THE SONOMA COUNTY FALCONS FOR FUN CHAPTER

Spotlight on Claude Magill’s 65 Ranchero
Story and Photo by Al Aiello, 12/99

Claude has owned his Ranchero for several years. He was using it mainly as a utility vehicle and really wasn’t too concerned about its appearance. A couple of years ago he hit a deer and the Ranchero received some considerable damage, as did the deer!

Claude couldn’t find anybody in Lake County to fix it. That’s when he found the Falcon’s Nest and the Sonoma County Chapter in nearby Santa Rosa. Several thousand dollars later he ended up with a very nice Ranchero.

His 1965 Ranchero was originally equipped with a 170 c.i. engine and a three speed manual transmission--column shift. He swapped the 170 c.i. engine for a more stout and powerful 200 6-cylinder engine. The Ranchero was originally non-equipped with a heater. We know that it can be bit nippy in Lake County, so Claude installed a heater.

Another addition has been the installation of a Protect-O-Top. Claude had a custom-fit black naugahyde cover attached to the top of the Protect-O-Top. The black contrasts nicely with the YELLOW bird. Since the newsletter is in black and white, the Ranchero can be better appreciated when its photo is posted to the Members’ Page on the SCFF webpage.

So, keep your eyes open for deer and Rancheros when you travel in Lake County. If you happen to see a yellow Ranchero--it probably belongs to Claude!

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