what are the differences between the 1979 & 1979 1/2 commemorative models? thanks

1979

and this is actually tagged 1979 1/2 but I found no reference to any commemorative model made by Ford

Production ceased in 1979 with, among the traditional choices, a commemorative "1979½" model. This was May 1979. ordinarily a car built at that point in time would have been a 1980 So after looking more, I did find the reference I was seeking, instead of calling it a 1980 it was tagged 1979 1/2 Commemorative , but, finally, to your question: no difference

the 1979 1/2 was a deluxe version, well at least the gt modle... this includes electric everything, leather everything, pretty much interior upgrades. nothing special really, there worth a little more than normal

My understanding is that to use up specialty Thunderbird interior parts, Ford offered this upgraded Ranchero. I recall a leather covered french stitched dash pad vs the vinyl. Also T-bird door panels, etc.

I have a 79 1/2 Special Edition Ranchero. According to Kevin Marti, Ford built 2100 of them. They are all Ranchero 500s, no GTs. All had leather seats, leather padded dash, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Thunderbird door panels, plush carpet, power windows and seat, cruise control, intermittent wipers, tach and guages, imitation woodgrain trim on dash. I believe that they all had Dark Valino Red interiors; and most had vinyl roofs that color. I've seen some with white vinyl roofs, usually with Candyapple Red paint. Most have the thick wheelwell moldings, as used on the Ford Elites, or the Thunderbird half-moldings and body-side trim. Rancheros are an acquired taste; lots of good info on ranchero.us.