We’ve covered a lot of two-door station wagons here on BF and I know that many of my “finds” have been in less than stellar condition. Well, that’s changing today as I have a 1959 Ford Ranch Wagon for your review; it’s in solid shape and looks great. I assumed that by ’59, the two-door Ranch Wagon would have been a small seller but that’s not the case as this example is one of 45K assembled that year. Found in Largo, Florida, this clean two-tone wagon is available, here on craigslist for $17,000.
The seller tells us that this car is an original Arizona citizen and when he purchased it eight years ago, it was still wearing its born-with finish. It has since been repainted and both bumpers have had a trip to the rechromer. We’re told that the body, “has very little rust being from AZ, literally ZERO in the tailgate area“. My guess is the tailgate opening is a rust attraction on this vintage Ford. The extensive stainless trim, a late ’50s earmark for every domestic manufacturer, is complete and presents beautifully. Holding up all four corners is a variation on what looks like American Racing Wheels but the seller states that they are from Edelbrock – I didn’t know that the Big E was in the wheel business. Regardless, they seem to be a good choice for this application.
Under the reverse opening hood is a 200-gross HP 292 CI “Y-Block” V8 engine attached to a “Fordomatic” automatic transmission. Other than the open-element air cleaner, an aluminum fan, and an in-line fuel filter, it appears to be stock and original – the seller claims that it runs and drives fine. This is a no-power assist car as it is equipped with both manual brakes and steering.
The interior is as sharp as the exterior, and it’s new. Never a fan of the ’59 Ford instrument panel, I will say this one is in fine nick as is the seating upholstery and carpet. I can’t say with certainty but this Ford may still be in possession of its original radio – something that’s often not the case, especially after the passage of 64 years. The wayback cargo area presents really well too – it has probably seen the same kind of refurbishment that the rest of the interior has experienced.
This is one of those buy, drive, and enjoy kinds of cars, it really needs nothing. Sure, the Y-block and the Fordomatic may be on some buyers’ hit lists, but those swaps aren’t necessary and fly in the face of originality if that’s considered an important aspect of this Ranch Wagon. As for the price, I believe it’s in the ballpark, what say you?
Most definitely in the ballpark! Very clean, and the 292 is just fine for what most folks want to do with a classic wagon. Good find!
The ’59 Ford was without question, the most beautiful, one year design, I feel. ’58, too gawdy, ’60/’61, a more swoopy design, the ’59 was kind of
the DEgawdiness of the ’58. This car will garner attention where ever it goes. I can almost guarantee it’s going to overheat, it needs a fan shroud, all 292s, it seemed, ran hot. and don’t forget those nifty vacuum wipers,,, what’s that gramps? Oh,,,nothing( chuckling),,,they’ll see the 1st rain, that would be catastrophic for a car like this, and no seat belts, that metal dash is mighty hard, that many found out the HARD way. You’d think spending this kind of money, it should be safety compliant, like a dual brake system, power steering, hey, it looks great, but folks, it’s all 1959 underneath. Nice find, but going to need some updates, and only one “power port”? Forget it, gramps,,
“This kind of money?” $17k today will buy you a used Hyundai Elantra with 100,000 miles on it, and then your neighbor’s kid will steal it, after he sees the TikTok video.
I had 1 of these in the late 70s and have always regretted selling it. Mine was coral (pink) with a 221 6 banger 3 on the tree w/overdrive. Lots of great memories there. Sold it to a girl who was going to use it for a winter beater to go skiing. $600, wow wish it was in my barn now. And yes Howard the wipers were a real drag going uphill.
Ford called that pink shade in `59 “geranium”. My favorite that year!
Talk about rare. You hardly saw one in 1960.
That six banger had 223 cubes.
Thank You Rick, Memory can get a little fuzzy on exact # of an engine I only ever owned once, 45 years ago.
I owned a 1960 Galaxy and you’re right. Vacuum wipers were a bit challenging.
When I was a kid, my dad had a 59 Galaxie 2 door hardtop, and yes, his was that coral pink with a white top. His also had the 223 six, and I can remember like it was yesterday about the vacuum wipers going slow while accelerating.
Very fair price for a 2 door Ford wagon in this condition. But with manual, drum brakes and no power steering this one will drive like a lumber truck. Adding front disc brakes and a power booster would be pretty straightforward, but adding power steering would be a real challenge. Great find on this clean, 2 door Ranch wagon.
Beautiful car, great buy !
I recall going over Donner Summit many years ago in our 1958 Ranch Wagon, (which I think is the best year!) and we had to stop from time to time to clear the windshield wipers. Brought back that decades old memory.
I think the price is fair, especially if you like two door wagons as much as I do. I like this car because it is a good driver quality and you could make some great improvements and they wouldn’t take a lot of time and money,
I can’t for the life of me understand why, with a huge family orientated wagon the size of these, they didn’t put an extra couple of doors in them making it easier for the rear seat passengers to get in and out and easier to load and unload stuff in the back on a trip to the hardware store, etc. ?????
Anyone got any ideas as to just plain WHY or WHY NOT ?
Yes, it was to keep the kiddies from opening doors and stepping, or falling, into traffic. These were made in four-door body styles too and they sold much better.
You have to remember, in 1959 there were no seatbelts or child car seats to fuss with, you just pulled the front seat back forward and told them all to get in, and then repeated the same action when it was time to exit.
JO
Jim, I’m pretty sure there was a much more logical reason for not having rear doors, I don’t think the designers could give a damn about the safety of kids as a prime reason to delete 2 doors, there must have been a more sensiible reason than just that !
It was probbaly more of a cost saving excercise more than anything.
My father was an electronics salesman ; he always bought two door Ford wagons to haul his wares around and when he wasn’t working, he would build things, so it was a very handy car to go to the lumberyard .He bought a new one every two years. His last one was a 1960; I came home from the hospital in that one, I dont know if it was because Ford stopped making them or because he was a family man, but after that he bought 4 door Ford Customs
I really like the way 50’s cars can wear a two tone paint job. Imagine, if you can, any car produced today that would look this good painted in two tone anything.
Can you imagine any car built today that would look good?
I have a 59 Squire version I bought in 1985 for pennies. I could never decide which I liked better the 59 Squire or the 59 Impala convertible. It must have been real tough picking in 59, aside from styling tastes. My particular Ford purchaser checked some sort of safety package, which included seat belts, padded dash, and padded sun visors. Also available at extra cost were electric wipers. The only thing I did not like that the Ford lacks over the Chevrolet was self adjusters on the brakes.these cars drive great and I have done little to nothing major to mine over the years. A real beauty here.
I can’t believe this hasn’t sold yet. If I didn’t have a barn full of cars, this would be mine. I guess folks just don’t care, very sad.
No one really cares. When I drive my 59 squire I rarely get anyone who even gives it a look. Chuckles and the it must get 1 mile to the gallon stuff but little else. Cars of this Era are fading fast, just like 30s and 40s stuff.