If you happen to just like the pastiche of patina and energy, then right this moment’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 most recent 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 definitely worth the $8,000 ticket worth, which led to the clear and low-mileage however in any other case unremarkable little wagon hauling residence a 75 % No Cube loss.
Maybe if yesterday’s Subaru had been greater and had possessed extra fashion—say a Coke bottle form—and perhaps if it had rocked a mildly hot-rodded V8 engine, the end 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 automobile, it lacks such niceties as energy home windows and locks, A/C, cruise management, and even respectable brakes. Countering all that, it presents ten-passenger seating, a fold-and-swing “Magic Gate” tailgate, and, on this automobile’s case, some severe motivational power underneath its hood.
First, nevertheless, let’s get previous that title. Most of us are acquainted with Ford’s Nation Squire line of wagons, that are denoted by their woodgrain siding and top-of-the-line tools ranges. Ford provided the Nation Sedan as a mid-level mannequin, which consumers’ neighbors might inform by the dearth of fake wooden paneling and a few options that would 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 totally.
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 fairly than the higher echelon mannequin’s hidden lights. Each these options make the wagon barely cleaner wanting and, as a byproduct of their absence, a bit lighter.
This automobile has some efficiency chops, too. Based on 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 automobile was constructed, B2 Stealth bombers had been secretively constructed in the identical plant after Ford bought the ability to Northrop Grumman.
Per the vendor, this Nation Sedan has spent its total life not removed from residence and, therefore, is rust and rot-free. The 390 has had quite a lot of work achieved, together with a 0.30-over re-bore fitted with new pistons, ported heads, a scorching cam, and a manufacturing facility 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 large block makes nice energy in all places within the RPM Vary. The wave of torque is limitless and there’s nice passing energy at any pace.
That manufacturing facility consumption does want an oil fill cap because the rubberband-held rag isn’t chopping it.
The automobile isn’t with out extra 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 automobile’s present ‘rat rod’ presentation.
A serape-style seat cowl retains front-seat passengers from figuring out the evils beneath, whereas the again seat appears intact and with out comparable points. Different complaints embody frumpy door playing cards and rubber climate seals which have largely retired from the sport. Mechanically and functionally, the wiper motor and gasoline sender want consideration; the door locks should be re-keyed; and the heater would require re-connecting.
On the plus aspect, none of those points is insurmountable or ought to be seen as a deal killer. In spite of everything, the vendor has apparently been utilizing the automobile 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 automobile vital 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 automobile? 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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