The Mustang world brims with limited editions and rare cars, but none are more intriguing than the Ford Mustero. It’s a pony car, a pickup truck, and a unicorn rolled into one. If you’ve never seen one, take solace. A Mustang truck never rolled out of a Ford plant.
Ford authorized an outfit doing business as Beverly Hills Mustang Limited to produce the odd machines for just a year or two. The Southern California outfit was the single producer of the Mustero. Nobody knows how many of these unique Mustang trucks were custom-built—all based on the 1966 model year.
The best estimate pegs the number at 50 examples, but others argue that only about seven were made. The cost for the conversion, back in the day, added approximately $6,500 to the donor Mustang’s MSRP.
The dealership came up with the name by jamming together “Mustang” and “Ranchero.” The Ranchero, Ford’s postwar sedan-like pickup truck, was built on the Ford Fairlane platform with Ford Falcon exterior body panels and interior trim. eBay has a few dozen Rancheros for sale - opens in new window or tab. at any given time, like this beautifully restored 1964 specimen available now.
But the ultra-rare Mustero is elusive. A 1966 example in Springtime Yellow showed up on eBay Motors in 2017—with a Buy-It-Now price of $100,000.
Legend has it that a good number of Musteros left the country on cargo ships. That might explain why we see an ample supply of die-cast scale replica Musteros offered on eBay - opens in new window or tab. today from international sellers.
Mustang Pickups Are Rare and Impractical
The Mustero is arguably America’s most impractical truck, a customized Mustang with a cargo bed so tiny it struggles to carry more than a few bags of mulch. While there’s not enough room to haul a motorcycle, a mini-bike might fit. But you’ll need a buddy or two to lift it up and over the fixed tailgate.
You read that right. When it comes to tailgates, trust Ella. “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing.”
The builders in Beverly Hills transformed the Mustangs by slicing, trimming, and reattaching the Mustang’s roof—while adding custom windows. The altered roof allowed for more cargo space by eliminating the rear seat. While most of the cargo beds featured fiberglass construction (which didn’t bode well for hauling capacity), at least one of the earliest vehicles featured a steel plate bed.
It’s unclear whether Beverly Hills Ford installed aftermarket springs and shock absorbers to handle the weight. But an aftermarket Mustang suspension kit - opens in new window or tab. would make sense.
Hankering for a Practical Muscle-car-based Pickup?
If you need a V8, a cargo bed, and a car-like ride, there’s the Chevrolet El Camino and Ford Ranchero. Those plentiful and affordable classics can come equipped with a high-horsepower engine. eBay Motors offers all the El Camino parts - opens in new window or tab. and Ranchero components - opens in new window or tab. needed for a restoration.
The Smyth Charger Truck Kit provides Mopar aficionados with a brilliant and more modern alternative. At just $2,990, the kit is well-priced. “The modern El Camino is actually a Hemi Charger,” as they say. With plenty of 2005-2010 Chargers on the road, building a Charger Ute would be affordable.
Smyth also sells a VW Jetta truck-conversion kit on eBay. We wrote about it - opens in new window or tab. a few years ago.
Will Ford Build a New Mustang Truck?
Although pickup trucks are extremely popular today, it not likely that Ford will produce a factory-built pickup on the conventional Mustang platform. There’s not enough demand for sedan-based haulers. Besides, the use of the Mustang nameplate for Ford’s upcoming all-electric SUV, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, caused enough controversy.
That said, Ford does have a new small pickup truck in the works that will slot in under the mid-size Ranger. Spy photographs show the “Maverick” name stamped into the (presumably functional) tailgate. Could they do the unthinkable and slap on a Mustang front fascia?
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.