Projects My 1957 Ford Ranchero Build Topic

Ive always wanted a chopped top car. But was never able to find an affordable one, or afford to have a shop to do it for me. I had a body shop and did paint and bodywork for many years but never had the chance to try to chop a car. I recently sold a 1965 VW Beetle, and decided to look for something to build with a vintage custom feel. Cruising through craigslist I came across this 1957 Ford Ranchero. Contacted the guy who had it for sale, and fell in love with the look of the car before I even went to see it. When i went to see it in person my main concern was the chop, but looked very well done with great lines, and doors open and close very good.

So after negotiating, we made a deal, and we went to a local Uhual and rented a tailor and took it home.
Special Thanks to Noel for helping me by taking time out of his day to help me pick it up in his truck!

Quick Breakdown of the car.

Its a 1957 Ford Ranchero
Chopped 3"
Roof has a scoop off a '58 Hood, and has a hood off a '58
Has a Strong 302 V8 .30 Over with a mild Cam.


Here are the photos that were sent to me by the previous owner

 

Here we are loading it up, and heading to Miller Mantovanelli Owner of MCW Customs for the game plan

 

The Previous owner stated to me the interior was trash, i believe that to be an understatement...lol..
There was more leaves, twigs, bugs, frogs, and things we couldn't figure out what they were.
But MCW Customs started to tare it apart to reveal the floors.
As well as a well needed pressure wash to take out the years of grime on the car.

 

As well as the interior getting taken apart, Miller and Alexi From MCW Customs pressure cleaned the engine bay, and removed the cover of the floor of the bed to remove all the dirt and years of neglect.

 

Originally this was going to be a short cosmetic thing.
But After seeing the potential this car/truck has.
We decided to go a little further, and want to make this the best car we possibly can.
so the tare down got a little more complicated.

 

ALL THE SIDE TRIM AND OTHER MISC TRIM, And Seat

 

Tons of potential there...if your going through the trouble....please please please don't re paint it flat black with red wheels. Look up the spotlight little book on Kustom Trucks there is a killer 57 Ranchero in it. That thing would be killer with some panels, fades, chrome reverse wheels and white walls, maybe a tube grill

 

Definitely will not be flat black again!

 

Glass Just Came Off.

 

Looks like a great start! I dig the 58 hood on the 57, I've been looking for one for my 57 Ranchero for a while too.

 

We haven't 100% decided on a color scheme yet. Definitely would like a white interior.
Will post progress as it happens.

 

Miller from MCW Customs is the builder
Of "Valerie" this 1940 Chopped Dodge

All the work is being done at his shop.

 

Cool - Ranchero have history of rust problem areas. but, nothing that can't be repaired. selling my '57 running Ranchero project. pic is of Ranchero I saw at a recent car show in California.

 

I would personally never attempt a chop on a wraparound, but yours looks really good. Are you going to leave the Windsor in it or... I would have to have a really bad ass FE in that car. Wishing you the best with one of the most desirable mid '50's.

 

I appreciate the love guys. We thought when we started to tare apart the car there would be a lot of surprises. But the car is pretty dry, does have some rust. But very solid for what we were expecting.

The drive train will be staying the same, other than some cosmetics. Everything as been rebuilt, and runs very strong.

More pics as progress happens

 

Some metal got done today,
Started the Lower corner of the rear.
They did the inner and the outside.
Just need to finish up the lip,
And the the other side.

 

Looks like it's gonna be done right. Thanks for not choosing flat black again! Rusted floorboards are inevitable in '57's because of the crappy cowl drain design. First thing I tell every new-to-57fords owner is get those tubes replaced if they haven't been already. quick job when the fenders are off. Your's are totally wasted. Keep us updated.

 

Finished up the rear right corner, and did the left side. and started some other minor repair.
more to come tomorrow

 

Javier...fyi, since you said this was your first '57 Ford.....the Ranchero shares the same tailgate as a wagon with only the top bolt on piece differentiating the difference. Both are hard to find in good shape, so salvaging yours may be the best way to go. The next time the car is on the lift, check out the floor supports where they are spotwelded to the inner rocker. Take a screwdriver and poke around behind there where you can and around the support ends. Very common '57 rust problem area as the open design of the floor supports trapped debris and led to rusting. EMS makes '57 floor support patch panels, but I don't know if they are the same on a Ranchero. Rear wheel well rust will be a problem if it exists(probable). '57 Ford wheel wells in general are not reproduced, nor are patch panel sections for them. Any rust areas there will have to be repaired with hand formed replacements.
In the pics, your front wheel wells , core support, and splash panels look good, that's a plus as that's another common rust area.
Not sure what to recommend on the windshield "rib". That's the area that seals the widshield seal, so it may need some new metal.
The bright trim around the bed and going up around the back window is stainless except for the two top corner pieces just under the roof. Those corner pieces are chrome plated, usually rusted. You may find more trim on the Ranchero is stainless than you would expect. Your vent window frames, for example on most '57 models is stainless, as is the windshield trim and any side trim you may have. The grille is chromed. All '57 fords forward of the firewall are the same, regardless of model or platform....except for trim and corresponding holes of course.
Speaking of platform...your Ranchero is based on the short wheelbase Custom, as are the wagons and sedan deliveries. The Fairlane hartops, retractibles and convertibles are a longer wheelbase, and are not interchangeable...most suspension components are the same, just not the frames. The rear crossmembers on your frame are different from a wagon or sedan even though the frame itself and the wheelbase is the same.
If you are planning on lowering, dropped spindles/disc brake conversion kits are available that use a Granada spindle (2 1/2" drop). Many have used the aerostar springs to lower, but on the '57's you do not want to combine the two. S & T Fabrications makes a great rack and pinion if you want to go that route. Borgenson has a new Power steering box as well that's been getting good reviews. Thunderbirds Southwest makes a great heavy duty sway bar. Combine the sway bar and the rack and pinion, and that thing will handle like a slotcar.

 

LOL..you may be regretting you told me to "feel free to comment"...your heater is a factory installed unit. Heaters were an option in '57 and many left the factory without them. Except in the south, few left the dealerships without one though. Yours utilizes two large holes in the firewall, drawing fesh air in from the cowl. Dealer installed units only used the lower hole, and recirculated cabin air. The dealer installed units would have had a cover plate over the hole above the pinch seam.
Rich

 

All the comments are welcome, I know everything your telling me is to make my car better!

Some pics of today.

 

here is a forum you may know of or not that you may be interesrted in.
http://www.57fordsforever.com/

 

CapeCodBob...since you're familiar with the '57 forum, do you know Jay Arrow? lives in Carver(?..next to Plymouth)..has in his stable a 57 e code business coupe he just finished.
Rich

 

Metal guy started the rear floor sections on Friday, Saturday metal guy not in so the undercarriage of the car started to get wire wheel and paint to take off the thick undercoating. They did the rear part of the frame and differential. Then complete floors, front suspension and steering then the wire wheel will go inside.

Just that rear section left the shop floor nice and dirty...

 

Coming along great man. Keep up the good work.

 

Some floor work, and a picture of the engine, will be prepped for paint soon as well as the frame and all suspension. Previous owner already did all the bushings.

 

Underside of the hood was done

 

you guys are really plugging away at this thing, this is a car ive always wanted to customize after seeing keith weesner's rendition of one. good to see another one in the works

 

Alexis fro. MCW Customs really working hard on the job with Miller getting it done.
Tailgate was done today. Just needs a little more welding and ready for body work.

And the rockers got started.