A Custom Rodded 1957 Ford Ranch Wagon with Supercharged 5.4L Ford Power
Danny Shaffer is a successful rancher, a longtime hot rodder, and a Ford fan. So, it only makes sense that his stable of custom vehicles would eventually include a vintage Ford Ranch Wagon in it. This ’57, recently finished by Ironworks Speed & Kustom, certainly fits the bill.
If Danny’s name sounds familiar, it might be because you remember his Ironworks-built ’67 Mustang, which was the Goodguys 2023 Street Machine of the Year. Or maybe his ’33 Ford roadster pickup, a 2025 Classic Instruments Street Rod of the Year finalist. Those are just two of the many noteworthy rides in Danny’s barn, which just got much cooler with the addition of this wagon.
While the Ford retains much of its classic style, it has been thoroughly reimagined from the ground up. This began with a Roadster Shop chassis, which delivers more modern suspensions, a 9-inch rearend, and Wilwood disc brakes behind custom EVOD wheels inspired by vintage Halibrands. The new chassis supports a supercharged, all-aluminum 5.4-liter Ford engine from a Shelby GT500, which has been thoughtfully detailed and augmented with a custom cooling system, a one-off exhaust with Magnaflow mufflers, and a 4R70W automatic transmission.
The body received what Ironworks’ Rodger Lee calls a “nip and tuck and clean up.” Beyond massaging panels straight and refining gaps, this included custom bumpers tucked tighter to the body, custom engine bay paneling, a custom hood vent, custom headlight rings, and custom side and tailgate trim that mimics the original but is much more precise. Mick’s Paint gets credit for the first-class finish of Mini Cooper Cream and Super Black.
There’s much more custom work inside, most of it done using CAD, 3D printing, and custom billet machine work. The fact that it looks like it could be original is a credit to the Ironworks design team. The dashboard, for example, is a one-off design that incorporates custom-machined trim, Dakota Digital gauges, A/C vents, and a retro-style radio, with a drop-down center section that flows into a custom center console. There, you’ll find more custom trim, a one-off bezel for the Vintage Air system, and a Lokar shifter.
The Ironworks team even built the custom seats, which were then skillfully upholstered in red Relicate leather by Cato’s Custom Upholstery. The custom door panels were designed and upholstered to match and feature more custom trim. A custom OE-style steering wheel and one-off headliner treatment are some of the just-right finishing touches.
Finished early this year, Danny’s fine ’57 Ford is not only a standout example of custom rod style, but it just might also be the coolest ranch cruiser in the West.
Congratulations to Danny Shaffer for being named a Finalist for the Goodguys 2026 Vintage Air Custom Rod of the Year with his 1957 Ford Ranch Wagon built by Ironworks Speed & Kustom.
Photos: Michael Christensen, Damon Lee
