There was a write up on the history of that Ranchero somewhere. It seems to me it was rear ended. There is/was a picture of it with slicks and the bed cut off behind the tires.
I am pretty sure Brad Masterson built a clone of the first version. while some may complain about the second version, aren't you glad it got saved so to speak as opposed to scrapping it??
I am... and I could be wrong, but I think I read long ago that it was eventually turned into a drag car? I am at the Vet and can't search, but I remember Rod Powell telling me about it...
here is the Kustomrama page. It is still around, needing restoration. it looks like it was a drag car between version 1 and 2 https://kustomrama.com/wiki/Richard_Lee_Tiago's_1957_Ford
The first one is so Beautiful.... classic and tasteful....... .......the second one looks like too much LSD while listening to Strawberry Alarm Clock.
The first version is Slick and would be in any colors. OK, #2, let’s take the drag theme a little further by adding a straight front axle with littles mounted on 15”chromies, 6-2s on the engine of your choice, appropriate color plexi windows, 10.00-15 ww slicks on black steelies and 8 pipes out back ala the Speed Sport roadster. Oh, almost forgot, gotta have 4 speeds and non-swiveling seats!