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51k Original Miles? 1976 Ford LTD Country Squire

The owner of this 1976 Ford LTD Country Squire says that the wagon’s odometer is showing 51,509 miles and that while he can’t guarantee that these miles are original, the vehicle’s overall condition suggests that it is feasible. Let’s take a look and see what we think, and also see whether this is a classic wagon that you would like to own. The Ford is located in Cookeville, Tennessee, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. The No Reserve auction has been set to open at $8,000, but there have been no bids up to this point. However, there are currently 115 people who are watching the listing, so it is possible that this situation is set to change fairly soon.

At a touch over 19′ in overall length, this is by no means a small vehicle. It is a nice looking one, nonetheless. The Medium Green Metallic paint is showing some fading in a few spots, but it still presents quite nicely. The owner says that he has only been able to identify one small spot of rust in the body, although I’m pretty sure that I can see matching areas of rust on either side of the vehicle just behind the rear wheel arches. The woodgrain looks quite nice, although the trim that surrounds this has peeled quite badly. The owner suggests that this could be painted, but the best long-term solution might be to locate a company that performs vinyl wrapping because they might be able to wrap the trim to return it to its original appearance. The owner also admits that the rear bumper is showing some rust, but the rest of the trim and chrome looks to be in good condition.

The owner states that one of the reasons that he believes that the odometer reading might be original is due to the condition of the interior. I can see where he is coming from on that score because it does present exceptionally well for a 44-year-old family wagon. Finding anything much to fault is pretty difficult, but after examining the photos carefully, I did spot a loose thread on the passenger seat. The carpet generally looks good, although there is some staining visible on the passenger side near the kick panel. The upholstery is free of rips and splits, while the dash, pad, and the headliner all look good. The wheel doesn’t exhibit any of the wear that might indicate high mileage, so you can see why the owner feels the way that he does about the odometer reading. One thing that I did notice is the fact that some of the weather seals around the doors are looking dry and cracked. However, this is probably more a result of age than it is of high mileage. The LTD is fitted with air conditioning, but this currently doesn’t function. In addition, it looks like the wagon is fitted with power windows, cruise control, remote exterior mirrors, and I believe it also has an AM/FM radio/8-track player.

When the owner purchased the Country Squire, it didn’t actually run. A thorough inspection revealed terminal damage to the original 460ci V8, so a remanufactured 460 has been slotted in to replace it. Backing the 460 is a C6 automatic, which sends the engine’s 202hp to the rear wheels. In addition, the Ford comes equipped with the obligatory power steering, along with power front disc brakes. For such a big vehicle that tips the scales at a not insignificant 5,055lbs, the Country Squire is actually capable of getting up and moving if you are willing to poke it with a big stick. That it can cover the ¼ mile in under 19 seconds is more a testament to the mountains of torque that the engine produces, rather than due to its horsepower. In addition to the fresh engine, the Ford’s fuel system has been flushed and cleaned, the carburetor has been rebuilt, new brakes have been fitted, and the vehicle has only covered around 500 miles since it received new tires. The owner says that the wagon now runs and drives extremely well.

What do you think? When you look this 1976 Ford LTD Country Squire wagon over, do you feel that the odometer reading is accurate, or has it rolled over at some point? What I will say is that in general terms, this is a vehicle that presents quite well, and taking it to the next level would not be a major undertaking. The rust issues appear to be minimal, and with the interior and drive-train being as good as they are, it only requires some pretty minor exterior work to really make it stand out. It might not be a viable daily driver, but if you have the desire to haul your tribe across the country, then this would represent a stylish and comfortable way to undertake such a trip. There have been no bids on the vehicle to this point, so, are you willing to be the first?

Comments

  1. Avatar Moparman Member

    I’m sorry, but my first thought was “Family Truckster!”, LOL! Now, that that’s out of the way, this appears to be a very nice example of what was once everyday transport for large families. GLWTA! :-)

    Like 12
  2. Avatar Bob_in_TN Member

    Good write-up Adam, this looks like a good Ford wagon which does not need much to be very nice. And as-is, it is good enough to take to the local cruise-in. Where you would generate more interest, and fun conversations, as compared to the red Camaro nearby.

    For me what makes the car is the green paint and (especially) the green interior.

    Like 12
  3. Avatar CJinSD

    It’s even metallic pea. The Country Squire was America’s favorite wagon for years, but I never understood why.

    Like 4
  4. Avatar That AMC Guy

    I’d like to think that every time the 460 V8 is started on this, somewhere a Prius or a Tesla dies.

    Like 42
    • Avatar Craig

      you won the internet ROFL

      Like 3
  5. Avatar Geoff

    You think you hate it now, wait till you drive it!

    Like 13
  6. Avatar Bob S

    Nice wagon, but I’m very curious as to why the big 460 took a dump at 50k miles or so?

    Like 5
    • Avatar CJinSD

      It could have been a defect, or it could have been a loose oil drain plug. I wonder when it happened though. I recall that during my childhood quite a few people had cars in garages and driveways that had failed long before their time. They hung onto them rather than admitting defeat and taking the loss, probably while financing something else that didn’t require a lump sum the size of a new Peugeot or Saab engine.

      Like 2
    • Avatar oldguy

      you know, you didn’t really get tons of miles out of the engines back then. None of my cars engines ever made it to 100k. 92k was the closest I had ever come. Now cars are practically virgin if the only have 80k on them.

      Like 1
  7. Avatar Bonnie Rose

    This was our family car when I first got My drivers license Drove her 40 mph for first several months Hauled the back full of kids before seat belt laws Lots of good memories

    Like 2
  8. Avatar Ken Carney

    Now here’s a car you can really use! Forget those lame SUVs and overpriced
    F-150 pickups, this thing can do it all with
    style to spare! It can haul 4X8 foot sheets of plywood by day, and whisk you
    and your family to your favorite restaraunt by night. All in one very classy package. Oops! Time to wipe the
    drool off my chin and keyboard!

    Like 12
  9. Avatar MarkM.

    Does not matter 55,000 or 255.000, new motor, and looks great. I would do something with those hubcaps. Probably stock, but ugly.

    Like 5
  10. Avatar GM nut

    These engines had nylon cam gears that used to break….maybe thats what happened to the original 460

    Like 2
    • Avatar JBP

      it had bent push rods..

      Like 1
  11. Avatar RJ

    The Family Truckster!!!

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Jay E.

    I would have thought this was just another used car. Except someone recently paid an eye popping $65,000.00 for one recently at an auction. It was visually identical to this, but with low mileage and pristine, but still $65K??? At least two people have lost their minds.

    Like 5
    • Avatar That AMC guy

      It seems like almost yesterday one would have a hard time even giving away a barge like this! Still, if equipped with heavy-duty springs and shocks, good tires, maybe a quick-ratio steering box, and a little massaging of that big 460 V8 you still won’t be flinging this thing around mountain curves but it wouldn’t be too bad. (Did that with an old Ambassador wagon years ago and it made quite a difference.)

      Like 2
  13. Avatar Jonathan

    My parents had this model and year (though in white body and blue interior) from about 1985 to 1990, when it was replaced by a 1985 Country Squire wagon.

    I really like this one.

    I love wagons. Loved my parents’ various ones over the years (ranging from the CS to a ’92 Caprice to a red ’98 Volvo V70. I’ve personally had a 1992 Subaru Loyale with a manual/4×4, 1999 Escort wagon with a manual and a 2000 Taurus wagon (in black).

    Like 4
  14. Avatar John

    What’s with the upside down steering wheel and the wipers not in “parked” position?

    Like 1
  15. Avatar Jack Quantrill

    That “metallic-pea”, color combo was copied by KIA’s Soul. They call it “alien green”.

    Like 3
  16. Avatar David G

    Car has the rear disc brake option also. The ’75 and ’76 cars with the 460 came standard with dual exhaust, and were rated at 202 or 226 horsepower. The difference between the two ratings are simply a pair of gaskets. Where the H pipe meets the front stubs, there are flat flanges. The gaskets on the 226 hp version are the same size as the inside diameter of the pipes. The 202 hp gaskets have a very small hole in the middle, around an inch diameter or even smaller. Ridiculous, but the restrictive ones are designed to reduce exhaust noise at wide open throttle.

    Like 2
  17. Avatar Bob McK

    The interior looks like a low mileage car. The color is so gross, that I like it. This will be a fun car for someone. Is it worth the asking bid price?

    Like 3
  18. Avatar Tom W

    My mothers car but in brown with a 351w
    when I was a kid. Many trips to the shore and grocery store in one. Love it!

    Like 2
  19. Avatar Ryan Hilkemann

    Amazing interior, sweet late 70s paint too.

    Like 2
  20. Avatar Jay Nix

    We had this same car but with the cheaper interior. One big seat for the front. And less padding. The cargo area is upgraded it seems. I don’t recall there being vinyl covering the sides. I remember whatever was back there scratched easily.

    Like 1
  21. Avatar SG

    I have no idea why, but I am drooling over this lol. I’ve let known before my dislike of the color green, but this is AWESOME! I would drive this with pride in a heartbeat!

    Like 1
  22. Avatar Brax

    Beautiful, solid and quite comes to mind when looking at this. Had a 74 coupe in white, very similar. At this point in time horsepower ratings were net rated power at the wheels where 71 and before was gross horsepower at flywheel. But emissions and engine timing because of government requirements also took it’s toll on horsepower ratings. 460 engines run a long time. I have one I with 250,000 miles and they are strong. Somebody most likely did something to cause original engine’s early demise. Others have mentioned their strong and lasting capabilities in a variety of applications from trucks pulling and hauling power from rollbacks to duallies to Lincolnsss. Hope seller gets his money’s worth. It’s really nice and will eat up some highway, someone will enjoy it.

    Like 0
  23. Avatar TimM

    Nice car really clean!! Wake up the motor with a cam and some headers and duel exhaust!! Put some cragar SS mags with some nice tires!! Ditch the ugly plastic trim and fake wood paneling then you got a cool car!!!

    Like 0

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