http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/ebay-find-of-the-day-1987-ford-rancherostar/
The last time that we spotted today's eBay find of the day, it was cruising along Woodward Ave in Birmingham, MI this past summer. The RancheroStar immediately caught our attention, but evidently the For Sale sign in the window didn't catch enough eyeballs from onlookers. Thus we now find it again.
According to its eBay listing, the creator of this minivan-trucklet died before completing the project, although he apparently had some pretty serious plans for it going forward. The truncated 1987 Ford Aerostar currently has its stock front V6, rear-wheel drive (not front-wheel drive as in the listing) configuration, but the deceased creator had plans to eventually replace it with a mid-mounted 460 cubic-inch V8. Apparently, the bodywork as it stands today is all metal, with no fiberglass or dreaded Bondo. From what we saw briefly at Woodward, the vehicle seems to be well executed for as far as it got.
If you are interested in an oddball project to complete, this one might be worth checking out. At this point, there aren't any bids, so you might get a good deal. If you do pick it up and complete it or at least paint it, let us know and it could get an Autoblog follow-up. Thanks to Scott for the tip!
JThw8
SuperDork
10/21/09 7:34 p.m.
I find this oddly intriguing....
I do believe he was a man before his time. It has a kind of modern look to it. That and the ultra cool Lotus paint.
I'd drive it just because it's different.
it's beuatiful, yet hideous
I wouldn't kick it out of bed for farting.
alex
Dork
10/21/09 9:46 p.m.
If I still had an A-star, I would do that. I still badly want to lift an AWD 'Star in the most ghetto way possible. Should've kept mine. If only the transmissions weren't made of unicorn eggs...
I always liked the aerostar... that is just tasty. I especially like how he recycled the hatch
CLNSC3
New Reader
10/22/09 2:07 a.m.
Hahaha that thing cracks me up
914Driver wrote:
Why can't I look away?
Thoughts of what might have been? Or what can be?
Careful- the last time you did something like that, well, it's still pretty famous.
E-
:puke: Per, we need a barf or puke emoticon.
alfadriver wrote:
914Driver wrote:
Why can't I look away?
Thoughts of what might have been? Or what can be?
Careful- the last time you did something like that, well, it's still pretty famous.
E-
Famous for failing? Watch this:
HO305 4 speed Corvair wagon
Caddy powered Geo Metro
Chopsickle.
Professor Snape says fame is not everything, believe it.
Dan
914Driver wrote:
Famous for failing? Watch this:
HO305 4 speed Corvair wagon
Caddy powered Geo Metro
Chopsickle.
Professor Snape says fame is not everything, believe it.
Dan
Failing? Who said anything about failing? I was more worried about the sudden oxidation event that almost happened to you.
But, IMHO, the van was far from a failure.
E-
there's one just like this that drives around where I live.
additionally, I executed the same concept back in college on a 5 door rabbit diesel somebody gave me.
One more example of how Moon Disks make everything cooler!
In reply to mad_machine:
yes, a thousand times yes.
hmmm 460 power, i have to wonder if there is a trailer hitch on the bed. Now that is a challenge worthy hauler
aussiesmg wrote:
Now that is a challenge worthy hauler
I'd totally run that as the challenge car.
Hey, the sheet metal looks well done, lines are clean. love the half-hatch....Yeah, I'd drive that. It would rock with enough power for a fifth wheel hitch but I think that's a pipe dream. //searches for pipe//
My dad had an aerostar and always talked about transplanting the old ess aych oh engine....I wonder if that's even possible...
Supercoupe is easier than the ess aych oh engine.