For many moons, the Country Sedan was Ford’s mid-range, full-size station wagon, sandwiched between the Ranch Wagon and Country Squire. We’re told this one is said to have been equipped from the factory for fire department service (though I’m thinking that work would have been outsourced). In good overall condition, this two-tone first responder is in Bartow, Florida, and is available here on craigslist for $21,000. Bravo to Tony Primo for the neat-o tip!
The Country Sedan was in production from 1952 (when the “woodies” were retired) until 1974. For most of its run, it carried the trim level of a Galaxie but without the faux wood paneling reserved for the Country Squire. The assembly lines at Ford cranked out about 64,000 Country Sedans in 1962, the majority with seating for six (as opposed to nine). There are no known records of how many of these may have been equipped for fire department use.
This Ford sports white over red paint, which would have been appropriate for a fire chief’s use. It also has the strobe beacon on top and a spotlight on the driver’s side, all logical. But there are no decals (or hint thereof) anywhere that advertise what fire unit it served. Though spots on the doors appear to have been painted over. The vehicle has just 55,000 miles, which could be right as those kinds of machines made largely short hops. It carries a 390 cubic inch V8 with an automatic transmission (Cruise-O-Matic, we assume; not familiar with a Transomatic).
The body and paint look good, as does the interior, which seems to have non-period upholstery in place. It has air conditioning, though the blower needs replacing. The tires are newer, and someone rebuilt the heads on the engine to run on unleaded gasoline, also while adding an aluminum radiator. The chrome has some pitting, and the headliner has a case of the droops. All in all, this seems like a nice wagon whose fire department angle will draw attention at cars and coffee. But is the wagon priced right?
“…someone rebuilt the heads on the engine to run on aluminum gasoline…”
Heard of leaded gasoline, but not metallic fuel…don’t ask me about what we did the first time the Usual Gang of Idiots inadvertently bought a 6 gallon tank of unleaded fuel for the boat…had never heard of the stuff…
Where did it say aluminum gasoline. I only see aluminum rad??
Maybe you should go back and have another read — the grammar principles aren’t great, but I get it, that the heads were done so it could run on unleaded fuel, and at the same time an aluminum radiator was installed.
Yeah. What is aluminum gas?
it was a mis-type, not a big deal.
prob aluminum heads.
what matters here is the rare beauti that is presented before us
focus on the forest kids, not the shrubs.
well since it is a Ford it probably uses “military grade aluminum gas”.
Okay, you guys. I had aluminum on the brain. Unleaded gasoline — aluminum radiator.
I’m guessing if it has a TRANSomatic transmission it doesn’t know whether to run on leaded or aluminum gasoline. Lol!
So the Ford O Matic now identifies as a Power Glide?
Russ,
I’m sure that some here will never let you live that one down,
& will refer to that in future comments.
I mean, it’s no worse than the “transparent steel” theorized by Bill Mitchell the his designers told him glass couldn’t be shaped as he demanded.
Preston Tucker had also wanted front fenders that turned in sync with the tires and wheels.
Sometimes it seems the higher the rank on the totem pole, the lower the level of common sense and practicality.
Cool car!! There was about a ten years time frame when my sister and I were growing up that many of our parents’ dealer demonstrators were station wagons. Dad wanted the room. Mother wanted a T-Bird (she did get her way occasionally). This car appears that it has been fairly well preserved. Love the fire department delivery let alone that workhorse 390-4V. A rare option in 1962 was the factory A/C. Would love to add that red steed to our “red” stable but space and spouse won’t allow! Hope it finds a great home! Thanks Russ. This article brought back great childhood memories (sans the fire department livery)! GLWTS.
*livery
I believe that is a aftermarket A/C compressor. Love the car…back in 1966 4 teens driving moms 60 Country Sedan….took my drivers test in the ‘meat wagon” we called it…that thing took a beating…only real trouble it ever had was a couple broken rocker arms
At that price, keep dreaming, seller.
Cool car