1958 Ford 2 door Ranch Wagon DelRio

1958 Ford Ranch Wagon Description

This is a very cool and rare classic Ford 2 door wagon. I found this car three years ago after it had been sitting in the same garage for over 30 years and had the same owner for 40. Originally a west coast car (I have registration copies) it moved east in the early 70s and was put away. All of the research and paperwork to obtain a title has been completed and it is currently titled, registered and insured in Massachusetts.
A brief history of the car as relayed to me by previous owner. He bought the car in 1967 and set out to hod rod it. Out went the 332 and in went a 390 from a wrecked 1965 Ford Galaxie. The 3 on tree manual was replaced with a Falcon Sprint 4 speed, column and steering wheel. He had a spring over conversion done to jack the rear and installed dual side exit exhaust (with white painted trumpeted tips of course).He finished up with a black vinyl diamond pattern interior, a blue paint job and 14" Ansen slotted mags with G60-14 tires. When researching the VIN, I discovered that this car came with the Del Rio package of which there were only about 12,000 total produced in 1958. It was the first year of Ford's FE big block and it came with the optional heavy duty 9 inch rear end.
After digging into the mechanicals, I found the engine locked from sitting for so long. It was pulled and rebuilt .30 over adding an Edelbrock cam, dual plane intake, 750 carb, brass core plugs, Pertronics ignition, MSD coil and FPA ceramic coated headers. The generator was replaced with a new internally regulated alternator and radiator is now a four row aluminum unit. The fuel tank was cleaned and internally coated, new fuel lines and mechanical fuel pump installed. The transmission was claimed to have been rebuilt and shifted fine so it was left alone. A new clutch and trans mount were installed. A new correct length, larger diameter HD drive shaft was built. I undid the spring over and put the factory 9inch back where it belongs. The 300 open differential was swapped to a traction lock 3.55 unit. Front brakes are converted to disc, rear drums remain. KYB gas shocks were installed as well as a rear sway bar kit and Lakewood traction bars. Tires are Nitto 245/50R17 front and 255/50R17 rear on American Racing PVD Torque Thrust wheels.
The car is a very reliable driver and a big hit at cruise nights. Tons of torque and fast, power band from 3,000 to 5,500 is awesome. Stops well, cornering........ it is what it is. There are very, very few of these cars that have survived and most people I encounter have never seen one. I'm constantly asked "What year is your Nomad?". I had to do NO bodywork or paint at all. It was cleaned, buffed and waxed. The chrome and stainless were cleaned and polished only. It doesn't need anything to drive and enjoy.
These are a few full disclosure items and what I would do next to the car. Both headlight "eyebrows" have small paint bubbles from oxidation under paint, see pics. Bubbles were there three years ago and haven't got worse. The fuel gauge works but is not accurate. I looked nationwide for months for a new sending unit and they do not exist. Tbird electronics were brazed to stock unit and a new float added to get it to work as well as it does now. The new 750 carb could be jetted and tuned for better low end or swapped for a smaller unit, but it still runs well as is. Additionally, the front bumper shines nice but isn't perfect if you look closely.
If I was keeping the car, I would consider the following. Power steering could be added as the 245s up front are sticky and it would make parking lots easier to navigate. The front and back floor carpets could be replaced but the rear cargo area is perfect. I would remove the JC Whitney wood grain dash accent kit and digital clock (I have the original clock) and bring original chrome look back. Finally I would install the stock gold anodized Del Rio side trim panels (like the ones on a '57 Bel Air) which I have and are in great shape.
Please contact me with any questions you may have. I reserve the right to end this auction early as the car is advertised for sale locally.
***Keywords- Galaxie, Ford 500, Ford Fairlane, Ford Custom, Ford 300, Ford Crown Victoria, Ranchero, Nomad, Sedan delivery, ThunderbirdMustang, Starliner