In the 1970s, if you wanted a station wagon that was big on comfort and big in general, you probably went looking for an LTD Country Squire at your friendly Ford dealer. This 1975 edition of Ford’s top station wagon is in really good shape overall and has had a refresh done on the powerplant. Complete with its original “woodie” side paneling, the wagon currently calls San Francisco, California home and has been offered here on eBay where the bidding has arrived at $3,250, but there is the matter of a reserve still to be met.
The Country Squire was born in 1949 as the Woodies were being phased out in favor of the less expensive all-steel wagons. Over the years, the Country Squire could be found on a variety of the Ford-built wagons, but the luxurious LTD was top-shelf. The 1975 model was a restyled version of the generation that was redesigned in 1973. It now shared the grille and hidden headlights with the plush LTD Landau series. Ford’s 400 cubic inch V-8 and the Select Shift Cruise-O-Matic transmission were standard, with a 460 optional, one of the industry’s largest engines of the day.
Any time I see one of these station wagons, I’m reminded of the Wagon Queen Family Truckster – which was based on a later model Country Squire – from the 1983 movie National Lampoon’s Vacation. While the Truckster was an exaggeration, this wagon is equally as big and well-laden. From 1975, it’s a one-family vehicle, having been purchased new by the seller’s grandparents. The body, paint and woodgrain paneling have all held up pretty well, although the roof is starting to fade and there’s a small dent above the grille in front. While the wagon is approaching 100,000 miles, it has been garage kept and it shows.
While many of the LTD Country Squires had the rear-facing third seat, this wagon did not. The interior is in really nice shape except for one tear in the fancy seats, some possible worn carpeting and a storage area that was regularly used. While the seller says the wagon has about every extra you could get back in the day, it doesn’t appear to have factory air conditioning as there is no sight of a compressor in the engine compartment.
We don’t know if there’s a 400 or 460 under the hood, but the seller says it was “gone through” a couple of years ago and that work included gaskets and seals. As such, it should run pretty well, although frequent stops at the gas pump would probably not lift your spirits. NADA sees these as used cars and not collectibles, so $10,000 would be top dollar. On a weight basis, that’s just $2.42 per pound!
With the dark color and all that glass, this would not be a very pleasant vehicle with no A/C- unless you live in Canada.
You know Canada isn’t cold in summer, right? This summer we had more days than not above 30 C (86F). We need AC just as much as the next guy.
Really? Canada is cold in the winter, not in the summer. This summer we got up to 40c (104f). We just have bigger temperature gaps than you guys.
“While many of the LTD Country Squires had the rear-facing third seat, this wagon did not”
This appears to have the dual side facing seats.
http://storm.oldcarmanualproject.com/ford/wagons/Ford%20Wagons19750203.jpg
You are correct.
At that time I recall rear facing seats were mopar, side facing Ford and front facing GM
Where’s the AC?, deduct $3,500.00 off of the $8,400.00 asking price.
It did have AC originally when you look at the right side of the Firewall you will see the AC Components. Obviously the compressor and hoses are gone.
Correct Bill. You can clearly see the AC lines, case ect.
That’s a 400 if I’m not mistaken, the water neck says it all.
The engine code is an S which does designate the 400.
I don’t see a compressor either, but the dash pics clearly show that it at least had automatic a/c at one time. Hmm…
I always look on the firewall to see if it had A/C. Some cars had the vents with no factory air.
It was plumbed for AIR CONDITIONING, look at the heater box on the firewall.
I see an expansion valve there,too.
Someone must have taken the compressor off.
Dat’d be a 400.
Dat’s a 400
A/C compressor is missing for sure. Mounting bracket is there as are some of the lines etc. Nice survivor wagon I’d drive a/c or no.
Judging from the chrome molding on the D-pillar, this had a vinyl roof, which was available in brown or tan. Seems to have been removed at some point in the past.
Keen eye CCFisher, keen eye indeed
I saw a 77-79 Ford Ranchero Squire for sale last year that looked like this. It had a similar color and all the wood grain except this one had a white vinyl top and a 351 engine.
It had factory air, compressor is not there, but box on firewall is, w/o a/c it’s a miserable car, but Fords of that generation ride so well, only the steering was 17 turns lock to lock, and lane changes was a full 1/4 turn
I can only speak for myself but without A/C, power windows and so on, it’s not a buy for me and frankly I can live without disappearing headlights, of which I have some horror stories. The interior is very nice and tempting.
All of those in SUVs should buy a wagon and see what a long roof will do for you that an SUV can’t touch in terms of style and versatility.
Another flipper.
“Currently resides in California “, but obviously with the Washington State plates it was never licensed there.
Nice wagon though.
The AC compressor was mounted on the left side. The lower mounting bracket is visible in the pictures as is the AC plumbing on the right firewall. The AC on these wagons was capable of causing frostbite!
It’ll appreciate and you can enjoy it while it does.
It’s priced right.
Someone will be getting a very fair deal on this one, barring any major mechanical issues.
Country squires have two jump seats that face each other not one seat facing the rear……. ford offered a checker set so the kids could play! I know because I have one for my ‘72 wagon…..
Sold for $ 6200. Not bad. I’ve been watching reruns of 70’s shows lately ( Mannix, Cannon) and I’m really getting the hots for a 70’s car. Big lumbering cruisers too big for many modern garages. I get nostalgic just thinking about it.
It didn’t sell for $8300 or a dual (illegal to eBay standards) at $6200 either. This guy I conferred with about the car, said he got it thru an estate sale, trying to make a few bucks. Definitely a 400, and a/c is not working, he does not know anything about cars.
Lead sled IMO.
I feel personally responsible for the scarcity of these cars . Back in the 80s , I was picking these up for $50.00 or less and derbying them . The gas tank up by the rear end was a lot better than the saddle tanks most wagons had