At first glance, the sleek, lowered stance of Alan Moss’s 1960 Ford Falcon Ranchero instantly commands attention. Designed with performance in mind, this machine is not just a nostalgic piece of Americana—it’s a bold reimagining of classic muscle, hiding a surprising heart beneath the hood: a Nissan 280Z inline-six engine. It’s a build that sparked curiosity the moment it hit the salt flats of Bonneville, and Alan’s first year racing at the 2012 Speed Week tells a compelling tale of ambition, perseverance, and the unpredictable nature of pushing limits.
A Long Time Coming
Alan Morris, based in Montrose, Colorado, spent two and a half years pouring his energy into transforming his 1960 Ranchero into a land-speed racing contender. It wasn’t just about going fast—it was about realizing a vision. At 70 years old, Alan brought both wisdom and unshakable dedication to the project, committing his time and skills to a build few would attempt, let alone with such unique engineering choices.
After all that work, Speed Week finally arrived. The car’s debut run was also Alan’s first personal experience on the course. As per Bonneville protocol for rookie drivers and freshly built cars, the initial run was limited to two miles with a parachute deployment requirement and a speed cap of 150 mph. Easing into the feel of the car and the salt beneath him, Alan crossed the two-mile marker at around 130 mph, averaging in the low 120s. Not bad for a shakedown. The car was pulling strong, and the potential for more was obvious. Spirits were high.
Tuning, Trials, and Troubles
Back in the pits, the team inspected the Ranchero carefully—loose bolts, odd noises, anything that might have been missed. Satisfied, they readied for a second run the following day, this time still on the shorter alternate track due to licensing requirements and long queues on the main course. The result: a slightly improved one-mile speed and a consistent exit speed, bringing Alan tantalizingly close to securing his “D” license, which would allow speeds up to 150 mph.
But things took a turn. A minor lean-out adjustment—dropping the air/fuel ratio closer to 12:1—was made in hopes of optimizing performance. Instead, performance declined. The Ranchero struggled to climb out of the teens in terms of speed. Determined to solve the issue, Alan relocated the oxygen sensor leads to better monitor the front three cylinders, switched to 118-octane fuel, and added ice to the intake system to cool the air. These thoughtful tweaks, however, yielded even worse results, with speeds dropping to the low 100s. Clearly, the problem ran deeper than tuning.
In the pits, the engine sounded rough—misfires and odd pops indicated something was mechanically wrong. Using a borrowed leak-down tester, Alan discovered a dead cylinder. Further disassembly revealed the culprit: the #1 cylinder’s exhaust valve was stuck open, with its rocker arm and lash pad dislodged. Initially fearing piston damage, Alan was relieved to find the piston unscathed. Given the engine’s tight tolerances, domed pistons, and radically milled head, it was a close call. The likely cause? A scarred valve stem, possibly from a cracked guide or foreign debris—an issue that was nearly impossible to foresee.
A Hard-Earned Pause
With one cylinder effectively down and the week already taking a toll—both mechanically and physically—the team decided to pack up. Alan had caught a nasty cold just before the event, and by midweek, he had passed it on to two of his three crewmates. After a few exhausting nights camped on the salt, the group was more than ready for some comfort and rest. As Alan put it, “Everyone was ready for chicken soup and their blankey.”
Still, there was no sense of defeat in his words—just realism and a determination to return stronger. Despite the setback, Alan remained passionate and optimistic. The engine damage was far from catastrophic, and the experience only deepened his understanding of what it takes to compete on the salt.
Wisdom from the Flats
Bonneville is not for the faint of heart. The sheer scale of the event, the demands it places on both machinery and driver, and the constant battle against unexpected complications make it a test unlike any other. Alan offered a piece of hard-earned wisdom: “It’s a five-year commitment. Then, by five, you’re hooked.”
He should know—despite the mechanical heartbreak, Alan is already planning next year’s run, aiming to return with all six cylinders firing. Meanwhile, he’s working on a clone of the Ranchero—this time powered by a more traditional Ford 302—proof that his love for these machines and this unique motorsport runs deep.
A Cult Classic in the Making
Alan’s 1960 Falcon Ranchero isn’t just a race car; it’s a statement. A hybrid of American classic design and Japanese engineering ingenuity, it embodies the spirit of land-speed racing: innovation, risk, and relentless passion. And while this year’s results were more about learning than winning, the story he tells is no less triumphant.
For fans of vintage speed, quirky builds, and the community that forms on the salt flats, Alan’s experience is a reminder of why we build, race, and dream. His Ranchero may have limped home this time, but it’s far from finished. Expect to see it back at Bonneville, hungrier—and more dialed in—than ever.
