It isn’t every day that someone has the chance to park a museum piece in their garage, but that is the opportunity provided by this 1980 Ford Country Squire Station Wagon. It is a highly-optioned classic with seating room for a large family. If you plan on taking the whole tribe on a summer adventure, this could be the ideal weapon. It is listed here on eBay in Scottsdale, Arizona. Bidding has raced to $4,050 but is short of the reserve. Our own Jonny C spotted this beauty.
The history of this Country Squire is well documented, with the decals on the front doors adding an interesting touch guaranteed to start conversations. Before spending twenty years in a museum, this Ford served as a lighting test car for General Electric. The sale includes the supporting documentation and the original light bar for those wishing to recapture its glory days. However, for those purely searching for a tidy family station wagon, it delivers. Its Maroon paint shines beautifully, with only a few minor flaws. The faux woodgrain is possibly the most impressive exterior feature because it is damage-prone and can be expensive to repair if that is the case. It looks showroom fresh, with no evidence of fading or other issues. The wagon’s underside is rock-solid, but that doesn’t mean it is rust-free. Minor spots are visible in the tailgate and below the back window, but simple patches should consign them to the pages of history. The grille has a single small defect, but the remaining trim, chrome, and glass look excellent.
Station wagon interiors, particularly those serving as daily family transport, often become dilapidated courtesy of young children, tiny feet, sticky foods, and large dogs. All can exact a heavy toll, but this Ford has avoided those pitfalls. Its Maroon leather upholstery is excellent, with no wear or physical damage. The same is true of the carpet, which is pretty remarkable for a vehicle of this type and age. A life spent indoors means there is no UV damage or crumbling plastic, and the new owner will slip behind the wheel of a classic wagon loaded with comfort features. These include ice-cold air conditioning, power windows, power front seats, cruise control, an AM/FM radio, a tilt wheel, and lashings of faux walnut trim. For those with a large family, the third-row seating might be impossible to resist.
You only need to look at this Ford’s specifications to gain insight into the impact of emission regulations during The Malaise Era. The 1980 Country Squire’s entry-level motor was a 5.0-liter V8 producing 130hp. Those wanting more could order their wagon powered by a 351ci unit, but doing so only brought an additional 10hp to the table. Buyers needed to weigh the choice carefully because while the larger engine provided marginally better acceleration, it achieved the feat while consuming 22% more fuel than its sibling. This Country Squire features the 351, a three-speed automatic transmission, and power assistance for the steering and brakes. After years on display, it is once again in a roadworthy state. It drives well, rolling on new tires. This is a hot prospect for those seeking a turnkey wagon ready for summer touring.
With station wagons nothing but a distant memory in the domestic new car market, it is left to vehicles like this 1980 Ford Country Squire to fill the void for those not interested in a van or SUV as family transport. This is a tidy classic with relatively minor needs, and it comes with a fascinating back story. It isn’t perfect, but the new owner could push it toward that standard as time and circumstances allow. With those thoughts in mind, is it an alternative you would consider for your next cross-country adventure?
I question that this car has leather interior.
Me too Boatman, I could be completely wrong but I didn’t think Ford offered leather interiors as an option in 1980. Lincoln surely did, but I think the only options on Fords and Mercurys were either vinyl, or velour.
I had one just like this with a white exterior and red interior and the leather was indeed red.
Its not leather it is vinyl but younger people who have never seen vinyl seats would never know
Naugahyde
Well younger folks better wise up because all the luxury makers are currently offering vinyl called SensaTec, NuLuxe, etc
Your correct, its not leather. Better known as “Pleather” or vinyl.
Leather was available for cars optioned with the interior luxury group. This is not leather, however, since this is the standard upholstery pattern, and the seats show none of the random creases that form as leather ages from use.
Clark would be pleased. Think you hate it now wait till you drive it.
The Jerk’s ride back home.
This is not a “museum piece”.
Indeed.
Have you seen some of the random cars in car museums
No. Look at the dirty motor.
Fix the tailgate, build the 351 and drive it like you stole it. Always love the BIG Wagons, Going to keep a eye on this one
The museum have a roof leak over the back of this car?
Boy oh boy, lotta unhappy viewers on this one. Lol. Looks like a pretty nice car to me, and I’ll bet those seats are indeed leather.
But they’ll drool over a rotted out hulk of a certain European sporty car. Interesting…
you would lose that bet. NOT LEATHER.
My biggest pet peeve on “classic”/older car listings——if it’s not cloth, it’s almost always described as leather. Doesn’t take anything away from the car, but this is absolutely vinyl here.
In most cases, I’d take a quality grade vinyl over leather upholstery any day. This wagon’s a beauty – those 2 rusted spots can be easily dealt with.
All this talk of leather and its illegitimate offspring and yet no one mentioned the dreaded “Corinthean” variety.
Museum piece? HArdly HArr HArr….. see what I did there?
Perfect for one of the Brady kids.
I think the seats look like Naugahyde. Hard to get now, since the nauga was hunted to extinction sometime in the 70’s.
Probably took at least 13 Naugas to create that interior. I think maroon Naugas were the rarest too.
You guys should think about partnering, a pair of real stand-up comedians.
I haven’t heard that one in a long time, but that’s still funny.
I don’t care who you are. Thanks for the laugh. Ha ha…
$8,900 now!! Reserve met.
Where in gods earth does it say how many miles
Mark, in the ebay ad, 73,406 miles.
Cool, a $2,500 car that brought $19,000. Obviously, this car spent most of it’s life in Cleveland, not Scottsdale. This had to be the most crusty, rusty car in Arizona, lol!