Rare Survivor! 1959 Dodge Sierra Wagon
Chrysler’s “Forward Look” wasn’t everyone’s idea of beauty, but for those who love vintage orphans, here’s a fantastic example of a rare Mopar wagon in driver condition. Fewer than 24,000 Sierra wagons – Custom and standard trim – were produced in ’59, and gauging by their scarcity in the marketplace, far fewer survive. This example showcases the latter years of Virgil Exner’s lavish detail-oriented design work, featuring slanted eyebrows, an imposing grille, abundant “aero-motif” tail lamps with bias-cut housings, and reverse-curve fins. The wagon came in six- or nine-passenger configurations (called the “Spectator”); this one is a six. This is a standard trim Sierra; the Custom sported wider side trim with horizontal fluting. The car is located in Broomfield, Colorado, and we have T.J. to thank for the tip!
For several years, “Sierra” was used by Dodge to designate the wagon body style within its Coronet and Royal models; starting in 1956, the wagon was sold under the Sierra nameplate alone. Engine options gradually expanded from the standard six-cylinder to a variety of V8s. This one is a B-series Ram Fire 361 cu. in. V8 with a two-barrel Carter carburetor, good for about 320 hp. The transmission is Chrysler’s pushbutton Torque-Flite three-speed automatic. Repair work performed by a previous owner several years ago includes a valve job, brake rebuild, and gas tank restoration – including the fuel pump and sending unit. The seller says the car runs and shifts well.
Automotive journalists called Dodge’s splashy styling “flair fashion” – designers used trim, body lines, and stitching to divide exteriors and interiors into segments to accommodate two or even three tones. This interior, with its tuxedo upholstery accented with coral, is in decent original condition with a few tears in the front seats, a gently sagging headliner, slightly damaged armrests, and a few similar age-related blemishes. None of these flaws is overt enough to be distracting; overall, the impression is of appropriate patina. Note that the transmission has no setting for “Park”.
The rear window is lazy about declining; the seller suggests lubricating its tracks. The chrome, stainless, aluminum, and other trim is in good condition, and check out those hubcaps! This Sierra wagon is listed here on facebook Marketplace with an asking price of $34,990. Comparables are tough to find, but this Custom Sierra sold for $35,500 a couple of years ago, and Hagerty suggests that prices for very nice examples could be closer to $40k. What do you think – good deal, or pass it by?
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Comments
super rare, but for that price , for me anyway, the car would have to be painted in its original color – I’m a stickler for that !
I agree – I like my cars as they were from the factory!
What an angry face LOL.It looks like it’s been told it must be vaccinated before it can buy groceries.
Beautiful Danno, just beautiful! 🍻
WTH are you going on about and where’s the flag as non-constructive button?
Maybe it’s angry because it forgot it’s I.D., so it can’t buy bread.
IMO it’s the best front of a car ever, and the rear end just as nice.
I meant to add that the sedan rear end is beautiful, certainly not the station wagon
My mom owned a Sierra wagon like this one in the mid through late 1960s. It was the base model with radio, 361 V8 and automatic transmission as its only options. It was a little slow on the getaway but once it got rolling, get out of its way! That mean looking front end must have been terrifying in the car ahead’s rearview mirror!
I think the asking price is optimistic. The link showing a Custom Sierra selling for 35k was in far superior condition. That being said, it’s still in nice condition and is a good example of a reasonably rare wagon.
The BATMOMMY! The Batmobiles Mama lol 😂 Wouldn’t mind having it! 🤙🏽🍻
If the outside is an acquired taste the inside didn’t age well at all. Different is good but indifference not so much.
It’s a wagon so that’s cool I’m just not a fan of the front or the back so I wouldn’t set out to buy it. And it’s a tough call because I would want to customize it but it’s mostly original and customizing would take away from that
I think it is way cool just because there aren’t any. If you want it but think its over priced, just keep looking and find another one!
MR…..a check of Mopar push buttons would find near none with a park button…..there’s some homework.
My dad was going to purchase a Chrysler product as he was always a fan but decided on a ’59 Ford Country Sedan. The first time we took it on vacation the tranny self-destructed going up Rte.395 near Bridgeport. He never forgave himself for not buying a Plymouth or Dodge.
Coy Wayne, what rare treat, dang so many great ones BASRNS GINDS has for us. I would eve take them instead of the Caballero I’m dreaming of.