1996 Ford Club Wagon

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Updated: November 10, 1999
1996 Ford Club Wagon

1996 Ford Club Wagon

The undisputed market leader in the full-size passenger van segment is the Ford Club Wagon, the passenger version of the Econoline van. The Club Wagon, until this model year the only full-size passenger van with body-on-frame construction, has always been head-and-shoulders better than the Chevrolet and Dodge full-size vans, which are built with unitbody construction techniques and simply aren't as stiff or as quiet as the frame-built Ford. The 1996 Chevrolet G-van (see page 112) has switched over to body-on-frame construction and should finally give the Ford some competition in the marketplace.

Walkaround and Interior

Walkaround

With all the modern front-drive minivans available today from The Big Three and All The Rest, why are there still three big passenger vans? Lots of reasons, most of them having to do with ultimate roominess, the trailer-towing capabilities of rear-wheel-drive vans, and the availability of big V-8 engines for pulling Mom, the kids, the dog, all the camping gear, as well as the boat, motor and trailer. For some families, a minivan just doesn't cut it.

Our test Club Wagon was a luxury Chateau version with the 5.0-liter EFI V-8 engine, 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission, sliding side door, chrome rear step bumper, P235/75R-16 tires, front bucket seats, twin swiveling captain's chairs in the second row and a conventional three-passenger third seat, making for a total capacity of seven persons, plus a truly huge storage well behind the third seat. The base price of $23,915 swelled to $27,648 all in, including delivery.

Interior Features

Like the Chevy and Dodge, the Ford van is available in a number of seating configurations for seven, eight or 12 persons (SuperVan version, 20 inches longer, will seat 15), with a six, three V-8s, or a diesel engine for power, sliding or conventional side door, and either a single or double rear doors, and three basic weight ratings, depending on what your family's wants, needs and likes are. Disc/drum ABS brakes are standard.

Driving Impressions

Our enthusiasm for the Ford Club Wagon Chateau is massive. We've driven perhaps 35 examples over the past 20 years, a dozen or so since its latest tune-up in 1992. It's simply smoother, quieter, and better built than its two prime competitors, with a much more integrated feel. The bucket seats are comfortable and supportive enough for thousand-mile days. Its monster 138-inch wheelbase provides a luxurious road ride, even though the front beam-and-coil and rear leaf spring suspension sound primitive. The instrument panel is straightforward, with excellent graphic presentation (no tach, though), and the engine cover has a truly large and flexible storage space built into it for all those family trip items. There are still a few visible screw heads, and some body color paint can be seen on the interior, but overall, this is a quality piece.

Summary, Prices, Specs

Summary

The Club Wagon's current family of engines, the 4.9-liter inline six, the 5.0, 5.7- and 7.5-liter overhead valve V-8s, and the 7.3-liter Power Stroke diesel, is the widest in the industry, adding to the already amazing flexibility offered to the customer by the Club Wagon Chateau. All but the Power Stroke will be gone next year, though, as a new generation of more expensive Ford engines, a 4.2-liter V-6, 4.6- and 5.4-liter V-8s and a 6.8-liter V-10, take over.

Model Line Overview
Model lineup:N/A
Engines:5.0-, 5.8-, 7.5-liter gas, 7.3-liter diesel
Transmissions:N/A
Safety equipment (standard):Dual air bags, ABS
Safety equipment (optional):N/A
Basic warranty:36 months, 50,000 miles
Assembled in:Lorain, Ohio
Specifications As Tested
Model tested (MSPR):Club Wagon Chateau
Standard equipment:4.9-liter I-6 engine, 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission, power steering, power disc/drum brakes, air conditioning, power locks, premium sound system
Options as tested (MSPR):Chateau package, speed control, tilt wheel, clearcoat paint, chrome rear step bumper, 5.0-liter V-8 engine
Destination charge:N/A
Gas guzzler tax:N/A
Price as tested (MSPR):$27648
Layout:N/A
Engine:4.9-liter I-6
Horsepower (lb.-ft @ rpm):145 @ 3400
Torque (lb.-ft @ rpm):265 @ 2000
Transmission:4-speed automatic overdrive
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy:N/A
Wheelbase:138 in.
Length/width/height:211.8/79.3/80.7 in.
Track, f/r:N/A
Turning circle:N/A
Seating Capacity:N/A
Head/hip/leg room, f:N/A
Head/hip/leg room, m:N/A
Head/hip/leg room, r:N/A
Cargo volume:260.8 cu. ft.
Payload:N/A
Towing capacity:7000 Lbs.
Suspension, f:N/A
Suspension, r:N/A
Ground clearance:N/A
Curb weigth:4040 lbs.
Tires:P225/75R-15
Brakes, f/r:11.7-in. disc/12x3-in. drum
Fuel capacity:35.0 gal.
Unless otherwise indicated, specifications refer to test vehicle. All prices are manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSPR) effective as of November 10, 1999.Prices do not include manufacturer's destination and delivery charges. N/A: Information not available or not applicable. Manufacturer Info Sources: 1-800-392-3673 - www.ford.com