Ranchero Drip Rails Replacements for XB

[ken1939]

I have been doing some searches for replacement drip rails for a upcoming project. I am purchasing a 75 XB Falcon Ute, that is here in the states. I looked the car over and one thing it will need are new drip rails. These cars did not have the stainless trim on them like the Ranchero counterparts.

The doors are hardtop doors, similar to say a 72 Ranchero. There is a chrome retainer for the upper door glass seal against the body. I added a photo for reference.

I do not mind knocking up a pair myself if need be, nothing a hammer mold wouldn't handle, but I was curious to see if anyone had a souce for some premade drip moldings.

No one in Australia is making these. Most guys just shave them, but knowing how these Utes were built, I want the gutters back on the car.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Ken

 

[5851a]

I would think your best bet would be a Ranchero here, would doubt if a reproduction was made. It seems they are made like the older stuff where there is a sandwich of at least 3 or 4 pieces all pinch welded together there. Any chance the whole roof could be chopped off a Ranchero and grafted at the beltline?

 

[ken1939]

I can still find NOS Roof sections, they vary in price. I missed one for $550 and have another chance at one. Here is how they look:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/XA-XB-XC...97?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item1c4e758051

Downside is the roof section on the car is in pretty good shape after looking at it. Lots of surgery for just drip moldings. I think I will end up just making them.

 

[mercman from oz]

Ken, There are plenty of Shops in Australia specializing in replacement parts for these popular XB Falcons. The Utes shared the same door as the 2 door hardtops, which were available for the XA, XB & XC Falcons. These were very popular vehicles when new, but these days, you don't often see many. Try these Links.

http://www.aussiexport.com/parts.htm

http://www.rarespares.net.au/rarespares/Model-Category-Details.aspx?type=partsfinder&brand=FORD

 

[mercman from oz]

For the benefit of our USA Barners, I had a look through my Files and can't find a picture of an XB Falcon Ute. However, I did find a picture of an XB Panel Van.
These Panel Vans share the same Doors as the Ute.

 

[mercman from oz]

I did find this Falcon Ute which has the the Front clip from a ZH Fairlane added.These are nice looking Utes.

 

[mercman from oz]

I did manage to find a picture of an XC Falcon Ute. This is the model that replaced the XB model. The biggest change on the XC was that the front Bumper was now deeper and eliminated the painted panel below the Bumpers on the previous models. My personal opinion is that the XA & XB Falcons are better looking than the XC models, but that is just my opinion. Everyone is chasing the Coupes, followed by the GT Sedans, &and it seems that these Utes have been overlooked, as not many survive. While looking through my Files for photos, I found a lot of photos of Rancheros that have been recently imported, but very few of our own local product.

 

[ken1939]

Ken, There are plenty of Shops in Australia specializing in replacement parts for these popular XB Falcons. The Utes shared the same door as the 2 door hardtops, which were available for the XA, XB & XC Falcons. These were very popular vehicles when new, but these days, you don't often see many. Try these Links.

http://www.aussiexport.com/parts.htm

http://www.rarespares.net.au/rarespares/Model-Category-Details.aspx?type=partsfinder&brand=FORD

Thanks Merc, Will give the Aussiexport people a look. Rare spares I know of. I have found right rear quarters NOS, but cannot seem to find a left rear one. I believe I will try to patch what I have for now, damaged on that end isn't as bad, will need a new gate skin for sure.

I am lucky, its a running 302C with a Toploader. Mechanicals need repaired, but thats easy enough. I will get factory brake master cylinder/booster and Clutch and slave cyliders, but may use 70/71 Mustang suspension parts for replacements, interchangeable for certain. May have to get the drag links/steering links from oz though.

 

[ken1939]

I did find this Falcon Ute which has the the Front clip from a ZH Fairlane added.These are nice looking Utes.

The Fairlane Clip does look "right" on those body styles. Not so much with the landau nose.

 

[ken1939]

I did manage to find a picture of an XC Falcon Ute. This is the model that replaced the XB model. The biggest change on the XC was that the front Bumper was now deeper and eliminated the painted panel below the Bumpers on the previous models. My personal opinion is that the XA & XB Falcons are better looking than the XC models, but that is just my opinion. Everyone is chasing the Coupes, followed by the GT Sedans, &and it seems that these Utes have been overlooked, as not many survive. While looking through my Files for photos, I found a lot of photos of Rancheros that have been recently imported, but very few of our own local product.

I think that is a wider held opinion that you can imagine. I know alot of blokes who like the XAs and XBs but not so much on the XCs. I know mine is a 75 with an XC nose. I will keep it that way since its a frankenstein ute anyway. I plan on the over used XC Falcon Cobra paint scheme.

 

[mercman from oz]

[/IMG][/IMG]
Here are front and rear views of the XC Falcon Cobra. Ford Australia introduced the Hardtop in the XA Falcons, and continued them on in the XB and XC range. However, sales towards the end were very slow, so Ford decided to use up the remaining bodies and create a special that they called Cobra. All cars were painted the same colours, but some had different options, as you can see from these two cars, one has an additional Hood Bulge, which is factory correct. These days, these Cobra Hardtops are a very desirable car to own.

 

[mercman from oz]

When the XC Falcons were original released, the upmarket Falcon Fairmont GXL came standard with Square Headlights, as per this Sedan.

 

[ken1939]

Yes it can be said there were earlier falcons that had more performance that the Cobras, and you have to admit, it was a good use of 400 spare bodies. I believe the Cobra was suggested early by one of the guys at Ford that I think served both in the US and Australian markets. They finally took that idea to production. Not sure I am up for 100K though

There is one I know of around Puyallup Washington State, below Seattle. I am trying to get in touch with the bloke, he has a few GTs as well. I normally do not ask for rides in anyones car, but this would be an exception to that rule. Its like getting autographs from stars or sports figures. There is an age you stop right? I did have a mate send me an autographed poster of Allan Moffit though recently which was highly cool! Now to get John Goss'

 

[ken1939]

Here are a few more photos of my "Project Ute" Known as being built to rust, this one did not have nearly the rust I thought it did when I saw it in person, hence the purchase and a summers worth of panel banging and swearing.

Lower door patch panels, rear quarter patch panels, gate skin and door hinge rebuilding to start. Of course the lower front guards need attention. Will be interested to see the amount of Bog in the quarters.

 

[mercman from oz]

Hi Ken, Here are your photos of your XB Ute with the XC Front Clip, enlarged so everyone can admire your Ute. The Hoods with the Scoops are a very desirable piece with collectors in Australia, as most never had them.

 

[frank long island]

the hood models an early 70's mustang interesting looking car will turn heads when done and the question will be what is it

 

[ken1939]

the hood models an early 70's mustang interesting looking car will turn heads when done and the question will be what is it

Frank they do look similar. We had a discussion when we were looking at a few XB Coupes and there was a 70 Mustang hood there. I know the mustangs are longer and flatter but very close in appearance. The rear quarter glass on the coupes are similar to a 70/71 Torino but not You kind of see how they are not in person. One of the people building the XB Coupe remarked how much the body lines look like a chevelle when parked next to it.

 

[ken1939]

Thanks for making the photos larger Mercman. I am sure I will do a build thread once I get into it. The GS bonnet on this one has some rot, but not bad enough to get rid of it. Its mainly along the front of the bonnet, and only extends about 3 to 4 inches in some spots. I see a repairable area.

I wont bore you with the remainder of the rust pictures. That will come with the repair portion of the program

 

[mercman from oz]

Hi Ken, What is the story about your 1932 Ford Ute in your Profile?
Is it Australian also? Regards Mercman <><

 

[ken1939]

Yes its a Type 302. I was on ebay one day looking for 32 Ford parts. I found an auction that had 3 hours or so to go for this thing called a 32 Ford Ute. It was a cowl with dash, doors, rear quarters and a gate skin. After conferring with the seller, a week later I had a crate in my driveway with the beginnings of a Ute.

Needless to say I found out more about that year, and the other model was a Type 304, which has a lower rear quarter panel with planking set up to carry bails of hay. I didn't realize they had utes that far back, the 34 Coupe Ute seems to be the standard. I have a mate in Geelong that has a 34 Roadster Ute. I was into the BA Falcons about this time, a car I can never have in the states due to age. We can only import 25 years or older for street use. My interest in Australian Fords has not wavered much, as by the purchase of the XB. I also have the makings of a 40 Ford Coupe Ute on the way this month.

I know of one other 32 Type 302 in the states, but it has not been rebuilt as far as I know. There is a Type 304 In New Zealand I see pictures of all the time.

This one has a French Flathead/C4 combo. It could use another forward gear, next flathead project I do will have a manual trans.

First paint job, and actually painted it outside. I have done trim before, did the top, as well all the metal and mechanical fab. Still working some bugs out on it before I will take it on longer trips. Flatties and cooling issues mainly. I plan to change rads and ditch the bias ply tires for radials. I get those two major things figured out and it should be good on the street. Its not as perfect as I was trying to make it. This isn't my first rodeo so to speak. Fit and finish at this stage of my ability is a big deal.