1972 Ranchero "Q Code" found...

... for $200.00!

Yes, there is still "gold in the valley" (Lodi, CA that is).

To those of you that saw the C/L ad... it was advertised as a "4V car..." for $200 and I figured it was a "pile" for sure.

I called within a day, and finally went to see it almost 2 weeks later! It was still there sitting in the garage of an old "turkey farm" (no pun intended or accepted!!! LOL).

The "young man" selling it said he found it sitting in a field that some "Old Lady owned" and he approached her. The deal was struck and he brought it home (a few miles) and parked it.

He did enough "research" to discover that is was a "9 inch rearend, 351 4V motor (now gone), and a C6 (still in it), tach dash, w/air, no hood, and not hardly a dent, and the factory air cleaner in the bed!"

When I reluctantly got there at dark, he turned on the old garage light, and I almost "crapped"! The closer I got, I could NOT believe what I was seeing (and for $200.00 at that!!!). I read the dash tag and sure enough, it was a "Q code" that was fully loaded and was a Ranchero 500! NOT a "GT". Dash plaque even confirmed it.

I just happen to have a "GT Hood" that is white, like the original paint. By the way, I towed her home Saturday night, then after leaving for work for 3 days, I returned and started to "play" with her. Ever hear of "TR3"??? Amazing stuff for old cars. Especially if they have a reasonable amount of paint left. I did not spend much time, as I was technically working, but I tried the "TR3" in several places and I "SOS'd" the front and rear bumper. WOW!

THIS is going to be fun!

I do have a Q code motor that I have held on to for 16 years, so looks like it found a home...finally! AS I get time, I will post a pic.

Amazingly enough, with the motor out, she tilted back enough to run water out of the bed, so it is fine, just some surface rust. The C6 is in it, but the "bell housing has a HUGE chip in it, but I have another so I am NOT worried.

To be continued...

 

Great news Harry!! Congrats!

 

That sounds like you netted a good one there. Way to reel in the previous owner and land that ride.

 

sweet, sounds like you are the perfect buyer for it

 

Super deal, must be you lucy golddigger. Congrats, looks like it got a good home, we will seepics soon i hope.

 

Good to hear you got that one Harry!

 

Going to look at that 73 Q code tomarrow

 

Thanks!

Thanks "Gang"!

Yeah, it was a shocker to say the least!

And "Thank you, Sarah". I have been sooooooo busy trying to find work. Was out of work since August 28th last year. I just landed a great opportunity (I hope).

As some of you know, I have been in the automotive aftermarket / tire industry, for a long time (32 years). We have reached a new level of consumer "benefit" in the company I am working for. Take a look. It is a fun sight. www.purigen98.com

Again, much thanks to everyone for ackowledging the purchase. I am excited!
I just LLLOOOVVVVVVEEE 1972's!!!
(PS: I have "3" 1977 to 1979, too! lol)

 

Good score and good luck with it, I also had a 72 "Q" code Chero and it was pretty powerfull, like you I got it from a guy who did not know what he had so I got it pretty cheap back in the mid 90s.
The hardest part about owning it was finding parts for this 1 year car, other than that it was lots of fun, I wish I knew a breakdown of production #s for the 72?
Once again good luck.

 

Sarah,
I always wanted to know how many were built like the 1 I had or how many Q code GTs were made in 72.
Like stated before it was a Ranchero GT "Q" code C6, A/C, ps, pdb,AM radio no gauges 3.25 9in open rear column shift bench, Dark Met.blue with blue interior that is pretty much for options, I was the 2nd owner and it had less than 90,000 miles when I bought it in 1995 it was bought in Norfolk Va. new and it stayed there all it's life until it was sold to some1 in NY state who told me he was a Big Ranchero fan and was going to go thru it. I hope he got it finished by now.

 

congrats with that deal it's a bargain

 

Excellent info, thanks 72GT and Sarah for showing me your reports it gave a lot of insight in to these Ranchero's, mine was also built in Atlanta and was sold from the Richmond district 25, once again thanks for the info.

 

My report for my 72 is the same as 72GTVA's
1 of 782 GT Q code 4 speeds. I do not know what the total production of the 72 500 Q code Automatics are. My Automatic Q code is a 73 Squire. 1 of 327.