The 1957-58 Del Rio was the successor to Ford’s also short-lived (1956) Parklane. Both were attempts to market a 2-door “sport wagon” like the Chevrolet Nomad and Pontiac Safari. The Del Rio was essentially a fancy Ranch Wagon with no special sheet metal like the other two. The seller has a rough 1957 edition that we know very little about, and the seller is only good for one photo. Located in Spokane, Washington, this forlorn Ford is available here on craigslist for $4.000.
You have to wonder why Ford was so hopped up about copying the Nomad since the latter’s three-year sales history was so low (22,000 copies overall). They cancelled the Parklane for disappointing results, yet they brought out the Del Rio the next year. It differed from the Ranch Wagon with two-tone paint and upgraded trim inside and out. A six-banger was standard, so the seller’s wagon may have the optional 312 CI V8. All we’re told about this wagon is that it has 100k miles, a manual transmission, and a fuel cell, suggesting it may have been raced at one time. Since extra photos weren’t provided by the seller, we borrowed one that shows what this vehicle is capable of resembling one day.
You might be right about it being raced it looks like it may have a straight axle in the front.
It would make an interesting project car if you had the time and money to do it.
That leaf spring is a dead give-away.
The ad says that it has a straight axle. I have never heard of a Del Rio, but I think it’s pretty cool. Should make a nifty project for someone with some skills, time, and a little extra spending money.
Something’s odd about the hood, ’cause the original hinged at the front and opened forward.
Looks as though hood is only propped up, not hinged, in photo.
Good observation. Looks like a fiberglass hood. Too thin to be steel.
It is propped up. Note that the hinges are missing. That’s because, like Rick said, the Del-Rio tilts forward, not back when opened (like a Corvette). I agree with Frank as well, too thin to be original.
Hmm, Del Rio, you say,,,nothing, nothing, WAIT,,,there it is, I built a Revell model of a 2 in 1 kit, “1957 Ford Wagon Gasser”, build it stock or a gasser. Luckily( cough) Ebay has one for ONLY $89.95, although, they didn’t call it a Del Rio, so I never heard that name before. This is without question a retired gasser. Images show all kinds of these as drag cars, and with all the so called “flops” of the late 50s, this should by all means be returned to as stock as possible. Worth far more than some silly dragster, and for GODS SAKE, put an automatic in it! Cool find.
The Del Rio didn’t cost Ford anything extra. They didn’t even make any badges that say “Del Rio” on it. It was basically a Ranch wagon with the Fairlaine 500 interior and the side trim. It was a brochure name for basically a Ranchwagon 500. They are a good looking wagon, and probably sold better than the much gussied up Nomads.
I assumed Del Rio was a place in California, but no, it’s a city in Texas.
the side trim is custom 300 trim not Fairlane 500
Like others I have never heard of this Del Rio vehicle.. But I am with Howard that it should be returned to as close to stock as possible since it appears to be a rare model. 312 Y block with an overdrive manual tranny would be my choice.
How bout a 460 and a C6 trans?
that’s a truck. Never understood those 2 ina car. Lousy motor unless camed’n put ina strip car. (Need the 12v for where many put the 460). Instead go 429 done up ina CJ-style.
They came with V8’s probably 292’s with the 312 option.
Not bad looking, but no match for the Nomads.
I’d love to have this as a daily driver! Though the first thing I’d do is swap a stock front suspension back in, or a mid-late 60’s galaxie/ltd frt end, preferably with disc brakes.
Have to wonder what the motivator under the hood is, if there is anything there now.
My father had a Black w/ Red interior Ranchwagon w/ a 312 & 3 on the tree. Sweet looking car. I too never heard of a Del Rio, maybe it was a Spanish version.
Agree with – oldrodder – didn’t know or remember these – the Parklane yes – we actully had one in the wrecking yard that did get saved….looks cool.
I remember them when they where on the show room floor in 1957 I was 12 years old
If the body is pretty solid it would make a great hot rod . Put the body on another frame ,slap a big block in it with a 5 speed tran. Up grade the interior with bucket seats with a center console that would go from the dash to the back seats . Paint it two tone ,black and sliver with either black interior or gray.