In production from 1952 to 1974, the Ranch Wagon was usually Ford’s entry-level, full-size station wagon. But in 1955 it was also available in Custom trim, putting it closer to the Country Sedan and Country Squire in terms of comfort. Located in Lincoln, California, this nice example has a V8 engine, and the 3-speed manual transmission comes with overdrive. The seller is trying to thin the herd and this wagon seems to be the odd-man-out. It’s available here on craigslist for $19,500 or serious in-person offers. Kudos to Barn Finder “numskal” for this transport tip.
As a two-door wagon, the Ranch Wagon was not a competitor to the new Chevrolet Nomad. Those honors would come for one year only in the guise of the poor-selling Parklane in 1956. Functional (rather than stylish) 2-door wagons are what the market wanted, and Ford sold about 84,000 copies of these in ’55, split about evenly between the base and Custom trim. The Nomad wasn’t even 10% of that figure.
This Ford was treated to a cosmetic restoration in the 1990s, at least in terms of the paint and interior. Because of its surfing decals, the seller believes this wagon has spent its life in California, a plus against the rust bug. The only reported corrosion is a bit on the lower part of the tailgate, but it hasn’t worked its way internally. The reported mileage is 420, but that is likely either 42,000 or 142,000.
We’re not sure what resides under the hood as the seller is light on photos. He/she thinks it’s a 272 cubic inch Y-block V8 which would be correct. The Ford has a new dual exhaust and brakes, so we assume it’s ready for any weekend outings you would have in mind for the Rancher. The seller already has two Woodie wagons that are favored over this one, yet he/she is willing to consider a “reasonable” trade, whatever that may be. Our family had a ’55 Ranch Wagon back in the day and I recall tooling around in it when I was young.
Perfect ride for a “flat land peddler”, and yup, I’m a flat land peddler roaming the Pacific Northwest for over 50 years. Would love to have this one. Nice car.
Nice ride. My mom had a 1955 red and white Fairlane with a 272 Y block. Loved that car.
my parents bought a new 1956 country sedan with a 312 great car it was red and white 3 seats
How does one not know what motor one has? Anyway, most likely a 272. Beautiful wagon, I’d be almost tempted to trade.
Btw, that poor selling 56 Parklane doubled the sales of the 56 Nomad, thought I’d throw that in there
yes and a parklane with a 225 HP 312ci was faster than a nomad with a 265 ci
Beautiful, love it. My Dad had a couple of 2dr wagons when I was a kid. Always had a soft spot for them.
This is a cool wagon. I would get a vintage roof rack and vintage surfboards to complete the package. This wagon would be fun going to car shows and cruises .. Even ice cream shop on a Saturday night. I hope this ride goes to a good home. 🇺🇸🐻🇺🇸
Looks like I’m the only one who caught “420” listed as mileage. With this being a west coast surf wagon, I’m sure the whacky tobaccy has flowed through its vents! Very well preserved classic.
Russ who did the writeup noticed that too. Those who read that caught it before you.
No it’s not mentioned. No biggie one way or the other!
“The reported mileage is 420, but that is likely either 42,000 or 142,000.”
Remarkable that people who apparently don’t read the writeup say something wasn’t reported.
Not many of these left, in the northern climes they became victims of road salt or alien rayguns and rusted out. Even with non-original upholstery the inside looks great. A 2dr wagon with a V-8 and stick whats not to like.
Nice looking wagon and surprised it has not sold over the past 18 months.
I missed where this wagon has been for sale for 18 months. This is not a nitpicking reply, I guess I am missing it.
I’m sure it’s an optical illusion, but the gate seems to be held up by a pole. There are fence poles in the background that it could be, but I also do not see the hinged springs on each side that hold the gate up. The gate on all the similar cars I have had went much further up (near 45d) and the springs would not have held the gate at the shown angle.
Obviously more and better pix would make everybody happier!
wow I missed that you have a good eye in the mid fifty’s the gate had hinges that held it in any position they are missing in that picture the pole is holding it up
As a 2-door wagon and forward-swept back windows and hatch, why would this NOT be a competitor to a Nomad?
I like the mid 50s Ford Country Squire wagons every bit as much as the out of reach, Nomads. Especially 2 Dr version wagons like this one. Yeah having a 312 would be even sweeter than the 272. Seller was pretty light on engine pics. Good find
Here we go again, another BF car that I want, LOL. You have to love the colors that vehicles had before they all started being dull. The only thing that I wouldn’t like about this wagon is that it still had a six volt system and still used positive ground. All of that was changed for 1956.
If there was a car to pull a canned ham trailer, this would be it.
That pre 50s 6 volt issue is a conundrum. I only have one 1948 to deal with for me. If you can get a 6 volt car to work well, leave it alone and don’t convert to 12 volt. There are plenty of later 50s and 60s models that came with 12 volt and you gotta have it to run ACs and stereos. This one is a great Ford find IMO
Sweet wagon. we had a neighbow with one. The two doors, manny and OD are all plusses for me. Throw in the iconic Ford colors and what not to like? I would start with the price which would give me pause for the owners knowledge of the car. Move on to the missing tailgate window hinges and end at the lack of pictures of the imortant parts of the car. But then it is Craigslist and he’s just fishiing.But it is a nice car all around.
I was born in Detroit, in 1955. My parents moved to Southern California in 58, and that’s been home ever since. I remember one of my uncles had a blue and white 1956 Country Sedan. I really liked that car. I know it had a V8 under the hood, I still remember the sound of it. He loved his Ford wagons. He kept the 56 until 1964, when he traded it for a 1964, white with dark red vinyl interior Mercury Colony Park 9 passenger, with a 390 in it. It was loaded with every option available, a beautiful Colony Park. Our next door neighbors always drove Fords, they had a lot of them over the years. He had a 55 tan with tan interior Ranch Wagon, he also had a 56 Country Sedan, it too was tan with tan interior. They both had V8s under hood, and I think the 56 was a 312 cubic inch V8. I remember always hanging around those cars when he was working on them. He also had a 62 Ford truck that was a blue green, and white. In 1964 he bought a new dark blue metallic, with blue vinyl interior Ford Galaxie 500. I think it was a 4 door hardtop. In 1966 he was the first in the neighborhood to buy a 66 Mustang. It was gold metallic with black interior. It was a in line 6 with a 3 speed manual transmission. Once I knew it was a 6 cylinder, I no longer liked it. Who would do that to a Mustang? In any event, I grew up to be a total Ford man. I’ve owned a few Mustangs, my favorite was mh 69 Mach l. I have owned Lincolns, F-series trucks and one of my all-time favorites is my 1975 Mercury Marquis Colony Park 9 passenger wagon. It was white with tan vinyl seats and door panels, dark brown dash and carpet, and a mighty 460 4 barrel Motorcraft carburetor. Every one loved that wagon, it was our go to car when we all gathered together to go anywhere. I’m now on my second Explorer, a 2008 black 4 door XLT with Grey cloth interior. It’s my first that didn’t have a V8 under hood. It’s the 4.0 V6. To be honest, the V6 isn’t bad, in fact other than it doesn’t sound like a V8 I really like it. This Explorer is the most comfortable and smooth handling vehicle I’ve ever owned. It is so smooth it rivals my Lincolns. I had a 97 black Eddie Bauer with the 5.0 under hood, it too was loaded with every option available including ATC and a moon roof. It had tan leather interior and the 15″ Chrome factory wheels on it. It was great looking and it ran great. I would still have it if it hadn’t been jacked from right in front of my house! I wish I still had every one of my favorite Fords, especially that Colony Park wagon!.
Me too, I bleed blue