Projects 57 Ranch Wagon - the solution to the winter blues.

Does that mean you're going to make it a "Woody" wagon?

 

You Bad Eli!

More sanding and questing for body rot.

I'm pleased to report I've finally found some old body work.
The drivers side of the deck lid has a skim coat about 3 x 2. In digging I found it was a dent, not rust.
That and 2 goobies on the roof. Tomorrow, the final door, quarter and rockers and clean up the shop.







Maybe...just maybe I can get the truck home tomorrow

For now, time to go cough up a roof.

 

hummm ws thinking maybe cruiser skirts... but its all in the air.
looks cool though.

 

The last day of exploritory sanding.
the only body rot I finally found was in the sides of the tailgate.


I know there is rocker panel issues but no biggy.

I'm pretty stoked with its condition over all.
Now, with the shop swept up I'll turn to pulling the interior while I CONTINUE to wait for my drive train to drive up my driveway.









Here's to the first tailgate party of 2011 !!!

 

Sweet wagon man! I will be following this one as I am going to put the deposit down on my 57 Ranch Wagon today!!

 

Congratulations on an incredibly solid wagon. It's always scary when you start sanding the top coat as you never know what horrors hide underneath.

Keep the progress pictures coming.

 

Cool! Pictures are manditory!!!

 

Lookin good. I am working on a 57 Ranchero so it is great seeing your progress on your Ranch Wagon. Can't wait to see it as you make progress on it.

 

I dont see any sheetmetal being cut to blank out those side windows yet Lono!!

 

'57 Ford Wagons make me drool, they're so cool, I've lusted after them for a long time. Maybe someday? You've got a nice one there.

 

I remember seeing a black and cream '57 Fairlane ht with redlines and no-name 5 spokes with dark cast centers at Fathers Day in the Park in Mission about ten years ago, and MAN, did it look GOOD. Little food for thought...

 

If I can find the window felt channels, the windows say there Steve.
*(PS.. Koolkemps truck made it to the Reapers Car Club calender... congradulations.
Those of you who dont know this guy need to look at his work. If you ever complain about fixing floor or a rusted quarter panel... you'ld feel guilty. This guy has amazing tallent and doesnt toot his own horn).

That sounds like a sweet car George, I can see that too.

 

IMO i think low and slow is the look for this wagon not a gasser,
but thats just me
nice wagon both ways

 

Theres also a red & white '57 ranch wagon around Maple Ridge that has been there for decades in pretty much the same state, red & white with Cragar Screamers(those are the aluminum slots they used to sell in the early-mid '70s with the area around the bolt circle powder-coated black) and a mild 427 4-speed combo. I have a photo of it somewhere that I shot at an A&W cruise night about 5 yrs ago, if I can find it, I will email it to you

 

Thanks Lono !! I forgot that I put in a pic for that guess I better order up a few !!

 

Hmmmmm. The "winter project" is coming along nicely. Winter is so subjective. Santa won't mind; you're likely on his "nice" list anyhow. Keep sanding!

 

Nice build so far,

Personnely, I'd keep it clean looking with an eye toward originality. There's nothing wrong with dropping it till you scrape an ants back but the looks of the 56/7 wagons are spot on in my book.

keep up the good work



.

 

thanks Moe I think I'll step away from doing a gasser. If it was a 55 chev wagon that might be a different story.
No air bags but will be low.

 

Definently will get some posted as soon as I drag it out!!!

 

popped the hood off....




Pulled the motor and tranny..



Started scraping and wire wheeling all the mung off..




Sanded and semi glossed the inner fenders and cross member.

 

Looking good so far. Whatcha gonna do with the electrical stuff? Kinda sticks out like Lindsey Lohan at a church social.

 

All the stock wiring is near perfect less a couple short ires. Should bee plug and play. Once the motor is sitting in there, that should take youe eyes off them wires.

 

I' like it!

 

Thanks Nick.
Must have dropped 6 pounds off her. Them self lubrication systems worked pretty well in protecting them parts.

 

second coat. Now it needs a big blue blob in the middle to break up all that black.

 

Gotta take all the help you can get. Lookin' good.I'll subscribe to this. Keeping it purple?

 

Dont know yet Nikcey... I'm thinking red/white and nothing carved in stone.

 

A battery, 2 gallons of fresh fuel, a can of ether and it was running in 10 minutes.

A little rev and a mouse nest blew out the muffler. then the long 1000 feet up my driveway to the shop. I'll gunk the motor and give it a quick scrub before pulling it next week.

 

Cool you got it running. That 57 will be on the road before that snow stuff shows up huh?