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390-Powered Wagon: 1969 Ford Country Squire

This 1969 Ford Country Squire wagon isn’t perfect, but it presents as a solid driver you can get in and use immediately, whether for parts or people hauling with no concerns about parking it at the hardware store. The seller notes he’s got room for six and his dog, and that the 390 can haul the whole shebang around with ease. The hideaway headlights give the wagon an extra dose of aggression, while the wood paneling takes you back to an era when Route 66 beckoned and the McDonald’s drive-through was brand new. The wagon is listed here on craigslist in Michigan for $7,500.

This time of year, the big, family wagon conjures up images of the family heading off to pick up a Christmas tree and strap it to the roof racks, or driving around at night to take in the light show courtesy of fellow neighbors. Having just purchased a vehicle capable of hauling seven people in a good amount of comfort, I can tell you that a vehicle that can comfortably transport more than three other warm bodies is a great thing to have. The Country Squire has somewhat tired cosmetics, but the seller notes there are no major rust spots to be concerned about. The chrome bumpers present well enough, but it does appear to be missing a hubcap out back.

These wagons occupy a strange spot in my brain, as there was one half sunk into a stream that my father and I used to go fishing in. Anyone who knows the Wappingers Falls area of upstate New York may indeed know the spot, but a bright red with wood paneling wagon similar to this (perhaps a few years newer) sat far, far off the road – in the middle of a field, really – with its nose in the mud and the back suspended in the air. I never knew how it got there, but it was eventually removed and sent to the scrapyard as they were hardly valuable vehicles at that point. This example is in that sweet spot of using as-is or as a solid platform for restoration. Interior photos aren’t great, but the bench seats appear to be untorn and the door panels in solid condition; the rear cargo area carpet looks a bit grimy, however.

There’s some surface rust brewing inside the engine bay, but it doesn’t appear severe enough to worry about just yet. The 390 runs and the Country Squire is said to drive without issue. It’s equipped with air conditioning, power steering, and manual windows, so it’s not nearly as loaded as some wagons are; conversely, there’s less to break, like those powered rear tailgates that are usually troublesome by this point in the wagon’s life. The price would suggest you don’t want to just use it as a cheap hauler, but there’s also a question as to whether it’s worth restoring – if it were a little cheaper, it might make the decision easier. How would you use this big-bodied Country Squire wagon?

Comments

  1. Avatar mackey4cars

    i love old stationwagons too.

    Like 5
  2. Avatar mackey4cars

    i love old wagons too.

    Like 0
  3. Avatar mike

    $750 maybe but not $7500.

    Like 10
    • Avatar Steve R

      It may not be worth $7,500, but suggestion it’s only worth $750 is actually funny.

      Steve R

      Like 7
    • Avatar TJM

      My favorite years for the Ford Country Squire were 1966-1970. This one is very rough and replacement trim or interior trim is basically impossible to find! Not worth more than $500 as I believe this one to be an impossible project to complete.

      Like 3
  4. Avatar Sam61

    Nice project for $3500. Add some T-Bird bucket seats, console and Ford mag wheels.

    Hopefully the next owner is more environmentally responsible and replaces the old growth hardwood di-noc with bamboo fiber di-noc. Everyone knows that bamboo fiber di-noc is more eco friendly.

    Like 7
    • Avatar bone

      The grille is broken too, but I’m sure its the least of the issues you’d have

      Like 1
    • Avatar DON

      Is there a company that makes replacement di-noc woodgrain for cars like this ?

      Like 0
  5. Avatar nlpnt

    Red valve covers on a Ford?

    Like 4
    • Avatar Luke Fitzgerald

      From a Mercury

      Like 3
    • Avatar Bob C.

      My thought exactly.

      Like 1
  6. Avatar Matt in L.A.

    Not for $7500. First, he calls it a 70 in the text. He is not a car guy. It’s not clear if or how well this runs, no matter what he says. Next, he says it has A/C but all the components under the hood have been removed. I’d be tempted with a 69 Country Squire with a 390 (My dad bought one new) but for this price, I can walk away. It will cost too much to put it back together at this price. Too bad. Nice color.

    Like 7
  7. Avatar Kenneth Carney

    Would like to have it, but not for that price. Our misguided friend here thinks
    he has something rare here but he doesn’t. For what he’s charging, you
    could get a nicer one if you looked
    hard enough. Hope you all had a great
    Thanksgiving too. We sure did.

    Like 1
  8. Avatar chrlsful

    390, must be a C6 too. Seems “all truck” to me (some 4 wheel convert them). Justa heavy sled (along w/alota others). Gimmie the dwn sized ’83/6, 1 yr granada, fairmont – all good wagons ~ 100 inch wheel base. OEM – 4 different engines, select according to your tastes…

    Like 0
  9. Avatar gaspumpchas

    Need to check the frame real good, these years were notorious for rotten frames, and by the looks of the inner fenders alone the ironworms are hard at work, too bad these were good reliable wagons. Looks like the a/c was removed in a hurry. Know what you are buying. Good luck and stay safe.
    Cheers
    GPC

    Like 2
  10. Avatar FordGuy1972 Member

    I’ll have to agree with the previous comments, this well worn wagon is a little pricey. As pointed out previously, wagon specific pieces will be difficult and expensive to acquire. I guess you could drive it as-is though for less than the ask but if you wanted to restore it, that will cost you. If you really want one, save your money and try to find a nicer one.

    Like 1
  11. Avatar CCFisher

    Hagerty lists a #4 1969 Country Squire at $9700.

    Like 0
  12. Avatar bone

    The grille is broken too, but I’m sure its the least of the issues you’d have

    Like 1
  13. Avatar R.Lee

    Pop loved these cars in the 60’s and 70’s for work, construction and for going to football practice, coach. The one’s we had had rumble back seats. 390’s and 429’s was his flavor.

    Most of these cars ended up being parts cars for coupes or engine donors. I believe hagerty knows that a car that is still has all the parts still on the car has a premium but not no 9 large. If it passes an inspection then a 1,500$ car for some carpenter is all that is left for this steed. And a Michigan car at that.

    Like 1

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