The Ranch Wagon was Ford’s least expensive station wagon between 1952-74. It was usually a full-sized transport, although the name was used on intermediates during 1963-64. The seller’s 2-door version from 1960 hasn’t been registered for the last 43 years, so it’s been long off the DMV radar screen. This Ford can be found in Wimer, Oregon where it’s offered here on craigslist for $7,250. Hats off to Barn Finder local_sheriff for turning this one up for us!
In the early 1950s, the wood-bodied station wagons dubbed “Woodies” were running out of steam. They were expensive to produce, so Ford and the other manufacturers switched to all-steel-bodied wagons. Starting in 1952, Ford kept the Country Squire nameplate for its top-of-the-line wagons and introduced the Country Sedan and Ranch Wagon to fill a need at the mid-range and entry-level price categories. The Ranch Wagon would be offered in 2 and 4-door varieties, but demand dwindled each year for the dual-door iterations, so 1961 would be the last model year it was offered.
In 1960, Ford built 171,824 full-size station wagons (the new Falcon compact also had a wagon). Of that number, just 27,136 were the 6-passenger, 2-door Ranch Wagon. The seller’s vehicle was one of those units and was only in circulation for its first 18 years. For whatever reason, its owner stopped renewing the tags in 1978, so it still has its original black and yellow California plates that say San Jose on the front. Usually, this happens when they stop running, but the seller makes no mention of the mechanical condition of this wagon today although it appears to have seen some tinkering.
This Ford comes with the company’s basic Y-block 292 cubic inch V8, pictured with the air cleaner off. It’s paired with a 2-speed automatic transmission. The odometer reading is 20,645, but that’s back in the days when these mileage tracking devices only went up to 99,999, so maybe it has turned over. There is plenty of surface rust over the body of this large wagon plus a couple of small dents and dings, but nothing that looks like corrosion through the sheet metal. Excepting where there appears to be some filler and primer applied by the tailgate window opening on the driver’s side.
We don’t see much of the interior of this wagon, so we don’t know the condition of the upholstery or headliner. But the floor in the cargo area looks pretty beat up and some work will be needed there. The chrome and glass look good, although the rear fixed glass on the passenger side looks to be missing, or it could just be the way it was photographed.
Hagerty estimates a 1960 Ranch Wagon to be worth $20-21,000 on a very good day. Giving this one a full cosmetic restoration along with a mechanical rebuild would turn this into a labor of love, not a profit opportunity. The asking price may be a bit rich, especially considering there is no title and only a Bill of Sale will come with the vehicle. But when was the last time you saw one of these winged wagons on the road?
“But the floor in the cargo area looks pretty beat up and some work will be needed there. ”
Now THERE’S the understatement of the year.
Yep, it’s a bit rough, but there’s potential for a really cool ride here. Great lines, and a 2-door wagon. If the belly isn’t rotted out, it’s worth creating something unique.
This is one of those wagons where the 2-door was basically a factory cut-and-shut for cheapskates. Why pay extra for one now when there’s an extra pillar right where the 4-door has one, and the proportions are thrown off by the B-pillar being in the “wrong” place?
@nlpnt The “extra” pillar is not right where the 4-door has one because all the Tudor models, including the wagon, had LONGER front doors to allow access to the back seat. I drove one of these in the mid-sixties delivering pizzas.
Interesting that in ’61 Ford went to the trouble of modifying the rear body and tailgate from the hatch and tailgate to the retractable window style for such a low production model instead of just dropping after the ’60 model year. Possibly they has a bunch of fleet orders for ’61 Tudor wagons already on the books.
Except for the Sedan Delivery models which used the Fordor front doors. But they didn’t have a back seat.
The 1960 full-size in any configuration is really a beautiful car. This includes Edsel. Not many out there to restore. I’d love a crack at it.
These were a good-looking, under-appreciated car. They were better looking than the ’60 Chev, though sales didn’t bear that out. I’d be interested in this car if it was in a bit better shape or the price was a bit lower.
These wagons are gaining popularity and this one will make a sweet ride for someone. The fact that it’s 3000 miles away is a good thing in my case. Hope somebody on here grabs this and keeps us up on the resto.
You don’t see many of these, and it would be nice if someone saved this car. I think the price is a lot rich however. The Edsel version had probably the ugliest taillights configuration I have ever seen. It was almost like it was an after thought. Cool car though.
Old 2dr. wagons are very collectible, and this `60 Ranch wagon is a relatively rare model. It looks solid enough to be a good basis for a frame-off restoration. The rear cargo floor can be replaced; I wouldn’t let that scare me away. Many of these were fleet vehicles, with the inline six and a three-on-the-tree. Nice to see it’s a 292 and automatic!
What I would do is, restore it to showroom stock, but drop in a period-correct 390 tri-power that became available in the spring of 1960.
@Will Fox. The 390HP with tri-power became available in April, 1961. Top Ford engine for ‘60 was the 352HP rated at 360 horsepower.
@McQ. The top Ford V-8 for 1960 was the FE-series with 351.9 CI [352] producing 300 Gross Horsepower utilizing a single Holly 4bbl, dual exhaust, and premium fuel.
No, as McQ said, the top Ford V8 for 1960 was the 360 HP 352. It was a killer engine, and even with a three-on-the-tree, it could run a 14.7 quarter mile, at about 94 mph. After 1960, it was relegated to grocery-getter status, with 220-250 hp versions, through 1966, in cars.
My Great Uncle had one of these from new in 1960 it was 6cyl 3speed plain jane , white with blue interior , drove it until he bought his 1965 Mercury , V8 p/s p/b auto , guess he wanted an upgrade
We had a green four door Country Sedan, with the same green color interior, as this one. We owned it for about four years, in the mid-’60’s. I liked the car, and for some reason, it never rotted, even in Massachusetts winters. But, of course, it was slow, with the then new, aluminum case Ford-O-Matic 2 speed transmission, behind the 223 “Mileage Maker” six.
Many years ago I bought a similar 1959 Ranch wagon. All white and the small dog dish hubcaps and it was so plain. The neighbors wondered why I bought it. It was in very nice original shape so I painted it geranium and white two-tone, chromed the bumpers, added White Walls and put correct 59 full size wheel covers on it. After that, the neighbors couldn’t believe what a total transformation a little color and trim could make. It was a fun car to play with and what I did get ready to sell it I made plenty of money. It always got compliments everywhere I went. This car has that same potential.
I think John is 100% on the money. Obvious hassle with no title and work needed is obvious. But swap the drivetrain for a stronger newer FoMoCo setup, paint and so forth and this ride will blow people’s minds.
Love it!
It looks like the rear passenger side glass is there in the photo of that side. However, the glass between the passenger door glass a the rear side glass, is clearly broken out.
It would be a cool ride to restore, if you could get in it for a little less than the asking price.
Cool car. I always liked the Y blocks. They had a sound all their own. Kind of interesting that the instrument cluster is out of a ‘61.
pop cans
Window behind the passenger door is broken
I’d go with a turbo 302. One that could tow a Bambi Airstream trailer. Keep the hood untouched and original. Paint would be a pearl white. Keep the surface rust on the roof with a clear coat. Change the taillights to a Ford round from a 64 Fairlane. Take the backup lights out of the bumper. Interior would be leather dark brown with two other cloth material.