Those familiar with “National Lampoon’s Vacation” will fondly remember Clark Griswold’s Wagon Queen Family Truckster. It was an unspeakably ugly station wagon that has developed cult status. It was based on a 1979 LTD Country Squire, and although our feature wagon is two years older, it could serve as the base for a tribute. Alternatively, preserving or restoring this classic might appeal to more potential buyers, with both approaches valid. The Country Squire is listed here on eBay in Orange, California. Bidding sits at $7,600 in a No Reserve auction.
This Country Squire is an automotive giant that presents pretty well for an unrestored survivor. Its Code 5Q Dark Brown Metallic paint is consistent across the vehicle, although it is developing a baked appearance. I believe it is probably beyond the point where polishing will make a significant difference. Therefore, a perfectionist might consider a repaint. They would probably also use the opportunity to replace the vinyl faux woodgrain because it is faded and tired. Kits are readily available via several suppliers and retail for around $500. They aren’t cheap but would help the winning bidder achieve an as-new appearance. The panels are straight, and life in a dry climate has allowed this beauty to remain rust-free. The glass is spotless, and the trim is acceptable for a driver-grade classic. The damage-prone hubcaps look fine, while the chrome roof rack is a practical feature.
The “presentable” theme continues when we examine this wagon’s interior. It isn’t perfect, with the front seat on the driver’s side showing a couple of seam separations. The rear cargo area has the usual assortment of bumps and scrapes on the plastic, although careful work with a plastic dye might improve the appearance. The headliner and back seat are excellent, and while the carpet isn’t perfect, the lack of significant wear means replacement isn’t necessary. The best news surrounds the dash pad. These are prone to UV damage and cracking, but this one has avoided that fate. It would still be worth spending $60 on a cover as a preventative measure. I think this wagon features third-row seating, although it isn’t mentioned in the listing. The air conditioning doesn’t blow cold, but the power windows, power locks, power front seat, cruise control, and remote mirrors work as they should.
Tight emission regulations were making themselves felt by 1977, with this Country Squire’s original 400ci V8 producing 168hp. Shifting duties fall to a three-speed automatic transmission, with power assistance for the steering and brakes removing the physical effort from controlling this 4,771 lb giant. The weight and engine power combination makes the 19.8-second ¼-mile ET unsurprising and unremarkable. However, pointed at a stretch of open road, it should comfortably cruise all day at freeway speeds. The seller indicates the wagon runs and drives, although it has only been yard-driven recently. They suggest the winning bidder treat it to a complete service, and I would add a thorough inspection to that list before attempting long journeys. However, if the new owner plans some long-distance family adventures, this could be the ideal classic for those trips.
The idea of a Family Truckster tribute is appealing and would guarantee this 1977 Country Squire would draw crowds wherever it goes. However, I’m not sure this wagon deserves that fate. A faithful restoration would recapture its glory days, while preservation would allow it to wear its survivor badge proudly. Learning the bidders’ plans would be fascinating because eleven people have already submitted forty-three bids. If you joined the party and succeeded, what would be your plans?
I have fond memories of sitting in the back seats that faced each other trying to get the truckers to blow their air horns. It would be worth buying just for the smiles it would bring everytime I went into the garage.
Ford built this body style from 1973 to 1978 before it was redesigned and downsized in 79. I had a 75 Mercury Colony Park wagon, The Mercurys were the top of the Ford wagons it was white with tan interior. In the early 80s I attempted to replace the woodgrain panels. There were no kits back then, I had to search the Ford national dealer parts system to find the 9 panels required to complete the job. By the time I was finished, I cleaned the country out of panels. I learned a lot about those panels. The Squires had the black chalk lines that ran through each panel, and were trimmed with a blond colored woodgrain boarder. The Mercurys did not have the lines, and were trimmed with a thin bright molding surrounding the panels. Also, the panels had clear areas within the woodgrain which meant the car had to be painted before the panels were applied. Like that, the woodgrain panels blended with the color of the car better, something most people didn’t know, or wouldn’t notice the blended look. Ford slightly changed to color of the woodgrain every year so it was important to make sure the panels all matched each other and the model year. Lastly but highly important, you had to find a body man with experience hanging those panels to make sure they were installed correctly. It was a dying skill in the 80s, I’m sure it would be much rarer now. I found my guy at the Lincoln Mercury dealer in Santa Monica,CA. By the time I found all 9 panels, had the body prepared to accept the panels and finding the body man, the project took a full year to complete. But it was worth it. That Colony Park looked brand new when I finished it. Mine had the 460 cid engine in it. I put KYB gas shocks on it and replaced the stock Michelin, standard size tires on it. Those 70s Ford wagons were one of the most beautiful, comfortable and well handling cars I’ve ever owned. We drove it on road trips to the High Sierra mountains all the time to our vacation home for fishing and skiing. Those Ford wagons dominated the highway. They were very popular family cars well into the late 80s. I highly recommend this Country Squire, and the dark brown metallic pain was a very popular color choice. I wish I still had mine. There’s nothing quite like them.
I’ve got wood too.
Had a ’73 Country Sedan and loved it!
It was the same car pictured here but
with the usual updates from the factory. And by that I mean the running changes Ford made to the car
from ’74-“78, but the same car under
the skin. Mine had the big 400 cube
engine with the heavy duty C-6 tranny
and rear axle. It also had a heavy duty cooling system too. Paid $275
for it in 1980 and it was a great buy
for the money. It was everything to me. Truck, people hauler, cruiser, and
a whole lot more. And cruise? Mine
would eat up the miles while it floated
down the interstate like nobody’s
business. It was a great old wagon but I couldn’t afford to keep gas in it!
Wound up trading it straight up for a
’62 Rambler Classic Custom 2-door
sedan a friend of mine had in ’81 that
needed a large car to move to California. Boy, do I miss that car.
Nice to see there are still really fine
examples out there for sale. Maybe
one day, I’ll find another like it but right now I’m buying a house so it’s
gonna have to wait. Great find.
The mention of “Vacation” every time a Country Squire is featured on BF, is getting like the mention of gas tank fires on Pinto’s and the “put an LS in it” joke. We get it. And, if anyone would take an almost perfect Squire like this one, and turn it into a fake “movie car?” They should be forced to drive a ’87 Chevrolet Corsica, with a badly running 4 cylinder, for a penance.
Corsicas were first manufactured in 88
Whatever….
I don’t get it.
Add to that, suggesting the molesting of classic ambulances to turn them into “Ghostbusters” dreck…
Those cars used to be everywhere in my day, and I never saw one with any of those options. Nice car, worth preserving and enjoying.
We had a ’76 County Squire growing up. I was 16 when we took the wagon from Chicago to Yellowstone and back pulling a 25′ camper. Quite and experience learning to pull a trailer. The car did well on the trip, though my dad and I had pulled the 400 engine and treated it to a rebuild the summer before. I would pull the 400 and find a good 460 to put in it. A solid body on these cars is rare, so I think it would be well worth some paint and restoration of the wood grain and trim. Nice find!
I had the same Identical car, My daughter got into an accident, the car was bent in half, my daughter did not have her seat belt on, she was fine, Thank God for being a very large vehicle. It was a beautiful car.
My uncle had a 74 Country Squire. Pale yellow with black interior. It was mint. That was around ’83-’84 and he was quite trusting lending it to me on occasion. I had a few little tarts bare #ssed in the cargo hold many of those evenings.
Tom M
The a/c will not blow cold without a compressor.
These wagons were the mini vans of their day.
Great for families, large enough to haul large items with the seats folded down.
My parents had Ford station wagons to transport
My four brothers and I. In succession they had a
1965, 1968 and a 1974 model years.
My wife and I had a 1987 Ford wagon for our family transportation. Lots of great memories.
Oh why can’t anyone make a car anymore? I mean a decent size family car and wagon so you don’t have to step 4 feet up to climb into your truck with quad cab and thousand horsepower diesel motor, Nice open-air trunk etc etc