According to a 1971 Ford brochure, “The finest expression of Wagonmaster art…Ford LTD Country Squire. This is the one that blazes the trails, makes the rules, sets the trends. LTD Country Squire by Ford. Eighteen feet of woodtoned elegance and marvelous utility.” The seller has this 1971 Ford LTD Country Squire listed here on eBay in Houston, Texas. The current bid is $8,700, but the reserve isn’t met, and there is a $16,900 buy-it-now price listed if you can’t wait.
Ford offered the upscale Country Squire wagon (is that redundant?) from 1950 up through the end of the 1991 model year, that’s a long time for a line of cars to stick around. They aren’t always based on the LTD, but they were in this era and the seventh-generation cars were made from 1969 through 1978, changing dramatically for the 1973 model year.
This example appears to be in nice condition, with some fading on the woodgrain panels. Replacement woodgrain is still available for about a grand if a person wanted to refresh this car a bit. Wagons are coming back and for some manufacturers, they never left. Along with most U.S. car makers, Ford threw their hat in the minivan ring and then those went away around 2007 when the last one, the Freestar (renamed from the Windstar at the end), went bye-bye, and it’s all SUV (or, crossover) all the time now. Believe it or not, the 1991 Country Squire was Ford’s last station wagon for our market. This one has the famous 3-Way Magic Doorgate, either one of the coolest names ever or one of the creepiest.
The seller says that this Light Gold LTD Country Squire was originally sold in Pennsylvania and the odometer reads 50,304 miles. It sure looks like a 50k car to me rather than a 150k car, how about you? The standard vinyl seats look perfect in the front and the rear, and this car has power windows, something I didn’t expect to see but I like it.
The engine looks somewhat like a Ford’s Dual-Facing Rear Seats, for some odd reason. Maybe it’s because out of 39 photos, they didn’t pop the hood and show the engine. It should be Ford’s 400-cu.in. OHV V8, which would have had 260 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque when new. It reportedly runs like a champ and it sure would have been nice to see it, and maybe an underside photo or two. How much would you pay for this Country Squire?
What made 1969 a new generation? There is little difference between a ’68 and a ’69.
A ’69 has much less in common with a ’68 than it does with a ’70.
Dash was completely different in 69/70. It had that odd set-up where the radio was on the driver’s left. 68-71 had three different instrument panels/dashboards.
I like it even though I like clam shells better. 16900 uh uh.7500 if all is solid top and bottom. imo.
If this Country Squire is as worthy as it appears, it deserves to have the wood grain refreshed. That would really perk it up. Would be fine for the local show, and for taking the grandkids to the park. Nice article Scotty, and some mighty fine verbiage from Ford’s advertising folks back in the day.
I wouldn’t do $16,900 but I’d go above $10K if I could get a good look at the underside, since “Sold in PA” means it probably navigated a few salty roads. The interior is very well kept, especially for a wagon. Also, I’m always amazed at how well those Bunkie Beaks hold up after decades. A lot of pre-1973 cars with pointy bumpers ended up with frowny-faces after a few years of parking lot bumps.
That car brings back good memories. My father had the Metallic Pea version. I remember sitting in those fold down back seats while we pulled a 28 foot 1968 Scamper trailer all across America in the early 1970’s. The car pulled that super-heavy trailer like cake. The dark green vinyl seats got so hot in the summer that they would burn your legs if you wore shorts..
I bought a ’71 Country Squire new in 1971 that was loaded. The kids loved it and so did I until the oil embargo came along and it was hard to keep gas in the thing. Never lacked for power or comfort.
Paid $5700 for it new in 1971; would not pay $16,900 for a used one today regardless of condition.
Power windows, and no A/C. Back when you could order JUST what you wanted !!!
If you opt to pay the ask, maybe the seller would replace the burned out (?) driver’s side parking lamp bulb.
I love it!! The 70s ruled!!!
I didn’t care much for the ’70’s until the ’80’s showed up. Then I was pleading for the ’70’s to come back.
I can’t believe no one doesn’t know this is a 1972, not a 71.
It’s a ’71.
This is a ’72.
Easy way to tell is the little crossbar in the bumper. My first derby car was one of these, I paid 50 bucks for it in 1980 .Imagine paying that for a running 9 year old car !
Definitely a 1972!
This is a 71:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/312630934036
That sir is a 73 on the postcard the Year stated is a misprint. The wagon in the article is a 71 which has a different front bumper and grill. The 71 has deep set in grill around the headlights 72 grill are even with the headlights, take a look at the post a couple up from yours there is a pic of a 72
The E-bay ad is wrong. Closer to ’73-4
My Mom had a new ’71 that was loaded out, including the deluxe wheel covers, rim blow steering wheel and a 429 Police Interceptor engine! All wrapped in a subdued Springtime yellow paint with woodgrain. Dad said when you stepped on it, it sounded like the carb was going to suck the hood into it!
I’d have to change out engines,a mild build 460 or a rebuilt to stock specs 71 429 with stronger conn rods (429s Love to Sing) needs 245/50/15 tires on back with 215/70/15s on front on dogdish steel wheels, it already has the white lightniiln seatbelts (you can’t reach the dash nor will your backside move on that slick seat) Now put the waterproof TAC on the Hood. NO ?
You might as well go full on and put a top loader in it, too!
Actually Ford’s last wagon was the Taurus. I’d argue though that the Ford Freestyle, Taurus X and Ford Flex were more station wagon than crossover.
I know they make replacement DI-NOC , but what can you do with the outer trim on the wood ? I know it was a very thin layer of plastic over the aluminum moldings , but it looks like someone peeled it all off and polished the aluminum .That, and getting some whitewalls on it would make it look a lot better – and get rid of the mid 70s LTD hood ornament ; think those started to appear in 74- 75 ?
Great car, not more than a month ago a blue with red interior, yup medium blue over red with wood sides, factory air, rim blow, stereo, and cruise hit the local pull-a-part. The car was last registered in 1985. The sad thing was that car was far nicer than many that roll across this site. These cars drive great and are caveman easy to maintain. I have the convertible version. 17k might be a reach but if the underpinnings are nice and you are going to keep it like I do with mine and not worry of profit flipping, this is probably the unit for you.
Sadly the large majority of car “enthusiasts” are in it for the $$. Very rarely do you notice someone buy a car without thinking about how much they can make selling it. Those kinds of statements are all over these barn find threads. The act of buying a car because you like the looks, performance, happiness-factor is gone.
I’m one of the types that buys a car because I like it, not because my neighbor has one, or because they’re popular on the web. So you’ll never find a camaro, mustang, or bronco in my collection..
Nailed it, TomP.
Nice old Ford, but no way worth this money. Great grocery getter, but that’s it. Dad got one as a gift from one of our customers back in the early 90’s ,we used it for everything. These had the self engaging park to reverse faulty trans. And it did happen. Never walk from one while it’s idling.