Introducing MadRat from Holland

Hi,

I'm married and we have a great son of 13.
I'm working as a restorer/conservator at the municipal buro of archeology of the oldest city of the Netherlands: Nijmegen.
After owning and driving several (seventies) Dodge trucks, I decided it was time to find something more comfortable because I have severe back problems.
So I recently sold my old bumpy Dodge truck and bought myself this '68 Ford Ranch Wagon...
Not the most common wagon in Holland, as far as I know there are only two other '68 Ranch Wagons in my country..

specs:
* Ford Ranch Wagon
* 302 cui engine
* Edelbrock intake
* KN X-Treme airfilter
* Headers and dual exhaust
* Hijacker shocks
* HURST floorshifter
* Transmission shift kit.
* 9" axle
* Runs on LPG (liquid propane gas)

It runs great, but need some little work on the body and interior, though I'm not planning to restore it completely. I love the 'used' look it has...
And I need to find a set of 4 steel rims...

Best regards from Holland,
Marcel aka "MadRat"

 

Welcome.

Your wagon appears to be well cared for. Any idea of its history?

 

It was 1st registered in the Netherlands on 4/13/2000
The previous owner drove it for approx 1½ year..

That's all I know....... would love to find out more of it's history...

 

Welcome aboard MadRat!

 

Welcome MadRat. Beautiful wagon. I don't know how common it is to find one in Europe, but the mechanical overdrive automatic transmission from the late 80s Ford cars and pick up trucks will bolt up easily to your 302 Windsor engine, and that will give you significantly better fuel economy on the highway. I don't know how to do the conversion for the LPG, but in terms of gasoline 7 litres per 100 kms is easily attainable and with the headers and Edelbrock intake (IF it is a Performer series) and the Edelbrock 1401 4 bbl carburetor body, tuned to the engine, 5.5 litres per 100 kms is very attainable. That gives fuel consumption close to that of the mid-90s Volkswagen Golf TDI.

 

OK, this is something which definetely sounds interesting... thanks for the info.

 

to the forum. As conservator of archeology you should easily get into the nuts and bolts, or bones, of that ole wagon. looks very nice to me.
About the overdrive auto and 302, I had that setup in a 1949 Ford and got over 20 MPG here in the USA. Have fun.
By the way if you look that up in the Auto Parts store computer you may have clerks scratchin their heads.

 

Welcome and nice wagon MadRat!

 

to the wagon train, Marcel!

 

Welcome aboard! Nice wagon you've got there. I was in the Army stationed in Europe for 7 years and did the Nijmegen March once - very pretty area you live in! 100 miles in 4 days, wearing full military gear (full TA-50 plus rucksack). Key word is "once".

 

AWESOME!!
The Nijmegen 4-days marches are famous AND notorious in the entire world.
42.000 walkers (civilian and militairy) from over 60 countries trying to complete it every summer.
I tried to complete it once (I was 16 back then), but blood blisters forced me to give up on the last day...
Deep respect for those who are walking this (hell-)march to the end...

Where were you stationed?

 

Marcel


Great looking Wagon!

 

Welcome Madrat! Nice looking Ranch wagon! Hope you enjoy the forum!

 

to the wagon train, rat! Glad to have you join our wagon family. The 68 Fords are great wagons and yours looks very nice. Have fun with it and keep us updated regularly!

 

I was in Berlin from '81 to '85 when the wall was still up and the city was divided into British, French, American and Russian sectors. You could travel freely through the Brit, French and US sectors - you had to go through Checkpoint Charlie to get to the Russian sector. Very interesting duty assignment. That's where I was stationed when we did Nijmegen. I went back to Germany and was stationed in Frankfurt from '87 to '90. I am planning a trip to Europe next year - want to spend a couple of weeks riding the trains and visiting some of the places I got to see while I was there. Take care!