How many 1957 Ford Ranch wagons were made?
Approximately 90,000 Ranch Wagons were built for the 1957 model year, though exact figures vary by source and counting method.
The 1957 Ford Ranch Wagon was Ford’s entry in the full-size station-wagon segment, sitting alongside more upscale wood-trim models like the Country Squire. Production data by model-year and body style are not always published in a single official figure, which leads to widely cited estimates from automotive reference books, archives, and enthusiast databases. This article explains what is known, how counts differ, and where to look for the most precise numbers.
What is a Ranch Wagon?
The Ranch Wagon name was used by Ford for its base-model station wagon in the late 1950s, featuring practical full-size wagon packaging without the premium trim found on the Country Squire or Country Sedan. In 1957, Ford offered several wagon variants, and the Ranch Wagon was typically counted separately from the more upmarket wagons, even though they shared mechanicals and platforms.
Versions and body styles
For 1957, Ranch Wagon configurations included different door counts and options, which can affect official tallies depending on whether a source groups all Ranch-branded wagons together or separates two-door and four-door variants. This nuance helps explain why production numbers differ between references.
Production estimates and what they mean
Below are the commonly cited figures and how sources frame them. Keep in mind that there is no single universally accepted official number published by Ford for that year.
- Standard reference catalogs and automotive histories often present a mid-range figure around 90,000 units, noting that counts vary by whether variants are counted separately or together under the Ranch Wagon label.
- Ford historical archives and dealer records generally acknowledge that precise year-by-year counts by body style were not released in a simple public table; estimates can span from roughly 60,000 up to about 110,000 depending on counting conventions.
- Enthusiast publications, auction catalogs, and online databases provide context and ranges rather than fixed numbers, highlighting the documentation challenges of 1950s production reporting and model-year overlaps.
Whatever the exact figure, the Ranch Wagon’s production sits within a broad range, with many estimates converging near a mid-point in the tens of thousands. The lack of a single official tally means collectors and historians often rely on published catalogs and archival research to triangulate a best-guess number.
Summary
The exact production figure for the 1957 Ford Ranch Wagon is not published as a single official tally by Ford. The best-supported ballpark places the total around 90,000 units, with a wider plausible range of roughly 60,000 to 110,000 depending on counting methods and sources. For the most precise figure, consult Ford’s historical archives or the Standard Catalog of American Cars, and cross-check multiple archival references.
