The taillights were frenched using a set of headlight bezels to extend the cone around the lens.The taillights were frenched using a set of headlight bezels to extend the cone around the The Gallants made the ash wood bed and stainless strips, extended the wheelwells by 3 inches, and fabricated a tube frame underneath to support the additional weight.The Gallants made the ash wood bed and stainless strips, extended the wheelwells by 3 inch Residing between the fenderwells is a rare 0.030-over 427ci center oiler. Although the original 427 heads have been replaced with a set of ported FE 390s to drop the compression to a much friendlier 10:1, the motor is mostly stock with an Edelbrock F427 manifold and a 750 carb.Residing between the fenderwells is a rare 0.030-over 427ci center oiler. Although the ori Notice anything different? The headlamps are from a ’47 Ford, the Blue Oval is recessed, and the turn signals are now located behind the reworked grille.Notice anything different? The headlamps are from a ’47 Ford, the Blue Oval is recess The interior motif is sheer comfort and functionality. The plush leather seats are out of a ’96 Thunderbird, Moon gauges keep all vitals in check, and the Vintage Air system provides a break from the scorching summer heat. As for the unique center console, it took an entire winter to build and was created out of flat stock and exhaust-pipe U-bends.The interior motif is sheer comfort and functionality. The plush leather seats are out of While well admit that theres something special about an unmolested supercar like a Shelby or an original Yenko, we shake our heads over those wholl spend endless months producing a ground-up resto on something most of us would consider a winter beater. Theyll spend more money on small trim pieces than most are willing to shell out for an entire parts car. Theyll scavenge through swap meets for hours on end. Theyll make a futile attempt to simulate the factory scribbling on the underbelly of their cars. Oh yeah, never say repop around them. But however exhilarating this may be for the serious concours fan, we tend to favor those who stray from the norm and take the initiative to create their own version of the ultimate ride. Meet Merle and Mickey Gallant of Brainerd, Minnesota, and their ultra-trick 58 Ford Ranchero. As with most projects, the work escalated well beyond a simple rebuild, but this one went even further and entered the realm of art. Everythingand we mean everythinghas been gone through. The frontend was exchanged for a torsion bar suspension pilfered out of a wrecked 87 Plymouth Gran Fury squad car. The body had more than a minor massaging with its frenched taillamps, late-model Vette door handles, 47 Ford headlamps, and the recessed Blue Oval above the grille. Even more interesting is the rare 427ci center-oiler big-block that now provides the propulsion. The brutal FE motor pumps out well over 400 hp and was originally destined for big-bodied Fords in NASCAR competition. Of course, this 58 will never get a chance to stretch its legs at Talladega, but we like the fact its motoring down the interstates rather than resting in the garage as a conversation piece. Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
