In the business world, when you suddenly find yourself with a tangible advantage over your chief rival, you jump on it and milk it for all it is worth. That’s what happened to Ford in 1977. With the downsizing of the GM’s full-size product line for the 1977 model year, Ford’s LTD Wagon was now longer, wider, and boasted more cargo space than Chevrolet’s Caprice Estate Wagon. And the Ford sales brochure exploited that difference with sentences such as, “Ford LTD wagons haven’t lost one inch of the spaciousness or comfort. In the important measurement of cargo space, LTD wagons have a considerable advantage over the down-sized wagons of our major competitor.” Ford’s flagship wagon, the Country Squire, sold nearly 91,000 units in 1977 (compared to about 56,500 units for the Caprice Estate Wagon), and here’s one that has survived to tell you about the last 46 years. This original 1977 Ford LTD Country Squire Wagon was featured on Barn Finds five months ago in a No Reserve eBay auction. I’m not sure what happened, but it’s still located in Orange County, California and is now for sale here on craigslist for $15,000. A special thanks to numskal for sending this tip our way.
One view of the photographs shows that this is a driver-quality survivor that looks solid and rust free (perhaps it has always been a California Grocery Getter?), but has some faded paint, bumps, and bruises. The original Dark Brown Metallic paint looks pretty good although the seller says “the paint is faded on top a little bit.” The vinyl woodgrain bodyside paneling is showing its age in places but the chrome bumpers, grille, glass, trim, badging, and “Aunt Edna” luggage rack on top look good. And, thank goodness, there’s no dog leash tied to the trailer hitch.
Although leather was optional, the vast majority of these people haulers were probably ordered with the standard (and easy-to-clean) Ruffino Vinyl seat trim. This one has the color-coordinated brown interior that features Ford’s 3-Way Magic Doorgate and dual facing rear seats, an option Ford claimed as an exclusive. Overall, the original interior looks good for its age except for what the seller describes as a small rip on the driver’s seat.
No doubt about it, this is a big vehicle at almost 19 feet in length. But size mattered to Ford in 1977 as they bragged: “You get the roominess, ride and luxury that you expect for a big wagon. And, of course, all that spaciousness – 94.6 cubic feet, to be exact, with 9 more cubic feet of lockable stowage under the floor. And with the rear seat pulled down, you have a flat load floor that’s 7.5 feet long!” On the luxury and convenience side, the seller mentions it has “power windows and power locks in working order.” Nothing is mentioned about the power steering, power brakes, or the working condition of the factory air conditioning.
There are no photos of the engine, but under that long brown hood should be the original 6.6 liter, 400-cubic inch V8 that’s paired with a SelectShift automatic transmission. 84,200 miles are listed but there’s no mention if they’re original or not (the seller was very simply with the wagon’s history and overall descriptions). The seller says, “The engine and transmission are smooth and drive nice and it comes with a pass smog certificate.”
I still have a soft spot in my heart for station wagons. I guess it’s because I grew up in their heyday of the 60’s and 70’s where these were a common site at Little League fields, grocery stores, hardware stores, and summer vacation destinations from coast-to-coast. What do you think of this Big Brown Brontosaurus? Would you keep it original or restore it?
Clark Griswold would be happy!!
Funny Al, I had a ‘79 in the exact same colors, drove it from AZ to S. California visiting family. Took my nephew for a drive and someone yelled as we drove by “ HEY Griswold”!
Still puts a smile on my face…
Maybe 7 or eight thousand dollars
Nice job Ron. Not long ago I happened to look up something in the 1977 Ford sales brochure. I too noticed the same emphasis on Ford’s size advantage, since Ford wasn’t downsizing the full sizers until 1979. This is a pretty good example of a car which had no interest to me back in the day, but now I find interesting.
Thanks, Bob. I’m with you. These big, boxy longroofs had presence for sure. The sun was about to set on them, but they went down swinging in style (and practicality).
We had one of these in cream over brown. It felt so luxurious! Back then, one of the unwritten must-haves of a station wagon was to fit a 4×8 sheet of plywood in the back with the tailgate shut. I’m sure this baby can do it.
My father’s 72 Ford Custom 500 wagon had the same brown hue, same vinyl color seats and the flip seats in the rear. Had the 351 Windsor and auto. Could not pass a gas station or a VW – on the highway.
Took a month vacation to hell in it with the family sliding on the seats. No air conditioning. Almost criminal. RIP Dad.
Nice car, these were everywhere when I was a kid. I never saw one with power windows and locks, and it looks like this one has cruise control, with those buttons that I can barely see on the horn pads. I’d preserve it and enjoy it for what it is.
I have probably posted about this before, so apologies. We owned two mid-70s LTDs, one a 1975 or 1976 (a low-spec four door, white with brown interior we bought used from an individual who taught driver’s ed privately) and then my grandfather’s 1977 cream/brown brougham sedan (loaded) we inherited when he passed in 1982. They were quite dependable and surprisingly durable though not much to drive – both had the 351 2bb and handled like an elephant on stilts. The brougham I drove to college from Roanoke to Richmond in 1987 then it went back home with my Dad at the wheel. Trying to keep it inside the lines coming up and over Afton Mountain in a foggy rain was terrifying. Why anyone would want one of these in this day and age is beyond me, but to each his own. This one is at least a bit interesting with the jump seats in the back. Good luck with the sale!
And what can we say about the sporty steering feel ?!
Good reply. I’m familiar with “adventurous” driving on good old Afton Mountain as my brother lives in Harrisonburg. I’m also familiar with Richmond being a VCU grad. And speaking of teaching Drivers Ed in one of these full-full sized cars, I learned on one in 1972 and in the DC area…Mercy.
I chased my dream of being the next John Boy Walton to Boatwright College (University of Richmond). Not too many cars like this on campus. Mostly BMWs, Saabs and Volvos, all from New Jersey and Connecticut!
GROWUNG up in an orphanage then into the navy in 1949 at 17 I never had a chance at owning one of these but loves them. Today I still covet the WAGONS, BUT I’m chatting with my wife about it WHY we have 40 great grand kids!!!! AND reading what all you car guys have to say is such a treat for this ole car guy THANKS to all of ya!
When I see an SUV I just think Ho Hum Yawn, but a big Ford wagon like this one makes me smile.
now we can drive to the grand canyon! a brady bunch reference. (wrong make, sorry!) couldn’t resist!
Great episodes. Made me want to carry my baked beans in a flashlight too. And they could all have fit in this car! How they all fit in the pop up camper I could never figure out though.
I think they made Alice sleep in a tent.
Those cars were awesome. Had a colony park. Almost identical. Workhorse and comfortable.
15k if no working ac or power steering or brakes is a tad overpriced
What a memory. Drove this as a teenager for local newspaper company. It was loaded with two tone leather. It was a floater to drive. It would haul newspapers during the week and kids during the weekend.
Those Country Squires/Colony Parks were the best people haulers around. Nothing beat the ride of a full framed Ford in the ’60s & 70’s.
Rear Tailgate Woodgrain looks to have been painted black (probably due to fading) and the hood ornament is broken off. I do think $15,000 is a bit steep as I have seen more well optioned (add cornering lamps, driver power seat, etc) and over all better shape wagons go for $15k.. but perhaps he is factoring in negotiating room.
Nice car, remember them all over as a kid, between 16 and 18 I owned a 69 and a 70 country squire I liked the style of those better, the 69 was given to me and the 70 cost me $150 both 390 engines both ran like beasts and I could carry all my friends. if not so overpriced I would consider buying this one.