With Summer fast approaching, it is only natural for our thoughts to turn to holidays. Whether it is somewhere local or a potential cross-country jaunt, making the trip in a classic station wagon allows plenty of room for kids, luggage, and even the family dog to get there in style and comfort. This 1965 Ford Country Sedan has belonged to the same owner for 30-years, and he has just completed performing a mechanical refurbishment. That means that with those holidays beckoning, this could be the perfect wagon for the job. Located in Glencoe, Minnesota, you will find the Country Sedan listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has reached $4,950, but the reserve hasn’t been met.
The original owner ordered the Ford in Wimbledon White, and it continues to wear that color today. The paint isn’t perfect, but its condition is acceptable for a survivor-grade vehicle. The owner purchased the wagon 30-years-ago, and he admits that it isn’t perfect or 100% original. It has had some panel repairs over the years, and there is some filler present. Its rust problems are minimal and don’t require urgent attention. The frame was professionally reinforced and refinished years ago, and it still looks excellent today. The only rust in the floors is a section that the owner has repaired under the brake pedal. Otherwise, the vehicle seems to be structurally sound. The from bumper is original, but the rear is from a Falcon sedan that has been installed using custom brackets. The glass is in good order, and the period-correct wheels add a touch of class to the exterior.
The engine bay of this Country Sedan would originally have housed a C-Code 289ci V8. This motor would have been producing 200hp, which is okay in a vehicle that weighs 4,047lbs. However, that original engine and its transmission are now a distant memory. In their place, we find a 351ci Windsor V8 of 1969-vintage, and bolted to the back of this is an AOD transmission. The extra power from the Windsor and the overdrive feature of the new transmission would provide noticeable improvements in performance and open-road cruising ability, while fuel consumption wouldn’t take a major hit. Until recently, the Ford had been sitting in storage. The owner has dragged it out of hiding and has done some significant work to return it to a roadworthy state. The entire braking system has been rebuilt, which has entailed replacing the master cylinder, calipers, shoes, pads, hoses, wheel cylinders, and lines. The fuel tank has been cleaned and resealed, and all of the fuel lines have been replaced. The front tires are new, and the owner describes the rear tires as decent. The engine breathes through a dual exhaust, and I suspect that it makes the 351 sound pretty nice. The owner identifies a minor fluid leak from the transmission as the only fault, but he says that this is manageable. He says that it runs and drives very well, and while it isn’t original, it was modified to make it enjoyable to own and drive.
I find the wagon’s interior interesting because it looks like it wouldn’t take a lot of time or money to give it a noticeable boost. The owner acknowledges the stains on the front seat, but he describes the carpet as new and says that the interior has been detailed. The overall condition could be described as driver-quality, but a new front seat cover would make a world of difference. There is a single small tear in the headliner, but I believe this could be blind patched. The owner has swapped in a dash and gauge cluster from a ’67 LTD, and they look at home in there. The wagon comes equipped with air conditioning, and while the system is complete, it doesn’t blow cold. There are a couple of other minor details to address, but there’s nothing that is likely to break the bank.
I’ve always found the concept of Ford calling these vehicles Country Sedans to be slightly odd. To me, a sedan has room for at least four occupants and has a separate trunk for luggage or cargo. The idea of referring to a station wagon as a sedan is interesting, and it was a move that gained the company attention in the marketplace. Attention was sorely needed because the domestic market was awash with family wagons during the 1960s. Those days are long behind us, and I doubt that we will see any manufacturer producing a new full-size wagon any time soon. That means that we need to make do with classics like this Ford. That’s no bad thing because it has a presence and a sense of style lacking in modern SUVs. That Summer journey is beckoning, so will you undertake it in this 1965 Ford Country Sedan?
I had a teacher in elementary school who had one like
this,white w/red interior.A memorable car.
I guess it was in this case.
I had 2 uncles, brothers, that had this wagon. They got them specced identically (both were a sort of turquoise green inside and out) and soon after purchase started a contest to see who could put the most miles on their wagon the fastest. I never heard who won, but suspect my Uncle Bob was the winner as he loved to take the whole family on cross country vacations. Uncle Bob owned several Ford wagons over the years, so they must have given him good service. My Uncle Joe traded a 58 Chevy Nomad for his 65 wagon, and as far as I know, stayed with the Ford brand, too.
Me? I think the 65 Ford full-size is the best looking of the 60s full-sizers…from Ford. Though the 65 Chevy edges them out by just a hair’s breathe.
This car, with a 289 and Skylight blue paint, is where I spent many hours as a kid being hauled around with the family. Dad ordered it with a Squire interior – no woodgrain sides, just the interior. No air either, that was for sissies. The vinyl could sear your flesh after some time in the sun.
My dad owned one just like this with a 3 on the tree manual transmission. Dad would give me the keys occasionally and I learned to drive it by going back and forth on our short driveway. I’m pretty sure I was the cause of my dad replacing the clutch soon afterwards! Lol
Sure could use this for our big move in
September. Forget the U-Haul truck, all
I’d need would be a 2 axle trailer and a
roof rack. Everything else would fit inside just fine. Of course I’d have that
leak fixed before I’d try anything that
monumental. Had a ’66 just like this
car and loved it! Mine was a 240 cube
6 mated to a 3 on the tree and was a
former Illinois State University car as it
was so bare bones I don’t think it even
had a heater. Mine had the 2 way door
gate ’round back that made loading band equipment a breeze. Sadly though, the 6 blew apart after 250K total
miles were put on it. Seeing this one makes me want one all over again.
“Country Sedan” was Ford’s base wagon while “Country Squire” was the fancy one, complete with faux wood trim.
No Terry, the Ranch wagon was the base.
That 351, with full compression, is a great transplant. They needed that engine, for ’69, because of the new, heavier Fords. It bridged the gap, formerly held by the 352, between the 289/302, and the 390. With the AOD, and A/C, you can’t go wrong. Just get rid of the Keystones.
Had a 70 Country Sedan, W/390, couldn’t miss a gas station, a hog… but a very comfortable car. Went to Caddy DeVilles, better fuel milage
My Dad had two 65 Country Sedans. Both semi junk as that is how we got lots of cars for our service station. One was nothing typical 65 Ford. The other is one I would like to have now restored. This was a special model, fully loaded, what made it neat was factory bucket seats. Unfortunately I recall it was wrecked.
When describing the brake overhaul it mentions “calipers and shoes”. So is it disc brakes front and drum brakes rear?
I don’t remember for sure, but it quite possible that this had / has 4 wheel DRUM brakes. I believe 1965 was right about the time Ford was adding disc brakes, probably as an option, even on wagons and certainly on non-Squire wagons.
In the mid 80s I looked at a Fairlane Ranch Wagon, a 67, with a 390 engine…and it had 4 wheel drum brakes. The previous owner told me it was used every now and then for trailer towing, with no problems.
Howard, you can see by the master cylinder it does indeed have disc brakes.
The Master cylinder is newer. Dual brakes did not come till 67. A standard MC for a 65 Ford with discs would be an oversize single MC
Yes, but the question was does this car have disc brakes now, which it does.
CAn’t make a station wagon today as there are no cars with strong (or any) frame to take the weight of a car that can do something besides haul and seat any more than 4 people.
I’m listing this car for a friend. Rear bumper is from a ’65 sedan (not Falcon). Front brakes were upgraded to disc. Rear brakes are stock drum.
I had a ’65 Ranch Wagon years ago. I Loved that car. I bought it from my Grandfather-in-law for $500. Slid through a stop Sign after helping a guy out of the ditch and hit a guy. It had the 352 engine in it.