Starting new thread for updates as I go new member post getting long. Got her up on jack stands this afternoon Floors solid older patches were done but solid. Sweet.!! Then I started checking for numbers and tags first backside of block Yes full vin stamped. Hard to see past accelerator rod but visible! Original block confirmed hoped but didn't expect to confirm so easy! Checked trans tag next letters on tag PGB AH 01075 According to Mustang Tek this is for 428 cj 69 fairlane with console shift. Sweet! Crude hole factory cut in floor from bottom for console shifter. Covered nice inside. Last rear id tag WFC-F 8Hc 3L50 899A Looks like another match. Sorry but I am geeking out over original drive train being there. Was told it was but had to confirm.Now to get on with fire up!
I also have a rough hole cut in the floor for a '69 with a console automatic. I suspected that someone had hacked it, not that it was factory. Interesting!
That's what it looked like hack job. It works ! Used to have a hard time believing factory would do stuff that way, seen hack jobs on other makes also. OK more geek out for me checked email and Marti report was in here's the copy.
You should see the job Ford did on the staggered rear shock mounts on Torinos and Montegos. A good operator on a D-9 Cat can cut smoother holes.
It's alive!! Filled primary on carb put rest of gallon in tank and she fired right up! SWEET!! Have to get trans fluid as what was in pan was sucked right up by torque converter. Then adjust floats on carb they are dribbling fuel in. Wish all finds were this easy! Sounds good and throaty thru flowmasters dumping in front of axle. Hillbilly I believe ya on some of the factory stuff they really just made it happen. Amazing
Posted some in new member thread but here are links to pics as I first saw car and then bringing her home last Saturday. Just a crazy find that found Garage find 69 ranchero gt Saturday, June 03, 2017 6/4/2017 Saturday, June 03, 2017 As found Headed home with the find! These are on sway. Some duplicate pics.
Interesting!?!?!?! Our Marti Reports at we have the same Engine and Tranny combo... But yours says 102... Mine says 101. Be interesting to compare them if you get the delux report.
Found the 101 versus 102 interesting myself. Maybe Ford had a left over Vin and just sold it. HeHe I had ordered the mid Marti as it would tell more than basic, maybe get full one at later date. Either way one of the other stats that got me was 33 being sold in Philadelphia sales district. That's 1/3rd of what was produced. Wonder how many survived the salt here.
I think those numbers are of the total of all Ranchero Models sold Nation wide. As Mine was sold in the Seattle area and was 1 of 203 ordered from that DSO. and 1 of 207 with Argent Steel wheels. If you write Ford Customer Service, they will also provide you with a break down. Have been trying to get them to correct their copy, since they admitted that the Marti Numbers a re probably the correct numbers.
PER Hadn't thought that way on the numbers , but could be. Will have to check with Ford also. Chrome wheels on car, came with a nasty set of argent wheels rusted up bad. Different topic here. Do you work in maintenance at VA? If so may have met back in like early 2006. I was working for Somat back then and was at a VA out there, showed up with truck and trailer. Just curious sometimes this world gets real small.
The Marti reports are good information, but they do manipulate the information, always attempting to make each car a 1 of 1. Like on Mine, of the 101 GT's with Ram Air, 3 were painted Brittany Blue, of 2 had Bench Seats, and 1 had Forced Ventilation. Yet they also say that it is 1 of 92 with the paint code. It is cool, but is a bit deceptive also. I work Information Technologies for the VA... out of Roseburg, Or. After I retired from the Navy, I worked as a Manufacturing Supervisor making custom resisters. Then almost retired for good, but went back to school and finished my Bachelors, and started with the VA in 2007... Hoping to retire for good in about 18 months, and enjoy showing off the car... I want to take it out to the Ranchero Gathering in GA. Not to many '69 GT's around to show off. Even fewer RAM AIR cars. I also found the rusty argent steel wheels under a bench in my Uncles shop. I had them sand blasted and powder coated primer grey. I decided to paint them the same color as the car. Everyone was giving me crap, telling me that's not factory. Actually! I have a copy of the Facts and Features book for 1968-69 Ranchero. And in 1969, the wheels the same color as the car was an option. So, even though the wheels were normally polished. They didn't have to be.
Some good info there. Nice having the paperwork like that, will have to start seeing what I can find. Marti report numbers just make me remember an old saying, "Numbers don't lie, but liars can figure" . Still lots of neat stuff on them, info we otherwise wouldn't know. Oh and one veteran to another , Thanks for your service. I only did my 3 year commitment in Army. Got out started wrenching on cars in South Carolina, Ended up pro mod/top sportsman racing out of Massachusetts. I was the clutch man. After that bounced around got away from cars for awhile. Now manage a CNC machine shop in Pa been there like 11 years. Do a lot of semi conductor work. Cryoage parts for some people every so often. Had a friend putting me together with some ford guys in Delaware area couple pro street ranchero's and the one guy has a very original 67 Fairlane with427 power. He wants me to go after total factory original, told him I'm more like a day 2 guy aftermarket stuff allowed what you would have done to the cars as long as you don't start cutting them up. He didn't want to hear anything but totally original . Oh well. I plan on having some fun with this car. To each their own. Also found a guy with a 428 under his work bench, Chevy guy of course. Ordered some parts to get running better, then start on suspension after that. All the fun !
There is a place for every kind of builder/restorer. I have no issue with breaking out the plasma cutter and torch, I extended the cab rearward 8.5 inches. The only part of the engine that is Ford is the block, and that has been modified (bored for roller cam bearings and other minor modifications). Whatever one chooses to do, someone won't like it. I only draw the line at rustomods.
Everyone has their own thoughts on how a build should go with any particular car. I, like your friend, would probably go for the factory rebuild also. Just because of the matching numbers. There are so few left. Before I found out that my numbers block could be fixed, I changed up my plans to a custom build. Then switched back. But Factory can be pretty mundane and boring to some. With all the fancy suspensions and available stuff to beef up Horsepower and appearance, it is tempting. And the current trend for restomods. When I told the paint shop to paint my wheels, I got a lot of pushback. Too much Blue! Its not Factory! Then after it was done, and they could see it coming together they changed their minds and thanked me for sticking to my guns, and my vision. So yeah, you are not going to please everyone... My brother used to tell people... "Its all about me"! So it is with car builds! LOL! I have a the Maintenance Manuals/Parts List also. Don't hesitate to ask! And thanks for your service!
I appreciate the car for what it is and that some want to go totally stock. I want to go have fun with it for awhile and then decide. Nothing set in stone. Used to get tired of working on ones done so much to stock the people would only show and not drive much. Then I had others that wouldn't own it if they didn't drive it, some interesting pieces. Guess I bought in to it's mine to do my way, want it another way by your own and do it. If it makes the owner happy works for me. who am I to judge. Takes a lot of vision to cut one up and make it look good. Takes commitment to keep it original. The manuals could come in handy once get going back together. Right now it's rebuild and or replace parts before going for paint always hated people painting cars then bringing to shop for engine build ups. Lots to do here.
It's your car, do it your way it's a rare one but doing it your way just makes the few out there even more rare. Thinning the herd.
Someone had posted a video of older Fairlanes in production in the 'Lounge' section, and I had seen the wheels were painted the body color; I'd swear it was the same as Brittany Blue.
