Sales of the evergreen Ford LTD Crown Victoria dropped by 33% from 1985 to 1986, from about 185,000 to about 124,000. What happened? Maybe it was age—the big, Panther-platform Ford was entering its eighth year on the market largely unchanged—but the more likely culprit was right across the showroom: the slick new Taurus. A much smaller car, to be sure, but one that could be equipped just as luxuriously and boasted much greater efficiency and aerodynamic styling roughly two generations advanced from that of its boxy big brother. There was even a three-row Taurus wagon, making the wood-paneled Country Squire look like a dinosaur. Fortunately for us, someone saved this ’86 Country Squire from extinction, and kept it in lovely condition, too; now it’s available here on eBay out of Boulder City, Nevada.
These days, we tend to look back fondly on wood-paneled wagons as having had a certain kind of country club class, and certainly no Taurus could pull off this look. This 72,252-mile wagon’s backstory only adds to its tony appeal: the current owners kept it at their summer home. The sale of that property has prompted the sale of the car, and while it’s clearly fit for just about any kind of use, it would be too perfect if the new owners did the exact same thing!
A dry climate and gentle use have been this Squire’s friends; the body appears to be immaculately rust-free, and the leather interior similarly unweathered, and protected by a fairly dark tint on the windows. True to its top-of-the-line status, power windows, locks, and seat adjustments are fitted, as are air conditioning and a cassette player. And the true advantage of this big, boxy brute over any aero-jellybean Taurus: there was still room in the back for the traditional Country Squire face-to-face third-row jumpseats.
And of course, no Taurus had room underhood for a 302-cubic inch (oops, 5.0-liter in the Euro-metric ’80s, although in reality only a 4.9) Windsor V8. Granted, the Taurus’s top Essex 3.0 V6, which had a 700-pound lighter, more aerodynamically efficient car to move, was down only 10 horses on the V8, 140 to 150, but its 160 lb.-ft. of torque couldn’t touch the 5.0’s 270. This engine bay is neither suspiciously shabby nor suspiciously clean for the age and condition of the car; the seller swears it was kept to a strict 3,000-mile oil change interval, so it should be good for many more years and miles of service, and easy and cheap to maintain to boot.
The Country Squire’s days may have been numbered in 1986—the 1979-1991 generation would be its last—but this example clearly has much more to give, and plenty of appeal that no Taurus can cancel out. Bidding’s still only at $4,150 as of this writing; not much money for lots of car. Could you see picking it up for summer home duty?
Even better, it’s fuel injected, in its second year I believe. I always preferred these Fords over the full size GM wagons of the time.
Door speakers and leather? So jealous.
If my wallet wasn’t empty, this wagon would be taking Sis to work every day.
My nephew has an ’89 Grand Marquis
wagon that he and his dad are restoring.
Their car is original–down to the special
lug wrench needed to remove the factory
turbine rims. Like this one, it has leather
seats, premium stereo radio with casette,
power windows, locks, seats, cruise
control, and even coach lights mounted
in the B pilars. Unloke their car, this one
is clean, solid, and ready to use. Just
what I need right now. Man, do I want
this car!
wowsa another wagon for wagonmasters….
if I never see another wagon I could consider myself so so lucky…
Its very ugly with the plastic siding…. Please drive it off a cliff or recycle soon….
What happen in those years was the Dodge Caravan came out and began the downward slide of the station wagon sales. More room , better fuel economy and car like ride with a Caravan. Not to mention Lee’s revolutionary rebate program.
Nathan, you may be right about the Taurus wagons pulling sales from the Country Squire, but, how many Taurus wagons are still on the road compared to the Country Squire.
Those buyers of the big wagons were the smart ones.
I’m bidding
That is one nice wagon.
It’s even the right color
Anyone restoring or considering buying anything like this is just bat crazy.
I saw a comment about this being fuel injection,wow 1986 fuel injection is Neanderthal era fuel injection. I seriously doubt this wagon could pull anything over a mountain pass let alone a bunch of pot head ski bums. Ask yourself where would you park it.
Herbee, why ask a question like “Where would you park it?”
This car is smaller than a 4 door truck from today.
To answer your question directly, just as I have done for the past 35 years, I would park it in whatever space is marked “Compact Only”.
Guy drives s Bug. LOL. Anything bigger than that looks like a Semi.
This is a SEFI injection set-up. The best setup on a small block ford, and tuned with a flat torque curve. Clearly you have never driven or owned one.
I’ve got one of those but, not as nice. 1986 was the first year for EFI in the LTD, GM, and full size wagons
We had this exact car (color/options, etc). It was a very nice car to drive, reasonable fuel economy and it towed our 25 foot Rustler travel trailer with minimal issues. We had it for 7 years and put on a lot of miles with our two boys. Traded it in for a Suburban.
The wagon is good for a lot of things. But, the Suburban is the way to go for pulling travel/camper trailers.
I still live in the 60s and 70s and I’m proud to say so LOL all these newer box cars look the same. I still drive a 73 LTD with 21,000 miles on it. Not as a daily driver but is a toy. Do I own newer Vehicles ? Yes the newest being a 2005 Thunderbird, a 2003 F150 , and several Super Duties, but, there’s just nothing like having a full size traditional car. I fondly remember my parents brand new 69 light blue Country Squire wagon with a 429 that car was my favorite car for many years.
Gorgeous wagon. Much prettier than any SUV of the last 25 years. Great visibility in these too unlike today.
Maybe i’m a skeptic, maybe my spidey senses are tingling from a Criminal Justice background, but it does appear that this fellow is bidding on his own Automobile. I absolutely have to be wrong!!!
I had the exact car but 87, never a problem, wish i still had it!
saw this 1 on my feed. I have it set for the fox-bodied, down sized LTD (’83/6) or Marquis. This is actually the crown vic, still on the large size (as is the Grand Marquis).
Careful wid dat “4.9L” description as that’s the 4.9L i6 (1 of the 2 “Big6” in the ThriftPower or “Falcon” motor family of 6 sz & 36 yrs of’em).
I think any ford wagon model w/the wood fiberglass or appliqué was called ‘country squire’ ( for a 50 yr run ).
Lemmie know if U see the LTD/Marquis, ’83-6. B4 Burt Reynolds died he out bid me on one (last spring?)…
I have a ’85 Grand Marquis LS that you would love, with just over 9K documented miles, from a collection. How can I contact you ?
As nice as this car is and as awesome it is that it’s been preserved… rather have one of the rare as hen’s teeth 5-speed Taurus wagons or, better yet, the SHO wagon they never made. Ran an ’88 from a little over 30k to around 125k. Only had to replace the fuel pump. Only fuss I had from that car.
I currently own and daily drive a 1986 Country Squire LX. It has 85 thousand miles and goes up everyday. The car was a one owner when I picked it up. And had 70 thousand on it. I have had it for 3 years and only had to replace the front brakes, rotors, calipers and bubber lines. Car runs awesome. Was owned by an old lady. She bought it new. Local to my home. The car has never left the 50 mile area near my home. Till I got it. I have driven it everywhere. Took it on an 11 hour trip to Kentucky and back. And it got an amazing 27mpg on the interstate. With the 5.0L and overdrive automatic transmission. I’m currently in search of a rear tailgate window glass. It got broken out about a year ago. And I’m so tired of having to keep plastic on it. I dont want it getting rained In. So it’s been a nightmare without the glass. But I havent had any luck finding one affordable so far. I love these old big land boats ! I’m a bigger guy also. And they fit good with plenty of interior room. And it rides and drives so good. It’s like driving your couch down the road !
I have done a few updates to it. It currently rolls on a set of 17×8 99-04 mustang GT wheels. Has LED headlights. And a mustang cold air set up modded by myself to work. And have a set of BBK stainless shorty headers for it. Planning to install true duals and flow masters with hi-flo cats when I do the header swap. Also future plans include a MAS air 5.0 H.O. swap and 5 speed transmission. Wish me luck …. lol