This 1973 Ford LTD Country Squire is long but not as long as it looks, if that makes any sense at all. It’s under 19-feet in length and there were regular sedans just as long, but it’s that long roof that gives it the extra visual oomph. The seller of this one has it listed here on eBay in Effort, Pennsylvania. There is a buy-it-now price of $10,000 and a single bid of $2,000.
For the record, a 2020 Ford Expedition, maybe the modern equivalent of a station wagon, is over a foot shorter than this Country Squire is. The Expedition doesn’t have woodgrain on it, though – their loss. You can see that the passenger door has been redone and from what I hear, it’s almost impossible to match up the woodgrain because there aren’t unlimited shades and grains to choose from.
The seventh-generation LTD Country Squire was made for the 1969 through 1978 model years and they received an update for the 1973 model year. This car is reportedly from California and the seller has owned it for two years. It’s rust-free and those are always my two favorite words in the old car hobby. They do mention one issue, however, the dual-gate rear hatch door doesn’t open. They say that it happened after they had it detailed and they do have photo of it open.
The words rust-free often times come with other caveats, such as heat-related cracked dash pads and burnt rubber gaskets and other soft parts. Still, give me rust-free any day. There is a LOT of cargo room in the back of this Country Squire, especially with the rear seats folded down. Here is a photo with the third seat set up, very cool.
The engine is Ford’s 400 V8 which by 1973 had a mere 167 hp and 312 ft-lb of torque. Expect the MPG to be lower than the 0-60 time and the seller drives it all the time with no issues. It looks like it would be a good, original car for anyone into these long roofs, and being rust-free is a big bonus. Are there any Country Squire fans or owners out there?
“Air conditioning needs to be recharged” means: air conditioning needs to be completely rebuilt.
Not necessary. Small leak in valve ? Could be all it is. I’ve had that problem before. Bottoms of doors rotted out, recalled.
If it’s a minor issue, smart owners get it fixed. Otherwise, I agree with the comment from @Macfly
400 cmon we were all hoping 429
I concur to that 433jeff. These were a dime a dozen back in the early 80s because they were so thirsty.
This car should be hot right now. With cheap gas coming back you could cruise this every day!
Just like the one we had ! Door recall. Are these fixed or replaced ?
LS Swap.
I love these and HATE these. My dad really disciplined us kids in one of these. Bubble gum in the seats, kicking the seat backs, playing with the door locks, writing smiley faces on the frosty windows (the inside) and being told to hold our breath as we we drove in the winter anger me and also make me smile. “Don’t make me pull over”.
Back in ’76, I had a ’73 Chevrolet Caprice Estate Wagon, blue with black interior, wood siding, no 3rd row seat facing any direction. But it did have a power clam shell tailgate. Loved those. The Ford looks longer, but how I loved that car. It was my first and only station wagon. (Cadillac didn’t make factory station wagons). The one thing I didn’t like about it was it didn’t have power windows or locks. This Ford has crank windows also. It’s a pretty car, and I’d love to get another station wagon, but I’ve always been a GM girl, so I think I’ll keep looking for that perfect aftermarket Cadillac station wagon. Preferably with a power clam shell tailgate.
Perfect- now you and your friends can responsibly social distance while still riding around together! I need this!
Nice car ! I love these big ‘ol’ wagons. First thing i would do is get rid of that piece of crap plastic fuel filter…many a car burned up because of those..
It is obvious the car was not well taken care of so the $10,000 price is a big ask.
I bought the carbon copy of this car in 1977 to tow an 18′ travel trailer. Nice car! Worked well – plenty of oomph and lots of comfort for my wife and three little ones! It was when we took our first trip that I realized this car had a really bad habit, though. Couldn’t pass a gas station without a fill-up! 17 gallon tank, 6 mpg. And a gas shortage, which is why I got the car for a song. She got it all in the divorce, which I still chuckle over…
Some of the late 70s model LTD based Rancheros came in Squire package, and they look long. One came up for sale recently about 2 months ago, and looked all original. It had the 351, and looked like it was complete except for a couple of missing pieces of trim. If I recall the odometer read around 13k (maybe 113k). I offered a possible trade for two of my cars. He seemed interested. But never heard from him again, and then the car was taken off Craigs. It was advertised for about 3,750. Way better to me than this LTD wagon.
Thanks but no thanks
The expedition
Or
Explorer has more to offer
Than this 3 mpg
Uncratted land barge !