Is a station wagon the perfect vehicle? 1957 Ford Ranch Wagon 5.0L

[@ronammologist16]

In 1961, my family moved from Minnesota to California in a 1959 Ranch Wagon. Brown and white 6 cilinder, 3 in the tree. Overloaded and pulling a trailer, The clutch went out in San Pedro's hills. I was seven. Fantastic memory!

[@dissrepair]

Sounds like a cool trip!

[@ronammologist16]

Today i am 69 years old. I was only 7 at that time, but i will never forget it! Especially stopping in the desert to let the dog run. We got to explore all around. That was very cool.

[@downtoearth5108]

MY DREAM VEHICLE 57 FORD CUSTOMLINE. 57 Ford styling was ahead of its time. All other cars still with the rounded look. As well as the great looks, the styling was practicle, no big bumpers like the 57 chevy with it's small tail lights What I wouldn't do for a 57 2 door wagon or sedan model. 56 Ford close second, end of story. Thank you for sharing the video. FORD ON.

[@davidhofman4341]

My dad bought a 55, 56, 57 two door wagons because some kids in the area had opened the back doors while the car moving. It had a 312 Thunderbird Special with a 4 barrel. I thought our 57 had backup lights in the center of the tail light. Brings back memories.

[@dissrepair]

That’s a great memory. Only the upper trim models has backup lights

[@ronmcgregor6264]

Very nice. I have a '58 2 Door Ranch Wagon my foster father bought in 1974. I bought it from him in 1980. Still has the original "milage maker six". It is my first car and I'm still in love with it.

[@dissrepair]

Very cool!

[@eddroberts1681]

First SUV ! My dad owned a 68 ford wagon with woodgrain on the side. We fished and hunted and drove the wagon. Loved it

[@byronbuck1762]

First family car was a 2dr Ranch Wagon with the six and three on a tree. Overheated very easily but we all loved that car. Beautiful restomod. Congrats

[@davidglaid7826]

Back in 1957 we had a Ford ranch wagon. I remember going to drive in movies 🎥 in it

[@jacobeakright7834]

I have always loved old station wagons they are pretty cool

[@vernpacker5736]

Well you are spot on. I've owned 55 56 chevys including two sedan deliveries. And now own a 57 courier. Mines stock for now.

[@craigtaylor115]

It’s beautiful

[@Kevin.W.]

Beautiful 57, love the 58 Edsel too, although my top pick there, would be a 2dr Roundup. Love them 50s Ford's, I have a 56 F100.

[@mardyfisher693]

Wagons are just rare to see or find. Nice job you did there. Ford was styled very nicely in those years. That was my birth year. Would love to have one on my Ranch. I believe that in 57 Ford had some sort of record for new models or number of models than has ever been beat.

[@dissrepair]

Exactly the 57 was a pinnacle year for Ford!

[@todddenio3200]

I LOVE Ranch Wagons -- a 55 Ranch Wagon was my first car, and I wish I still had it. Actually the Ranch Wagon was not a direct competitor to the Chevy Nomad. The Nomad was in a class by itself as an upper tier hardtop luxury sport wagon, but Chevy did have a 2 door wagon that was in the same class as the Ranch Wagon in the 210 series. Also if either company was making a 2 door wagon to be a direct competitor to the other, it would have been Chevy building one to be a direct competitor to the Ranch Wagon, as it was introduced in 54. Kind of like the Ford Ranchero was built as a direct competitor to the Chevy El Camino when in fact the El Camino was created to be a direct competitor with the Ranchero when the Ranchero came out first by 2 years -- Ford in 57 compared to Chevy in 59.

[@ramblerdave1339]

52 was the first year for Ranch wagons, although all Ford wagons from '49-'51, were 2 door woodies.

[@todddenio3200]

@@ramblerdave1339 you are correct. The Ranch Wagon became a 4 door station wagon and continued into the 60's.

[@b58hustler71]

Nice. My favorite 50s era Ford and I love wagons. I've owned wagons and they give you a feeling of confidence driving them. Mine always had survival gear for emergencies. This is a really special wagon and you should keep it in the family.

[@billygarner8318]

I had a 57 ranch wagon back in 1970. It was semi customized. Had curtains and a fitted leather covered mattress in back. Mag wheels. 3 speed floor shifter. 292 v8. Nice black paint. Blew the engine on a road trip and abandoned the car at a gas station in Vicksburg, Ms. Wish I still had it.

[@thomengel9720]

I can still remember my Dad's 57 Ranch Wagon. A two time blue and white with an inline six. Loved that car.

[@chucksgarage7165]

Thanks...now I want a 57 wagon!!

[@ablemarine9072]

57 Ford two door wagons and rancheros were my favorites have driven them since a teenager I used it to go to Mexico from San Diego surfing and spending days there! At one Time had every 57 Ford 2 door made! Regretfully sold the collection in the late eighties. Kept my first ranchero. Loved them all and had a few with the 332 or 352 factory. Also modified a few. My favorite to this day! Nice to see this you tube Makes me smile! Don't see many these days

[@Kevin.W.]

The 332 and 352 didn't come out till 58.

[@ablemarine9072]

@@Kevin.W. I owned a 57 country squire that came from the factory in 57 and have owned Many 57 Fords, it was a surprise to see it when I made the purchase! Just like my 1968 Crew cab F259 coming From the factory with Front Disc Brakes! Not to be argumentative, 57s have always been my favorite! Rancheros and 3O0 coupe. Had every single 57 made at one time. Sold the collection in 1983 kept a ranchero and a coupe! Crew cab going in the shop this year for complete refurbish. Daily Driver A 1970 sport Custom Camper Special with all the goodies. 79k pretty sweet and has a couple minor issues.

[@chuckschwarz9818]

The last 2 door wagons were the vw squareback type 3 and the 411

[@BB-oj9uy]

My first car was a 1985 Ford Escort Station Wagon. I drove the wheels off it at over 200K miles. 5 speed stick, no A/C, 4 cylinder, 25+ m.p.g. One of the most fun cars I ever owned! I had a 1990 Taurus Wagon, and a 1989 Taurus wagon. Currently, I am looking for a project wagon..... Time will tell....

[@saddletramp6935]

Never been to starbucks, never will...but ive owned a few wagons. 64 olds vista cruiser, 65 ford ranch wagon, and the last was a 63 Falcon . Loved em all.

[@jayroberson2288]

My older brother bought a 59 ranch wagon back in the late seventies. He loved it. He bought when he was 18 and it was the last car he purchased. He had a 75 pinto wagon prior to it. It was a definite upgrade.

[@pooddescrewch8718]

Station wagons have always been cool . Especially those with rear facing rumble seats

[@pato7614]

Beautiful I had one with a intercepter 390 I loved that car

[@napoliansolo7865]

Did it come with the vacuum wipers? I had a 59 Ranch Wagon as my first car and I remember the wipers would stop going up hills. Always great fun.

[@brocluno01]

Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Had a bunch of them back in the day (graduated in 66). Prolly like the 55 best, but ... They all sat to low. Down behind the wheel like a modern low-rider truck driver. I'm long torso guy and they are still too low ... If I was to build one today, I'd certainly block the seat up a couple of inches and get a smaller wheel 😎

[@rickloera9468]

A great unclenof mine had one from 1957 til the day he died in the 2000's. Black with red interior and factory A/C. Beautiful. Most recent 2 door wagon? Off the top.of my head 1971/80 Ford Pinto. Also Vega/Monza. Opel Kadette/1900.

[@tedium37]

My family has been in Volvo wagons for years. Haven't found a domestic replacement yet. Hard to justify replacing but maybe once a decade or so. That 57 is a beauty.

[@tomburns41]

First car was a 1964 Galaxie Country Squire Station wagon. 390 Thunderbird Motor with the Cruise O Matic trans. Factory dual exhaust with mufflers and resonators. 140+ on the interstate.

[@ramblerdave1339]

Timed how, with a 120 mph speedo ?

[@boristheamerican2938]

I believe the last 2 door wagons made were the 1980 Ford Pinto/ Mercury Bobcats.

[@sergeantmasson3669]

I have a rust-free blue '57 Ford Ranch Wagon that has been on the "back burner" for a full restoration for the last several years. It has a 312 V8 engine with 3 speed OD manual transmission. It still runs fairly well but smokes a bit. The plan is to install a '71 Ford 460 engine with AOD A/T. The body has been media blasted and epoxy primed in black. I have a front disc brakes conversion for it and a vintage A/C kit for it as well. Seats have been re-upholstered black leather with burgundy vinyl weave inserts and interior trim has been done to match. 16x7 Magnum 500 wheels and Michelin tires. Bumpers are currently being re-chromed, and trim has been buffed/polished. Mid-May, body will be painted black cherry color with burgundy ghost flames. Car has a '58 Ford hood that I bought at a swap-meet many years ago. Car will have rack-and-pinion P/S, throttle-body fuel injection, MSD ignition Hooker headers with 2 1/2-inch dual exhaust. This car will be my 10th fully restored classic/vintage Ford high-performance vehicles. Most likely will be my last restoration project.

[@unknowndan4423]

Yes it is! I've got a '63 Mercury Colony Park.

[@terryclay6668]

I had a 57 Ranch wagon, it was 2 tone, light green and white. It had a 292 v8 y block. My friends all called it "the raunch wagon. I was 16 . Sure wish I had it now.

[@dissrepair]

Beautiful color combo!

[@15Muleskinner]

14” wheels vs 15” on the 56 too. First year of the Ford 9” which was offered as large bearing (wagons, E &F codes, and possibly others) and a small bearing.

[@timhastings9360]

My first station wagon was a 1965 Chevy Chevelle 6 cyl ,3 speed on the tree . After that was pinto wagons and amc hornet wagons. I haven't had a wagon since then. Now I own ford's f-150s pick ups 1993 s and a 1994.

[@burkestorti4586]

My parents had a 58 Ford 4 door Ranch Wagon with 292 V8. It had three on the tree shifter, one cardboard visor & a roof rack (no radio). I learned how to drive in this car.

[@dissrepair]

Great memories! Three on the tree. Definitely a thing of the past

[@Kevin.W.]

A 4dr would have been a Country Sedan. If I remember right, the Ranch Wagons were 2dr only.

[@kennethflusche7900]

@@Kevin.W. Our 58 ranch wagon was a 4 door, Ranch Wagon was the lowest trim wagon

[@brianellison3525]

Any of the old two door wagons are way beyond cool.

[@Hogger280]

YES! They still are -they call them SUV's and Crossovers but they are station wagons. The old station wagons were better because they had pull down tailgates the you could sit on or work on. A lot of people like tailgate parties but they no longer have tailgates unless they come in a pickup and most of those are too high now days to sit on.

[@dissrepair]

Great point. Bring back the tailgate!

[@mikeobrien2582]

I like your wagon!

[@jessewait2931]

Beautiful car!

[@kencarney6667]

The last 2-door wagon was the 1965 Chevelle Malibu.

[@tomschlitter1594]

No, as far as I know, the last two door wagon was a Ford Pinto and its Mercury Bobcat cousin in 1980.

[@robertbeckler5058]

I love stationary wagons. The look and the suspension and usable room.

[@jeromebreeding3302]

A station wagon had great versatility. Fold down the back seat, and there was acres of room for a dog, groceries. or possibly a sheet of plywood The only thing better. would be a two door sedan-delivery.

[@robertbeckler5058]

@@jeromebreeding3302 I first started installing cable tv back in the seventies, you wanted a station wagon for work because the ladder rack was not high in the air . I was only twelve when I first started so it was a big help. The first one I bought was a 72 cutlass with the 350. Probably my favorite car.

[@67marlins]

Thanks for posting!

[@Bossrich6287]

We had a 1967 mercury station wagon,with all the options,our uncle gave us that car,it was specially ordered.

[@dissrepair]

Thats a rare one. I don't think i even know what that looks like.

[@dethray1000]

we have had a '57 dodge with factory air(it was added by the factory)-a '57 chev two door wagon,a 58 ford wagon 2 door- 67 blazer,91 bronco and a '88 chev wagon--plus various suvs-need to haul,sleep in the back!!

[@jefferyschirm4103]

They were vastly different from what you have , a hand built car !! The good ole apples to oranges !!

[@onehot57]

She’s a beauty!

[@robertmenger3230]

i believe station wagons became popular with hotrodders because they look like a favorate car, are full frame,and can fit the whole family including drive ins.

[@davidyoung8521]

As a kid,, I used to ride in back of a 68 Vista Cruiser with the 3rd reverse seat and the glass side lights in the roof. Pretend I was a tail gunner.

[@mikeelliott9067]

I once owned a 1964 Falcon station wagon, 2 door, 260 V8, 2 speed automatic trans. I was the 3rd owner about 1977. Sold it in the 1990's and I am sorry I sold it !!

[@dissrepair]

We all have those stories of selling a special car

[@brianlanglois4086]

Iam not a Ford fan but I would own this car. Great job.

[@dissrepair]

Thanks for watching.

[@bobbybeck1308]

the answer to your question of when was the last time somebody made a 2-door station wagon was I believe in 1969 and it was a chevelle, hope my old memory got it right.

[@avirtualworld4U]

Absolutely perfect.

[@brianfairchild7819]

a body that straight deserves to be black. nice car

[@andrer.boucher1137]

🍁👍My first car was a 1060 Ford Comet Two door station wagon. Paid $135.00 cash with a safety check.. daily driver had it for years.

[@dissrepair]

$135! That’s was a steal even years ago.

[@warrenzevonsangryghost6055]

I could argue that the '66 to '73 Jeepster Commando fits the description of a 2dr wagon pretty well.

[@dissrepair]

I totally agree. Those 2 door jeepsters were meant to compete in that market

[@donaldk.macbaird5248]

The two door wagon was called a Del Rio and a 4 door was called a Ranch Wagon my dad drove one back in the early 60's when I was in Jr Highschool.

[@dissrepair]

They did have a Del Rio wagon as well, it had the higher trim package. The 57 Ranch Wagon was only available as a two as well.

[@frankhartranft2133]

Beautiful.

[@marvinpeters5794]

My Dad traded his 1951 Ford Deluxe Coupe for a new special order 1956 Ranch Wagon with the new Thunderbird 312 w/4bbl. He shocked many a young man in their 55 Bel Air.

[@dissrepair]

I bet that was runner back in the day

[@billsmith1770]

beautiful .

[@whitehorse1]

Your brother's decision to sell it to you was the right choice for you! Yea!

[@zmbewolfable]

Wagons are awesome

[@brianellison3525]

Ford Australia was making the two door Estate into the 80's

[@Sebastian1987sweden]

Just like mine. But I've got an Thunderbird 302

[@jamesblair9614]

That is one beautiful car you have there, when they give them bigger doors and sloping pillars, it sure gets away from the industrial look.

[@frankfitz3421]

Great vid, very informative. I have a 65 falcon squire wagon.

[@dissrepair]

I love those falcon wagons

[@fido139]

The 57 Ford wagon rode much smoother than the 57 shiverlay wagon.

[@5610winston]

Last two-door wagon? Probably the Vega-derived Chevy Monza, maybe the Pinto, late seventies. My mom had a '64 Opel Kadett 1000Caravan, Kadett wagons and their successors available in the US into the early seventies. I remember a friend's mom had a Studebaker Lark two-door wagon, available through '61, though they traded it for a Lark Wagonaire (cool concept, sliding rear roof section). Another friend had the Falcon two-door wagon, and I remember seeing a two-door Chevelle wagon in the mid-sixties to early seventies. There was a family I knew through the Boy Scouts who had a '60 Plymouth Suburban two-door with the slant six and three-on-the-tree; car was the same size as the New Yorker and Saratoga and Windsor wagons.... Our TV repairman had a blue '55 Ranch Wagon for a utility car, he quit fixing TVs and went to his side gig as a scuba diving instructor and guide full-time (he was the coolest guy my parents' age I ever met).

[@dissrepair]

You might be right.

[@Kevin.W.]

The Ford Flex is basically a 2dr wagon, although it isn't classified as such.

[@timweidner3335]

Really like this video. I've owned a number of wagons and would love to redo another one. I've driven Chevys mostly but now in a Subaru. Finishing a 67 Chevy C10 that will not get a new paint job, but I sure like the 57 two door Fords.

[@dissrepair]

Thanks for the great comment. Two door wagons, 4 door wagons, they are all good! Btw we did a Subaru Brat build in some other videos. You might get a kick outta those.

[@johnyarnold422]

that is one very nice ride

[@tihspidtherekciltilc5469]

I was thinking of the 1980 Pinto wagon as it has two row seating but never had four doors so I thought PT Cruiser but the two door models didn't have two row seating so they're more of a mini panel van.

[@1957kwick]

Basically a Ranchero with a long roof.🇺🇲

[@dissrepair]

They actually cut the roof off the wagon to make a ranchero

[@ramblerdave1339]

NASCAR didnt use Ford chassis, just the '65 Galaxie front suspension, and Chevy pickup rear suspension.

[@lbh002]

The Pinto station wagon was a 2 door. It was built from 1974 to 1980.

[@dissrepair]

I forgot about those

[@brianfairchild7819]

@@dissrepair we would all like to forget about those

[@MrGarfield4]

1972 was the first Pinto wagon. My dad owned one. I owned a ‘73.

[@Bossrich6287]

My father had a 57 county squire as his work car back in the sixties, unfortunately it got stolen.

[@mikebri5274]

I think Chevrolet had a version of the Vega which was two-doors with a "station wagon" back.

[@pooddescrewch8718]

Noise cancellation could be the next upgrade

[@pjreynoldsa1]

THE ORIGINAL SUV! WHO WOULD HAVE EVER FORECAST THE DESIRABILITY OF A 2 DOOR STATION WAGON, OR EVEN MORE DOOR AND THAT'S WHY NO ONE SAVED THEM.

[@dissrepair]

You’re right !

[@dissrepair]

Most made the trip to a local demolition derby

[@Fubarfighter]

There were a lot of Chevy Vega and Ford Pinto "Wagons," though they weren't called that.

[@dissrepair]

What did they call them?

[@9thgatedim273]

What size wheels I'm looking to swap out my rear end and up grade my front end on my 56 fairlane victoria

[@timmccreery6597]

Also- the Ranch Wagon was the bottom of the line wagon. The Del Rio was Ford's competitor for the Nomad. Also a door wagon.

[@coolbreeze5561]

Yes, station wagons are the perfect vehicle.

[@RoosterRocket]

they've made 2 door wagons from Toyota to Mercedes, Ford to Porsche but few have had much character.

[@jrmrencso8716]

Pinto wagons were all 2 door wagons, last one was 1980.

[@rickaser2383]

1964 Chevelle offered a 2 dr sw

[@robertgsmith5761]

It was , I had 5 super wagons !

[@l.munnier9658]

Nice LONG ROOF, Q. YOUR DADS CAMPER WHAT IS THE WEIGHT OF IT ?. I AM THINKING OF TOWING MY CAMPER I HAVE 64 CHEVELLE 2 DR. WAGON. 468 BBC. 5 SPD. 9" W/ 3;55 GEARS.

[@dissrepair]

That camper was around 1100 pounds

[@l.munnier9658]

@@dissrepair THANKS, HAVE A GREAT YEAR !!

[@georgeharris7181]

Station wagons are more practical then having a pickup truck can carry anything in them if rear seat let's down have more room than 8ft truck bed haul what ever you want if take care of them last forever I just wish ford would kept the round tail light of 60s there cool tail lights even S kid they seem catch me eye but with wagon can keep everything dry

[@rla1000]

New wagons are the perfect vehicle, too. If you can find one. I guess Volvo makes the only full sized true wagon for sale in the US now. VW dropped the USA Passat wagon several years ago (still have mine), Buick dropped its Regal wagon, and the Subaru Outback is more an SUV hybrid due to height and road clearance.

[@victorjeffers1993]

Very nice but in my personal opinion Its to quiet I prefer to hear a V8 rumble ! Other than that very nice an definitely beautiful station wagon !

[@sorshiaemms5959]

I WOULD HAVE PUT A 351 IN IT GAS MILEAGE WOULD PROBABLY BE BETTER MORE TORQUE

[@timmccreery6597]

I owned a 63 Falcon 2 door wagon-

[@beauxr.benoit1374]

Yes, they are the perfect vehicle unless you actually do need a truck. It can run you to the grocery store, and then go to the hardware store and won't tell you no if you need to carry plywood. You can pull tow and haul just like a regular truck and seat more than three people at the same time. You can pick up the kids at school and do a burn out leaving. Then you can pick up friends and go chase down two-seater supercars if your engine is powerful enough. This was the mom-mobile before the minivan, but this will most likely always have a V-8.

[@dissrepair]

I didn’t say it , but I carried home a new bathtub in my 55 Ranch Wagon, once

[@beauxr.benoit1374]

@@dissrepair Could you still drag race someone with it in the back? You could have thought about it at the time.

[@alanmorrison3598]

Loved the 57 Ford but in Wisconsin they rusted away much faster than the 57 Chevys. Yes Ford sold more but the Chevys lasted longer..

[@rodneythompson22]

Speaking of daily drivers.....what is your daily driver?

[@dissrepair]

It’s mostly a Dodge Ram. The wagon is number 2.

[@cmfreeusa7040]

Ford had a Pinto….Chevy had a Vega….they both had 2DR versions in the early 70’s…

[@pooddescrewch8718]

Not everything looks god in black but this does

[@jarenbigelow8606]

seventies sunbird station wagon had two doors

[@randalhendricks8314]

Is the wagoner forsale,Thanks RH.

[@brendamorgan4462]

64 65 Chevy chevelle wagons