You have probably heard the saying that every picture tells a story. Well, every old car usually tells a story too and this 1964 Ford Country Squire is no exception – more on that to follow. Many of the Country Squires that we cover are the ’73 and newer humongo versions, so finding a non-smog choked earlier example – sans ramming speed bumpers, and in this setting, is a treat. Lombard, Illinois is where you’ll find this long-parked Ford wagon and it is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $4,200 with 38 bids tendered so far.
The first time that I spied this wagon, I thought of the above image from James Bond’s Goldfinger. I remember thinking, what a drag, you get to hotshot around in a machine-gun equipped Aston Martin DB5 and now you’re being held captive by a whacko Korean butler (with a stylish, if deadly, hat) and forced to ride in the backseat of a Ford station wagon – something’s not right. Anyway, the story with this Country Squire is that the seller’s father garaged it in ’75 with the intention of doing an engine overhaul on account of oil burning (it has 113K miles on its clock). Well, 47 years later, it’s still sitting there waiting on that nascent refurbishment.
The seller claims minimal rust but that rotted out rear passenger-side quarter tells a different story and looks like a bit more than “minimal rust”. I’d run with the assumption that the rust was probably caused by salted Illinois winter roads and happened before the 1975 slumber commenced. And it stands to reason that the driver’s side may be so afflicted but there are no confirming images. Beyond that, there is some light surface rust but the body, under a very faded Rangoon Red finish, appears to be straight and complete. The exterior images aren’t that revealing but from what can be seen, the faux wood applique still presents well, probably courtesy of the garage storage.
The oil burner under the hood is a 300 gross HP, 390 CI V8, married up with an automatic transmission. As to what’s really wrong with it, it’s hard to say with certainty but probably worn valve guides and/or rings have a hand in the oil consumption malady. Another concern would be the engine’s rotational capability – it has been sitting so long, hopefully, it’s not seized. I’m not sure what that dreck is sitting upon the fan shroud/radiator – batting for a mouse house maybe?
The interior is really a nice surprise! The black vinyl upholstery of this nine-seater shows little sign of wear in spite of this Country Squire’s mileage. And it’s not just the seats but the door panels, carpet, dash, and instrument panel are all in surprisingly nice condition. And, it’s A/C equipped!
So, two issues here, one is a deep dive on the big FE engine and the other is the rusty quarter (or quarters) – hopefully, the corrosion doesn’t extend up underneath and a patch panel or two or three can do the trick. I like old station wagons, I learned to drive on one, but I’d rather have my ejection seat equipped DB5 back…not an option I guess. So, knowing what we know, what’s your thought, a worthwhile project?
Well I’d be afraid of the rust issues, once you get this up where you can see underneath it may fall apart, as cars from salty road country often rot the frames. But these sure do make nice wagons and this one was once a proud road cruiser for a fair sized family. Nicely equipped with nice interior, I’ve owned a lot of 390 equipped cars and trucks they’re good engines just don’t overheat them as they will crack the heads. If the body and chassis checked out okay then I’d give that engine a complete rebuild and have the radiator pressure tested and more than likely have the transmission rebuilt.
Anyway that’s what I’d do.
God Bless America
What a great looking wagon design. As Johnmloghry points out, what you find underneath could make or break this one. The photos started out so nice and the interior looks great, but the passenger side pics show a huge amount of work to do on this one, and I didn’t even notice any driver side photos.
It sure would look great restored, though.
And it appears to have the slide-away steering wheel/column!
Concrete…it can preserve…or decay a classic fast! If the garage is drafty, that can be a good thing, as then air can circulate. Even a box fan helps. But,
I have seen the springtime moisture wick up and destroy exhaust pipes, and frames. And the tires are flat, that really doesn’t help. Flashlight, magnet, air tank, roller jack, hammer and screw driver (or pick) can all be used right there in the garage before you pay.
Pet peeve #1,622, the clock doesn’t have an odometer,,sorry, sorry,,yep, me again. #1,623, that was Rod Stewart “Every picture tells a story” and #1,624, his name was “Oddjob”, and scared the HELL out of a 9 year old kid. I think we all breathed a sigh of relief when he was electrocuted. Ooops,, gave a way the plot,,,oh, who is going to watch Goldfinger today? And another thing, Jim does a great job,, :)
I read, this was the 2nd most expensive car Ford made, beat out only by the convertible. The option list was a mile long, and someone ordered everything, except P/B. I can never figure out why, especially on a heavy car like this, possibly pulling something and grandma taking up 2 spots, P/B would be a welcome option. It was like $27 bucks. Probably like my old man, just didn’t trust where that “power assist” came from, and trusted his right foot more. Make no mistake, when this owner originally bought this car, they were the pride of “Pressboard Heights”.
I remember using power brakes the first times. I felt more in control with regular brakes because I could feel the amount of pressure I was applying. Never ran into anything or ditched anything but my right foot wasn’t very heavy on the gas all the time.
Some of the early power brakes…They test drove a 1956 Chrysler with PB, every stop my mom put everybody into the dash, windshield or back of the front seat. The next day we had a 56 Desoto Firedome with manual brakes.
A woodie in a woodie.
Wow, what great find. This one is about 10 minutes from my house. It amazes me that their is still original old cars like this around. Car has its original Elmhurst Ford sticker on the tailgate. The dealer is still around different name though. Looks like it was owned by a pilot in the past as the old pilot association sticker is still in the back window. Owner possible flew out of nearby O Hare airport.
I see by the back bumper the original family made the trek to “Six Flags” in one state or another. We went to the one in TX., and the parking goons slapped those on every bumper AFTER you walked away from your car! My dad’s 2-week old `68 New Yorker got nailed with one, of which my Dad made the punk take it off, pronto! He said he wouldn’t, so Dad got the GM of the park who took it off our car himself–in a suit no less! What a scam.
I would love to save her and bring up to R code specs.My dream 64 S/W
Living in Kansas we always watched Harold Ensley’s “The Sportsman’s Friend.” TV show. It ran for 48 years. A the end of the programs he always said to look for his Ford Country Squire station wagon.