Wayne Christensen's 1957 Ford Ranchero

A faded photo of Wayne's Ranchero from The Keith Christensen Collection.

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1957 Ford Ranchero owned by Wayne Christensen of Norwalk, California. Wayne bought the new Ranchero in 1957. It was a pristine powder blue, a sight to behold and a canvas ready for the youthful ingenuity of the Christensen brothers. Without missing a beat, Wayne and his brother Keith, immediately lowered it on the ground. It was then adorned with real Appleton spotlights and Oldsmobile fiesta hubcaps that added a touch of elegance. In 2023, Keith told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama that having the Ranchero lowered "on the ground" was "the most a kid in high school could afford back then." But the Christensen brothers weren't done. As Wayne navigated through high school, his love for the Ranchero only deepened. The subsequent modification was a game-changer. "Later my little brother who owned the car, installed a Paxton blower," Keith noted with a hint of pride. The Ranchero now housed a potent 292 V-8.

Wayne's Ranchero was more than a car; it was a manifestation of youthful ambition and a testament to the hot-rodding spirit that ran in the Christensen family. It was about making a statement, expressing oneself through steel, chrome, and roaring engines. The brotherly bond, the shared love for cars, and the thrill of customization. As Keith and Wayne tinkered and toiled under the hood, they weren't just building a car; they were crafting memories, fueling a legacy that would resonate through the lanes of time.