1955 Ford ranch wagon in depth look

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  • čas přidán 16. 04. 2022
  • Today I’m back at max motive in Cheswick Pennsylvania to take a look at this 1955 ford ranch wagon. Ford made the two door wagon until 1962. Enjoy =)
  • Auta a dopravní prostředky

Komentáře • 88

  • @CaucAsianSasquatch
    @CaucAsianSasquatch Před 2 lety +9

    One of the most beautiful wagons ever produced

    • @ronschlorff7089
      @ronschlorff7089 Před 2 lety +2

      yup, Ford's answer to the Nomad, sort of!! I had one, RW, and miss it; was my first car! :D

    • @ronmailloux8655
      @ronmailloux8655 Před 5 měsíci +1

      My dad had one and all 9 kids some how piled into it along with Ma and Pa . He bought it used like all cars. in the mid 60s.

  • @stevecovey1758
    @stevecovey1758 Před 2 lety +9

    You are correct that most all Fords had that clear speedometer that year, even the T Birds. An interesting fact about those speedometer was that at night, with the dash lights on, the speedometer was projected up and across the windshield. I think Ford accidentally created a primitive "Heads Up Display" because you could see your speed anywhere in the car!

    • @What.its.like.
      @What.its.like.  Před 2 lety

      I didn’t know about the heads up display thing I’ll have to try that in the dark one time. I looked for a night shot of the speedometer because I didn’t know what it looked like at night

    • @Al-thecarhistorian
      @Al-thecarhistorian Před 2 lety

      The image would appear reversed on the windshield. And, yes, ALL Fords have that speedometer in 1954 and 1955.

    • @stevecovey1758
      @stevecovey1758 Před 2 lety

      No, it would not be in reverse. It would show correct because it's projected in reverse out the back of the instrument panel.

    • @ronschlorff7089
      @ronschlorff7089 Před 2 lety

      @@What.its.like. Pretty annoying feature though, if you had any "back seat drivers"!! LOL ;D

  • @plunkervillerr1529
    @plunkervillerr1529 Před 2 lety +3

    One of my favorite fords .

  • @robertjensen403
    @robertjensen403 Před 2 lety

    My favorite color. Wonderful car.

  • @NickTwisp80
    @NickTwisp80 Před 2 lety +5

    We had one with the base V-8 and Fordomatic. The engine was relatively noisy, even when new. I believe our V-8 model had an automatic choke. It was reliable for the most part but prone to overheating in stop-and-go traffic in the summer. Trying to re-start a warm engine would often cause carburetor flooding. It was not one of the better vehicles we ever had. When it was a few years old my Dad traded it for a much nicer Chevrolet wagon with none of those issues.

    • @What.its.like.
      @What.its.like.  Před 2 lety +2

      The ranch wagon isn’t my favorite design but it sucks that it wasn’t as good as the advertisement claimed.. thinking about it I don’t know what favorite wagon is I really like 59 ambassador wagon.. or 2dr Nash wagon but there are a lot to review to find out. =)

    • @superhawk3057
      @superhawk3057 Před 2 lety

      My Dad had one of the four door wagons you described when we got it it was on it's last legs. The great part the car it had a third seat so it was more attractive to girls for cruising its easers to find a bunch of girls then one. They felt safe.

    • @ronschlorff7089
      @ronschlorff7089 Před 2 lety

      @@superhawk3057 Yup, dads then where not too crazy about seeing their little princesses going out with a guy who had a wagon, any wagon!! LOL

  • @ronschlorff7089
    @ronschlorff7089 Před 2 lety

    Nice, thanks. My first car, at 17, handed down as my dad got a new 64 Dodge truck, he used as a carpenter, both vehicles, to haul stuff, tools, etc. Good solid car, hard to beat up, even for a teenager growing up in L.A. at the time. White with red interior, Engine was "bullet proof", transmission, "needed occasional work"! LOL Smooth running at 75 mph, had 272, 2bbl, and automatic. Kept it clean and traded it in for a few bucks when I bought a new Mercury Cyclone GT 390 in 66, it was a 67, about 9 months before I got drafted in Army, May 67. Good old days, especially if you have survived to remember them!! LOL :D

  • @1223jamez
    @1223jamez Před 2 lety

    My parents had a Ford 2-door station wagon from when they bought it until 1962 or 63. I remember riding in it and I am 61 years old.

    • @What.its.like.
      @What.its.like.  Před 2 lety

      It must have been pretty awesome for you to remember it at a young age

  • @bryanweston7737
    @bryanweston7737 Před 2 lety +2

    Although Ford had the see-through speedometer in 1954 too - the 1955 instrument panel, with all of its round dials, was called "Astra-Dial Instrumentation" by Ford, and it was a one-year only instrument panel. The aqua painted metal shroud surrounding the see-through speedo does not fit correctly...I also noticed the leading edge of the hood does not line-up well with the inside bottom edge of the front fenders. Otherwise - looks like a cool wagon - you don't see many of the tudor wagons! 1955 Fords were still 6 volt electrical systems - you'll find that many have been converted to 12 volt - which is desirable - a 12 volt battery has a lot more cranking amps for starting the car - especially when it's hot. I added an electric, thermostatically controlled pusher fan (in front of radiator and behind the grill) to my 1955 Ford - it runs fine in hot weather - no over-heating, no vapor lock. Fords back then were very solid cars - Chevys - by contrast - were tinny!

    • @What.its.like.
      @What.its.like.  Před 2 lety

      Awesome information thank you so much for sharing =)

  • @frozenbits48
    @frozenbits48 Před 2 lety

    In the small town of my childhood, my dad had a full service Mobil Gas Station. We got a new 1955 4 door wagon with the six cylinder and three speed manual on the column. No power steering or brakes. Good heater (northern Michigan) and a am radio. Seat belts? Yeah, right, har har. In 1958 with a slight recession, the Ford dealer where dad got the 55 was offering great deals to sell off cars, so we then got a 1958 model. V8, automatic and power steering. What an upgrade. Much later, in high school my first car was a 55 Ford Victoria Hardtop, V8, and a three speed manual which got converted to a Mr Gasket floor shift. Also dual exhausts with Smitty glass packs. Great car, never had any problems with it. Thanks for your video, your blue color is a terrific choice.

  • @jamesgudgeon4868
    @jamesgudgeon4868 Před 2 lety +1

    We had some of these in Australia 🇦🇺

  • @markw208
    @markw208 Před 2 lety +2

    I think you’re having fun 🤩. Ford’s equivalent to the Chevy Nomad never got the same adoration. This particular car is in great shape but it’s an example of the plain Jane model, which there were plenty of. The colors are definitely ‘50’s.

    • @What.its.like.
      @What.its.like.  Před 2 lety +1

      Park lane apparently was supposed to compete with the Chevy nomad I never saw a park lane wagon before but will review one when I find one =) but from what I’ve read parklane left a lot to be desired.

  • @SchneiderClassics
    @SchneiderClassics Před 2 lety

    great video mate a love the car

  • @chuckgardiner2186
    @chuckgardiner2186 Před 10 měsíci +1

    The armrests are backwards--switch doors and they will be correct (fat parts towards the front).

  • @mypugsdad5366
    @mypugsdad5366 Před 2 lety +1

    We had a Ranch Wagon a 56, it was a very good car. But the Y - Block motor had rocker arm issues and we had to have a outside oiling kit put on it. The big issue with the Y - Block rocker arm oiling, non hydraulic lifters and it was very a very heavy motor. Not a bad motor but rocker arm oiling was an issue with all the early Y - Blocks. If restoring one keep in mind the 53, 54, 55 and 56's stare many body parts and some other parts too. Really good family car for it's time.

    • @What.its.like.
      @What.its.like.  Před 2 lety

      I’ve read that was an issue with the Y block design had oiling problems and could over heat easy. I might do a Y block episode I’ve been working one this episodes with three automotive visionary’s for the last few days hopefully post today

  • @christopherkraft1327
    @christopherkraft1327 Před 2 lety +1

    Back in the fifties my dad got a 57 Ranch Wagon, what a difference 2 years makes. It had the 312 Thunderbird V8 & was a great red & white beauty!!! Sadly, in 1963 it got rear ended by a honey wagon & was totaled!!! 🥺

    • @What.its.like.
      @What.its.like.  Před 2 lety +1

      Wow yeah I should do a episode on the y block v8 it’s a very interesting time at ford with the y block design

    • @ronschlorff7089
      @ronschlorff7089 Před 2 lety

      @@What.its.like. BTW, a "honey wagon" is what we called a septic tank draining vehicle, a big truck with a tank full of shit. What a way to go for that old Ford, eh?

  • @michaelchance9405
    @michaelchance9405 Před 2 lety

    Great video and a very nice resto… the 1955 Ford wagon had everything a family needed for a car. I think that front seat belts with the aircraft type buckles were available from the Ford dealer.

    • @What.its.like.
      @What.its.like.  Před 2 lety

      Thank you this example wasn’t stock it’s powered by 289 v8 didn’t show the engine for that reason seats looked perfect so they were probably redone because if one touches the material on a seat that’s 70+ years old it doesn’t feel new unless it’s in a perfect climate controlled environment it’s life, that’s what’s great about driving them if parts are in demand they will keep making them and will see more on the road these cars are machines need to be used and shared so others can experience them too.. sometimes it depends on the car I get emotional when I see say a 1940s senior packard because those cars had class and style and presence that modern cars don’t have. Get emotional because it’s an era long gone and I wasn’t here for, but with technology can share it on here talk and share experiences it’s what I love most about this CZcams channel is hearing the stories and experiences that everyone has had, which the internet can tell you about but hearing it from people who lived it is way more personal =)

    • @ronschlorff7089
      @ronschlorff7089 Před 2 lety

      @@What.its.like. Yup, a 351 Cleveland would be nicer in the vehicle, plenty of room for it. I had one in my 70 Mustang; it went like a "raped ape" (as we said back in the day) in that car and would move this wagon nicely too!

  • @jamesgudgeon4868
    @jamesgudgeon4868 Před 2 lety +1

    We only got the four door version in Australia 🇦🇺

  • @aday1637
    @aday1637 Před 2 lety

    I bought one of these when in the Army. On the way back to base the thing overheated sending a cloud of vapor into the sky. I let it cool, added water and drove it back and traded it in on something different. Never looked back.

    • @What.its.like.
      @What.its.like.  Před 2 lety

      Thank you’d so much for sharing that it’s turning out not to be a very reliable choice I wonder if fords other products had same problems like fairlane and Tbird

  • @lkmsl
    @lkmsl Před 2 lety +3

    What happened to your favorite part of the video ?
    You know the crotch clearance test.....lol .

    • @What.its.like.
      @What.its.like.  Před 2 lety +3

      That was the last car I shot and it was getting close to closing time I didn’t even sit in that one no worries there will be one in the next video

  • @joeseeking3572
    @joeseeking3572 Před 2 lety

    As a kid in the 70's I used to walk the neighborhood and our swim club looking at cars (I'd go right up the driveways, peering in). Later, with a 2 wheeler and later still further afield with a 10 speed for my 10th birthday - quite an investment for my lower middle class parents, but they saw the need - I hit strip shopping parking lots, churches, etc.) Ranch wagons were rare, so I always took notice. Tons of Squires, a goodly amount of Country Sedans, but not many of the strippers, so I was fascinated. By 73-74, the last years, very few at all. We had a 71 Galaxie 500 4dr hardtop, so I could compare interior trim. Up the street a fire chief had a Custom 4dr (red, naturally) and that, being a few years older was totally taxi :)
    BTW - that chrome trim on the B pillar is incorrect. Partially lifted from a 56 Park Lane - where both the door frame itself and trailing edge would be chrome, both having the same ribbed detail.

    • @What.its.like.
      @What.its.like.  Před 2 lety

      Awesome story I wasn’t sure if the chrome was right or maybe it was a custom ranch model, there wasn’t any information, well information was spotty at best I could find any information on what differences between custom and regular ranch aside from one being a custom ranch and base ranch.

  • @leomaestra-mj8dd
    @leomaestra-mj8dd Před 8 dny +1

    I had that exact car, same colors, mine had a factory wicker head liner of which I've never seen another anywhere. Anybody ever see one ?

  • @pattyeverett2826
    @pattyeverett2826 Před 2 lety

    We had a 1959 Ford with the Y-block v-8. I have read these have oiling issues, but we had no trouble. It was very heavy though. I had to help fix a flat at 14.

    • @What.its.like.
      @What.its.like.  Před 2 lety +1

      I’ve also read of oiling issues.. I think most everything in 59 was heavy =)

    • @ronschlorff7089
      @ronschlorff7089 Před 2 lety +1

      good old days when even a kid could fix a flat, now who knows. "Is there an app for that?" Text: "Mommy, help me"!

    • @pattyeverett2826
      @pattyeverett2826 Před 2 lety

      @@ronschlorff7089 Now they may have locked lug nuts on the wheels so the tires cannot easily be changed. And anything other than changing tires requires a bunch of electronic test equipment.

    • @ronschlorff7089
      @ronschlorff7089 Před 2 lety +1

      @@pattyeverett2826 right, we had the locks too, but most did not use them. We had timing lights! :D

    • @pattyeverett2826
      @pattyeverett2826 Před 2 lety

      @@ronschlorff7089 ? I am talking about locks that prevent the changing of tires.

  • @56sannuto
    @56sannuto Před 2 lety

    our family car was a 1955 ford wagon red and white no sliding glass it did not have the cross over pipe , i think it did not have power steering that car ran for a long time my father was a mechanic and kept in tip top shape

    • @What.its.like.
      @What.its.like.  Před 2 lety +1

      Awesome
      Thank you for sharing that story =)

    • @ronschlorff7089
      @ronschlorff7089 Před 2 lety

      Yup, even a nerdy kid in the 60's or earlier could keep a car in "tip top shape", especially if he had friends who knew some mechanical stuff!! We had a friend who owned a gas station, I used to fill up for free then, all of about 5 bucks worth if I paid; since gas was about 40 cents for regular, and "ethyl" was a whopping 50 cents/gallon! What was the dif.? We drilled and refined much of our own oil then, and just started to get some form Mideast. But never Russia they were our mortal enemy then, and they still are! :D

  • @Al-thecarhistorian
    @Al-thecarhistorian Před 2 lety +1

    Wagons were 2-door and 4-door. The tail gate and hinged rear window were not doors. Remember, we are in the USA, not Europe!

  • @montymatilda
    @montymatilda Před 2 lety

    Another great video. I see you are starting to play with different features in you editing. Cool. I just love the '55 & '56 Fords. FoMoCo in general had me, certainly '55 to '59. Not a great fan of the ever popular tri-five Chevrolets. Very nice and all but not for me. Except Chevrolet for '55 did have a much quieter engine. Why Ford decided to go with solid lifters on the Y-block engines is beyond me. Far noisier that hydraulics that GM produced. So style, Ford then Engines to GM, all divisions. Boneheaded ideas like the solid lifters is what kept Ford at #2, except '57 and '59. Love the '59's.

    • @What.its.like.
      @What.its.like.  Před 2 lety

      I was a ford guy growing up now I’m not “brand loyal” I like everything now the more unique the better studebakers and packards mash Hudson amc I like all of it =)

    • @ronschlorff7089
      @ronschlorff7089 Před 2 lety

      I had the 56 Belaire, was first wife's, drove cross country to my Army duty station in 1968, L.A. to Washington D.C. no problems, 265 with 2bbl and automatic. Drove it home after discharged in 69, had heating probs but drove only at night to solve that issue!! :D

  • @johnhiram1207
    @johnhiram1207 Před 2 lety

    We had a 55 Country Sedan V8 three speed with overdrive. Great car but got rusty in only a few years.

    • @What.its.like.
      @What.its.like.  Před 2 lety

      I’m sorry it rusted out fast thank you so much for sharing =)

    • @ronschlorff7089
      @ronschlorff7089 Před 2 lety

      No rust on my 55 Ranch wagon cuz it was in Southern California all its life that I had it, late 63- late 66.

  • @glennso47
    @glennso47 Před 2 lety

    All those things that used to be optional accessories are now standard on most every vehicle nowadays. Also when did Ford change the logo to the blue oval with the word “Ford “ in script?

    • @What.its.like.
      @What.its.like.  Před 2 lety

      Bit of a trick question I guess they used the blue oval since 1912 I found this link not sure why they changed it in the 50s but I personally like the 50s ford logo crest
      www.designyourway.net/blog/graphic-design/the-ford-logo-design/

    • @glennso47
      @glennso47 Před 2 lety

      @@What.its.like. Hyundai and Kia have logos that are oval shaped as well. Although KIA has recently changed the logo on their cars where the name KIA is stylized Capital letters. Thanks for the history of the Ford logo. When they were making Ford Commercial trucks and Ford farm tractors the Ford logo was a bit different from the crest of the cars. The logo was a crest but in the center was a gear shape.

  • @martyjoseph9507
    @martyjoseph9507 Před 2 lety

    The only cons are impatient people trying to move levers they've never seen before in a manor that breaks them. I had a locking wing window where you had to push the button in before turning the latch. A co-worker old enough to know better couldn't figure it out and just twisted it off. Sometimes I think we're getting dumber.

    • @What.its.like.
      @What.its.like.  Před 2 lety

      Oh wow that’s crazy I’m sorry that happened to your car

    • @glennso47
      @glennso47 Před 2 lety

      I once had a Dodge Grand Caravan. I took it to an oil change store and when they were done with it, the mechanic slammed the hood down with out disengaging the prop rod that held the hood open! So I know about impatient people ruining stuff. 😐 Naturally I had to replace the rod that held up the hood for service. I was not a happy camper that day.

    • @What.its.like.
      @What.its.like.  Před 2 lety

      Wow

    • @glennso47
      @glennso47 Před 2 lety

      You can thank public “education “ for the concept of people getting dumber.

  • @michael69040
    @michael69040 Před 3 měsíci

    You are confusing us. You stated that the wagon was available in three door or five door yet mention a two door. Today's hatchbacks are considered a door so my Honda FIT is a five door.

    • @What.its.like.
      @What.its.like.  Před 3 měsíci

      Yeah wagons are weird this is an older episode just avoid that now

  • @glennso47
    @glennso47 Před 2 lety

    Ford cars always had cavernous trunks for the size of the car.

    • @ronschlorff7089
      @ronschlorff7089 Před 2 lety

      Yup, the Mafia loved them! LOL
      And as for the wagons, like this one, we high school kids called them "motels on wheels"; can you guess why! ;D LOL

  • @knitterscheidt
    @knitterscheidt Před 2 lety

    the daughter riding up front in the commercial is a bit homely

    • @What.its.like.
      @What.its.like.  Před 2 lety

      Things were different then I miss that, hell I miss the 90’s-00s even just simpler, cars sucked during that time the music really sucked early 2000s (opinion)

    • @ronschlorff7089
      @ronschlorff7089 Před 2 lety

      @@What.its.like. Yup that's when RAP began; and I always say: "they forgot the "C" LOL ;D

  • @stephenvelden295
    @stephenvelden295 Před 2 lety +1

    There is only one con! This car is NOT in my garage!

    • @What.its.like.
      @What.its.like.  Před 2 lety

      Agreed if given the choice I think I would take the two door 1958 Edsel version i’ve never seen one in person I’ve never seen a58 four-door wagon in person

    • @ronschlorff7089
      @ronschlorff7089 Před 2 lety

      Yup, mine never was, always outside in the beautiful California sunshine (at least that part hasn't changed for the worst)!

  • @rayjones7313
    @rayjones7313 Před 11 měsíci +1

    Nice video of a great rig....
    Shame that the narrator doesn't have more genuine familiarity with the car prior to having to fumble about with ordinary details on old cars which, for those of us who Lived It... Is hilariously eroding to
    Credibility ond the balance of the monologue.
    Definitely not anything like Leno.

    • @What.its.like.
      @What.its.like.  Před 11 měsíci

      Thank you so much for the input this was an older episode check out one of our newer ones.. the narrator (me lol) has gotten a little better.
      And honestly it’s not fair to compare me to Leno i’m an automotive enthusiast but that guy has forgotten more about Classic Cars than I have ever known
      Narrator has a name as well guess you missed that.. I mean if your going to insult me, at least use my name