Ford used the Country Squire brand for its top-end station wagons from 1950 until 1992. It was borne during the transition from wood to steel-bodied wagons as the former was getting increasingly costly to build and maintain. The sixth generation arrived in 1965 and by then the only thing wooden was the appearance (fiberglass or plastic that resembled wood). The 1968 models differed from the three years prior by the shift from stacked to horizontal headlights. The seller’s ’68 is said to be cosmetically original though the engine and transmission are freshly rebuilt. Located in Palm Desert, California, this vintage transport is available here on craigslist for $16,500. Another fine tip brought to us by “numskal”.
The company sold three levels of full-size wagons in 1968: Ranch, Country Sedan, and Country Squire. The latter was the most popular at more than 91,000 copies of which at least one-third had seating for six passengers, while a third seat was optional to accommodate another three people instead of their stuff. The Country Squire was the wagon equivalent of the opulent Ford LTD.
The paint is said to be original on this Ford and looks good considering the car’s age. The faux woodgrain paneling also looks decent except maybe in the tailgate area. One photo shows it being washed out while the others do not (lighting?). The interior is equally tidy and shows to be just fine for occasional soccer mom duties.
Under the hood, the original 390 cubic inch V8 and 3-speed automatic transmission have been rebuilt 3,000 miles before the current odometer reading of 96,000. In doing so, things have been tricked out a bit with the addition of long tube headers, a hotter camshaft, MSD ignition, and reworks of the radiator and fuel delivery system. Some suspension work has also been accomplished and new raised-letter tires have been fitted. The factory A/C looks to have some new components. If vintage wagons are your thing, would this Ford light your fire?
Uncomfortably close to that curb with the front tire!
Yes. Also, uncomfortably close to a post with the rear bumper, license plate and tailgate trim.
Maybe it was the same post that they lightly tapped with the left front grill? It still wouldn’t keep me from buying it! I LOVE the long roofs!! But, the wife hates them so……
My uncle and aunt owned two bakeries in the 60’s-70’s and station wagon exactly like this. He had glass packs on it I remember aunt picking us up from school in it and the sound was awesome. Nice car all around
Bet it smelled good also..
Hot cross buns.
Actually funny story about it all, uncle was cheating and my aunt layed in the back under a blanket and when he and gf parked she stood up and they all asked what are you doing here! True story
Dragon Wagon!! Long live the Long Roofs!!
I grew up on a 1968 red with wood paneling. Had the 390 in it wow what sweet memories this had brought back to me being the baby of five I would climb in the back and pull my sister’s hair lol . Wow what a sweet and beautiful cars though a were . I had a 1977 light yellow wood paneling had the 351 modified to a 400 pass everything but a gas station 12 on the highway and 8 in the city but I wish I had it still today . THEY MAKE NOTHING LIKE THIS ANYMORE ITS SAD THESE KIDS TODAY HAVE NO IDEA
Which was it, a 351M or a 400?
This rig is so cool! I’d restore this thing just because you won’t see another one like it. And with that rebuilt 390 under the hood, I’m sure she moves like a beast!
Not a big deal, but the description says Holley 4barrel, actually it’s an Edlebrock/AFB. Nice looking wagon, I had a 68 LTD with those same Mustang/Torino wheels
While I was in Vietnam, my Dad traded in his chevy wagon for a 68 Country Sedan with a 390. I took some time to unwind before returning to my job by revisiting some old haunts and just cruising around with friends. I had to borrow Dad’s wagon to go out and on occasion would encounter someone to race. Surprisingly the 2 ton wagon held it’s own quite well. Shocked a kid in a camaro one night. Hard to believe that it was so long ago. So blessed that I lived through it all. Take care friends, be kind to one another.
I have always loved station wagons. I was born in Detroit in March of 1955. In June of 1958 my family packed up their kit and moved the entire kaboodle to Southern California. To make the cross country trip, dad bought a new 1958 Dodge Custom Sierra wagon. It had two tone red and white paint and black and white interior. It was gorgeous, huge but gorgeous. At just 3 years old I can remember sitting in the way back as we drove across Route 66. I asked my mom why the mountains off in the distance looked purple. Just like in the song “America the Beautiful ” In the 60s many of our neighbors had wagons, Ford wagons. They were astoundingly popular. We had a 64 Valient V200 wagon, white with red vinyl interior. One of the nicest Chrysler interiors It had Chrysler’s famous 225 Slant Six. It was small, but nice.In 65 one of the neighbors bought a Beautiful 65 white with tan interior with a 390 under hood. It was beautiful. We also had a 64 Ford Country Sedan and a 59 Chevrolet Brookwood Estate wagon with gray vinyl interior. I knew as a kid wagons were my favorite car. After I grew up I had 8 cars and motorhome. One of my favorites was my 1975 Mercury Marquis, Colony Park. It was white with tan interior and of course it had the woodgrain side panels. It had the Ford mostser 460 under hood. That wagon was fantastic. It was loaded with every available option. When we were all gone to the same place, it was our go to car. If Lincoln built a wagon, this would have been it. Of the US Big Three, Ford was known as the Wagonmaste. And I know why. Ford’s wagons were the best-looking wagons out there. They were great and I miss our beautiful and iconic Longroofs.I believe they will return with an alternative fuel system. Today I only have a 2008 Explorer XLT. I love it, but when we were told the SUV,s were the new wagons.I never bought that bilge water. I used to detail a green with green vinyl interior 1968 Country Squire, it looked just like this one. A great car.
Could they have used a worse air cleaner? Jeesh
Would it make the trip cross country to Connecticut?
Growing up we had a 68 Country Squire similar to this one, but white with a red interior. We loved old Betsy. Went on vacations everywhere in her, us three kids in the back, usually with the seats folded down, homemade curtains over the back side windows. Listened to the AM radio everywhere until it didn’t come in anymore in which case Dad would put in a Ford Family of Fine Music eight track cassette that he got from Haidinger Ford where he was the service manager. Eventually rust took care of the back of the car unfortunately. This one looks beautifully done.
The Griswald Family Truckster…
Had a 71 LTD wagon red/red with a roof rack i used as my work vehicle. The rear seats folded flat which afforded amazing cargo space. Also had a 75 Torino wagon White/blue wasn’t quite exciting.
Was this one of the years that the frame over the drivers rear wheel rusted out?
Party wagon with the beloved 390. Oh, oh, oh oh, oh. Drivetrain rebuilt. Well preserved cosmetically it appears inside & out. What’s not to love for 16,500?
Not sure how long it lasted, Russ, but in ’66, the Country Squire’s back well had facing rear seats, so if passengers’ legs aren’t too long, you could put four back there.
My pop had 2 Ford wagons when us 3 boys were growing up ,a 59′ and then later a 63′
That 390 was Ford’s workhorse engine in mid-size and full size cars throughout the 1960’s and ’70’s, showing up in everything from Torinos and Mercury Montegos to T-Birds. The next step up the ladder from the 351 small-block Cleveland and Windsor siblings, but a step below the 427 and 428 big block offerings, until the “385” family engines (429/460) came along, it could be had in mild (2 bbl.) or wild (4 bbl.) trim. No comment as to what this example was originally born with with in the fuel mixing department, but the four-barrel is an easy upgrade for more “Go”! No mention of if the brakes have also been upgraded to provide more “Whoa” with the extra “Go”!
I prefer mine in the Country Sedan flavor, with painted sides in place the faux wood trim, but no matter, this one is a keeper!
Just as an aside, did Ford ever offer these with optional bucket seats or not? If they did, they were very rare, as I’ve never seen one, they all seemed to be equipped with a front bench seat. The buckets, with a console and a floor-shifted A/T, complete with a “basket handle” shifter, would make for a nice custom version, if one is so inclined.
Thanks for your reply. Over the years all the Fords I’ve owned all had V8s under hood. From a 66 Mustang with a 289V8 with a modified for Ford 4 barrel Holly carburetor to the Motorcraft 4300 series 4 barrels. I had a 69 Mach l with a 351Windsor, that had one, to several 460s with the same 4300 4 barrel. They were in full-size Fords and Mercurys, and Lincolns. I also had a 1998 Southwind motorhome built on the F-53 Super Duty injectioned chassis. I loved them all and wish I still had every one of them.
Most early and mid 60s had Autolite 4100 4barrels, Motorcraft 4300s came in late 60s, although Ford typically used Holleys for multi-carb setups
My Dad rebuilt the Autolite 4300 carburetor on Mom’s 1967 T-Bird in the early 1970’s, IIRC, the rebuild kit for it was just a hair under $10.00, $9.95 or $9.99, something like that. If not under $10.00, then certainly less than $20.00. I like modern fuel injection, but just looking at it can cost over $100, let alone fixing it, LOL! A little hyperbole? Perhaps, but not by much.
Back in the early 70s my mom had a 68 country squire ,428 and a Holly 4 barrel that could get scratch between first and second lol . My brother and i loved borrowing it ,drove like a dream.
Love everything here except the price. The rebuilt drivetrain makes this a cool driver and C&C car, and that interior ain’t too shabby either. Lower the price by at least $5k and I’m tempted to head west for this one.
This car would rock as a weekend snow bunny, the engine can handle getting to Breckinridge and Vail from Denver, no problems; plus, the skis, boots and poles fit in the back.
ClassicP
You left us on a cliffhanger. What happened after that?
Wow that’s nice! My Dad had a 77 Ford LTD Country Squire back in the day. 460 engine. He gave it to me in 86. I was 18. It was slow as hell off the line, but once it was going it would really move out. When you started it up the gas needle would notch down.😁 Lots of fun and memories in that gas guzzler. Went to many concerts with her loaded with friends.
Well, it’s not a Vista Cruiser, but close enough, LOL!
Great looking Country Squire. Better put a belt on that a/c to keep the black vinyl interior cool.
Odd it doesn’t have the 3rd row seating…..and for that kind of money could the turn signal and headlight trim be fixed ?
got my license in a 1970 Country Squire then my 1st car was a 1966 Country Squire with the 390. Wasn’t into wagons in the mid-70’s but would love to find a clean 66 now!
They’re out there, but prices are rising fast, so better get one quick, before they turn into a hunk of unobtainium!
My first tow car. Paid $150.00 for it! I raced in The Alliance Cup series. I used to joke that my race car went faster on the trailer than it did on the track!
I love the Ford wagons. Miss them so much. They were so versatile ! Hubby and I used our ’72 Torino as a camper a few times. Tow his racecar, ice racer, go kart, wherever, put a piece of foam in the back, sheets, blankets, pillows, crack the window and slept better than my sister and her husband in their tent. I remember some kid yelling at me, at a stop light, what a crappy car I had, he was going to smoke me when the light changed. Really ? I left him holding his “parts.” Pissed him off. Good. I hate minivans. I drive a pick up truck now. Not as good as the wagons, but not bad.