Doesn’t this 1968 Ford Torino Country Squire wagon just look tough from this angle? I know wagons aren’t the first choice among hard-core muscle car fans, but it’s hard to deny the attitude on display here. Despite this, the seller’s listing seems to indicate he’s ready to move this survivor wagon along, referencing a price reduction to $4,000 and the option to make a good cash offer if a lower price point is preferred. Seems like a potentially good deal for someone not afraid to drive a wagon, so check it out here on craigslist and located in the Bay Area.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Roger for the find. This picture absolutely reminded me of the set of the classic sitcom, That 70s Show – the old-school paneling on the house and the similar old-school paneling on the wagon, parked in a California backyard, makes it seem entirely possible that Donna and Eric could be sitting nearby on a couple of lawn chairs. Cooper Cobra Tires and Champ 500 wheels are a great look for these, and the Flowmaster exhaust likely sounds pretty boss with a 302 from a ’68 Mustang under the hood.
Of course, I’d be sorely tempted to return this wagon to showroom condition mechanically-speaking, which would mean sourcing a healthy 390. I wouldn’t touch the well-worn exterior, and would focus on fixing the rust in the Torino which the seller claims is limited to the front floors. The interior looks fair, with an uncracked dash and decent door panels, but it will need a new headliner and carpeting. The seats are said to have minimal tears, and this is your basic six-seater arrangement.
That type of aged paint is impossible to fake, and the looks are what sells the car, in my opinion. I’m actually surprised the seller hasn’t had more bites given this look is all the rage, unless the initial selling price was too high and scared potential buyers away. Regardless, some money has been spent here, with a new battery, coil, alternator, and recent tune-up listed as the recent mechanical fixes done. With a clean title and more room for negotiation in the price, this seems like a family hauler worth checking out in person.
Personally, I would repair/repaint, refurbish the Di-Noc, get a Torino scoop for the hood and cruise the wheels off of it! :-)
Refurbishing DI-noc is, in my experience, impossible.
So to anyone thinking that they can do that, think again.
Think about having to take the stuff off, NOT fun.
Extremely cool wagon. Given it’s in the Bay Area it likely has not seen offers as the appearance of poverty is evidently unlawful up there.
That’s not even close to being true. Due to the states over regulation and high labor costs body shops charge an arm and a leg, “patina” has been popular for years. This car is rough for the money, it’s had and engine swap (390 to a 302) and needs most of the interior and he didn’t even bother with engine compartment shots. That’s why it hasn’t sold
Steve R
We kid.
The “That 70’s Show” reference wouldn’t be possible since it’s a show based in Wisconsin… Good deal though
In addition…they were all about the Vistacruiser!!! (insert nerd sort).
Which is strange considering the nearest big town was Kenosha – why not a Matador or Ambassador wagon?
What I’d do is gut it and win a few demolition derbys
You are on the wrong site Bud.
If it were in better shape , not needing floors and still had the original engine . It would be sweet . I can only imagine the wiring nightmare under the hood and dash . It would be a complete ” labor of love ” thing for someone to take this on . Yes it’s different but it’s not a muscle car . You’d never recoup the cost .
You sir, are a jackass
You realize it’s not 1983 anymore?
Like the gear head who got married and started raising a family, had to dump the obnoxiously built Mustang and settle for a family hauler but, to satisfy that urge, threw on some mags and played with the engine a little. That’s how I remember some of these old rides. The 302 has its work cut out in this heavyweight.
A good paint job and the fake wood being removed would be the first on my list of to do’s on this car!! It would be nice to see under the hood!!!
Wish this one was closer, it’s one of my “Bucket List” cars. I’ve had several ’68-’69 Torinos, enjoyed each one, and this wagon seems to be a good candidate for restoration. That’s only assuming the rust underneath isn’t terminal or more extensive that the seller will admit. It could use new Di-Noc, the interior needs to be refreshed and of course, I’d paint it as I’m not a fan of rust or the beater look. I don’t mind the 302, either; you can build them to go as fast as you want.
Those plates are repainted Blue/Gold plates,which,to me,
would give a cop probable cause to pull you over.
These are not repainted blue/gold plates painted black. A couple of years ago California issuing black personalized plates. They can be put on any year vehicle, they are popular with late model muscle cars.
Steve R
You’re right,I forgot about that.The new ones just don’t
look right (in person).I’ve seen many people repaint the Blue/-
Gold ones in the past.
I believe that It’s not illegal to repaint blue and golds plates to black and golds. I’ve know a couple of guys who’ve done it without any negative consequences. I’ve been told you can use a cardboard substitute, lettered to proper specifications, and get away with it.
angliagt,
Those “Retro” plates have been around CA for a few years now. They are perfectly legal.
This is not a Torino COUNTRY Squire. There is no such thing. Country Squire was the woodgrained paneled, top of the line FULL SIZE Ford wagon. All other Squires were simply the model plus squire, no Country! Squire terminology denoted woodgrain exterior paneling. Examples include Torino Squire, Pinto Squire, LTD II Squire, Fairmont Squire, LTD Squire (mid 80’s Fox Body model), etc. ONLY full size models were branded Country Squires and “Country” was never combined with any other model name. Anyway, it was a deal and as usual, by the time you guys post the car, its already sold! Big Help!!
Technically, there was an “LTD Crown Victoria Country Squire” in the ’80s and the full nomenclature for the rest was (for instance) “Escort with Squire Option” but those seldom appeared outside photo captions in ads and brochures, that much word salad defied spoken use even by those collecting Ford paychecks.
There was the Country Sedan wagon without the wood grain sides also. The Ranch Wagon was the base, the Country Sedan next level up, and the Country Squire (LTD) the top of the line. As mentioned earlier the Squire name was also used on the small and mid sized models like this Torino if they were built with the simulated wood paneling. I loved all the Wagons through the 1960s.
My bean counting never comes out when building something, i dont know or care what i have in a rig, But when it comes to paying at the pump thats when my bean counting comes out, im sure that driving a big wagon would be great, ive had a few, but that novelty wears out with repetitive low mpgs
Restore it to look like a ’68 Wagon Queen Family Truckster,,,
Apparently sold, ad is gone.