From 1950 to 1991, the Country Squire was Ford’s top-of-the-line station wagon. In its earliest years, the Squire was a true “Woodie” but those wood panels were soon replaced by facsimile components. From its middle years forward, it was the wagon version of the posh LTD sedans and hardtops. Eight generations of the people mover would be built, including the sixth from 1965-68 that encompassed the seller’s wagon. We’re told this ’66 Squire will start but isn’t likely roadworthy. From Miami, Florida, a complete restoration is needed, which explains why the bidding here on eBay has only reached $610. Another FOMOCO tip from Larry D!
The full-size Fords were redesigned in 1965, so the 1966 models only received a refresh, retaining the stacked headlights the series had gained the prior year. Depending on seating configuration (6 or 9 passengers), more than 75,000 Country Squires were built in 1966, with the larger seating capacity winning out by more than 2 to 1. However, the 6-passenger layout seems to be how the seller’s car was first ordered.
Probably the biggest challenge with fixing up this old wagon is tackling the rust bug. It appears to be in all of the lower extremities of the sheet metal which also suggests the undercarriage has been bitten, too. Fortunately, the woodgrain surfaces aren’t real because they would be costly to repair. The interior is a bit rough but may be serviceable for a time if cleaned up.
Under the hood is Ford’s 390 cubic inch V8, an ample powerplant for a heavy wagon like this. Since the odometer reading is 127,000 miles, likely, the engine and automatic transmission would both be ready for a rebuild, but we speculate. The beast does drive around the shop area where it currently resides. Vintage station wagons have started to become popular, but is this the one that you would undertake restoring?
60s wagons take me back to my younger days. Grew up in monster Pontiac wagons dad always bought with no air conditioning. I am looking for an 87 to 90 Buick Estate. This heap of Florida rust is a no for me. Florida has some of the worst rust anywhere. Salt and humid. Yuck.
Plenty of welding and grinding to be done here. But if you could get it cheap, this could be a really cool ride.
This appears to be a 9 passenger model.
Can those “wood” pieces be restored?
We had a 1968 Country Squire. The “wood” edging was printed onto plastic trim, with a clear vinyl covering. If it has deteriorated, it gets crumbly/rough, and likely needs replacement as I do not know how you would replicate it back to original.
I”ve said it before and I’ll say it again,
if you’re thinking of buying a Ford of
this era, check the frame first! These
cars are prone to frame rot that can
sometimes he irreparable. That’s why you don’t see that many of them today.
true, which makes why ours we are selling soon is money in the bank for the restorer. Solid like the day it came off the assembly line…. not pretty, but not rotted either.
Shame so much body rust, as Mark C says, but the real trouble here would be
the frame. These rotted out real fast here in the rust belt. This one could be a transplant, or might even be a native fla car parked near the salt water. The iron worm is everywhere and never sleeps. I bet this was a stunner when it was new. nice tinted glass to go with the a/c! Happy motoring!
Cheers
GPC
i’d be wary of the frame, they tended to rot and being in a salty area i’d have to check this 1 out closely but it is nicely optioned
Hope the frame is good and someone gets it reasonable. It would be a nice looking car–if it turned out done well and looked new.
just so happens I have a 67 version of one of these coming up for sale soon myself, just the opposite. Solid rust free body etc, but the motor is half apart and Az has been hard on the interior. I happen to be in Tucson and its an Az car. I have a video of us pulling it out from under a shed (barn find) on our youtube page. Motorsport Warehouse
Money-pit. Save yourself. Run away.
In November 1965 my parents ordered a 1966 white Ford Country Squire wagon like this one except it had Palomino (beige) interior. It arrived in early February 1966 to Walker Buerge Ford in West Los Angeles. The car was built in Los Angeles at the Pico Rivera plant. We lived in Santa Monica at that time. I was 12 and remember how excited I was waiting for it to arrive. Ours had the 390 4V engine also. Ours also was equipped with power windows, power seat, vacuum power door locks, AM/FM radio, A/C, luggage rack, rear facing seats, etc. Our family of 7 fit into it comfortably. I always loved the styling and remember all the compliments my parents received on it’s looks back then. I learned to drive in that car and got my first driver’s license in it. When I went away to college in Utah, I inherited it. I still had it when I got married and when I graduated. I majored in Auto Technology and rebuilt the engine, the C-6 transmission, and differential as projects while in college at Utah State University. When I graduated I got a job with Ford Mo Co which took me to Chicago. I still had the car until my 4th year with Ford. My first 3 kids got to ride in it. Like many who sold their first car, I wish I had kept it.
Hard to believe, this was the 2nd most expensive car Ford made. It wasn’t something just anyone could afford, it was a family car, and most families had someone with a good job. My old man had a ’66 Ford wagon, the cheapie Ranch Wagon, but still had the “Magic Doorgate”, available on all wagons starting in 1966. Some wagons offered a “door” opening tailgate, like Rambler, but never both ways. I pixxed off the old man( more than once) when, as a kid, I wondered what would happen if you pulled both latches at once. It jammed the tailgate, and the old man wasn’t too happy. Sorry, while “lining ‘er up at the county fair” seems an unjust end for this grand car, chock full of memories, station wagons did things that memories were made of, we, as a country don’t, or CAN’T do the things this car was made for and I see the end of the line here.