Image Credit: Lou Costabile / YouTube.A late-1950s station wagon usually brings to mind chrome, fins, bench seats, and leisurely cruising. Straight-line surprises are not typically part of the package.This 1959 Ford Ranch Wagon certainly looks the part, with red-and-white paint, period styling, and an interior that still carries much of its original character. Even the luggage in the cargo area was selected to match the era.The car appeared recently on Lou Costabile's YouTube channel, where owners Don and Cheryl Hall showed it at Midnight at the Oasis in Yuma, Arizona. Don has owned the Ford since 2019, although a Ranch Wagon wasn't originally what he set out to buy.AdvertisementAdvertisementFrom the outside, very little suggests that anything unusual is happening underneath. Pop the hood, however, and this vintage family hauler suddenly makes a lot more sense when its owners talk about surprising people on the street.Don Was Actually Looking For A ChevroletImage Credit: Lou Costabile / YouTube.Don originally wanted a 1959 Chevrolet station wagon, largely because he liked that model's distinctive taillights. The examples he found were either too expensive or in poor condition, which eventually led him to this Ford instead.Finding another two-door 1959 Ranch Wagon isn't especially easy, either. Don told Costabile that he has only seen one other example, and that car was in considerably rougher condition.His Ford retains the unmistakable styling of the period, including rear fins, prominent taillights, a wraparound windshield, and long, clean body sides. Don and Cheryl have also paired it with a period-style trailer that Cheryl jokingly calls the wagon's "accessory."A 1995 Mustang Donated Its V8Image Credit: Lou Costabile / YouTube.The major surprise sits under the hood. Instead of its original-era drivetrain, the Ranch Wagon uses a 5.0-liter V8 sourced from a 1995 Ford Mustang.AdvertisementAdvertisementThat means the old wagon now carries the familiar 302-cubic-inch small-block associated with the final years of the Fox-platform Mustang era. The conversion also includes the Mustang's electronically controlled overdrive automatic transmission.Don said the overdrive was an important part of the swap because it lowers engine rpm at highway speeds and makes the wagon easier to live with. The installation is tidy enough that someone unfamiliar with the car could easily assume the engine belonged there.It certainly doesn't sound completely stock once fired up. The V8 produces a noticeable rumble, and Don said the wagon has surprised people on the street, including at least one occasion when it managed a burnout.Most Of The Interior Is Still OriginalImage Credit: Lou Costabile / YouTube.Don said the interior is original aside from additions including air conditioning, carpet, cupholders, and seat belts. The odometer shows approximately 87,000 miles, which he said is the car's original mileage. Period details remain throughout the cabin, including the Ford radio and the simple dashboard layout.AdvertisementAdvertisementEven the added air-conditioning unit was chosen to look appropriate for the era. That approach keeps the cabin from feeling heavily modified despite the mechanical changes underneath.The rear-seat arrangement is equally old-school, with the front seat folding forward to provide access to the back. Roll-down rear windows and the large glass area reinforce just how different a late-1950s wagon feels from a modern crossover.It Still Looks Like A Proper '59 FordThe strongest part of the build may be how little the drivetrain swap changes the Ranch Wagon's personality. There are no giant wheels, modern body panels, or aggressive exterior modifications advertising what is under the hood.Instead, it still presents as a clean 1959 Ford with the sort of details that attract attention at shows and on the highway. Cheryl said people regularly stare, take photos, shoot videos, and honk when they see it.AdvertisementAdvertisementThat makes the Mustang-powered conversion especially entertaining. It looks like a beautifully preserved family wagon from 1959, right up until the 5.0-liter V8 starts rumbling and reminds everyone that this particular Ranch Wagon has learned a few tricks from the 1990s.If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you don't miss what's coming next.