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 292ci 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 292ci 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.