Camp Verde Man Wins 1966 Ford Ranchero for $10 in Raffle

Imagine winning a classic car for just $10; it would be unbelievable. Terry Ligon of Camp Verde doesn’t have to imagine anymore. Ligon is the winner out of more than 2,250 raffle tickets for a fully-restored 1966 Ford Ranchero raffled by Yavapai Humane Society (YHS). His winning ticket was drawn on December 30^th at Whisker’s Barkery.

Ligon purchased a single $10 raffle ticket when YHS brought the classic for display at the Prescott Valley Speedway last fall. When he was contacted by YHS to tell him the great news he paused in disbelief then said, “You’re joking; I never win anything!” Ligon was in the market for a classic car and is thrilled about the fully-restored Ranchero, which he said was “even better than he remembered.” Ligon considers it a stroke of luck that the 1966 car was made the same year he was born.

1966 Ford Ranchero donor Pat O'Brien (on left) congratulates
the raffle winner and new Ranchero owner, Terry Ligon (right). 

The classic was fully restored and donated to YHS by Pat and Nancy O’Brien in spring of 2014. O’Brien met with Ligon at YHS on Friday, January 9 to officially sign over the Ranchero and give him a tour of the vehicle. The classic boasts a new 302 Ford Engine, a new automatic transmission, new power disc brakes, new chrome, new interior, new paint and a color-matched bed liner. Even though the Ranchero is nearly 50 years old, it has less than 38,000 miles from factory and less than 100 miles since restoration. The Ranchero marks the second classic car O’Brien has donated to YHS to be used as a fundraiser—the first being a 1971 CJ-5 Jeep in 2013.

The fully-restored 1966 Ford Ranchero raffled by Yavapai Humane Society
raised more than $20,000 to benefit the animal shelter. 

Executive Director of YHS, Ed Boks said, “Congratulations to Terry on his big win. We are sincerely grateful to all those who purchased raffle tickets and made this fundraiser a success. People from all over the country bought tickets. Many considered the $10 to be a donation with the chance of winning being a perk. Those who bought tickets and the car donors, Pat and Nancy O’Brien, are true and inspiring supporters of the homeless pets at YHS.”

More than $20,000 was raised for the animals of YHS through the Ranchero raffle. Proceeds support YHS’ many life-saving programs and make a big impact on the cost associated with caring for nearly 3,500 pets in 2014.