Paradise Lodging of Athens

National Drive An Old Car to Work Month is staying with wagons but going back in time to the fabulous 50s. Today’s feature is the rarely seen 1958 Edsel Bermud...a wagon. This was a one year only model with only 2,235 of these wagons built. I love the colors and the original green tinted glass. The Edsel car was a disaster for Ford Motor but over time a loyal fan base has developed and many in the car hobby enjoy seeing this brand on the road and at shows. The Bermuda represented the highest trim level available within the Edsel brand for a station wagon, and was only available during Edsel's introductory year of 1958. In addition to deluxe interior appointments, the Bermuda also was outfitted with simulated wood panels and frames, a hallmark of premium station wagon models produced by Ford and Mercury. The Bermuda came in six and nine-passenger configurations. To separate the Bermuda from Ford models, the Bermuda received Edsel's front fascia and vertical grille assembly as well as unique boomerang-shaped taillights. The shape of the taillights posed a problem when used as turn indicators the left hand taillight appeared as an arrow pointing right and vice versa from a distance. All station wagons shared the Edsel Ranger's engine availability with a 361 cu in V8 as standard, as was a three-speed manual transmission. Buyers also had the option of a three-speed automatic transmission with a standard column-mounted gear selector, or could choose Edsel's highly promoted but trouble-prone Teletouch automatic, which placed its drive-selection buttons in the steering wheel hub. #NDAOCTWM. Get out and drive!

National Drive An Old Car to Work Month still has a few wagons to share. Today you are viewing Ford’s majestic full sized wagon for 1977. I purchased this Co...untry Squire from the original owner near Portland Oregon. It is all original. I flew out and drove the car back across the country. But I took 3 years to finish the trip. I stored it in Santa Rosa California and then traveled the Pacific Coast highway. It was stored in Phoenix Arizona and used to visit the Grand Canyon. She stayed in Salt Lake City for a while and traveled to the national parks in Utah. We traveled from Utah to Michigan pulling a 1952 Silver Streak trailer to be restored. And finally from Michigan to Georgia. Has the optional 4 wheel disc brakes, tow package and 460 V8. Gets about 8 mpg going uphill or down. The Ford LTD Country Squire was the premium station wagon of the Ford division and the Country Squire was distinguished by its external woodgrain trim. From the 1950 to 1991 model years, eight generations of the Country Squire were produced. Starting with 1973 model year, the Ford full-size car line was given a major update. While still built on the same chassis and 121-inch wheelbase, the addition of 5 mph bumpers would add over six inches in length to the LTD Country Squire by the end of the 1974 model year. These would also be the longest and heaviest station wagons ever produced by Ford. #NDAOCTWM. GET OUT AND DRIVE.

I promised this week of National Drive An Old Car to Work Month would be about wagons. But we aren’t ready to leave the 1970s just yet. The ultimate in 70s mo...toring has to be the Ford Pinto. Not just any Pinto but the Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon from 1977. Here is an article to teach you about this fabulous phase of car design. https://www.motorauthority.com//1070974_guilty-pleasure-fo This car was purchased locally (see the original invoice in the photos). The owner saw the ad pairing this wagon with the matching van and put in his order. This was the family car until 1986 and then placed in dry storage. It has been reconditioned to be a good driver and left original. Four speed with air conditioning and am/fm radio. #NDAOCTWM. Get out and drive!

What a cool vehicle! Adventure ready and oh so vintage!

The 70’s vehicles continue to dominate National Drive An Old Car to Work Month with the presentation of this 1978 International Harvester Scout II. It is alway...s fun to find low mileage all original vehicles to enjoy and preserve. This is a prime example of everything a Scout II should be! This exterior is a rustic Woodbine Green with the white Rallye Stripes. Some of the original Rallye decals have shrunk and chipped over the last 36 years. This Scout came factory equipped with both a hard top and the removable bikini top. The factory hardtop comes adorned with the optional luggage rack. It also left the factory in Fort Wayne, Indiana with heavy-duty shock absorbers. The Parchment vinyl interior screams originality. The minor wear and tear on the driver’s seat brings some slight patina and authenticity of driver experience to the Scout. The rest of the interior, including the headliner, is in incredible shape. The original Line Setting Ticket shows that this SUV has a tilt steering wheel, as well as a sport power steering wheel. A 304 cubic inch V8 is mated with a T-407 3-speed automatic transmission and a TC-145 2-speed transfer case. The A/C is operable and blows cold. Original documents include the Line Setting Ticket, detailing how this late-model Scout II left the assembly line. Also included is the original Owner’s Manual, Indiana Registration Slip, Sales Invoice and Inspection Report. The current mileage is 23,234 which is believed to be original. #NDAOCTWM. Get out and drive.