Ford, along with most of the industry, had an incredible year in 1965. With an all-new full-size Ford and the wildly popular Mustang, it had two bona fide hits on its hands. The squared off Ford was advertised for its quiet ride, claiming that a 289-powered car was “quieter than a Rolls-Royce.” It just so happens that this very nice Country Sedan is powered by a 289, but it isn’t quite as it came from the factory. Barn Finds reader Randy Johnson found it on craigslist in Orlando, Florida, and while it’s not cheap (the seller is asking $25,995), it looks like an example that proves the old adage that you should buy the best one you can afford.
Ford station wagons were available with a full array of powerplants in addition to the 289, including the FE-based 352 and 390. The seller doesn’t disclose whether this is the six-passenger or the ten-passenger wagon, but I imagine the little 200-horsepower 289 would have struggled with a ten-passenger load. You can see, however, that all is not stock under the hood; the seller claims that you’re looking at a “rebuilt high performance 289 with upgraded fuel injection for ease of driving and dependability.” What’s been done is left up to the imagination, so let’s do a visual inspection. It has later valve covers painted in the correct gold, a later power steering pump (from an ’80s 5.0 by the looks of it), a Duraspark ignition box, a dual-circuit master cylinder, and a canister up front that seems to have something to do with the fuel injection system. Based on the nuts and washers, I’d say that the front suspension has been rebuilt, too.
The interior is nearly immaculate, with a clean vinyl front bench, nice door panels, original (or reproduction) factory floor mats with the Ford logo, and an unfortunate aftermarket steering wheel. It has an automatic transmission, which would be a three-speed unit for 1965.
The only thing missing from the advertisement is a picture or two of the undercarriage. I’ve looked underneath more than one big 1965 Ford, and the frame has an unfortunate habit of rusting right beneath the A-pillar (among other places), so it’s always a good idea to inspect for terminal corrosion (or unsafe repairs). Given the overall appearance of this wagon, on the other hand, I’d be surprised to find much to worry about. This then-innocuous white wagon with a black interior and basic hub caps is a fine example of an average commuter car back in the mid 1960s, the kind you just don’t see at your local car show these days. Is it expensive? Maybe a little. Is it worth it? What do you think?
Except for the hubcaps,this looks just like Mr. Stephens’s
(my 5th grade teacher) wagon that he bought new.From back
in the day,when teacher’s drove some interesting cars.
That fuel injection canister in the engine compartment is part of a FiTech EFI system.
Thanks, Todd!
Nicely done, Aaron.
I love it! I’m surprised the engine isn’t blue. Correct me if I’m wrong please.
Ford started painting their whole engines blue in 1966; most of their V8s were black with gold valve covers in 1965.
Thanks. The “Thumbs Up” feature doesn’t work for me.
Only works on the original post for me.
I care too much whether these iconic old wagons have a cherry on their sundae… either side-facing jump seats (a Ford exclusive) or rear-facing bench.
I had and loved a ’65 Ford Country sedan just like this one. It was a 352 car with AC. Great car. The very next year 1966 was the first year of the dual swing magic tailgate. It was a better tailgate.
Even as a “fuelie”, that 289 will be struggling to move nearly two (2) tons of steel down the road, especially when you load it up with 2×4’s or some 4’x8′ sheets of plywood flat on the floor in the back, LOL! Otherwise a nice mostly original wagon! GLWTS!
My cousin had a medium blue one. 352 V8 and Cruise-O-Matic. Having 6 kids, as a lad of 11, I can’t remember if it was 6 or 9 passenger.
Funny story. One Sunday we were over for a celebration of some sorts. My cousin was changing pil on the wagon with an audience.
He started filling up the engine when out from underneath the car comes flowing a stream of motor oil. He’d forgotten to put the plug back in the pan! LOL!
He was in for a lot of chuckles and ribbing, both at his expense.
From the Beverly Hills TV show theme song: ” and then one day he was shootin’ at some food,
and up through the ground came a bubblin’ crude……”
I still smile about that.
I used to live in Beverly, MA when that show was on as a child, and my brother and me always laughed at the line: “… so they loaded up the truck, and moved to Beverly…Hills, that is! Swimming pools! Movie Stars!”
I had one for my first car.Same color. I worked in a factory that made nerfballs and foam mats for gym class. I lined the back in foam and cover it with gold shag quilts. Had a ball,til the night we had a demo derby on the way home.Pearl,her name,was beating everyone until the throttle cable broke.All those bums crashed in every door and corner on her perfect S.C. body.What a time to live,the early 70s.
“An unfortunate aftermarket steering wheel”. What’s an owner to do?
This left me stunned and speechless for awhile. My long dead mother had a white one like this except a blue interior if I remember right. She had it in 1971 and it was in excellent condition. We took a couple cross country summer vacation trips in it between Arizona and Northern Wisconsin. Talk about a flood of memories that came rushing back when I saw this. I’ll bet that scenario happens to at least one person in the reading audience when an old car from their childhood (but the car wasn’t old and neither were they at the time) turns up here on Barn Finds.