Hot Wheels and Johnny Lightning 1965 Ford Ranchero's and a Hot Wheels 1964 Falcon Sprint

One truck that is finally getting some attention is the Ford Falcon-based Ranchero's of the 1960's.  Currently Motormax has released a 1:24 scale version in red or blue with opening doors and hood, and under the hood is the base I-6 instead of a typical V8.  However, the three you'll see here prefer the V8 option.

Click Here for Photo Gallery

The Hot Wheels '65 Ranchero was introduced in 2011 and has had limited use over the years.  In the mainline it was a 2011 First Edition and a 2012 Treasure Hunt; otherwise it was left to the 9-pack versions which was variations of the 2011 deco scheme.  A rare bird would be the first release of the Mystery Cars in baggies at Wal-mart in 2011 where I never had the chance to get the blue version with PR-5 wheels...until now, thanks to a awesome Flea Market find!  The newest is the 2015 version in red with flames and OH5 wheels, though I despise the flames for ruining the looks of the casting.

Click Here for Photo Gallery

The Ranchero was based on the Australian-designed Ford Falcon sedan, which lasted in the US for about a decade, as a competitor to the new Detroit compacts against the Chevy Corvair and Dodge Dart.  The front-end has a flow-back eggcrate grille with round single headlights and bullet-capped front fender peaks.  The hood on this Hot Wheels version shows off the eight butterfly carbs through the cutout.  In the first release Hot Wheels did a nice job outlining a flame pattern along the Galaxie-style comet line that mates toward the rear where the jet-like Thunderbird taillights.  The bed is covered with a smoothly-integrated bed cap that has curves that nicely blend in with the side fenders.  The truck has a compact look that makes this pickup very sporty.  The interior shows off bucket seats, center console, and large windows, but the dashboard leaves more to desire as it's very plain-looking on details.

Click Here for Photo Gallery

Oddly about three years prior in the Since 68 line the 1964 Falcon Sprint arrived first.  flanked in light blue with black roof, Thunderbolt-style hood scoop, and side comet stripe, the Falcon shares the same size and details of the Ranchero, the only difference is the back-end where the bed forgoes a typical trunk, the taillights are part of the metal base, and is pared with a small grille pattern inbetween.  The 5-spoke redline wheels look cool as well, though both the Ranchero and Falcon have base details that are typical so-so in details.  The interior features two extra seats in the rear and the same sub-lime details on the dashboard.  The Falcon Sprint is even more rare because it has so far been only used in the Since 68 and the 2012 Boulevard release, no mainline release thus far.

Click Here for Photo Gallery

Go back a few years earlier and you'll see Johnny Lightning takes the reigns with the release of the Ranchero pickup and later the panel in 2005.  Both sport the red paint on their first release with wire wheel caps on rubber tires; both were later offered with more variants, though the panel was limited and leaned more toward the custom side.  The front-ends are part of the body that feature a split-grille design on the pickup (over the eggcrate design of the Hot Wheels), eggcrate on the panel, and FORD letters on the edge of the hood, not to mention a rather high liftover on the front-end.  The sides have the same comet side trim, more detailed on the pickup, and the usual JL added trim details as well.  The rear features detailed Thunderbird-style taillights, FORD letters on the tailgate, and nice chrome trim details on the bed edges.  The bed is functional, if yet slim, while the panel goes toward an enclosed look.

Click Here for Photo Gallery

The interiors share the same between the two, with the pickup in tan and the panel in red, with bucket seats and console, but a detailed dashboard with the horizontal layout for controls and gauges behind a 3-spoke steering wheel.  Note the recessed rear window in the pickup that gives it an extra cool touch.  The hood opens up to reveal the detailed 289 CID V8 in blue that produces 260 (est.) hp. through a 4-speed manual, though the paint is a bit sloppy the details are there.  Finally the duo have metal bases with the detailed drivetrain, suspension, and exhaust components.

Click Here for Photo Gallery

So with Johnny Lightning out of the picture the Hot Wheels Ranchero and Falcon Sprint have free-range to expand their horizons to be the sole producer of these '60's compact Ford's, even if Hot Wheels needs to make more variations and a panel version.