Vehicle Description
1960 Ford Ranch Wagon
In the beginning, a station wagon was known as a "depot hack"
because it was used to carry passengers and cargo after they got
off of trains. The early design was based on a truck platform that
did not contain doors. In 1922, the first enclosed station wagon
was introduced. Ford began using a wood-based design that was
extremely popular at this time. Following WWII, technology
advanced, and steel replaced wood as the major material used to
manufacture this type of vehicle. The first factory-built steel
wagon belonged to Jeep. The modern design of a station wagon
reached its peak in the 1960s. This decade saw the development of
compact, mid-size and full-size wagons. A person could choose
between a two-way, three-way, side-by-side or liftback option.
Buick and Oldsmobile got creative and invented a raised roof that
had glass panels and a glass sunroof.
For consignment, a 1960 Ford Ranch Wagon that has some extra power
with now a 302ci V8, Holley carb and a fiberglass cowl induction
hood. Sporting a very nice clean interior and engine bay, we can
now usher in the jet age design era, and usher out the fin era,
although it still has small fins.
Exterior
Starting at the belt line and upward we see dark blue metallic
paint with some inclusions and flaws in the paint. Meanwhile, white
covers the lower body with fairly straight steel panels, but we
note prior body filler, spot in paint work, rust bubbling and some
of the upper body blue metallic paint dusted over the white. Dual
front headlights reside within a well-preserved egg crate grille
that is classy with smaller egg crating set within each divided
section. The front bumper remains shiny but does have some
delamination and dings in the steel. The front pinned fiberglass
cowl induction hood leads back to the long and lean passenger
compartment with tinted glass all around and nice stainless steel
highlight moldings. Long slab steel sides flow nicely and a trim
spear curls upward from the bumper and runs along the top of the
fender and beltline. This line slowly bulges out to form a small
batwing style fin at the back of the quarter panels. As we move to
the rear, D shaped cat eye style taillights which are tucked under
the coves of the fins and flank the two way opening tailgate. Down
below is another shiny bumper with a few faults and flaws. Not to
be forgotten are the chrome finished 14" US Mag wheels on all 4
corners.
Interior
A swing of the doors reveals door panels use a black steel upper
frame and down below a black checked broadcloth where shiny cranks
and the door actuator both reside. A low back split bench seat is
up front and uses tuck and roll for the inserts and smooth
bolsters, all in black vinyl. This bench sits within a chromed tub
which is well preserved. The original dash is noted and utilizes an
elongated eyebrow for the instruments and clock. This instrument
cluster has a spaceship styling to it, and we see an original radio
in the center. Below is a band of knobs and pulls to add some
highlight to the black metal dash front, and just below is a 4-some
of aftermarket gauges hanging and showing vitals. Black carpet
floods the floors and provides the basework for the sprawling rear
bench that matches the front seat in style and condition. A gray
broadcloth headliner is above all the passenger compartment and in
the far back is a carpeted cargo area that can be lengthened by
folding down the rear seats.
Drivetrain
All aboard for the under the hood presentation which now features a
302ci V8 topped by an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor and for the
dress up we see a chrome air cleaner lid and polished valve
coverings with an etched flame design. On back is a non-original
Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission with a rebuilt Ford
9" rear with 3.00 gearings. A nice presentation with its orange
block and supple hoses.
Undercarriage
Mere patina and surface rust cover nearly every component on the
underside. The car maintains structural integrity with rust free
frame, rockers and floor pans. Independent coil springs for the
front, and leaf springs for the rear suspension, as well as a power
disc brake conversion for the front and power drums for the rear. A
pair of newer headers come downward from the engine and turn into a
Flowmaster dual exhaust which works its way to exit with turn downs
just in front of the rear axle.
Drive-Ability
As expected from a car in this condition, she fired right up, and
with a lifting of my foot off the brake and the shifter to D it
took off smoothly. This car is a great large cruiser, smooth ride,
however we noted that this skate could benefit from new shocks, and
this became even more apparent when turning the corners. Plenty of
power and also interior room abounds under that long luxurious
roof. A few frowns to note during the drive with those being a horn
that wouldn't toot, wipers that don't wipe, the radio no longer
belts out tunes, and the speedometer and odometer have stopped
functioning.
Mostly buttoned up and ready to turn the key and have some
excitement come your way and down the highway. A nice example of a
not often seen Ranch Wagon with a few minor custom touches. Load up
the tribe and let's cruise the back roads...I call the way
back!
VIN DECODE
OA61V144697
0-1960
A-Atlanta, GA Assy Plant
61-2 Door Ranch Wagon
V-223ci Inline 6 Cylinder
144697-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 59C-2 Door Ranch Wagon
COLOR A-Raven Black
TRIM 62-Blue Vinyl & Woven Plastic
DATE 29B-February 29th Build
TRANS 1-3 Speed Manual
AXLE 2-Ford 9" 3.89 Gears
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
