with the Shelby touch! That’s right….there would have been a “Shelbero”!!! Well, what happened? Sorry, that’s a story for another day….but I thought I’d share all this today for just one reason: Mr. Joker, now THIS is how you pull off a believable hoax!!! How much of this story is true? Not one single word! Hope you enjoyed.
You guys have got it all wrong. This really is a Shelby Ranchero. The 68 and 69 parts were put on in 1965 (thanks to the availability of a time machine). The secret behind this car is that the paperwork is hidden on the planet Fliffo in the 4th dimension. It’ll cost about 185k to retrieve it though. It is a fact that the engine is a 289 destroked to a 185. The cam has a 185 lift and the rockers have a 1.85 ratio. The l/r ratio of rod to stroke is 1.85 also. The tires are 185-13 and the car was actually manufactured on the 18th day of the 5th month in 1965. Carrol Shelby had actually drank 1.85 qts. of Jack Daniels when he commissioned the Shelby Ranchero. (That’s why he doesn’t remember it.) Is it all starting to make since now? I hope that I’ve settled this for everyone.
By ustaxpayer2008. January 23rd, 2007 at 7:39 pmI have to amend my original post. One of our members talked Directly to Mr. Shelby and he flatly stated that he NEVER made a Shelby Ranchero, not even for a shop truck. So any Shelby Ranchero’s that one ever sees are striclty owner mods and NOT true Shelby’s.
Reports of the 78′ Shelby Ranchero’s were incorrect as well. Might well be that some were turned out, but not by Shelby.
We’re still trying to find out the location/infomation on the King Cobra Ranchero…and the current wherabouts of a modified ranchero known as “The Trendero”
By Shrek. December 23rd, 2006 at 11:17 pmi tend to agree this is a scam. although i have seen references to a 78′ranchero built at shelbys ten mile rd. shop in southfield michigan ,they were all black with gold stripes modified suspensions ,modified 400 motors , modified interior etc. in ford ranchero 1957-1979′ photo history by james c. mays . he goes into a detailed description of it , however i have never seen a picture or any other reference to it .
By rayzor x. December 1st, 2006 at 1:06 pmPFFT ! ! !
By AsIs`66(RancheroUSA). November 30th, 2006 at 1:38 pmPFFFT ! ! !
By AsIs`66(RancheroUSA). November 30th, 2006 at 1:38 pmWe of the Ranchero.us club (www.ranchero.us) are in progress of checking this out, one of our members plans to chat with Mr. Shelby this weekend, it has been put on our list of questions.
Ford did build 75 Shelby Rancheros in 1978 for 75 years in business and as far as we know only 39 of them have been verified by VIN nimbers. We also have a rather interesting pic of a King Cobra Ranchero which we are also trying to locate & verify.
By Shrek. November 29th, 2006 at 11:50 pmbig ‘ol bunch of bs
By MURDACH. November 16th, 2006 at 1:54 pmFarse
By Bill. November 1st, 2006 at 11:28 amLooks like BS to me.
Nothing matches, the years are all mixed up.
By Gearhead99. October 29th, 2006 at 8:13 amLast year a guy in L.A. was selling a ‘77 Ranchero stating it was a Shelby shop truck. It sold for $700
By trikar. October 29th, 2006 at 12:43 amFord did build 75 Shelby Rancheros in 1978 for 75 years in business and as far as know only 39 of them have been verified by VIN nimbers
By jr smith. October 26th, 2006 at 6:58 amthis is not a shelby!! it may have been at the shop but not built at the shop. ac auto trans, and all the wrong dated parts. he is also on myclassiccar.com he states he had it authenticated through shelby reps. and if it went to auction it could sell for 250-400k i guess he is just a nice guy and 185k is fine with him. you can email him at championcontractor@yahoo.com it’s worth 18.5k or so?
By mike. October 24th, 2006 at 8:07 pmcarrol shelby NEVER when half way as this bench seat ranchero definately screams. well maybe in 84′ for chrysler-anyways 68 rims and a hi-po air cleaner does not a SHELBY make!!! $185,000? TYPO. $1850.00
By m miller. October 23rd, 2006 at 9:24 pmIt’s sad to say…but there is an ass for every seat, so to speak. I feel sorry for the sucker that lays down the cash believing he’s getting a part of the Shelby Legend. So..Let me get this straight…a Shelby package is a cheap ol’ “SHELBY” badge, AC, 289, Bench Seat, Sprint “Knock Off” steering wheel, and inside door handles on backwards! Oh, and I guess Carroll wanted speakers in the door! Also, the factory ‘68 wheels that weren’t even in production yet. If the seller was had himself, and doesn’t know any better..ok. But if he’s gold diggin’ . . . “What goes around comes around”.
By FATNFAST. October 23rd, 2006 at 7:24 pmI knew the Shelbys and the Rancheros. Gentlemen…this is no Shelby Ranchero…..
By SprintDan. October 23rd, 2006 at 6:53 pmThis the Reply from Howard at SAAC.
“I think this is the who guy contacted me a couple of months ago and I told him that I didn’t think he had a vehicle that Shelby had anything to do with. I remember it because the tag on the rear tailgate is from a ‘68 Shelby and the door step plate emblems are from a ‘66 Shelby (or repros of the emblems).
As far as I’m concerned, this myth is busted.
Howard”
By 1 Bad 88 GT. October 23rd, 2006 at 4:41 pmit a fake, just my 2 cents
By jc. October 23rd, 2006 at 4:40 pmIt also has the 68-9 gt wheels and hubcaps. Original ad never mentioned it was contracted between Ford and Shelby to put out on the market, as previous comments stated. It’s very possible that Shelby could have upgraded this “parts getter”, through the years, with left overs from his Shelby program. Although the wording of the original ad does not sound convincing w/o any mentioning of documentation.
By mc. October 23rd, 2006 at 10:30 amIT’S JUST A RANCHERO WITH A BOGUS STORY ATTACHED TO IT. ONE DUMB-ASS SELLER LOOKING FOR A DUMB-ASS BUYER. IF ANYBODY BUYS THAT THING, I’M GONNA PUT MY 1984 SHELBY ESCORT UP FOR SALE.
By JR. October 23rd, 2006 at 10:19 amThis is a fake ad. Notice how the seller does not post his or her phone number. They are fishing for your email address. Before you know it, you will start getting emails from africa for some sort of scam.
By Armando. October 22nd, 2006 at 10:02 pmNot to up on the Mustang or Ranchero but I didn’t know the automatic was availible on the HiPo in 65. Or the AC for that matter.
By 5851a. October 22nd, 2006 at 2:37 amWell i can say this, Anyone that has that kind of money will be much smarter than the seller. Guarantee that he will be searching out the authenticity before he writes a check.
By 71hotrodpinto. October 21st, 2006 at 11:42 amI’ll bet Mr. DeVito, whose very nice Ranchero story is right next to this one wishes he could have found a Shelby badge to put on his! NOT. I hope the guy got buried under an avalanche of emails telling him to go try to fool someone else.
By Chooch65. October 21st, 2006 at 4:34 amThe emblem doesnt even look straight to me!!
By Andy. October 20th, 2006 at 3:21 pmHow unlikely would it have been for Shelby to have had several Rancheros as parts getters or gophers on their plant? It seems more likely he would have preferred the Ranchero over a pick up truck. The Shelby badge could have been put on as a joke or to brand it in later years as one of their own. It seems highly unlikely that they would have modified it to Shelby standards. The paper work on the car would put all or most questions to rest. None the less would it still be worth 185k, why would ford claim the other two and how did this one get away? Just my speculation.
By Ras Daniel. October 20th, 2006 at 7:18 amI think I have busted this fake, maybe. I searched around and the Shelby emblem seems to be from a 1969 Shelby Mustang. I found it at a couple of parts places and a few pictures. They all list this emblem for 1969 Shelbys, not 65. So how does a 1965 Ranchero come to have a 1969 emblem on it? Also, from the information I have been able to find, in 1965 Shelby put a dash plaque, data plate and door sill plate on all his cars. But no stick on emblems were used.
By Ed. October 20th, 2006 at 4:45 amSomebody should just ask Mr. Shelby himself, he would know….we hope!!
By Joe. October 19th, 2006 at 9:51 pmAnd here’s his response-
“This is comical, and certainly not the first time a Shelby badge has been
stuck on a car and then magically it is proclaimed to be genuine. Of course,
it’s not funny when some pinhead buys it. Then they contact me and I get to
burst their bubble. Most accept it but some never stop their “What if”s. It
gets old after a while.”
Rick
By Larry. October 19th, 2006 at 7:42 pmI just sent the whole thing into Rick Kopec at the
By Larry. October 19th, 2006 at 4:29 pmShelby American Automobile Club. Only thing left is
to sit back and wait for the fireworks……
“No Tikee, No Shirtee”. No doucmentation means it will be speculation without some serious “car”- cheaology.
Shelby DID modify at least one Falcon for shop use, notably the Pete Brock-ized ‘63 Sedan Delivery with the twin blue stripes and Cobra ID that would show a clean pair of heels to a Corvette.
It would not be out of the question that this car could be a Shelby, but there would need to be some paperwork or documentation to support the contention. Otherwise, it’s just another Ranchero. The auctions including Barrett-Jackson and all the reputable ones LOL have shown time and again that paperwork can double or triple the value of otherwise equivalent cars.
The Shelby club is large and has access to the many leading lights who created all the great cars. Likewise, the build broadcast would almost certainly be intact, and have some sort of notation similar to that for the Comet HPs and Lightweight Galaxies which typically had teletyped instructions on the broadcast noting “DRAGSTER” or “SPECIAL HP” , etc.
At the minimum, it would be a Los Angeles ordering district DSO, coded for the HP V8 (which was available in the Falcon and Ranchero), and show some evidence of older Shelby mods, such as the big Mustang discs, relocated upper control arms, export brace, traction bars, tach, etc etc.
Without any of that, it’s interesting, but probably just a pool truck supplied by Ford to Shelby for chasing parts. If it was returned, it would probably be to sell it on the employee lot in Dearborn (where I’ve bought a few cars in the past, dunno if it is still there.)
By MarauderMan. October 19th, 2006 at 12:16 pmI spoke to our auto broker (who’s one of the most detail obsessed people I’ve ever met) and another dealer who specializes in Mustangs, and they both tell me that Ford never had any deal with Shelby to do a Ranchero. Both say it’s likely either a fake or a fellow who’s purchased this “Shelby-ized” Ranchero from a con artist and doesn’t know any better.
By Tyler. October 19th, 2006 at 8:08 amI’m leaning towards believing these two.
I also agree that, if this was a Shelby pitch, why isn’t it dolled up more? I just don’t feel that Shelby would turn out anything that mundane looking.
I don’t know, but it seems like a fake to me. I know dealers could add air conditioning, but would Shelby have put it on a “test mule”? And the Shelby emblem, I am by no means an expert, but wasn’t that the type used more in 1968 and 69? And maybe it’s just me, but wouldn’t Shelby do a wee bit more to enhance the Ranchero, like a hood treatment to allow the Hi-Po to breathe better? Just seems too plain to be something Shelby would have created in 1965 to try and sell as an idea to Ford, even the original Shelby GT350, although not heavily modified from a visual standpoint (addition of glass hood, different grill and the stripes) had enough flair to make it stand out and get attention.
By Humphrey351. October 19th, 2006 at 5:58 amJust my thoughts.
Mike
My first reaction is to call BS on this one but then again I’m not real deep into my Falcon/Ranchero history. If this was in fact a 1 of 1 available to the public I’d think it’d be higher priced, but I’d want to see (and have confirmed) documented info on such a rarity. Just like fastback prices these days people and companies realize the baby boomers are retiring and buying their classic dream cars and that means there will be those who try to exploit it. Sad indeed.
By ZephyrZ7. October 19th, 2006 at 4:25 am