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As a vehicle in its own right, there’s some evidence to suggest that the new Ford Ranger – especially in V6 turbo-diesel form - actually moves the dual-cab four-wheel-drive game along its evolutionary path.

In this, it is significant, but if you’re of a certain age, you might also notice a few little hidden nods to Ford's past.

In fact, there’s enough Australian-Ford reminders to make us think that perhaps the designers were actually rather proud that the design is an Aussie one.

Some of the retro references are pretty obvious, others less so, and a final one we’ll throw in is truly speculative on our part, but if you’re old enough to remember Bathurst in black and white, the Ranger’s little retro easter eggs might bring a smile to your face.

As CarsGuide contributor Byron Mathioudakis correctly spotted in his early test of the new Ranger, the interior door handles are very reminiscent of an Australian Ford from the XY Falcon era (early 1970s).

The lever housed behind the armrest is not only a nod to those beloved Ford models, but also a pretty ergonomically effective move. Best of both worlds.

The new Ranger’s temperature gauge – something you’d only normally look at if it was suggesting the engine was too hot – is another source of retro feel good.

The vertical layout of the gauge suggests previous Fords such as Escorts and late-model Cortinas, but there’s also a visual link to earlier F150 pick-ups.

Even the needle of the gauge with its stepped tip reminds us of the pinched needle tips of the Aussie XC Falcon.

Now take a look at the interior air vents.

The geometric matrix of the vents reminds old timers of the similarly honeycomb-styled rear garnish on the tail of an XA or XB GT Falcon hardtop.

The pattern is not identical, but it’s close enough to remind this codger of a model that remains a truly feel-good Ford.

Moving back Stateside, the horizontal grille bar that bisects the headlights is very reminiscent of the indicator lights on the original Ford Bronco; a cue that’s been followed in the new Bronco as well.

In fact, the whole frontal treatment of the Ranger suggests the legendary Louisville series of Ford full-sized trucks, and that’s probably no accident.

And finally, a fairly left-field one: The diamond pattern embossed into the door trims of the Ranger, to most people, probably suggests the grille pattern of a Falcon FG.

But if you cast your mind way, way back, the pattern is almost identical to the one that featured on the running boards of the iconic Model T, a car that is now more than a century old.

Yes, it’s a long shot, but for those who love their Fords, the leap into a feel-good space won’t be too big to make. And that’s exactly how Ford wants us to feel.

Playing the retro card is often an admission by the manufacturer that the actual product is less than stellar and needs a helping hand to open our hearts and wallets.

But in the case of the new Ranger, the little retro touches are just lovely little additions to a vehicle that probably didn’t need them. Which, of course, makes them all the more wonderful.

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