Possible new project 57 Del Rio

[billd5string]

Hi guys, I am new here and looking for information. I recently came across a 57 2 door Ranch Wagon which I believe is a Del Rio. It has been sitting for years, but appears to be very complete and original. I am pretty sure I am going to buy it, but would like to know if there are any things that I need to look out for that would be a deal breaker. Is there anything that I really need to check before handing over the cash?

I haven't done a 50's ford before, but I am in the middle of doing a 67 Cougar so I am hopefully not completely out of my element. I am figuring that if the 312 that is in there is toast, I will swap in a 302 or 460 with appropriate transmission. If the motor is solid but the automatic is toast, can the 312 be bolted to a c4 or c6 or maybe an AOD?

Also, when looking for parts, are they usually shared with other 57 fords or unique to the station wagons?

I really appreciate all your help, thanks!

[lalessi1]

Welcome to the forum. There are tons of experienced guys that can and will help you out, you will be amazed at the folks here. There lots of info on total rebuilds, engines/trans swaps,ets.,... you name it. Some guys are great metal workers, some like me not so much. 57 Fords tend to have rusted out front floors because the cowl area actually drains though the interior through rubber hoses known not to last. From my perspective rust is a major issue so look for that  and what may have been done in the past to repair it. A desert car? Lots of common parts between all 57 models. Good luck!

[RICH MUISE]

Welcome to the forum. A Del Rio or Ranchwagon is one of the most sought after 50's Fords. 2 drs are always in demand!
It's hard to give an honest judgement on what a deal breaker would be for you not knowing details or your willingness to learn, but the biggest concern would be rust areas. Floorboards are common rust areas in all '57's, but relatively easy to replace, so in my opinion seating area floorboards not a major issue. Other areas can be depending on your willingness to take on an adventure...rear quarters, inner rear quarters, tailgates, ect can be more of a challenge depending on how bad the rust is.
With that said, and realizing your from Nevada, if it is pretty much a cancer-free Del Rio, jump on it!!! If you decide against it, post the info here please...they'd be some interested parties for sure depending on $..... LOL....most of us here don't have much.

[djfordmanjack]

Hello from another Del Rio owner. You be warned, once you get into that thing you will become addicted to it. There is no way to get away from these beautiful 2dr wagons
engine swaps can be done. Bendtsen speed gems makes an adapter to bolt an AOD to the Y block. As Lynn mentioned, many parts are the same in a lot of  57 passenger cars. few are Del Rio only and rare=expensive. the chassis is a little different in wagons. rear axle too. the wagon has the favorite 9" hot rod axle. so  be careful in checking if it's still in there. Rust is a major issue. I bought a Cali car and it still is rusted out badly. check the roof and drip rails. these cars have no drain holes inside and a lot of them are rusted out all around the rain gutters from inside. the tail and liftgates are prone to rust, very difficult to repair. rear quarters almost always rust out because of bad drain design. the rear corners and overlaps under the tailgate rust out ( where the factory lead was). front floorboards and rears are often rusted. be careful at door and fender alignment. those a pillars get easily twisted in crashes or when rusted out. the frontend often sags due to the design with only one spring under the radiator support. BTW that easily rusts out as with all 50s Fords.
same goes for lower front fender quarters. If all of that sounds bad- IT SHOULD !!! take a good look in what you are buying, so you will know exactly what you are getting into. Not trying to talk bad about our beloved Fords, it's just the way it is. EMS makes excellent quality USA patch panels for a lot of those areas mentioned.
That said, (to me) the Del Rio is the most beautiful 2dr wagon ever built, and they are getting rare and expensive.
If you could show pics, that would help a lot. It would be great to have another Del Rio and enthusiast owner on the forum, Welcome !

[billd5string]

Thanks for the advice. Hopefully I will get a chance to closely look it over soon. It has been a big challenge to coordinate with the owner. I will post some pics when I get to see it next and definitely some more if I can close the deal.

[billd5string]

I got to look it over much closer, and was looking for what areas you guys suggested.

The body appears very solid. There is no carpet, and I can see the floorboard is rust free. The body panels are straight and appear to have the original paint. The side trim is all there, and appear to be in good condition. The engine is the 312 with a holley 4 barrel, looks stock, but very dusty. The license plate is tagged from 78.

Now the down side, the door panels are pretty bad, front and rear. The headliner is shredded. The seats are not horrible, but they are ripped up. So are interior parts hard to find for a 57?

I will see if I can post some pictures here.

[billd5string]

Here are some pics...

[billd5string]

And the engine...

[RICH MUISE]

What you are talking about is SMALL STUFF!!!...compared to average rebuilding . I'd jump on that car. A rust free body and floorboards is worth thousands more than a rust bucket, and that's only considering replacement panels, not the many hunderds of hours labor to get it done.
I'm not sure about wagon upholstery, but Fairlane and Custom stuff is redily available from place like Labarron-Bonney. If you are like the majority of us, and not concerned with a factory oem restoration...any good upholstery shop can take care of anything inside.

[RICH MUISE]

Well ok...I just saw the pics, and If I were you, I'd pass on it and send me the contact info so I can get that eyesore out of their way for them.


Just kidding!!!!~


That is one of the best '57 anythings I have ever seen as far as barn find/field finds/ what ever you want to call it....never mind the fact that it's a Del Rio!! Trtust me, you have no idea what you have the opertunity to grab there, or you'd already have grabbed it.
Anyone disagree?

As I said, jump on it before someone else does.

[RICH MUISE]

Billd...PM sent

[57 imposter]

Excellent find! I've seen cars on the road that didn't look much better than that does.. Uphlostery replacement is a given, and I sure wouldn't let that get in the way. I paid a ton of money on a 2dr ranch wagon that was so far gone that I couldn't finish it. they are hard to find and expensive so unless they think it is worth Barrett Jackson money I would jump on it.....Welcome aboard

[Ecode70D]

Welcome to the site.
From what I see, that 2dr wagon is in great shape.  Interior work is to be expected..
You are going to save lots of money on body work with this one.   Don't let it get away from you. 

[junior58]

Buy it before somebody else whips it out from under you!!!!!!

[BWhitmore]

Wagons and Rancheros share some major components (frame, rear axle assembly, fuel tank, rear bumper, rear bumper guards, license plate lights, tailgate (lower portion, etc.).  Like the majority have said, Grab It Quick.