In the event you just like the pastiche of patina and energy, then at this time’s Good Value or No Cube Nation Sedan will doubtless reduce your mustard. Let’s see if this old-school ‘day by day driver’ has a worth that additionally provides up.
In comparison with the newest Subaru Forester, with its expressive styling and bulbous flares and protrusions, the boxy and arguably staid 2000 version we thought of yesterday comes throughout as a second-stage act. That didn’t appear to make it well worth the $8,000 ticket worth, which led to the clear and low-mileage however in any other case unremarkable little wagon hauling house a 75 % No Cube loss.
Maybe if yesterday’s Subaru had been greater and had possessed extra model—say a Coke bottle form—and possibly if it had rocked a mildly hot-rodded V8 engine, the result may need been barely completely different.
This 1968 Ford County Sedan has all these issues and fewer! That’s proper, much less. Being an previous fart of a automotive, it lacks such niceties as energy home windows and locks, A/C, cruise management, and even respectable brakes. Countering all that, it gives ten-passenger seating, a fold-and-swing “Magic Gate” tailgate, and, on this automotive’s case, some severe motivational pressure beneath its hood.
First, nevertheless, let’s get previous that identify. Most of us are aware of Ford’s Nation Squire line of wagons, that are denoted by their woodgrain siding and top-of-the-line gear ranges. Ford provided the Nation Sedan as a mid-level mannequin, which consumers’ neighbors may inform by the shortage of fake wooden paneling and a few options that might solely be added as choices. Ford simplified its wagon choices for the 1975 mannequin yr, branding all its full-sized wagons as Nation Squires and dropping the decrease Sedan mannequin fully.
This ’68 hails from the final mannequin yr of the sixth era’s run. It differs from its fancier Nation Squire sibling not solely by being bare down the flanks but in addition by having 4 mounted headlamps reasonably than the higher echelon mannequin’s hidden lights. Each these options make the wagon barely cleaner trying and, as a byproduct of their absence, a bit lighter.
This automotive has some efficiency chops, too. In accordance with the advert, it was constructed at Ford’s Pico Rivera, California plant, the place it was optioned with the 390 CID FE (Ford Edsel) V8, uprated C6 three-speed computerized, and NASCAR-coveted 9-inch rear finish. A enjoyable truth: a decade and a half after this automotive was constructed, B2 Stealth bombers had been secretively constructed in the identical plant after Ford bought the power to Northrop Grumman.
Per the vendor, this Nation Sedan has spent its complete life not removed from house and, therefore, is rust and rot-free. The 390 has had a whole lot of work finished, together with a 0.30-over re-bore fitted with new pistons, ported heads, a scorching cam, and a manufacturing unit four-barrel consumption topped with an Edelbrock carb, taking full benefit of that. That every one makes for what the vendor claims is a good performer, stating:
Whereas this 4500 pound wagon isn’t precisely a hotrod, the brand new huge block makes nice energy all over the place within the RPM Vary. The wave of torque is countless and there may be nice passing energy at any velocity.
That manufacturing unit consumption does want an oil fill cap because the rubberband-held rag isn’t slicing it.
The automotive isn’t with out further flaws, both. The vendor says it wants new carpets, and the photographs present creeping put on within the paint and cracks within the sprint. There’s additionally a large dent within the tailgate, which is unbecoming even within the automotive’s present ‘rat rod’ presentation.
A serape-style seat cowl retains front-seat passengers from realizing the evils beneath, whereas the again seat appears intact and with out related points. Different complaints embody frumpy door playing cards and rubber climate seals which have principally retired from the sport. Mechanically and functionally, the wiper motor and gasoline sender want consideration; the door locks have to be re-keyed; and the heater would require re-connecting.
On the plus aspect, none of those points is insurmountable or must be seen as a deal killer. In any case, the vendor has apparently been utilizing the automotive as a day by day driver for the previous couple of years. Mileage is claimed 130K though that’s speculative because the odometer is claimed to have each rolled over and damaged. A clear title ensures no DMV shenanigans for the brand new proprietor ought to somebody discover this automotive essential at its $8,000 worth.
What will we take into consideration this Nation Sedan and that $8,000 asking? Does that appear like a good deal, contemplating the work that has gone into the automotive? Or is that an excessive amount of when the remaining work is taken under consideration?
You resolve!
Albuquerque, New Mexico, Craigslist, or go right here if the advert disappears.
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