The pictures tend to tell the story of this 1955 Ford Country Squire Wagon. It was a restoration project that stalled due to ill health, and this classic spent many years hidden in an aircraft hangar. It has emerged none the worse for the experience and is a solid project candidate ideal for a novice. Its crowning glory could be the interior, which received a retrim before the previous owner’s health worsened. The Country Squire is listed here on eBay in Strasburg, Colorado. Bidding sits below the reserve at $6,500, with a BIN option of $12,000 for those wishing to bypass the auction process.
Ford released its Third Generation Country Squire in 1955, with the new model effectively an evolution of its predecessor. It looked crisp and modern on debut, with 1955 Country Squire sales comfortably outstripping the previous year’s total. The seller indicates a previous owner commenced the restoration of this gem many years ago, but the process stalled early. Its Pinetree Green paint is badly faded, with the Wagon begging for someone to give it a new lease on life. The new owner will start the process from a sound foundation because the worst of its rust issues appears confined to patchable areas in both lower front fenders. The exterior wears plenty of surface corrosion, but the seller doesn’t mention any further steel penetration. The fiberglass that is an integral part of the faux woodgrain is present, although some pieces show deterioration. The seller includes some items that might address the shortcoming, also including other trim parts. The glass looks clean, and the Ford retains its original hubcaps.
The ace up this Ford’s sleeve could be its interior. The previous owner almost completed a retrim before their health intervened. They installed new Green cloth and vinyl seatcovers, matching door trims, a carpet set, and a fresh headliner. I’m disappointed they didn’t restore the painted surfaces because while they aren’t horrendous, they do detract from what could be a stunning interior. Partial dismantling of the interior is required to right that wrong, but the finished product should justify the effort. The seller indicates that the remaining items to complete this aspect of the build are included, meaning it will take more time than money to achieve factory-fresh presentation.
There is more good news when we focus on this Country Squire’s drivetrain. It features a 272ci Y-Block V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, and power steering. The Y-Block produces 162hp and 258 ft/lbs of torque, making the Ford a sprightly performer that should cruise effortlessly at 70mph. The Wagon’s engine is in excellent health, starting and running perfectly. The transmission shifts smoothly, and the power steering works as it should. While the Ford drives well, there are issues for the buyer to address. The engine bay wiring harness is falling apart, and coaxing the engine into life entails running a jumper wire to the coil. This problem isn’t insurmountable, with new harnesses retailing for under $200. The previous owner replaced the tires, brakes, and exhaust before work stalled. These have deteriorated, and a repeat performance is required. However, the list contains no tasks a competent new owner couldn’t tackle.
It is invariably sad when a restoration project stalls due to an owner’s deteriorating health, and not knowing their current status makes it more so. If fortune has smiled upon them and they are still with us, I hope that someone completes the build and has the chance to show them the finished product. Such gestures can often lift the spirits of a person plagued by ill health, providing a much-needed shot in the arm. If they have passed, this 1955 Ford Country Squire could be a fitting tribute to their vision. Either way, the new owner will be a winner. That makes it worth the effort.
Interesting to see the original factory hue on the left bank of rims, and red on the right. I know some of the hot rodders back in the ’50’s and ’60’s would paint rims red, and usually left the hubcaps off.
This will be a beauty when finished, no matter the color of rims.
You just don’t see many of these cars any more. This could be a great project. Get all the colors right, rebuild the brakes etc., and go have some weekend fun.
If there was ever a car to be pulling a canned ham trailer, this would be it.
WOW what a piece of history. It’s gonna take some work to make it pristine, but the reward would be worth it. I think most Ford wagons were Ranch Wagons at this time. My grandparents had a ’56 2 door Ranch Wagon that fell victim to upstate NY winters and then an accident in NYC totaled it in the mid 60’s. Where are you gonna find another?
My father lost his new 55 Ranch Wagon to hurricane Diane in CT. the place where he worked was close to the water and his Ford and his bosses new Hawk were both up their roofs in salt water – needless to say, both were total losses
Country Sedans would have been the most popular, with 4 doors, rather than 2
Very nice unmolested car that will not need a total resto. This is a beautiful car in the condition she’s in. And although not in the same class as a 55 chevy which is my dream car wagons are awesome no matter the make and very few are still around but just as with sedans some people think classics wagons unless they are a nomad are not worth spending money on, fixing ,building or restoring and that’s sad. I drive a wagon all the time and have 2 (06 and 07 dodge magnum wagons) they aren’t classics yet but people have been parting and junkies them like crazy already so they will be like this car in the future
As the years pass, we tend to forget, but if you rolled into your “Pressboard Estates” prefab homes drive with a Country Squire, all the neighbors knew a promotion was gotten, and an addition to the house was next. This wasn’t for the poor worker living above a bowling alley, this was Americas middle class car of choice, even though its style was rather dated. This car cost $2860 new, almost $600 bucks more than the lowly Ranch Wagon that most drove. This car will appeal to a large group, merely because it’s an automatic. Aside from family photos, I doubt many today have actually been in one, but retro is coming back big time, and what better car than this. All spiffied up, I’d be mighty proud to be seen in this.
I noticed the wheel color diff. right off too.
Not at all uncommon to do this when undecided. More like the norm these days.
Had a customer request I squirt his 1929 Franklin Pirate Phaeton two colors, right down the middle. He said, “I can only look at one side at time anyways, and then I’ll decide!”
Very nice.A great project and priced right.If I had room I would buy this one.
I’m way too old to take this on, sadly. But I’d LOVE to, and I hope that SOMEone can both afford this and will complete its restoration. Don’t see these on the road anymore — except for the occasional ’55 Ford passenger vehicle, such as the Customline sedan in “Coal Miner’s Daughter” (or, was that a Mainline? — I’d have to see the movie again — it’s been about 42 or 43 years). I do remember the scenes where the field of the camera caught streets where not all of the “modern” (at that time) vehicles had been removed and replaced with period-correct cars.
One other item: these hubcaps were used mostly on the Mainline and Customline Fords; the Country Squire, I should think, would have the Fairlane hubcaps.
I can’t believe the mileage on the ebay listing. 500007 gotta be wrong.
What a nice find. And fair price too. For sure it deserves to be on the road again. If it was mine I’d do whatever was necessary to get it safe and roadworthy and then just enjoy it. Then later on maybe start to attend to the exterior appearance. I think I’d have to decide on a single color for the wheels from the start though. GLWTS.
My first car was a ’55 Mercury wagon that was also a green woodie. We got it and a couple of surfboards from another Navy family that was leaving Hawaii not long after we arrived. We could pile the whole gang in the car and head to the beach. I always thought it was a 292 engine- it was missing on one cylinder and I didn’t have the bucks or the knowhow then to deal with it. Sold it and moved on to a ’58 VW bus and never looked back! (until I discovered a little sedan known as a BMW 2002 that is…)
You can read backwards on the right side of the windshield that the asking price is 10k. Hmm.
Yep….that was at a Swap Meet and guess it didn’t get 10k there…..guess you keep trying…
Jack Arnest: This station wagon WAS a bit prettier in Mercury form (the 1955 Mercury was a nice-looking car anyway)… but, THIRSTY!!!
Yblocks were not THIRSTY, I had a 59 Fairlane, 292, 20+mpg all day long on the highway
It was, but back then gas was $0.31/gal on base so it was bearable…
Slight correction – that is not the standard 162hp V8 – it’s the optional 182hp Special V8 with Holley 4000 4-bbl carb and dual exhaust from the factory.
Would it not have the exhaust holes in the bumper ?
not in 55
Not on wagons, exhaust could seep in the gate, wagon exhaust went out the side, behind the rear tire.
i think this gen moved our fam of 4, 400 mi or 7 hr, N. from Baldi-mur to Bosin. Not sure it hada Y-block. Ran it a yr or so till mo smacked a tree when slippin on ice. From then on she asked for / dad provided ‘small cars’. The kid mobile (her personal too) became a fleet of renaults (Daulpheln was 1st w/semaphore signals to Renault 10 & 16 I believe), couple Simcas (1000 models), fiats (128 sedan). A that point we were old enuff for own’n she went onto 850s, 124 spyders and lastly, lancias B coupes (EXP, escort, no more drivin? may B they switched back to a one car couple / she just never went anywhere?).
I’d like this car, pefer a straight 8 but gone by then (in ford, didnt the buick last nother 1, 2 yrs?)
Ford never had a straight 8
chrisful — I have trouble with deciphering your posts: could you PLEASSE speel your words out in full? THANX! The Internet/texting jargon and endless abbreviation is blind to this older reader.
PLEASE spell (sorry for the h e typos)
As the poster wrote , Such gestures can often lift the spirits of a person plagued by ill health, providing a much-needed shot in the arm.
The problem is the shot in the arm causing so many of our car buddies to promptly drop !
Getting back to the car , it is a diamond in the rough, sadly , as much as i love looking at these , i hate driving them , modern cars beat these all day long but simply don’t look as cool
YOLO
People are going around singling out car enthusiasts and shooting them in the arm!? That’s crazy, why???
What happened the option to flag a comment?? I’ve seen a few weird ones lately from Fox eaters that aren’t helpful.
Eric B.: I am Autistic — and it TOOK me a moment to “get” your wry “shooting in the arm” comment. But what is the reference/context for “FOX eaters”? — I cannot connect that one at all! Claudio: I love driving older cars — they feel more “normal” to me, than newer ones. As long as I’ve had my 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis (many years, and 370,000 miles), I still insinctively reach with my foot to tap the floor-switch to dim the headlights — when the switch is on the steering-column! And how many times have I similarly grabbed the gear-shift and reached for the clutch? I wouldn’t want to adjust to the gear-shift of a Model T — but anything made from about 1930 on forward is pretty straightforward to drive. And your position in the driver’s seat is more natural and erect. If you have mechanical brakes, simply give yourself more room to stop. And, going downhill, a standard-shift slows-down when you ease your foot off the gas — you seldom (if ever) need your brakes. The radio takes some seconds for the tubes to warm-up, and you have A.M. only. The clock TICKS. But seriously, when driving that 1939 or 1953, what’s not to like? And old cars are COMFORTABLE over long hours: you don’t arrive stiff and needing several moments just to stand up. Of course, with modern fuel injection, I don’t need to fuss with carburetors and re-setting gaps on points — I’ll give you that.
I would love to have this wagon, I’d be almost tempted to trade my fully restored 56 F100 for it. I said almost. Being a Country Squire, the top of the line Ford, I would guess it probably has a 292, rather than a 272, as mentioned above. I would also guess it came from the factory with the deluxe full wheel covers rather than the caps, also as mentioned above. This would be a rare beauty, if finished properly. I hope it happens. One more thing, the 54-56 Yblocks had what was called the “Load-O-Matic” distributor, which had no mechanical advance, only vacuum, which hindered performance. A 57 or later distributor, along with a compatible 57 or later carburetor, brings these motors to life. Just never replace one or the other, it has to be both. That’s all for today’s lesson in Yblocks lol
I notice the dual exhaust which according to one source says it’s probably a factory upgrade 272 CI with 4-barrel carb (182 HP). The 292 was available but in a T-Bird or Police Interceptor model.
My first car was a 55 Customline followed by a 56 Fairlane Victoria. Despite common sheetmetal I have to give a nod to the 56. The mid-level Customline had a 272 2-barrel with single exhaust (crossover pipe), Fordomatic, manual choke and oddly enough power steering. But the killer was the 6-Volt system. Even in NC it was a sketchy start on cold mornings.
The 56 was much improved with the 12-Volt system, automatic choke, and a modernized dash appearance. Mine had the Fordomatic plus factory 4-way power seat and tinted windows. Oddly it had no power steering or brakes. A black car with a black interior it was a challenge to steer without burning your hands after parked under the summer sun of NC.
Nonetheless, this 55 is well worth bringing back to its 1950s glory and would be a great car to tool around in. Hopefully the initial restorer can see it in like new form.