Ah, the humble station wagon. Once the preserve of the average family, they have morphed into one of the “must-have” vehicles in the current classic market. Good examples can generate plenty of interest when they hit the market, as demonstrated by this 1970 Ford LTD Country Squire. It is a tidy survivor, and while it isn’t perfect, it is ready for its next owners to head out on a cross-country adventure. Its engine bay contains a V8 that should not leave the Ford wanting if the driver decides to bury the right foot. Located in Granite Falls, Washington, you will find the Country Squire listed for sale here on eBay. Solid bidding has pushed the price to $7,100, but this figure remains short of the reserve.
There’s little doubt that this Country Squire makes a positive first impression. It appears that its Wimbledon White paint may be original, and it still holds a good shine for its age. There are no significant flaws, and the only evidence of panel damage is confined to a spot in the driver’s side rocker. This is not severe and should represent a straightforward repair. It is typical for the faux woodgrain on these wagons to deteriorate significantly over time, but a previous owner decided to apply replacement vinyl. It isn’t an exact match to the factory product, but it still lifts the overall presentation to a high level. It seems that rust is not an issue with this Ford because the seller indicates that while there is some scale in the rear underfloor area, this has been treated to prevent further deterioration. The tinted glass appears to be in good order for its age, as does the exterior trim and chrome roof rack. Refreshingly, the vacuum-operated headlamp covers work perfectly, opening and closing quickly and effortlessly.
Ford offered a wide selection of motors for potential Country Squire customers in 1970, and the original owner of this classic selected the K-Code 429ci V8 that produces 320hp. The rest of the drivetrain includes a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. This may be a large and heavy wagon capable of swallowing six people and vast quantities of luggage, but it still possessed the ability to storm through the ¼ mile in 16.3 seconds. There are modern SUVs that can match or beat that figure, but none offer the sheer presence of this Country Squire. The good news continues when we start to assess this classic’s mechanical health. The owner says that its V8 starts at the first turn of the key and that it runs and drives exceptionally well. While he believes that the odometer reading of 74,000 miles may be genuine, he holds no verifying evidence. It is a turnkey proposition that is ready for an extended journey. If Wally World is high on your wish list, this is your chance to channel your inner Clark Griswold!
If this Ford has a low point, that honor probably falls to the interior. There’s nothing horrendously wrong, and the buyer could choose to leave it largely untouched. However, the deteriorating front seat upholstery, worn carpet, and cracked dash pad are apparent flaws. How the buyer tackles these would be a matter of choice and budget. The cheapest approach would be to add some aftermarket slipcovers to the seats, throw a cover over the pad, and ignore the carpet. From there, the choices expand significantly. There are some high-quality dash caps on the market that attach neatly to conceal problems, and these sell for around $220. A complete carpet set would add $300 to the tally, while the buyer will have no trouble finding a complete set of seat upholstery for a further $700. With those items installed, the interior would present nicely. The original owner ordered this LTD with air conditioning, and although the interior components are intact, those in the engine bay are long gone. Finding replacement parts isn’t hard and could prove to be money well-spent if any journeys to hotter climates are on the horizon. Otherwise, luxury appointments seem confined to an AM/FM stereo radio and a two-way tailgate for added versatility.
I have previously talked about how I was never a fan of station wagons and believed that many owners bought them out of necessity rather than choice. However, when I received my first wagon as a company car, my eyes were opened by its incredible versatility. Owners can transform a drab and boring station wagon into a high-performance vehicle with little effort but still own a classic that can swallow a large family, enormous quantities of luggage, and the family dog if they feel so inclined. This wagon is anything but drab, but it leaves scope for its next owner to personalize it without spending a fortune. If you have always ignored them, now might be the time to change. There are never any guarantees, but you may discover that owning a vehicle like this 1970 Ford Country Squire is the smartest motoring purchase you will ever make.
Nice old long roof, my first thought when I seen it was it looks like the wagon in Harry and the Hendersons.
Looks very similar to a green one from my first car collection. It even had two white dogs in the loading space. But my car was produced in Britain and was a Mercury – by Lesney “Matchbox” Series No 59 or 73. And yes, I still have it ;)
Till J.
A pretty sharp wagon overall that should bring a decent final bid. Hidden headlights and that robust 429 are major plusses, along with a clean, rust-free body. As usual, the really nice original cars are on the left coast, too far from me here in the rusty Northeast. Love to have this one but I’ll have to wait until its rust-free, all-original twin shows up here. I know, good luck with that dream.
Flights are cheap, go get it and drive it home as a vacation adventure. I had two pick ups shipped from Reno Nevada to Cleveland Ohio for $1000.00 each several years ago and they had to be pushed into the trailer.
Granite Falls, WA to my Connecticut town is 3,000 miles. I wouldn’t dream of driving a car I’m not familiar with, especially a 50+ year-old car, on a major road trip like that. Maybe I’d make it without a problem, but maybe not. If a needed repair is a big one, like a failed trans or something let’s go in the engine, that will be expensive, and parts may take time to source. Add to that hotel accommodations and other travel expenses, not to mention fuel costs and you’d be better off having the car shipped and not take the risk. I broke down once just north of Bangor, Maine in an old pickup at about 3:00 in the morning, in the dead of winter. I would have frozen to death if I didn’t drag my snowmobile off my truck and ride back to Bangor for help. I’m not interested in taking a chance with driving an old car across a whole continent and hope I make it without going broke.
I am with you. I have flown across the country many times to buy an older car, like you, I make it a vacation/adventure. “Worst” thing ever happened was a transmission went out in Payson, AZ. Called two parts houses, both recommended same transmission shop. Called shop, said it would take two maybe three days. I told them three would be good. Payson is a beautiful, historic town where many Zane Grey stories were based.
Clarification: I AM WITH YOU TERRY.
Hi Ford guy. I am a widow that lives in Medford, OR I have the white 1970 wagon that my husband put a souped up engine in. I am having a friend come and tell me what it is. It is in great condition; needs a bath. Interior has no tears and everything works. Hasn’t been started in many years but it sits in my driveway. My husband and I took our twin boy cruising downtown one year and he even took it to the drag strip for a try out. The crowd roared in laughter as we raced a camero. Great memories. I do need to sell it and would take $15,000 I need to pay off a credit card that is going to take me down if I don’t. Please let me know what you think. Thanks so much Sally
Send it in and we will auction it for you!
That A/C blowing cold is job1. Then front seat reupholstered. I don’t think lack of power windows hurt the cache of this fine looking wagon. Not a fan of those hubcaps; wonder if there was an upgrade in 70? The 71 turbine hubcaps are really nice and would enhance here too.
The woodgrain looks like it was installed by a blind man. The left side runs uphill. The seat is wornout in front. Me thinks the mileage is north of 100k. Looks like a solid car and the 429 does help the desirability.
Can’t be many left. Most of these wagons had the 429s yanked out and put in something else. My buddy Bob pillaged the 429 out of one and stuffed it into a Fox-body Capri.
On his first dragstrip launch, he tweaked the unibody so badly that he had to find another Capri shell and do it all over again, this time with subframe connectors and a chassis-stiffening roll cage installed.
Probably one of Fords ugliest dash boards, and what the heck happened to the lower right side??
That is definitely a matter of personal taste. My 1969 XL had the same layout and in my opinion was one of the most attractive interiors of the era.
No passenger side pics?
In the 1990’s I purchased a salvage yard that had a long row of these Ford wagons. Being in Arizona the bodies were not rusty but no one had an interest in them, and eventually the crusher swallowed them. We throw away a lot of good cars in this country.
I remember engines from this period lasted about 90-100K miles and then they done and in need of a rebuild. Ford’s being particularly prone to cracked pistons.
Nice wagon. I could never understand why Ford produced a 2BBL version of their big block engines? I can’t believe that it was any better on fuel mileage than the 4BBL.
My parents had one in Fire Engine red with black interior that my dad bought used in ’73(?). It had the 390 ci. and all the “bells & whistles” of the day.
Had a Country Sedan W/dog dish hub caps and beauty rings, 8 pass., the rear seat froze, it couldn’t miss a gas pump, nice car.
lotsa work done on this one. It deserves it.
It’s not the one the auto writer flaunted around the inter-webs a yr or so ago? He knew how to sell (plus hada right model).
I always loved the dash board on these. Seemed like a jet cockpit.
Ended at $10,100, Reserve Not Met.
May I please use the first picture in a blog post I am writing? I’m just creating my blog, I want to refer to the station wagon we had when I was a child in the 70’s. This not a for-profit blog. It is simply a journal for what is going on in my life.
Just be sure to link back. Thanks.