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		This stunning Mac Truck Orange Ranchero has been a part of Enrique Perez's family for more than 40 years. Any Downloadable Files Associated with this Article (Click on the file name to download it)
1966 Ford Ranchero - Enrique Perez, Jr.'s A Sweet Orange Truck
Click on the Thumbnails Below to Enlarge by Enrique Perez, Jr. and Society staff - Reprint with Permission Only At the May/June Goodguys show in Pleasanton, CA Wild About Cars came across this stunning orange Ranchero among the thousands of cars registered. The owner, Enrique Perez Jr. was justifiably proud of his truck and when we asked him to send us details about it, he responded with a very nice letter that shows the true family aspects of our hobby. We'll let Enrique tell the story of his Ranchero. My father purchased this one back in the 70's from someone in Blackhawk, CA for $250.  At that time, it had been involved in a fender bender on the front right side.  My father, who did body and fender work as a profession for 32+ years, fixed it up right away.  Towards the end of my high school years, I inherited the car as my daily driver.  From then on I spent weekends and any time off dedicated to changing it around to suit my liking.  The body work was slow because I would have to trade my father my work for his.  You know, change the oil in other cars and wash 'em or yard work.  Eventually, I started working with him at his shop and we would finish off each day with a couple of hours on my car.  I wanted a different type of paint job so the paint I chose was Mac Truck Orange.  This was back when it was o.k. to use k-200 primer, Deltron, and lacquer paint on a regular basis.  When my dad and I had straightened up the body, our good friend, Bob Rodgers, at Group II Body and Paint, in San Leandro, CA shot the paint.  Bob is a very gifted person when it comes to mechanicals and body work.  There is just about anything he could do with a classic car.  Later, during college, I took a week off of school and work.  My dad, Bob, and I started working on the drivetrain on a Monday morning at 6 a.m. and wouldn't stop until 10 p.m. Friday night.  I worked 13+ hour days.  In the end, when I turned the key, it paid off.  I had been saving money and buying parts for years.    I had sent a 302, out of a 1972 Granada, to S&S Machine shop in San Leandro, several weeks earlier and was ready to pick it up.  I got the block cleaned and machined.  I also put in the following: double-roller timing chain, A.R.P. bolts, hardened seats on a pair of 1965 Mustang heads (no smog), a new sleeve in one of the cylinders, Blue-Racer camshaft, and 10:1 compression pistons.  I had the C-4 transmission rebuilt by Pete’s Transmissions, San Lorenzo, CA, and had them put a different stall converter in too!  The driveshaft was rebuilt by Driveline Services of San Leandro. I added a K&N filter kit, MSD 6A ignition, Holley carb, Ford Motorsport intake, Holley fuel pump, sandblasted "Powered by Ford" aluminum valve covers, Headman headers, three chamber Flowmasters, and, of course, 10 mm. Silicone wires, and a little chrome here and there.  I even put in some Splitfire plugs thinking they would help, wrong.  I also found out I needed a larger radiator and fan shroud to keep her in a reasonable temperature range.  Marty at East Bay Frame, in San Leandro installed a new suspension.  I had saved and searched for many parts.  Some of which I had to contact rare parts for in Stockton  The one’s I didn’t have Marty was able to locate.  Marty was able to align the entire front end so well I could finally take my hands off the wheel on the freeway.   In the last ten years I had a custom leather seat made by Roddoors in black and orange (matching the exterior) with the old style Ford logo in the center.  I purchased orange carpeting and custom made floor mats, which say Ranchero.  My dad was nice enough to take time off his retired schedule and redo all of the necessary body work as well as re-doing the entire bed (body work, welding, & zola tone paint).  I had the entire car repainted and Centerline made me some custom rims.  I also placed BF Goodrich tires on those rims.   I’ve always had one of those fiberglass bed covers by Protecto-Top to cover the bed.  I had it buffed out to a shiny white once more.  Underneath the dash, a set of three chrome Mallory gauges (vacuum, oil press, and water temp.) Are set directly below the ash tray.  I have also added a one wire alternator, electric fan, tachometer, voltage gauge, and re-done all of the brakes to keep it running smooth.  And the work, as we all know, is never ending.     This Ranchero has made it up to the last twelve Hot August Nights in Reno and many Bay Area car shows.  At last count I have over 62 dash plaques.  Not many awards (maybe five), but plenty of looks because there are very few of these cars on the road (at least that I’ve seen).  I don’t know if there are more out of state or I just haven’t had the luck of coming across others with the same passion for this one year model. My little nephew (Andres) is really into this car and hopes to inherit it someday.  He attends car shows with me when he can, and he is becoming quite the enthusiast.  He even helps detail the car. Thanks Enrique, your truck is awesome!   This is ORANGE !! The 302 is out of a Ford Granada with a few mods Love that Ford script on the seat A clean dash with a few gauges and tach You don't see many of these Protecto-tops on Rancheros - nice and shiny