Fire Chief Wagon? 1962 Ford Country Sedan

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 aluminum 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?