Can anyone enlighten me as to the difference between a 1973 Ranchero 500 and a 1973 Ranchero GT? I'm picking up a second ranchero this weekend and I'm told the PO thinks it is a GT, but does not know what to look for. Neither do I. I have serched the database and can not come up with a verifiable answer. Both cars have 2v 302/AT. One has a GT badge on grill and glove box, but that can be added. Please advise.
So, it has to have 48 in the vin, and the doorpanels are different if its an original GT, your 500 has 47 in the vin, has't it ? 73 GT with 302 = 3A48Fxxxxxxxx 73 500 with 302 = 3A47Fxxxxxxxx
Michael 500 and GT were just trim levels no real difference As was stated Look at vin for 48 GT could have a gauge package and could/should have plastic sport door panels.
got it all Thanx... Car is 73...VIN 3A48F146250 is titled as a 72, but is a 73. door manufacture sticker sez it was made in 11/72. Has the swoopy GT door panels and GT dash. I hit a site called quickvin.com is pretty good and works for alot of different fords. I got it for $400 has a non-running engine, but everything else is in order. Is rust free! I got stuck on the 405 for 6 hours, so I guess I really paid for it. I will never tow a car on a trailer thru L.A. again!!! I'll pay someone next time. The simple 5 hour round trip turned into a 12 hour white knuckle experience. But I digress...
fixin it up I pulled the 302 out of the GT and found a decimated rod end floating in the oil pan along with various bits of engine block and bearing. Unless I want to sleeve the engine...the block is tOAST. I'm going to put the 500s 302/c4 in the GT since I know both have been rebuilt in the last 5000 miles. Then I'll take some of the front end parts off the 500. Going to drive the GT and send the 500 to the bone yard. That is unless I can tlk someone into taking her off my hands real cheap! The 500 has extensive rust in the body. I'd like to keep the frame, but I do'nt have the time, money, or patience for that type of operation. Besides...they wont let me keep both in base housing and I dont have $$$ for a storage yard.
IIRC there are a few people realatively close to you that might be in need of parts from your 500, just post it up in the "for sale" section and see what happens.
Do you know why they named it the 405?? Cause it takes you 4-O-5 hours to get anywhere. There is no good time to drive that freeway. I feel for you. Been there, done that. Good luck with your new project!!
I drove my parts car (a 73 GT runnin on 7 cylinders) down the 405 on my way back from Frisco. Boy was that fun. I feel for ya man. I wont go anyfurther north on the 405 than Long Beach. Any further and you run into the perma jam around LAX.
