Anyone who ever doubted the popularity of classic station wagons needs only look at this 1967 Ford Fairlane 500. It looks tired, and the owner has only recently dragged it out of storage after a decade, but it has already received a healthy nineteen bids since he listed it for sale here on eBay. With plenty of time remaining on the auction, there is the possibility that the price could go higher before the hammer falls. If you want a slice of the action, you will find this Ford located in East Chicago, Indiana, where the price sits at $5,100. It is worth noting that this figure remains shy of the reserve.

There’s no denying that this Wagon’s original Vintage Burgundy paint has gone past its “best before” date, and the vehicle would benefit from a cosmetic refresh. However, the buyer will have a few issues to tackle before that shiny new coat is applied. The panels wear a few dings and dents, but none of these are bad enough to justify fitting fresh steel. Of course, there is always the question of rust to consider, and here the news seems largely positive. There are some small spots in the lower rear quarter panels that the buyer could address with patches, but these appear to be the only problems with the vehicle’s exterior. If we climb under this Wagon to take a good poke around, we find one minor and repairable spot on the right-hand torque box. Beyond that, the floors and frame are about as clean as you are ever likely to find. The buyer may consider applying an undercoat to retain it in that state, but that doesn’t need to happen immediately. The glass is in good order, but some of the trim and chrome trim pieces will need to be repaired or replaced. The Wagon rolls on wider wheels, but the owner includes the originals in the sale.

The original owner ordered the Fairlane with the “baby” 289ci V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and four-wheel unassisted drum brakes. That little V8 should be capable of producing 200hp, and while it will never offer jet-like acceleration, it should allow the Wagon to cover the ¼ mile in 19.2 seconds. If potential buyers desire more, extracting additional power from these little V8s is neither difficult nor expensive. The owner has recently dragged the Fairlane out of hibernation after a decade. He says that it runs and drives okay, but he does recommend that the buyer redo the brakes before they hit the road in earnest. Otherwise, the engine sounds good, the transmission seems to work correctly, and the owner has just fitted new tires.

Time marches on, and it seems to have marched across this classic’s interior in army boots. The list of problems that the buyer will need to address is a long one, and when it comes down to it, the most cost-effective solution will be to locate a trim kit. The pad is cracked, the headliner needs replacing, the seat upholstery is badly shredded, and the carpet looks tired and dirty. The financial pain, in this case, is going to be high because a total package will cost the buyer around $2,000. However, with the kit installed, the next owner shouldn’t have to touch anything for decades. For those who enjoy their touches of comfort, this Wagon comes to them equipped with an AM radio and air conditioning.

There are things within the classic world of which you can never be sure. It seems that today’s “must-have” vehicle can quickly become tomorrow’s unwanted orphan. Making bold claims isn’t easy because a person can look like a goose if they get it wrong. However, I am willing to stick out my neck and say that I don’t believe the market’s overwhelming desire for classic wagons is set to end at any stage soon. With no manufacturers producing full-size wagons, the reality is that the current supply is finite. Demand drives prices, and if the supply fails to meet the demand, prices can spiral. That is what is happening now, and there are no models in the foreseeable future that will trickle down to top up that supply. That is why wagons like this ’67 Ford command strong interest and why they achieve impressive prices. If it climbs beyond $10,000 before the auction ends, I won’t be in the least bit surprised. Even at that price, it will remain one of the most affordable structurally sound, V8-equipped examples that you will find in today’s market. That makes this auction worth watching closely.