So, I finally got around to checking the Ranchero's dataplate

"Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull" (RamblinRover) 04/26/2014 at 18:01 • Filed to: None

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And it has a color that doesn't exist. Ordered in San Jose, built in San Jose. Base model, 144 standard vers., 3-speed stick: , , , 4.00 rear end: (and WAT), brown vinyl interior with weird code:  (further WAT), color code missing from the data plate and green unknown paint. Plate indicates special ordered...

Dunnik > Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull 04/26/2014 at 18:19

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So the original paint was a special order...?

Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull > Dunnik 04/26/2014 at 18:37

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There's a service location number place on the plate, that is usually a two-digit number. As it turns out, that is also the location used for a special order number when one is involved. I looked up the plate on a Falcon data plate decoding website, and that had service location codes for the two-digit numbers - finally got an "oh, so that's why I have six" from a Mustang website. First two indicate special order *at* San Jose, same as build location. That would seem to indicate high level special order - some type of large fleet batch, probably, either gov or large private. Add in it having a weird interior color (whose number doesn't show up on Falcon color lists), and seeming original paint that doesn't match anything, and a data plate with no paint code, and the color probably was *part of* the special order consideration.

Dunnik > Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull 04/26/2014 at 18:42

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The question is who would want a fleet of Rancheros with a brown interior and a green exterior? Park rangers? Border patrol? Some kind of business that maybe thought a car-based pick-up would save more money than a truck-based pickup?

Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull > Dunnik 04/26/2014 at 18:48

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Outside maybe Rangers of some kind, I don't know. Kind of this tint, but lighter. Maybe more like this:

If that's a stock Mercury color, it may have been easier to finagle. Still weird.

desertdog5051 > Dunnik 04/26/2014 at 18:55

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US Forest Service.

Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull > desertdog5051 04/26/2014 at 19:40

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That was a possibility. Another being a time-traveler trying to create the Eddie Bauer edition Ford 20 years early... The other thing that threw me a bit with the outfit on the data plate was that 4.00 rear: with the tires on it now, it'd be at 3400 RPM at 60. *Not* a highway friendly setup, but for Forest Service, very workable. I'd have otherwise expected to see that rear in a four-door wagon.

desertdog5051 > Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull 04/26/2014 at 22:12

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This was what I was referring to. They almost always have a light brown/tan interior.

Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull > desertdog5051 04/26/2014 at 22:19

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Yep, and in the 60s, the green used was a dark green much like the Mercury green I posted. As kitted out, it's very possible. I'm not sure how to confirm it for sure, but obviously most special value to the paint job was lost when it was repainted the *first* time, not to mention the seat having spent some time outdoors, and the door cards being gone...