This 1964 Ford Country Squire isn’t the cleanest or nicest example of Ford’s big wagon, but there is something about this particular car that grabs my attention. Maybe it’s the unusual rust patterns and patina. Or perhaps it is the fact that it’s the top of the line Galaxy wagon with the 390 V8 and just about every feature you could option these with. I’m not sure what is so appealing about an old wagon that has seen 128k miles, but there is just something truly honest about it. If like me, you find this station wagon strangely appealing, you can find it here on eBay in Gig Harbor, Washington. Happy Wagon Wednesday!
For a wagon with over a hundred thousand miles, this one is actually in surprisingly good shape. I’ve seen family wagons with far fewer miles in much worse shape, especially on the inside. Sure it isn’t perfect in there, but it is complete and intact. The seller claims the original owner bought the car to go on vacations in, which could explain the decent overall condition and the high mileage. The second owner apparently put it in storage with lofty dreams for it, but never got around to doing anything with it. The car then went into the seller’s garage and that’s where it has stayed ever since. Rather than let it rust further, the current owner has decided this big wagon deserves to go to a home where it might actually see the road again.
When I think of massive family cars, the last thing I think of is performance, but with a 390 cui V8 this family hauler should have some get up and go. The 390 wasn’t the largest V8 Ford had to offer, but it was the largest offered in the Country Squire. With 300 horsepower, it should be more than adequate for most. The seller claims the engine currently runs and the transmission shifts through the gears, but hasn’t driven it. The brakes are in need of serious attention, so at this point the car isn’t drivable. After working on our ’65 Mustang, I don’t imagine it will be real difficult to get everything operating correctly and get this one rolling down the road again.
It appears the seller also has several other rough and rusty cars, including another wagon. I’m not sure what the story is behind them – perhaps they got all three from the same location? The other two cars are Ford Futuras, but of the three the Country Squire is the one I would want. It has some rust issues that will need to be addressed, but given its Galaxie underpinnings it shouldn’t be hard to get replacement sheet metal. I’m not sure why I like the looks of this wagon so much, but there is just something about a Country Squire Wagon that I love. So would you go for this big wagon or would rather have its smaller sibling?
This looks like it was covered with a thin plastic sheet, like a dropcloth. Moisture gets underneath and can’t escape, and it destroys the paint. I had this happen to one of my cars while I was away at college. It was parked behind the house and at some point someone (I don’t recall if it was me or my dad or the wind) left a bunched-up plastic dropcloth on the hood for a month or so. It rained, got wet, and the trapped water permanently etched the paint. It had blotchy bleached-out areas that looked just like the patterns of surface rust on this wagon.
I agree that this car looks more appealing than most “patina” cars. I think the reason is that the rust blends so well with the brown color and brown siding. This could look really cool wet sanded and hit with a protective matte clear coat.
The interior is identical to the one in the car my dad purchased new around that time. He was very proud of the fact that he special ordered an upscale Country Squire interior in a Country Sedan body. As a 7 year oId, I saw the world from the back of that wagon, and it was a great view!
I learned to drive in an almost identical car in 1968. Whew, great memories of an open road cruiser that would go down the highway as smooth as could be. Thanks for posting!
We had a 62′ & a 67′ Ford Country Squires when I was a kid. I still remember sitting on the open tailgate with a couple of friends going to the park two blocks away. Try that today & you’ll get locked up for child abuse or some other stupid thing!!
They only thing better would be a 427 under the hood.
this seller has a lot of interesting listings on ebay. i like all three cars all of which would make great daily drivers. this big ford wagon would be fun with the 390 but better if it had a manual transmission. great finds
The attraction for me is that the car seems relatively complete. Like the rest of us we’re showing some rust at our advanced age. Maybe there’s hope for this car and us too! :)
The old Detroit wagons have a very strong following. I was impressed-really, with the condition of the interior. Love the cool 390 fender emblems. This is a great candidate for a resto-rod wagon. Sure beats the hell out out traditional family movers. How great would be to red tore this wagon and take your family along the old Route 66?!
Funny, twenty-five years ago, this car could have been bought for $350.00 – they were even less in demand than the ’64 Galaxie 4 door sedan back then!
The real challenge in restoring this car will be tracking down the N.O.S. station wagon only trim parts that just aren’t being reproduced. Although this would be a fun, comfortable car to cruise around in once restored; modern disk brake upgrades can be accomplished, and there are plenty of go-fast parts to make it move – the tough one will be the suspension improvements. These cars coined the phrase “body roll” and locking up the brakes at 60 mph could well send the rear bumper flying over the top of the car with the accompanying nose dive that front end is going to be taking! Nevertheless, buy it, rework it, and enjoy the “George Baxter special” – you’ll have the only one at the cruise-in!
I also have a 1964 Country Squire Wagon. It came from the factory with a 427 and t-10 four speed transmission. I have been told it is one of six built. The trim can be found, but the N.O.S, trim pieces usually will not match each other. The trim is painted, not decalled . This car will be shown for the time at THE CORVETTE AND MUSCLE CAR NATIONALS in 2018.
I love it just the way it sits there.
Seal the hood with a clear coat, done !
What a design not to be replicated.
Looks like a Canadian build. Apparently no one could summon up the energy to replace the brakes, cylinders and lines……..wonder why? Given where it is located and its Canadian origin its going to be rusty rusty rusty…….
The carpet looks like its hiding some nasty mold. On the upside the interior seat fabric looks phenomenol. Be a fun project with lots of money needed
My dad had a 67 Ford Galaxy 500 that had all the options. It was a 4 door sedan. My dad used as his work car. He would drive it all week with no problems. I borrow it on the weekend for a date and something would fall off or break every time. I hated it. It was a nice cruiser but it kept embarrassing me in front of my girlfriend and getting me in trouble with my dad. I think the brake warning light was finally disconnected because no one could fix it.