jkski, Thank you TroixinKustoms, Thank you for turning my picture into an old timey photo, that is pretty neat.
Through a headlight switcheroo of his own, my Dad ended up with an extra set of 5-3/4 tribar headlights. I put them on the low beams of the wagon so I can actually see something at night. <iframe src="https://skydrive.live.com/embed?cid=F542BDAD7CE19A92&resid=F542BDAD7CE19A92%212467&authkey=AB-prlaMM8O-bKM" width="320" height="240" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> Looks a bit goofy with only one side being tribars, but I can put up with that until I can afford to buy another pair.
What a great family trickster. Those little kiddos will have some great memories riding around in dad's long roof. (one reason why I had one for a while, too.) Great score.
jimmy, nice wagon! Interesting that you have the 57 ranch wagon trim, but it appears to be a 58 by the tail lights. UPDATE: I scored a NOS set of reverse lights off ebay for 20 bucks (+the ride of course)! <iframe src="https://skydrive.live.com/embed?cid=F542BDAD7CE19A92&resid=F542BDAD7CE19A92%212582&authkey=ACSV6gRnrMFv7UI" width="320" height="240" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>
Thanks! Actually, it’s just painted like a ‘57 w/o the trim. It’s a satin finish that’s got some patina to it – it doesn’t really show up in that particular pic. I bought it with the top painted that off-white color and the bottom painted copper. It looked kinda bottom-heavy with all that copper, so to break it up a little, I matched the off-white and sprayed the fins ’57 style – it was the easiest way to do that (going the ’58 route meant painting the hood, etc). I have the correct ’58 trim like you have, I’m gonna put it on when I eventually get the wagon repainted. I’ll keep it the same color combo so I won’t have to hassle painting the jambs, under hood, interior metal surfaces, etc.
Jimmy, there is another set on ebay right now, but there is a $50 buy it now price a bit to rich for my blood. The guy keeps relisting them every wednesday with an auction ending on sunday. I had my eye on them for a long time but just couldn't do the $50, then I saw these come up. That is a clever idea you had with the 57 color scheme. Most people probably wouldn't even notice. These cars are pretty cool because there were so many differant trim options available that fit from 57 and 58. tjmercury, thank you.
Well this heat has kept me from getting much work done, but I did get my reverse lights on a while back... I do still need to track down some wiring, I am not getting power to the reverse lights. The bulbs work, and there is a good ground. Also today I managed to get my dash lights to work. No more propping my cell phone on the dash to see how fast I'm going at night! I am pretty excited about the dash lights. <iframe src="https://skydrive.live.com/embed?cid=F542BDAD7CE19A92&resid=F542BDAD7CE19A92%212767&authkey=AFEZK3cJ9pMwLF0" width="320" height="240" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <iframe src="https://skydrive.live.com/embed?cid=F542BDAD7CE19A92&resid=F542BDAD7CE19A92%212769&authkey=AIIMSFM7zX-8GKM" width="320" height="240" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>
I found some of my radio troubles today... Needless to say, I still don't have any sound coming out of it, but I did get the pilot light to work. Also got my dome light working! <iframe src="https://skydrive.live.com/embed?cid=F542BDAD7CE19A92&resid=F542BDAD7CE19A92%212770&authkey=AIYyAH0-t23n5WI" width="320" height="240" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>
Through a series of crazy life events that led to me taking my dog to the kennel in the wagon, I discovered that my left rear wheel cylinder is leaking. It is time for a break rebuild over labor day weekend! Dog kennel is down a long rutted out gravel road and I noticed the gravel dust wet and clumpy on the one wheel. I most likely would not of noticed this for some time since I still have a decent pedal pressure. Side note.. Old station wagon + kids + dog = awesome. My 1 year old thought it was halarious that the dog was in the car right next to his face. <iframe src="https://skydrive.live.com/embed?cid=F542BDAD7CE19A92&resid=F542BDAD7CE19A92%212778&authkey=ANh2Pf6y5g6o8q4" width="320" height="240" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>
Thank you truckrod. Well I took the wagon over to Dad's garage Sunday afternoon to work on the brakes and a bit of Labor Day BBQ. The original plan was to replace both rear wheel cylinders and put new brake shoes on as well. After pulling both rear brake drums we realized that this car had practically brand new brakes on it. It was simply amazing, the drums were in great shape and I think the old shoes had more meat on them than the new ones. We left the one side alone, and replaced the leaky wheel cylinder and shoes on the other side.
Awesome wagon. Very tidy. I'm a sucker for 57, 58, 59 fords. Here's a few pics of my Australian 59 ranchwagon. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
Droppd 59 -- Thank you. I like your 59, what did you do to get it so low? I want to go lower, but I may have issues with getting the car in and out of my driveway. Went to a show this weekend, and had the following in the wagon: Pack and Play Kids Wagon Change of clothes for 2 adults, 2 kids Diaper Bag Easy up tent Bag of Toys Cooler Stroller 3 adult size folding chairs 1 child size folding chair 1 child non folding plastic chair Toolbox My wifes purse (this is big enough to qualify as luggage...) Bag of snacks Blankets I love having a station wagon. There were only two things I didn't use, the toolbox (good thing) and the pack and play (bad thing kids didnt nap). A friend in my car club mentioned that I had won the uHaul award for the day.
aint it cool all the stuff you can pack into these old cars! we took my wifes ot 67impala to the redneck rumble last weekend and i couldnt believe all the room left after she got done loadin things up.
AHotRod -- Thank you outlaw256 -- This wagon hauls more crap than a mid sized SUV we had for a loaner vehicle for a couple months. The only thing that seems to haul more stuff is my wife's minivan. Here is something scarey to ponder, will we be saying the same things about minivans in 60 years that we do about station wagons today? Will they be cool?
I had the strangest experience happen to me over this past weekend. Everything went as planned... I have been suffering from the case of a squealing fan belt, so when I go to tighten it up I find that my alternator top bracket (which was reused from the generator) is cracked. It was pretty flimsy and not the greatest, so I decided to get a universal one and make it fit. In about 1.5 hours I had the new bracket modified and the car running again. There were no busted knuckles, no forgotten parts, nothing extra broken, just a simple easy repair. I am still wondering if I moved into some sort of alternate dimension.
Neat car, I've owned several '57-'58 Courier sedan deliveries, there is a lot of room inside! Is your' car a 3 speed overdrive, the o.d. makes them a lot more fun to drive. Keep us updated! Mike.
old soul, thank you we really are having a blast in it. Fairlane Mike, Mine is a 3 speed but no overdrive. 90% of my driving is <55 mph so it isn't to bad. However, everytime I get her on the highway, I sure wish I had it. UPDATE: I have heat! Just in time too. I tapped into the vacuum line for the wipers and ran full vacuum to the hot water valve. I installed a cable operated valve in the heater hose line. It is a bit hokey the way it is all together, but it works. For those unaware, the hot water valve is actually the inlet to the heater core. It is vacuum operated. Ford also had a cable operated valve infront of this that controlled vacuum pressure to the hot water valve. I was never able locate the second valve at a reasonable price.
Car looks awesome man, we have a nice '58 Country Sedan wagon , getting ready to lower it on aerostar front coils and blocks in the rear till i feel like spending the money to bag it lol!!!
58CountrySedan - Thank you. I prefer the country sedan trim, and have been keeping an eye out for a custom 300 4 door or a coutnry sedan I can rob the trim off of. Problem is my wallet has been pretty empty lately. I'm interested in air ride as well. My driveway is what is keeping me from doing an aerostar spring swap. Things would scrape pretty bad if I lowered it. Although there is some truth to the old saying "you're not cool unless you scrape a little bit" so we'll see what happens. rat nasty - Thank you. I'm pretty fond of long roofs myself.
The Jalopy Journal
