This Wagon has been a roller coaster of ups and downs. The thrill of purchasing it, cleaning it up, assessing the needs to restore it, and finally stockpiling and refurbishing parts to complete the goals set.
I have been going over the list of major repairs this wagon will need, and feel overwhelmed. The front cowl is completely shot from windshield down. The transmission tunnel will need complete replacement. The rockers (both inner and outer) will need complete replacement. The front portions of the frame near the control arms are very weak and will need repair. The Rear wagon compartment area is very rusty, and will need replacement. Essentially, the whole car is a rusty mess and about the only thing not allowing the body to fold in half are the windshield and pillar posts!
So it is with a heavy heart, and extreme sorrow that I must report that I will not be continuing restoration on this particular 1958 Ford Ranch Wagon. While I have stockpiled many of the parts to put the wagon back on the road (Which includes a newly acquired Parts car) it is just not economically feasible to continue.
I have gotten feedback from those who have followed this blog, and many wonder why I would be trying to restore such a rust bucket. I guess it is for the challenge, and for the fact that I really liked the car. 2 door wagons have always had a soft spot in my automotive heart and seeing one this bad headed for a demolition derby made me listen to my heart, instead of my head. I have only myself to blame. Bob tried to warn me while I was looking at the car. Bob has tackled many old cars, and when he passed on the chance to own this “beauty”, I should have known better.
However, this is not the end of my wagon project. Because I have found a replacement ’58 2 door wagon that is 100 times better in condition! I have purchased the wagon, and will be restoring it instead. The rockers are solid. The rear tailgate area is solid. The rear wagon area is solid. The tranny tunnel is solid. The cowl is solid. The frame is solid. The floors are……soft and will need replacement. Strangely, all the glass in this new wagon is completely shot, which is the best part of the original wagon I started with! So, I will be taking the glass from the first wagon and using it to restore the second wagon.
The yellow wagon served a purpose. It got me involved in ’58 Ford Wagons and I will be forever grateful for having purchased it. No Regrets. Further posts will now follow the restoration of the second wagon.
Goodbye Rusty. No Regrets.
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