65 Ford Ranchero Deluxe factory 289 four speed rust free Cali desert hot rod!

Description

OVERALL CONDITION:
Please read the description in it's entirety. I have reluctantly decided to offer this awesome 65 Ford Ranchero Deluxe factory 4-speed and factory 289 classic for sale. I purchased this car about 2 years ago on eBay for $4500 from a seller on the California Nevada border area as a project car. The car was complete and unmolested but apart and had been sitting in a field for a long time. Several things attracted me to the car including it's original patina, color ( I love red, red cars!), factory 289, 4-speed, and most importantly the fact that it was RUST FREE!. Over the years I have learned (sometimes the hard way) that there is no substitute for starting with a rust and collision free platform. When it got here I was not disappointed in the least as there is not one pin hole of rust in this car! The car was not running, but complete but had not been on the road or registered in years. This an original 289 4 speed car. Paint is about 60-70% original with great " patina". I decided to leave it as it but sure would look great with a fresh Rangoon red paint job! I will leave that to the next owner.
ENGINE AND DRIVETRAIN:
Since I have owned it everything has been updated mechanically with a lot of improvements over stock. First, I found the original engine to already be .040 over when I tore it down so rather than try and rebuild it, I started with a virgin 289 from a 68 Mustang that I owned years ago. The original block goes with it if you want it. The engine was built by West Side Performance in Houston and is balanced and blueprinted using the stock crank and rods updated with ARP fasteners. Pistons are Keith Black Hypereutectic with a small bump to give it 10.2 to 1 CR using 58 cc 351 Windsor heads. The heads were re-worked with larger valves, screw in studs, performance springs matched to the cam and were lightly ported and polished. The cam is a flat tappet hydraulic and comes from Cam Research. I have a fat folder of receipts that exceed $7K just on the engine alone....around 5K for the machine shop and another 2K or so for all the bolt on stuff like intake, carb, headers, water pump, etc. The engine was broken in on the dyno and made 335 peak HP at 6100 RPM and 320 ft/lbs of torque at 4800 RPM. Dyno sheet is included in the pictures.. Intake is a high rise dual plane, Dougs headers with X pipe exhaust exiting at the rear axle. Ignition is MSD. Weighing around 2800 pounds this little car scoots!
I decided to ditch the stock 8 inch for a custom built 9 inch that is all new from drum to drum with 3:50 Trac Lock diff. Axles are 31 spline. Housing is a big bearing style and brakes were upgraded to 11 by 2 3/8 Ford F150 drums. Driveshaft was balanced with new U-joints installed. I have receipts for 2K for the rear end. Transmission is the original Borg Warner T-10 which was rebuilt. Shifter is Hurst competition plus with correct and virtually unobtainable linkage which is unique to the Falcon/Ranchero. I have nearly $2K invested in transmission and shifter.
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
I upgraded the front brakes from drum to disc using SSB calipers and stock 65-66 Mustang rotors. Rears are drums as described above. All new brake lines using SS braided flex lines instead of rubber. Adjustable proportioning valve is there as well. All suspension pieces were replaced including control arms ( with Shelby drop), Pitman arm, idler arm ( with greaseable roller bearing), strut rods ( now adjustable), high performance spring perches, tie rod ends, lower aftermarket crossmember ( these cars did not come with a cross member like a Mustang) 1 inch sway bar, etc. New lowering springs front and rear, new steering gear box, QA1 shocks. Wheels are Torq Thrust D's with new rubber. I am sure I am forgetting something.....
INTERIOR:
Everything is done except for the headliner. The only reason it hasn't been done is because the factory bows weren't with the car when I got it and haven' been able to source them. I have the headliner in a box. Factory bench was redone by a local upholstery shop with correct pattern. New door panels, carpet, kick panels (with speakers) and an aftermarket gauge panel with speedo, tach, oil pressure, water temp, volt gauge and fuel gauge. All work. Radio is upgraded to a Retrosound that fits in the dash.
I am sure I have forgotten some details so feel free to ask questions. I will be happy to speak with you if leave me a number. In summary I have over $20K invested in the car including the original $4500 purchase price. In my opinion, the car is a 5K paint job away from being a $25-27K truck. I have all receipts to back everything up. You won't be disappointed.
I am listing the car with a buy it now option and open to offers but I am not going to give it away so please be realistic with your offers. . Payment is cash or wire transfer. Shipping is your responsibility but I will help with the loading if you pay to have it shipped. A deposit of $1000 is due at purchase. Thanks, good luck and happy to answer any questions!
On Mar-06-19 at 05:27:04 PST, seller added the following information:

LINK TO YOUTUBE OF CAR RUNNING:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v69MrBz5LEI