1966 Ford Ranger II

1966 Ford Ranger II concept truck with a futuristic look created with a streamlined windshield, high-intensity head lights of rectangular design and Clearwater Aqua finish.



Syd Mead created a design for a convertible Ford pickup, similar to the modern Chevrolet SSR. According to Syd, "This was designed to mount onto a '63 Ford station wagon frame. It was fully operational with A/C, radio and a fully operational top conversion. The small rear 'cab' roof slid back, a rear seat unfolded and a 'filler' section with window rose into position. This meant that, sacrificing bed length, the vehicle converted electrically from a bench seat, three-passenger vehicle into a five-passenger close-coupled club sedan/truck. The vehicle was toured for about two years."

Bill Cawthon - www.promotex.ca

Ford Division's Ranger II is an ultra-modern pickup truck with a custom designed passenger compartment. Seen as a two-seater vehicle in the above photo, the Ranger II converts into a four-passenger pickup (below) at the flick of a finger. The rear portion of the cab moves 18-inches into the bed of the truck while a roof section moves up into position and two additional bucket seats fall into place. The Ranger II's ultra-streamlined windshield is made of specially tempered plastic-type glass. It also features high intensity headlights of rectangular design, extruded aluminum grille and walnut flooring in the cargo bed.

Ford press release




Ford Division's advance design Ranger II, an ultramodern idea in pickup trucks, will be one of the attractions of the Detroit Auto Show which opens at Cobo Hall on November 26 and runs through December 4.



The unique show vehicle in the F-250 class features a custom designed passenger compartment that expands at the push of a button from a pickup to a two-door sedan accommodating two additional passengers in the rear compartment.

When a four-passenger sedan is desired, a switch on the master control is activated and the rear portion of the cab moves 18 inches in to the bed of the truck, a roof section moves up into position and two additional bucket seats fall into place.



Other innovations include aircraft-type canopy doors that operate hydraulically at the trun of a key and a forward-hinged hood that opens hydraulically by a switch on the master control.

The ultra-streamlined windshield of specially tempered plastic-type glass, special high intensity headlights of rectangular design, contoured bumper, extruded aluminum grill, and a Clearwater Aqua finish give the vehicle a look of the future.



As a two-passenger pickup, the truck bed is six feet wide and eight feet long -- the standard F-250 bed size. The cargo bed has walnut flooring, courtesy lights, aluminum loading rails, vinyl-covered side panels and padded wheel housing.

The functional interior features contoured bucket seats, and a host of options including power steering, tilt-away steering wheel, SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic transmission, AM/FM radio and a SelectAire air-conditioner.


Ford Ranger II, 1966 - Illustration: Syd Mead

The Ranger II is 57 inches high, 18 feet long, 84 inches wide and has a 120-inch wheelbase. Power for the special show vehicle is provided by a 390 cubic-inch V-8 with three carburetors.

FORD DIVISION of Ford Motor Company