I love the seller’s description that this 1956 Ford station wagon “kinda drives”! I’m guessing that’s referring to the current fuel tank (otherwise known as a gas can) under the hood, the lack of a battery, and who knows what else that needs help. All that being said, the wagon is being offered here on Facebook Marketplace for a reasonable project car price of $3,500. It’s located in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho which probably explains the snow on the ground–the average snowfall there is 69.8 inches per year! Thanks to Barn Finds reader Vintage Hoody for sending in this cool find!
Based on the side trim and lack of a visible third seat, I believe this is a”Six-Passenger Country Sedan” (of the six station wagon models Ford offered in 1956). The Country Sedan came stock with a 292-cubic-inch, 200 horsepower “Thunderbird” V-8 (there was also an optional 312-cubic-inch “Thunderbird Special” V-8 that made 225 horsepower); we’re not sure which engine is in this example. Ford sold 23,221 Six-Passenger Country Sedans in 1956, making it the second-rarest Ford wagon behind the two-door Park Lane model. The list price at the time was $2,796; a pretty good chunk of money for 3,700 pounds of car.
The seller tells us that they have all the parts to put the car back together except the tailgate glass and tail lights. There’s even a new headliner and a new carpet set included with the sale. I suppose some of you readers would embrace the patina look the wagon currently wears, but given how attractive the two-tone white and turquoise paint looks even now, I’d love to see it glossy and fresh.
The seller characterizes the wagon as having “some” rust, and it’s apparent that she’s a bit crispy around the edges, especially in the lower rockers. It’s a lot easier to make that look better if you are planning on painting the car–just sayin’!
You will be starting from scratch here, but at least the seats are present to reupholster. The car is equipped with an automatic transmission, which if it’s original would be a Ford-O-Matic three-speed. Trivia time: the Ford-O-Matic is frequently thought of as a two-speed transmission because it defaults to starting in second gear! The basic transmission design was used until 1968, so it must have been engineered pretty well!
Here’s the star of our show, the Ford Y-block V-8. If any readers can tell whether this is a 292 or a 312, I’d be interested. Either way, if this were my car, once I got the engine running well I’d be tempted to purchase and use this wild dual-sidedraft intake currently for sale just for the wow factor; I have no idea if it would run well or not! What do you think about this Country Sedan? Let us know in the comments, and thank you for reading Barn Finds!
The sight of that dash and front seat is a real buzz kill.
A project car at a reasonable price. Many possibilities that could be done with this Ford
The 292 had an exhaust crossover in front of the motor connecting the right and left exhaust manifolds…I think this is a 312
good point I had forgotten about that may early Ford V8 had that think the 312 did not
I think it is a 292. My ’56 Country Sedan has a 292 and no crossover. Factory duels. Just looking at the engine makes me think 272 but fender badge makes me think 292.
Given the uniqueness and relative solid and intact body. 3,500.00 bucks in today’s world is rather nice. Most parts are easily sourced. I believe the car had a padded dash which explains the foam burnt looking appearance of the dash area. It is amazing how different this car is from my 59 Squire. If your a car person with some skills and not a profit hoping flipper this will be a real nice unit when done. If the engine runs and doesn’t sound like a hammer banging on a steel tank and it doesn’t ride a square mile of visibility and mosquitoes. This would be a nice cruiser. Update the brakes with a dual master and roll.
I believe that the 312 had a Y emblem on the front fenders.
I think it is a 292. My ’56 Country Sedan has a 292 and no crossover. Factory duels. Just looking at the engine makes me think 272 but fender badge makes me think 292. The 272 had V with 8 sitting in it fender badge.
I bought the 1956 Ford convert, that I had, in 1965 for $40.00. How much is that in 2023 dollars? That one was in a helluva lot better shape than this (and it had no rocker panels left).
parents bought a 1956 9 passenger had the Fairlane trim not the custom trim also had the 312 on the side markers on front fender 292 says thunderbird 312 says thunderbird special same with value cover’s
Judging from the carb on this one, I’m wondering if this has a 272 engine. Anyone know if those were available in 1956?
The 272 was available , but usually as the lowest-priced v-8 for the sedans and coupes . Almost all of the station wagons that had the v-8 , had either {and usually} the 292 or the 312 , both with factory dual exhaust . The carburetor pictured is NOT o.e. for this car . I know the 1956 Fords first-hand .
They were available 1955 to 57. I was wondering the same thing, because the 272 was a popular choice during these years.
Thanks. I guess my memory isn’t so bad after all. My 56 with the 292 had a 4 bbl carb that looked like a deformed birdhouse. First carb I ever rebuilt.
Yes. My mom had a new 56 2 dr. same color. 272 two brl, w/ 3 spd. w/OD
The sliding glass windows in the back cargo area normally mean that it was from the factory a 4 seat… 9 passenger wagon. Those slider windows are a big give away.
not true first all 9 passenger. had Fairlane trim 6 passenger had custom trim this car has custom trim plus 9 passenger only had 3 seats all facing forward in 1956 parents had a new 9 passenger when I was 11 years old remember it well
Sorry… al… my bad typing…. I hit the 4 instead of 3 and then I did not read it over. Please forgive an old guy who can’t type well. I never saw any 4 seated wagons, from Ford factory. Saw many 3 seated, and all had the sliding glass windows. The two seated did not not have those windows. I too was about your age at the time, but must admit I never paid any attention to the TRIM levels.
in the 70s Ford had the rear seats 2 facing each other that made 4 seats in the country squire 2 seats facing forward than in back 2 small seats facing each other if you remember Chevy had the 3 rd seat facing out the back you rode staring at car behind you lol
In ’56, the T-Bird emblems on the lower front fender usually indicated a 312, the 292 had a front view of the Y-block, and sixes had nothing. 292 valve cover decal said Thunderbird V8, 312 said Thunderbird Special V8.
My memory is fuzzy on 2-bbl 312, all mine had 4bbl, and I’m too lazy to go down to the basement and look at the shop manual or parts books.
This also had a padded dash, now just a memory on this one, but the rare chrome retaining trim is still there.
The side trim indicates a 2 seat car, the 3-seaters had Fairlane trim. The slider rear quarter windows indicate a 3 seat car, but there is no sign of the 3rd seat cushions, which are separate and do not fold into the floor.
There are no pix of the center seat, which is a 70/30 split on 3-seaters, and solid on 2 seats.
I had a few of these back in the day, and I found many mix/match versions in boneyards when I was searching for parts. It seems Ford would make about anything you wanted, regardless of what the brochure said. The floors/bodyshells on wagons had all the slots & holes for every interior version, so it was a simple matter of going to your favorite wrecker and getting the upgrade parts and swapping them.
I found a 3 seat where all the floor panels were completely chromed and then had the linoleum applied so only the outer edge of the panel was showing, a pretty impressive looking interior when all the seats were folded down.
I still have everything to create a Parklane if I ever run across a solid 2 door wagon.
the parklane I liked them only made one year 1956 good write up just one thing the sign on side shaped like y block was 272 292 and 312 had same sign 292 said thunderbird 312 sign said thunderbird special same as valve covers
I don’t think that the dual side draft marine intake mentioned in the write up belongs on the engine. Nothing to be gained in performance or looks. Now a Paxton supercharger from a ‘57 312 would be right at home if you’re into the wow factor.
Gary, I’d argue with you on the looks of the side draft manifold, but beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. No argument at all that a Paxton would be cool! Thanks for sharing!
good point I had forgotten about that may early Ford V8 had that think the 312 did not
In today’s economy, $3500 is almost like getting the car for free. Kudos to the seller for staying grounded and pricing it fairly. I know parts for this model aren’t growing on trees but I wouldn’t mind owning it.
Also, I have NEVER seen a dash rust that bad. Must have water leaks galore!