Ray Brown of Bend Oregon always loved the late 50’s Ford wagons but he is also a Hot Rodder at heart. So after locating this rust free example about 10 years ago he decided to build a “resto custom”. The car was completely disassembled and stripped of all paint. From the firewall forward the stock Ford front end was replaced with a ’69 Camaro clip including spindles, springs, antiroll bar, power steering box, etc. This contributed to the lowered stance without having to add dropped spindles or cut coils. The stock Ford 9” rear end with 3.89 gears was retained along with stock springs, brakes and Monroe air shocks.
The stock Ford engine was replaced with a Chevy 350 crate motor fitted with an Edelbrock 600-cfm carb on an Edelbrock Performer intake producing 340HP. Stock Chevy ram horn exhaust manifolds feed into 2” pipes and Smithy’s mufflers. The engine is mated to a 700-R4 overdrive automatic trans.
The body was left stock with the exception of the replacement of the sliding side windows with one-piece tempered glass. A pair of ’55 Chevy outside rearview mirrors were also added. The Willow green and Colonial white two-tone paint was flawlessly applied using Dupont Spectra Master two-stage.
The interior was kept as close to stock as possible with a few updated accessories. Red Hot Interiors in Bend covered the seats in green and white vinyl using a LeBaron Bonney kit that matches the original upholstery perfectly. An Old Air Products air-conditioning system and a JVC stereo were installed along with Stewart Warner oil pressure and voltmeter. The pedals are from Lokar, and the steering wheel from Billet Specialties. A Chevy tilt steering column, Dakota Engineering cruise control kit, and electric wipers complete the updates.
The car rides on 6X15 front and 7X15 rear steel wheels fitted with BF Goodrich radials (205-65R15 front, 215-70R15 rear). The wheels have been painted to match the green body color and are fitted with new old stock (NOS) ‘57 hubcaps and new chrome rings. And to increase the range the stock gas tank has been replaced with a NOS 20-gallon tank.
Ray finished the car in May of 2008 and he and his wife Judy drove it across the country to the Goodguys Nationals in Columbus Ohio. They were chosen as one of the “Top Ten” at the event and photographed for a feature in Rod & Custom magazine (June 2009 issue). Later that year they drove the car to the National Street Rod Association show in Sacramento and were chosen as the “Field Director Pick”.
This wagon is stunning with only 8000 miles of use since the restoration was completed. It can be driven anywhere with confidence as well as be a showstopper at the next Hot Rod meet.
