When the oil embargo hit in 1973 Detroit was ill prepared to offer consumers economical cars to counter skyrocketing gas prices. The Ford Fairmont, introduced in 1978 symbolized Americas shift from gas guzzling boats to a more practical means of transportation and the Fairmont became an immediate hit becoming one of the most successful first year models of all time.

This 1979 Fairmont station wagon found on Ebay is said to be a one owner car 40,450 original miles and based on the pictures that reveal a very original looking engine bay and a solid and clean underside it’s clear that this is a low mileage car. The car is said to drive very nice and straight without any leaks. The factory air, power windows and radio all work without any issues. The interior looks clean with minimal wear. The seller says the seats are leather but we’re not sure leather was an option on the Fairmont so we’re not convinced.

The exterior looks very clean with minimal wear and some bubbling to the vinyl paneling. Though not a car that would be a hit at the car shows, This Fairmont would make a great driver that has enough of curiosity factor to make it interesting. The seller has a BIN of $10,000, but we think a realistic price is more than half that.

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This 1950 Ford Woodie has undergone a complete stock restoration with every piece either repaired, refurbished or replaced. The only deviation was installing carpet over the standard linoleum and rubber mats. Judging from the pictures the restoration looks outstanding. The ‘Hawthorne Green’ paint shines deeply, the woodwork, chrome and interior is beautiful and the engine bay is clean and detailed.

You can find this Ford woodie at Collector Car Ads for $51,500.

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Found on Hemmings with an asking price of $24,500 is this 1953 Ford Ranch Wagon. Brought out of storage after 17 years, the 2 door wagon was reconditioned and then moved to Florida where the V8 engine was rebuilt. Since the rebuild the car has been driven about 1,500 miles. The wagon is finished in Cascade Green with a tan interior. Fenton headers with glasspack give this flathead V8 a unique sound. Everything is said to work except for the cigarette lighter, but really who would ever want to smoke in this beauty?

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Update 3/7/2012: Car sold for $6,400

This 1964 Ford Falcon 2 door wagon found on Ebay was recently driven from LA to Saint Louis on route 66. A nice voyage for a survivor that had spent the previous 10 years in a garage before being resurrected through an estate sale. With a 200 straight six and three-on-the tree manual transmission the economical Falcon averaged 28 mpg. The trip wasn’t without incident as the adventurous couple who made the trip had some overheating issues, but these have been resolved by adding a new radiator, water pump and thermostatically controlled radiator fan.

A cool feature on this Falcon is the original longhorn cattle motif seat fabric that looks to be in fantastic shape. The chrome roof rack and dogdish hubcaps are also a nice touch.

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Update 3/8/2012: Car sold for $4,200

This one owner 1978 Ford LTD 6 passenger station wagon with 109,000 miles is said to be 100% original and without a speck of rust. The photos back the claim of originality showing just minor wear on the interior and a laser straight exterior that has just a bit of patina in the paint.

A 460 V8 powers the LTD and the car is said to run and drive beautifully. Options include a factory tow package (never used), power steering, brakes and tailgate, cruise control and air conditioning that blows cold.

This Arizona wagon can be found on Ebay with a BIN price of $5,900

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Found on Craigslist in Encinitas, California with an asking price of $17,500 is this stunning 1962 Ford Falcon Deluxe 4 door station wagon. The pictures are spectacular and the seller says the pictures don’t even do the car justice! A full gallery of 89 photos can be seen on Flickr.

The Falcon was owned by it’s first owner for 43 years and has 90k original miles. Documents include the original dealers sale form and the car’s build sheet. Just about every component of the car has been replaced or restored. Some of the “Deluxe” options include chrome window surrounds and rear quarter aluminum “washboard” trim that was a one year option on the Falcon.

Te engine compartment is gleaming new and has the proper factory decals applied. A surf rack is included and the retro surf stickers on the rear window are a perfect touch.

The seller has boldly stated that this is “hands down” the nicest Ford Falcon wagon in the U.S. and based on the pictures we would have to agree.

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Update: 1/18/2012: Seller pulled the listing early so it must have sold.

Couldn’t resist this Ebay find- a 1964 Ford Falcon surf wagon tastefully customized in a Tiki motif. A California car (naturally), the Tiki appointments include a bamboo covered roof rack, bamboo “Tiki Taxi” lettering and bamboo themed headliner and door inserts. Surfer decals and a coconut hanging from the radio help complete the theme. The mid sixties Falcon seems the perfect fit for the Tiki/surf theme.

Mechanically the Falcon comes with a 3 speed stick,  289 V8 engine, Edelbrock 4bbl carb, Offenhauser intake and a Mallory distributor.

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Update 1/23/2012: The Ford sold for $23,200

Ford was the king of the station wagons in the 1950′s and the Country Squire was the king of the Ford station wagon line.

This well preserved 91,201 mile 1957 Country Squire wagon found on Ebay includes an expensive paint job done about 4 years ago. The chrome is new, as is the windshield and the tires. Under the hood the original 312 V8 matched with an automatic transmission powers the wagon. The interior is described as mostly original and  in good condition. The 3rd row seat has been correctly re-upholstered.

At $2,684 the Country Squire was the most expensive Ford for 1957. With a relatively low production number of 27,690 and only a handful remaining today this one of the more desired 1950′s wagons.

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Update 12/20/2011: Bidding ended at $10,100 without hitting the reserve.

Very honest looking 1956 2 door Ranch Wagon found on Ebay with only 57k showing on the odometer. The “Diamond Blue” paint is described has having a nice patina with some areas of wear but overall nice and shiny. There is evidence of some repair on the right front fender. The chrome and trim is all original as is the interior which is described as very presentable.

Mechanically the wagon is powered by a 292-4bbl V8 with a 3 speed manual transmission. The car is described as being a smooth runner that starts right up. New wide white walls, new shocks and a new exhaust have been added.

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I’m a big fan of Mustangs and I’m a big fan of vintage station wagons, so its seems a given that a Mustang wagon would be a perfect fit of sportiness and quirkiness for me, but I have to admit I’m on on the fence about this one.  Customized Mustang wagons have been around since the cars inception, but I have such a predisposed image of what a Mustang should be it’s hard for me to love this car. That said, this Mustang wagon found at RK Motors with an asking price of $54,900 looks like a high quality conversion.

The exterior of the car maintains it’s mid-60′s look with some added touches that includes Shelby striping and a fiberglass hood with an integrated scoop. The interior maintains a stock feel with an added front bench seat for that wagon feel.  The modern drivetrain is impressive: A Ford 5.0L V8, a T5 5-speed manual and a Ford 8-inch rear end sporting 3.00 gears.

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