Bill Moore's 1957 Ford

Photo by George Barris from www.barriskustomcity.com

The Ranchero as it sat when it was featured in Custom Cars October 1959. Photo by George Barris.

The Ranchero as it sat when it was featured in Custom Rodder November 1959

The Sugar Plum as it appeared in the Renegades Rod & Custom Motorama 1958 Souvenir Program

1957 Ford Ranchero owned and restyled by Long Beach Renegades member Bill Moore of Garden Grove, California. Bill's Wife Margie helped Bill out on the car. The doors, hood and tailgate on Bill's Ranchero were shaved for chrome. In the rear the car received a set of 1958 Edsel Station Wagon taillights. According to Custom Cars October 1959 Bill's Ranchero was one of the first 1957 Ford Rancheros to receive this taillight treatment. Lake pipes and dummy spotlights were mounted, giving the car a lower appearance. The grille was simplified by making a straight grille out of chromed rods, and 1956 Ford pickup headlight rings were grafted onto the front fenders. The front bumper guard were discarded, giving a smoother look. The body was painted in hand-rubbed purple lacquer highlighted with pearl scalloping. The side trim was stock. The interior, bed, wheel wells and hood areas were upholstered in white Naugahyde. The bed had black carpeting with white trim and carried a lot of special tools. Jim's Top Shop in Garden Grove stitched the entire upholstery. The car was lowered by reworking the coil springs and respacing the lower A arms. The rear end was brought down by dearching the springs and adding lowering blocks.

In 1958 the car was shown at the Renegades Rod & Custom Motorama. In the souvenir program for the show the car is presented with the name the "Sugar Plum".

Magazine Features

Custom Cars October 1959
Custom Rodder November 1959