The Country Squire was a full-size station wagon sold by Ford for more than 40 years (1950 to 1991). But, Squire versions of Ford’s compact and mid-size wagons were also available during part of this era, meaning they (too) had fake wood paneling on the sides and tailgate. The seller has a 1969 Torino Squire that sports its share of patina while being a solid runner with a big-block V8. Located in Warwick, Rhode Island, this vintage soccer mom ride is available here on eBay for $9,000 (though it’s listed at $9,999).
Ford added the Torino in 1968 as a high-end version of the intermediate Fairlane 500. A couple of years later, the latter moniker was retired altogether. Since the middle Fords were redesigned in ’68, the ‘69s were little changed. Nearly 14,500 Torino Squire wagons were built that year, but paled by comparison to more than 129,000 LTD Country Squires (bigger must have been better in the 1960s wagon world). We’re betting that most of these transports came with the less-potent 302 cubic inch V8, so finding this one with a 390 is something of a treat.
This is not a rust-free find with some corrosion lurking in the firewall and cowl. But we’re told the rest of the wagon is solid, though the faux wood pieces are faded. The seller found the wagon in California and had it shipped to New England. For whatever reason, several switches (ex., brake lights) needed replacing, and the seller made a quick remedy for those items. The upholstery has been redone, but the panels in the rear storage area are all old and brittle.
Though it takes a minute to warm up, the 390 engine is said to run well and has been fitted with a new carburetor and given a tune-up. For Summer cruises, the seller has a surfboard for the roof rack, and the buyer gets it as part of the package. And he/she has some replacement woodgrain panels, should you decide to restore the wagon rather than drive it as-is to Cars & Coffee. It has spanking new tires and disc brakes all around (rather than just up front). A Marti Report was purchased to help seal the deal.
And there it is … The surf board
This appears to be the fifth time this wagon has been featured. That has to be some kind of record. Some details have changed, and it’s moved across the country, but the damage to the rear bumper is like a fingerprint.
You are right, with the 390 and what appears to be a relatively straight body you’d expect it to sell quickly at that price.
Steve R
Back in the day my mom always had one. She would load it up with blankets, pillows, me and my cousins at 5am, and do a road trip to the country.
Now, I realize when I say, dad said “you can use the wagon”, wasn’t much of an incentive, however, I could easily hear,, “dude, get your moms Torino wagon”, off came the air cleaner, and the fun began. So many of these had a 302, a 390 was indeed something to behold. The 390 was probably Fords most popular motor. I read, if a 4 barrel, it could do 0-60 in 7.7seconds, and the 1/4 mile in 15.7@88mph, good enough for the “stoplight drags”. I bet it did wicked burnouts. I had a friend, his mom had a ’69 Impala wagon with a 396 and he beat the heck out of it.
I don’t know, 144 “viewers” and no bids, for $10gs, they have to be nicer than this, and good luck with that. Nobody saved a wagon, 390 or not. In fact, I’m surprised that motor didn’t go into a Mustang project.
bought a new 1968 Torino gt fastback 390 4 barrel 4 speed beat may gtos at the light
They had to be sleeping at the light or didn;t know they were racing.
Dad had a solid green, no woodwork, 69 full size Country Squire wagon—390 equipped with a rough body. He refinished antique furniture and rebuilt old mantle clocks on the side and used the car for pickups and deliveries, take to flea markets…etc. I had to drive it to school until I got my first car painted and hated it. Named ugliest car in the school parking lot. It certainly seemed like the gas hand would move as swiftly as the speedometer needle.
Ford full-size wagons without the phony wood were Country Sedans, not Country Squires, as the Country Squire was the wagon equivalent of an LTD full-size sedan, the Country Sedan was the wagon equivalent of the next lower trim level, the Galaxie 500 sedan. The key difference other than the lack of Dinoc decals was that the Country Squire had the LTD’s hideaway headlights, while the Country Sedan made do with the Galaxy 500’s more pedestrian open headlights. The Country Squire had a slightly longer list of standard equipment, but the Country Sedan could be optioned to be nearly identical in equipment to its more upscale sibling, with a wide variety of engine choices and several trailer towing packages available, with a Class III trailer towing package featuring a frame-mounted hitch for those pulling the “big rigs”!
In those days, when Ford and Chevy went head-to-head in just about every size class, the LTD went up against the Caprice, while the Galaxy 500 did battle with the Impala and it was no different for the wagons.
Hey I got close, it was 47 years ago and I was focused on finishing the body work and painting my 66 Impala Super Sport, spelled out on each front fender! . Bought it for $350 and sold for $500. You couldn’t give one away back then. Now they’re going for 50 plus.
Hey I got close, it was 47 years ago and I was focused on finishing the body work and painting my 66 Impala Super Sport, spelled out on each front fender! . Bought it for $350 and sold for $500. You couldn’t give one away back then. Now they’re going for 50 plus.
If I say it has disk brakes all the way around, I would feel obligated to show a picture.
I agree with that statement Robert Gunn.
3.9″?
You two weirdos need to get a room
I think it’s understood that it has front disk brakes with new tires and brake parts all around, about a quarter of the asking price these days. The rest of the car tho straight and complete looks tired. Would be pretty cool all fixed up.
What I read was ” disks all the way around,not just up front “.JS
We all kinda read that. It’s important to compensate for lack of punctuation and errors of omission.
Russ, I would like to hear more about the “vintage soccer moms”.
cool wagon. it’s been on eBay off and on since early spring at the same price. seems that number is a bit too steep elsewise i think it would have sold.by looks of it 5k is the number. who knows
390 vinylllie wagon.