No period of car design is more evocative of the time it was created in than cars from the early to mid-70s. Huge swooping cars with panels larger than a shed roof, these cars were Detroit’s last big swing before regulations and fuel costs forced the Big 3 to produce economy cars to keep up with the global market. A prime example of this period is this big and beautiful 1972 Ford LTD Country Squire. Up for auction here on eBay, the high bid price of $6,205 had not met the reserve at the time of writing. Outfitted with a 400 cubic inch V8 and an automatic transmission, this wagon is ready for you to load up the entire little league team and head to the local ice cream parlor for some batting helmet sundaes!
Most of us “car guys” gather on websites like these to look at muscle cars, sports cars, and hot rods, and bench race these vehicles with our fellow car friends. But the vast majority of Americans purchase cars with different purposes in mind. Fuel efficiency, ease of use, and utility are generally more important to these buyers than 1/4-mile trap speed. Before SUVs and minivans became the vehicle of choice for families, the station wagon accepted the role of family cruiser with many unique features released to attract buyers through the years. This car is a prime example of the station wagons that roamed American streets in the 70s and 80s.
We have an excellent ad for this car to review and check out, and I wish more sellers would present cars in this manner. eBay does not list reserve prices in auctions, of course, and I couldn’t find it in the listing, but you would be hard-pressed to find a 1972 Ford LTD Country Squire in this nice of condition. According to the seller, this car is all original, suggesting it has always been well-cared for. This car has so many neat little features that make it a real find. You can see the vintage Kelsey-Hayes trailer brake in the picture above, and according to the ad, it also has a factory tissue holder, a vintage plastic cup holder, and a custom-made trunk cover. These little auxiliary pieces really help take you back to this time period.
So, what do you think of this time capsule? Are you a fan of 70s styling? Do you like wagons, or are they too much of a mom car? Personally, I can’t imagine a more fun cruiser to haul the family around in. Yes, the styling may be a little dated, but you know the smiles would be for miles as you cruised this around town with your kids or grandkids playing thumb wars in the back back, and I hope the buyer of this wagon enjoys it as much as it appears the previous owners did. Stay groovy, my friends!
Located in Mill Valley,California.
Any idea who wrote about this listing?
SG ✍️ ?
I’m not too sure if Scotty wrote this one up…. Theres no convertible version drawn up. ( And we all know Scotty could SO totally pull that off lol).
Otherwise this is a great wagon. The 400 is a great pick for this one. Lots of torque. And I’m with Bob, I’d love to see white walls on this wagon.
Excellent write-up with an excellent ad for an excellent car. My only nitpick: it begs for whitewall tires.
Totally agree, Bob!
👍 ✍️ Dusty
It is really in nice shape. Add Whitewalls and turbine hubcaps- ok dual exhaust too, suddenly your the talk of the neighborhood
Agree with Dave add dual exhaust!!
WOW, my parents bought almost the exact same car in 1972!
Same interior/exterior colors and 400M engine, no roof rack or rear fold up seating (which was a little hard to find because the LTD Country Squire cars on the lot usually came with those and other options).
We would go on these 3-4 week driving vacations and my parents liked to strap the Sears luggage carrier on the roof (no factory roof rack) and load the rear cargo area (no rear seats) with suitcases, tent, sleeping bags, etc.
My favorite part was when we’d would stop at Stuckey’s, get a water decal for the state or attraction we were visiting and display it on the right side rear window with the rest of them. My needs for happiness were simple even then :~)
3 – 4 week driving vacations….you were lucky! Best way to learn about our great country. Gas prices would bankrupt someone today…..
Well, my two brothers were with, so there was that. ;~)
(Many) years ago I bought a 1971 Galaxy 500 Country Sedan Wagon from its original owner. Same colors as this car, but the CS didn’t have wood paneling. 351 car. This write up reminded me of a little surprise I found wrapped up in the cargo area…..a barely, if ever used, Ford rooftop cargo cover. If I remember correctly it was a zip up “bag” made of heavy duty vinyl that you would load your rooftop cargo into and it would secure to the roof rack. I believe it had the Ford logo on it. I had totally forgotten about this but the references to period correct add ons jolted my memory
We had a new 69 with Robin’s Egg Blue paint and a 429 with 2v and whitewalls! I thought it was the most beautiful car I’d ever seen when I was 10 years old. Mom paid right at $4K for it while Dad was in Vietnam. I’d sit on the stoop in the garage just outside the kitchen door, and just stare at it. I thought it was the most space age, Buck Rogers thing I’d ever seen. Still can’t believe it fit in there. Only difference was a horizontal body color trim strip on the grill. Otherwise, same car. I loved it. Our next car was a Ranch Wagon. There were 7 of us, and all rode comfortably.
Lots of “growing up” in big Ford wagons. As an infant I came home in a ‘61 Mercury wagon. That was crushed by a falling tree. A ‘66 Country Squire 352 took its place then a ‘69 Squire with a 428. My girlfriend then had access to her Mom’s ‘74 Colony Park 460. Lots of memories in that super plush rig. Dad killed the Ford streak with a ‘76 Volare Premiere with the slant six. Mom despised the Plymouth and it was a total lemon. Replaced by a Volvo 242 then a 280ZX as mom relived her youth. Great wagons and I remember that ‘74 Mercury very fondly.
Would you trade even for a rust free 1985 Buick Electra Park Avenue with 22000 original miles?
If so let’s make a deal!!
The front end of these Fords makes them look like they just smelled something unpleasant.
They’re halfway there, with the RWL tires. Just add 4 Crager SS mags, and the cool meter heads north.
We had this same car when I was a kid! It broke my heart when dad traded in that beautiful yellow 68 Torino GT on it. Big old gutless wonder, but it did very well hauling our 20’ Kit trailer around. Ended up trading it in on yet another ford product…some little downsize station wagon. Thanks for the memories!
Growing up we had a 59′ Ford Country Sedan wagon,pop traded it for a 63′ Galaxie wagon,by 1967 we were all grown so at age 51 he traded it for a 67′ Mustang FB.
The splashes of green, in the interior are odd.
Does anyone remember Burt Reynolds in ‘White Lighting’. This era of Ford full size always brings back the chase scenes. I always thought this Generation of LTD was classy. Even when I was all GM.
Burt Reynolds and that LTD. Just too cool!!!
Mom had one of those.
Top of the line, Wednesday build at bottom price.
Dads father was a lawyer; did all the haggeling.
8 MPG; 1979; it got traded for a diesel Rabbit 4 door, what a step down.
The Rabbit was so noisy; we could hear it a mile and a half away.
with gas prices as they were, most were worth more as scrap.
Damn shame of the period Administration. Tons of cool cars went to waste.
Auction ended 8/04/2025 with a high bid of $13,200, did not meet reserve.
Steve R