As wood-bodied wagons were phased out in the early 1950s, the Ranch Wagon became Ford’s entry-level metal-body wagon. It would hold that position through 1974. The seller’s 1958 2-door edition has been rebuilt mechanically, with the cosmetic side of it remaining to be done. Located in a garage in Blair, Nebraska, this unfinished project is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $13,000. Our hats off to Barn Finder T.J. for another great vintage tip!
Ford redesigned their cars in 1957 and pulled off a rare feat – they beat Chevrolet in the sales game for the year (but the margin was slim). For 1958, the changes were few, including grafting on quad headlights where singles were perched in 1957. And the taillights were oblong rather than round. The Ranch wagon saw production of more than 67,000 units in ’58, with demand split almost evenly between two and four doors. The 2-door Ranch Wagon was the basis for the Ranchero “Ute”.
The seller’s focus on this ’58 edition has been on the mechanical side of this project. That includes rebuilding the 352 cubic inch “FE” V8 and the “3-on-the-tree” manual transmission. We also see a new gas tank. Work has progressed far enough that the seller hopes to have it out on the road in the next several days.
Rust is a problem with this two-tone wagon as the floorboards are of the Fred Flintstone, see-through variety. The sparse interior may be okay except for the upholstery and the floors in the cargo area. So it could be that much of the heavy lifting on this old Ford has already been done. If you’re into vintage wagons (like a lot of folks), would you like to take this people mover across the restoration finish line?
I’m probably one of the few that like the 58’s better than the 57’s. It seems to be a lot less 58’s left, but that was a recession year. I like the 352 V8 and the stick and it’s a 2dr wagon. This one looks a little crusty underneath, but the seller did include some good pics in the ad. If you check out Facebook for Nebraska there seems to be a lot of old iron left out there. But a lot of cars sitting in the grass, which can kill an old car fast. I don’t know about the prices these days, maybe the seller is just trying to break even.
had a 1958 Ford sold it couple years ago being from a old Ford family father liked his fords remember when 1958 came out I was 13 years old father said where are the round tail lights Ford had round tail lights starting in 1952 changed in 1958 had bad sales 1959 had the biggest round lights ever sales went back up
If I had the cash, I’d fix up the interior no problem. Like geezerglide 85, I’m also one of those who preferred the ’58 over the ’57 (same profile, really), probably because I was born in ’58.
Ha……I was born in ’59 !!!
Took my drivers test on a 58 Ford ranch wagon 352 auto with limited slip rear , during a snow storm , and I passed ! That was a great car!
Except for the ventilated floors this old wagon looks pretty good to me. A few license plates and a pop rivet gun and you are good to go. Hey if it’s good enough for Derek Bieri; it’s good enough for me. And don’t forget the Mexican blanket for the front seat. I never thought I would be thinking of a wagon for a collector car but I do believe I have recently considered it. The Plymouth yesterday or this Ford would be welcome in my garage. GLWTS.
My 1958 Ford 2 door Wagon had a 6 banger with 3 on the tree and got 20 miles per gallon! Plenty of room for a mattress to go to the drive-in and pull in backwards and watch the movie. Always wondered what a V8 would do.
Drive-in? Mattress?
Remember *any* of the movies?
’74 was TX Chainsaw Massacre
we went a la wagon, backed in, etc~
The ad text says that the holes in floor were repaired but not in photos. So, check with him if interested.
We had a 55-56 4 door woody and then a 58 but i remember to it being green with the Plastic woody sides. I agree the 58 Fords are rare. Great members of Sunday drives as a family in that car.
THERESSsss the car in my last post.
We had it in grn/white (not sure motor. Mileage Maker 223/3.7?)…
I think drivin cross the Chesapeake Preston/Lane bridge (‘Baltimore’ to Eastern Shore, MD) my older sis was fiddelin w/the back door’s handle – it blew open suckin her lill body out (8 y/o?). It was so long ago, no traffic. Dad stoped quick, in the lane (no shoulder) ran back & scooped her off the curb (justa ‘2 ln. blacktop’) but she’d gone from drivers to passenger’s curb side. He ran back, grabbed her, put her on the seat, closed the door’n said to mom’s glaring eye “No damage, no problems.” (like the dropped candy’s “2 sec limit’ afor U pop it in da mouth). She went on to get straight “As” thru hiskol, do fine. We DID wonder if that is Y she had no “smeller”. Yup, pretty sure she could smell what U or I could, just nevera sniffer since round then.
It rode us north 4yrs later on our move to Boston and kept achuggin nother 4 yrs or so till mom, a southern driver, slipped on the ice and into a tree. Bein a tank I coulda bent it back but insurance companies were like today “totaled”. She drove Simcas, Renaults, Fiats from there on out. An easier handle for a 4 ft 10 woman.
Looks worth the money if your in the market….
My Dad had a bunch of 50;s Fords including a 57 & 58. The 57 was a two door wagon, three on the tree overdrive, maybe 411 gears 292 v8. I totaled this one, the defrost/heater did not work blow hot or warm air. The steering also had an inch or two or three.of play Just waiting for a 16 yr old to wreck it.
The 58 was bought new, 332 cruiseomatic four door wagon. One huge problem. It would rust if you looked at it. Even a damp but no snow or salt and being garaged it still rusted (serious cancer rust) . It went behind our service station was cut up!
my dad had a 57 & 58 wagon, I wrecked the 57 and the 58 rusted away.
The 57 was a two door ranch wagon 292 three on the tree OD. I think with the overdrive it had 411 rear with overdrive. It had a couple of major problems that led to a 16 year old wrecking it. The steering had a couple of inches of play at least. The heater and defrost only blew cold air.
The 58 was a country sedan 332 cruisomatic. It was bought new at Francis Ford in Portland, It had a bit of a cancer rust problem. Even though Portland does not salt roads and is not totally wet it rusted if you just looked at it, It was also always garaged. When it finally died it went behind out our service station and was cut up.