Hello all. I am feverishly trying to find the ford project I have wanted to do for a long time! I think I may have found it. I went to look at a 56 ranch wagon. The problem is it is in a barn, really close quarters in there! What concerns me is the floors are completely GONE! from the toe boards to the front seat, the rear floor is the same way. I know the floor bracing is gone in those areas. But, I cannot get under the car to look any further, so I want to know what to expect. Is it probable that body mounts are gone too? What confuses me is that the rockers, both inner and outer are 70-80% all there. The lower fenders and quarters are also very solid with very minor rust. It has the typical holes under the headlights, but why would the rust so bad on the floors only? I cant get a door open far enough to see the bottoms of the doors, but they feel solid when I wedge my fingers in between the door and rockers. 90% of the original ranch wagon vinyl is still on the seats. I have a couple pics of the outside of the wagon the owner sent me (while it was outside), but I cant figure out how to upload them. He is asking a pretty penny for it, MOST of my startup budget. But it is soooo ***y! I am not afraid of doing some metal work. Just some idea what I could be up against before I pull the trigger on this one! HELP!
The floor rust comes from two areas. More than likely it was sitting in tall gr*** for many years. The other way they rust is from water leaking in the firewall or windshield and it runs down the inside of the firewall and gets under the carpet. Then it stays wet and just rusts away. If your whole floor is rusted out I would think it was the first issue though. I wouldn't pay much for it to be honest. Body work is the most expensive cost to any project bar none. Not to mention the availability of parts for those cars can be rare as hens teeth. If it is totally rusted it is not worth much no matter what the owner thinks it is worth. These people watch Barrett Jackson and think their junk is worth gold. You will be light years ahead just buying a better car to start with even if you have to pay more up front. You will save a ton of money in the long run.
The rust is usually worse than what it looks, my guess is its going to need inner and outer rockers too, even though they look solid there probably rusted thin from the inside out. Door bottoms and taillgates are often another problem area on these cars. Its probably not worth more than a few hundred dollars if its rusted as bad as you described. Take a look in the cl***ifieds, there is a '56 Ranchwagon for sale with very little rust. the price is probably a little high but its really solid, thats going to save you a lot of time and money.
I bought my 53 while on crutches, could not get under it to check it out. If I knew then what I know now I would have left it sitting where it was. On the bright side yours could be repaired! I agree with the other guys If it is over a few bucks leave it sit. Tony
This group started in May of '09 membership is up to almost 1,000 so the interest in 50's Fords is out there.Even though the ranchwagon is in rough shape if you are up for a challenge it may pay off as an investment,look at http://zoomthelist.com/index.php?q=Ford+ranchwagon&state-search-all=ALL&date-range=ALL&u=Search and ebay to see what the 55-56 Fords are bringing even rough non runners can run 3K+ and up.And if you don't want to deal with the rust there is this: http://www.collectorcarnation.com/Ford/2632251/1956-Ford-2-door-ranch-wagon.html but you better have that winning lottery ticket!
Also guys look here http://www.hemmings.com/cl***ifieds...delFacet=Country Squire&modelFacet=Customline to see what our 50's Fords are bringing many are higher than the tri-five Chevys.
I agree with fordsbyjay that bodywork is expensive, but replacing floors, rocker panels and sills is all a job that can be done by anyone proficient with a mig welder. All the panels are available from major repro parts suppliers. Body mounts are also available. For me the most important thing is that the car is complete and not too badly rusted in the main parts which are not reproduced. The ch***is should be the main concern but you can always pick up a used replacement. The wagons are very desirable and are worth the extra effort and cost. So long as you can buy it at a price that allows you to keep the finished value not too high I would go for it. The thing that would make it not worth the effort would be if the roof is rusted. This coupled with what you have mentioned would have me running for the trees. It may also be a good car for spares. Regards
Fellas, This is the input I am looking for. I really am set on a ranch wagon. I have been looking for a year now. I work in a body shop that specializes in rebuilding some of the worst wrecks you can imagine. Most body shops would p*** on the cars we fix. The sheet metal work does not scare me at all. I just was suprised that the floor is SOOOOOO bad but the rest looks pretty cherry really. The original paint is even in decent shape. (at least the top half of the car) I am in central nebraska, I dont own a truck or trailer to fetch a project. I will have to hire it out or rent something. So closer is better. I just couldnt see under the car where it is currently parked. I talked to the seller today, I made an offer (less than half his asking price) I told him I wouldn't go a penny higher unless he moved all the **** out of the way, and pulled the car outside so I can get a closer look. This may well be an all day job for him! I agreed to drive the 100 miles to his place one more time if he did this. He said he would let me know when its dug out. I guess my REAL question is what to look for? Whats the common major issues that might be lurking beneath this 56 ford wagon? I know cross members are prone to rot, but what else should I look at? Thanks for the input so far! P.S. How do I upload the pics I have on my computer?
If he digs it out for you check the following for rot; front frame crossmember under the radiator inner and outer rocker panels floor supports that tie into the inner rockers rear floor pans (I don't think they are reproduced for the wagon) upper and lower tailgate rain gutters door bottoms
Since everyone pretty much covered all the parts you are going to have to replace , plus an engine and trans , interior and so on down the line . Even if you do all the work yourself you are going to have a lot of money in that wagon ! Wagons cost a lot more to build since the parts are few and hard to find . No matter how bad you want that wagon , I would p*** . You can only see so much and it sounds a little rough . heck the front crossmember is all but $350 alone . OK does the engine start or turn over at all ? Is all the body trim there ? What is the seller wanting for the wagon ? Jim
Engine is stuck. 292 three speed. I will most likely replace it with a more modern power plant and an automatic anyway. All trim and mouldings are there and decent shape. Save for a small emblem on the front of the hood. bumpers are fine for my needs. I wouldnt re-do them. He was at $5000, I offered $1500, he came back with $3000. I'll have to see what it looks like outside. I have two pictures he sent me of it outside and clean. Now its covered in bird **** and barn dirt!
i paid $2000 for our 55 ranch wagon. it has an inline 6 and fordomatic trans. it's a nice driving car but the body needs a lot of work, cracked windshield, and cracked drivers door gl***. patch panels are available for most of the rotted areas that's common on these cars. i bought a really rough 55 customline that came with all the patch panels to repair the car and the gl*** was perfect for $1000. i already made $400 selling parts i didnt need and traded parts for other parts i could use.now i'm trying to sell off the rest of the car which could be made into a really nice rod for under $2000.. instead of patching the fenders i opted to looking for good fenders i could use and found one in california for $50 + $85 shipping to PA now i need a drivers side fender. this just gives you an idea on what to look for and what to do. keep in mind that anything metal can be fabricated included floor braces. trim and moulding is easy to come across on ebay. the front crossmember can be fabricated and there is a set of drawings on here that shows you how to make one. a 302 will fit very nicely in the car and i would go with an AOD or c4 trans. if he jumped down from 5k to 3k then i think you can get it for 2k if you show him CASH. is there a ***le?
Kinda what I am thinking! He says there is a ***le. What I have to consider is, YES its a basket case as far as the floor goes, (and we'll see what else). BUT I can get this car from there to home fairly cheap. If I have to go hundreds of miles to get one, or pay a shipping company to deliver a car. Saved shipping costs would buy a bunch of parts for this one. I'll keep you guys posted. Thanks!
I'm going to be putting a '56 Courier sedan delivery up for sale shortly for $3100. 6/manual, needs front floors patched and drivers side rear rust repair. Comes with new front floor repair pieces, drivers and p*** quarter panels, rocker panels. P*** side has already had quarter and rocker installed. Engine turns by hand. Has the beltline trim and two hoods, a '55 installed and a '56. I can take it to whatever level you'd like it done.
Having been in this hobby a long time, I can only say that my mantra is to always buy the best car you can afford. As has been said here already, even if you have the skills, by the time you buy all the parts you know you'll need, PLUS those that catch you by suprise, you'll be in DEEP, money wise. Proceed with caution. Just because a car should be saved doesn't mean you should be the one to save it.
I would say yes I do have the skills, and I will invest the time it takes. Will my finshed project earn trophies and end up in a Barret Jackson type sale? Very likley NOT . BUT I know it will be a head turner. I have a limited budget, I have about $8000 saved up to get things rolling. I will do everything myself. Interior included. I want a slick looking driver. AHHH the voice of wisdom cuts deep! I have not decided on this car not until I get a better look at it. But I LOVE that body style. IF I take on this challenge, some will say I saved it. Others will say I ruined it. I could buy one done or half done, I would redo it to my liking anyway, so it would save nothing. I relish a challenge. I would NEVER expect to get the money I put into it, back out of it anyway. I just have a vision of my very own 56 ranchwagon. Done MY WAY, by ME. Down to the last bolt and nut. Whether its this one or another one that comes along. I have realized, after a year of searching, that all the really nice restore-able cars must be in the giant storage buildings of 80 year old men in rural Kansas. They are not for sale because they are going to restore them someday..........
My thoughts on this .... I would suggest you get "Street dreams " to mail you some pics of his Courier ( or ask him to post them here ) . My experience with the '55-56 Wagons is they tend to explode from the inside outwards ( I'm meaning rust wise - not suggesting the Taliban prefer wagons! ) . I bought wifeys '55 ranchwagon as a complete driving wagon , Knew it needed floor repairs but discovered very quickly that the further into it got the more it needed . I replaced inner and outer rockers , rebuilt lower A and B pillars , 4 floor pans , repaired body mounts, replaced cargo floor, rebuilt both INNER rear 1/4s and replaced rear outer 1/4s . I still have the roof skin to replace yet ! Have a look in my Albums ... My thoughts are the courier that Streetdreams has may be a far wiser purchase . Rod .
All right, Hope this worked! Here is the pics he sent me, still waiting to set up a time to get the car outside for a closer look. These were taken before He stored it a year ago supposedly.
Look like a very doable project and worth 3K the two door wagons are very desirable,even if you go to a more modern power plant you can get some $$ out of the Y-Block for play money .I would try to unstick it and possibly fire it up,good old Marvel Mystery Oil has done wonders.
got to look at it out side last night. I had to p*** on this one. But I agree it is doable for someone with the space and time to really tear it apart. Imagine driving your ranch wagon through a field, you come upon a creek. You decide to throw a couple hay bales in the creek to use as a bridge. You get high centered on the wet hay, and leave the car there for 20 years. Yeah that about sums it up! Great roof, original seat fabric is 95% there! Hood is nice. Not much more there. The search continues!
The Jalopy Journal
