A VINTAGE car lover has restored a 56-year-old car to pristine condition after finding it rotting in a barn with damage from a falling tree.
Jakob Moser knew he struck gold after uncovering the 1961 Ford Country Squire in rural Austria, but a nasty issue under the hood made restoration a huge headache.
The Ford Country Squire Station Wagon is a beloved classic model that hasn’t been in production in decades[/caption]
Classic car lover Jakob Moser found an abandoned 1961 model and restored it back to health[/caption]
After six years of work, Moser was finally able to repair damage left by rats and a fallen tree[/caption]
That’s because rats had infested the engine space and created a nest as the classic car sat abandoned in the barn for decades.
The interior of the car was also in shambles, as years of wear and tear left the seats collapsed, rotting and covered in dirt, Auto Evolution reported.
The bright red lining was left peeling from the ceilings, and the back framing had completely crumbled under the weight of the falling tree.
The drivers seat, meanwhile, was mainly kepts in tact, and the car still had its original radio and gorgeous red steering wheel.
On the outside, the car seemed in better shape, and the tree damage was the biggest eyesore.
Though it was covered with rust and dirt, you could still see the makings of a once beautiful blue, white, and wood-paneled car.
The Country Squire was a staple in America from the 1960s to the 1980s as the boom in childbirths created a need for four-door cars.
It was the birth of the SUV, and Ford had already mastered a two-row seat beauty with a stylish interior and trunk space.
Finding such a rare American beauty all the way in Austria doesn’t happen every day, so Moser knew the project was worth the plunge.
He also recognized that Ford’s high-quality production likely held up over the years despite the decades of abandonment, so he signed the dotted line and took it home from the Dutch dealer.
First, Moser had to get the engine rebuilt, and put in an international order for a brand new upholstery in the car’s original colors.
The entire process took six long years, but it was worth it after Moser drove the pristine ride to a car show in Italy.
Now, the model has a gorgeous bright red interior with white striped leather seats and a print rug at the driver’s feet.
Under the hood, the engine bay is painted with a stunning steel blue, and the engine has been signed by every person who helped rebuild the car.
Moser, a couple of friends, his wife, and their daughters all helped to repair the car.
What is the Ford Country Squire?
THE Ford Country Squire is a vintage model that’s beloved by car collector’s for its impressive size and unique design.
The model was first produced in 1950 – right when baby boomers were starting to buy SUVs to fit their growing families.
The Country Squire is most known for its signature wood sided paneling and extragent nine-seat rows.
The car also had excessive trunk space in the back for road trips or camping.
The model peaked in popularity in the 60s, as sales increased 600% throughout the decade.
In 1969, a whopping 129,000 models were sold.
Ford discontinued the model in 1991 because of waning interest.
MORE CLASSIC CARS
The Ford Country Squire became one of Ford’s top models after it was introduced in the early 1950s.
It was beloved by families for its relatively affordable price stage, could fit up to nine passengers.
From 1960 to 1969, sales for the model skyrocketed almost 600%.
The classic car love comes after a brand new vintage car museum opened that features 225 classic vehicles.
Some cars date all the way back to 1903, and the museum even has 48 Ford Model Ts.
Another classic car nut has collected 24 enviable rides, including a Ford Model A and a dashing red 1953 sedan.
