With classic station wagons continuing to gain traction in the market, it is never a surprise to find one where the bidding is spirited when it is listed for sale. Such is the case with this 1963 Ford Country Squire. It is a surprisingly solid old classic with a barnstorming V8 under the hood. Its needs are pretty minimal, and it runs and drives well. With 81,000 genuine miles on the clock, it should offer many years of reliable and enjoyable classic motoring to its next owner. Located in Woodland, California, you will find the Country Squire listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has already raced past the reserve and currently sits at $10,500.
It isn’t clear when the owner located and revived this Country Squire, but the impression is that it wasn’t that long ago. He indicates that it had been parked since 1975, meaning that it could have spent at least four decades in isolation. It seems that its storage environment may have been relatively favorable because while its original Black paint shows its age, the wagon is remarkably free from significant rust. The passenger side rear floor pan is rotted, as is the spare wheel tub. Both will require patching or replacement, but that seems to be the extent of the problems. The rest of the floors wear little more than surface corrosion, the frame is solid, and the exterior looks extremely clean. The faux-woodgrain vinyl is as tired as the paint, but with kits available for under $350, addressing that issue won’t break the bank. The chrome is in an acceptable state for a survivor-grade car, although some pieces would benefit from a trip to the platers if they are to present at their best. The chrome roof rack is a practical addition, and the tinted glass looks excellent. The only area of the wagon that raises any questions is the wheel combination. It appears that there are at least three different types fitted to the vehicle during the photoshoot, so potential buyers may need to clarify what is included with this classic.
The Country Squire’s interior sends potential buyers mixed messages. While the backseat looks good, the remaining Red vinyl trim is tired and tattered. There is no headliner, nor is there carpet. When you add a cracked dash pad to the equation, the buyer will be left with little choice but to perform a total interior re-trim. This is unlikely to be a cheap undertaking, although it does represent a one-off cost in a restoration of this type. Trim kits generally sell for around $2,300, but that would return the interior to its former glory. While the interior may be cavernous, its included equipment sees it offering more comfort than your average cave. As well as air conditioning, occupants benefit from power windows, an AM radio, and a factory clock. That might not seem much by today’s standards, but I would rather have those features than live without them!
Finding yourself behind the wheel of a family wagon doesn’t necessarily mean having to live with wishy-washy performance. That is the case with this Country Squire because its engine bay is home to its original 390ci V8 that churns out 300hp. The rest of the drivetrain includes a C6 automatic transmission, a 9″ rear end, power steering, and power brakes. Ford might have designed this Country Squire to cart a family of six, but this wagon should be capable of propelling them down the ¼ mile in 16.5 seconds. The owner claims that this Country Squire has 81,000 miles on the clock, but it isn’t clear whether he holds evidence to confirm that these miles are genuine. However, that figure seems plausible if the vehicle has been sitting since 1975. It isn’t clear what work he performed to return the car to a roadworthy state, but I can see a new brake master cylinder and booster. He says that the car runs and drives exceptionally well, suggesting that it is a turnkey proposition ready to be driven and enjoyed. That will leave the next owner with the choice to undertake any restoration work immediately or drive and enjoy this wagon and wait until circumstances are more favorable before waving their magic wand over it.
Owning a family wagon doesn’t necessarily equate to putting up with second best when it comes to the question of performance. That is definitely the case with this 1963 Ford Country Squire. It seems to represent a pretty straightforward restoration, and its drivetrain combination suggests that it would be an enjoyable classic when the right pedal is depressed to the floor. It is an enormously practical vehicle, and given its solid nature, it would be a great family project. If you have been searching for such a wagon, maybe you need to give this Country Squire a closer look.
What a great car . Pile in and head for the lake 🙌
These were available with 6cyl and 2spd ford0matic autos..up to a 390 4sp. Great variety
But the 390 is pretty much needed to haul this heavy beast around. It would be a real slug with the “Mileage Maker ” six, or a 289. The 352 was a 220 horsepower 2 barrel that year, so it would have done OK, but not great if you wanted performance.
A great elder neighbor of mine had a factory 427/4 speed of this vintage! Fast!
His son still has it, and a factory 62 Galaxie, 406 with 2, 4 bbls! I want them both!
I had one of these without the wood, 3 speed stick with the 6cyl. I couldn’t out run a cat bus, but it rode like a baby buggy.
Possibly a later model 390. Wrong intake manifold (no oil fill tube), valve covers, and air cleaner. Maybe a 67-70 engine.
Cool car in a great color combo. Would love to see it restored.
Sat outside for decades unfortunately. Don’t believe it is the jewel that seller suggests. Wrong engine, missing AC components under the hood. Headliner rotted out and gone with rust showing dash is cracked from exposure. Unless you are into rat rods this would be a big no.
It’s amazing how much clapped-out wagons like this one are going for these days.
I’m waiting for some company to manufacture an updated version of these, similar to the ’57 Tbird and Porsche replicas.
love it
I cut my eye teeth on my dad’s ‘63 Country Sedan. It was blue with matching interior. We had the 289 with the two speed automatic. I did all the cleaning, wash and wax because I wanted to! No a/c, clock or carpeting. Six passenger and crank windows. This was when I was twelve and I’ve been a car buff forever.
The woodgrain mounding is metal and extremely hard to find. I looked at a blue version that had a couple of these missing. The owner replaced one made out of wood by gentleman who restored woodies. He stated he looked for a year or so with no luck. I passed!
When I was a freshman in high school (’65) my shop teacher had a maroon ’63 County Sedan wagon with the 390 and four speed. Gorgeous car. Most of us found it strange that this short, rotund bald guy with a wife and kids drove this cool hot rod station wagon. He and his ’63 wagon were still there when I graduated.