Keeping the long roof trend going, today we have a 1968 Ford Country Squire for your review. I gravitated towards this car because readers appear to have an attraction to big, old Detroit wagons and an old friend from high school had one in his family that was identical to this subject car – even the color. Located in Jonesboro, Georgia, this Country Squire is available, here on craigslist for $6,500. Thanks to Gunter K for this find!
Being a Country Squire means that this Ford is the station wagon equivalent of the top drawer LTD model. Strip off the faux wood sides and you have a Country Sedan which is a Galaxie 500 in extended body mode. One notable difference, besides the wood paneling, however, is the Country Squire/LTD/XL’s standard retractable headlamp doors.
One of Ford’s better ideas back in the day was to eschew a single, rear-facing third seat and go for two that faced each other. Labeled as a ten-passenger wagon, occupants seven, eight, nine, and ten would have to be on the smallish side to occupy that rear real estate – it’s a tight fit!
While red may not have been my choice for an interior color years ago, it would be great to have it back today. We’re lost in a swamp of black and gray these days so red upholstery is an exciting find. And what’s here looks to be in fair shape though the door panels have some degradation going on, the huge headliner is missing and the dash pad is probably cracked and thus the reason for the dash cover. Worst of all are the front floors, the seller says that they’re in bad shape and will need to be replaced – and that may further mean a leaky and/or rotted cowl.
Now some of you may have caught my earlier comment regarding color and one could be inclined to ask, “How do you know what color this Ford is/was?” Point taken, but it’s not all completely burned off and some of the original red finish is still visible. The seller adds, excepting the floors, “The rest of this car is relatively solid with only minor spots of rust“. True to form, the Di-Noc wood grain has lost most of its grain. The body panels, at least, show to be free of crash damage.
As is typically found in Ford wagons of this vintage is a 265 gross HP, 390 CI V8 engine referred to as a “Thunderbird V-8”, and that in turn is tethered to a C6, three-speed automatic transmission. It is claimed that “The car runs, drives and stops as it should. That doesn’t mean that all things are functional“. What’s not functional is not disclosed.
The mileage recording for this Ford is 84K miles and the seller believes it to be accurate though there is no documentation. He also states, “I’m in the classic car auto parts business and had an opportunity to buy this wagon as a parts car a couple years ago. Once I took possession of it, I realized it was in far too good of condition to use for parts, so I put it back on the road“. It does seem to be too good to part – the biggest issue being the front floors which can be easily remedied (though some paint wouldn’t hurt). What’s your thought, compared to the $11,500 wanted for this recently covered 1970 Chevrolet Kingswood, and all things considered, which is the better buy?
$6,500 for a former parts car that now runs & drives? No title, really rust floors, potential for cowl or frame rust, no headliner, front seat needs upholstery, probable dash pad replacement needed, not particularly loaded with options or rare.
I love these cars, but I would avoid this like Covid.
These cars rot. Dad bought a new one in Oct. 1967. By the time I was a high school junior in 1972, the lower quarters were rotted. He bought the cheapo Ranch Wagon. I agree this one with the hideaway headlamps is stunning. But for $6,500 and all the work needed, yes, run like it has covid.
It would probably sell quickly if it weren’t for the title issue. The prices for these ’60’s and ’70’s era wagons have been getting up there. This one wouldn’t require too much to be a nice classic to tool around town in. Shoot some rust converter on the front floors, stitch in some patch panels, new carpet then drive it while working out the rest on weekends including a quick paint job. I like the looks of these old Fords.
The choice was simple. Sit in the middle seat between my two older sisters or sit in the back in my own kingdom.
No title no thanks for that money he should apply to the title from his state
Bill of Sale only in cars that old.
Depends on your state I have a 1954 Montgomery Ward utility trailer that has a title
OK well I’m not so sure that this car is from Georgia origionally. Lets have some pix of the underside and frame. If the floors look a bit rough you know the frame likely needs attention.
We had one of these, it was white with that same red interior, called it Betsy. Hours was at 10 passenger but it didn’t stop my mom from making curtains to hang in the back windows. Drove that thing on vacation all over the place, I usually just rode in the back portion and my sisters got the back seat. By the time we sold it in 1977 it was mostly rust with a little bit of white and lots of particulate spots on the roof from the steel processing plant that moved in a few blocks away.
Headlamp doors work?
That is one plain Jane rust bucket. Seen’m like this all over N&S Carolina, Georgia and the rest of the south. IF, it had the 429 w/C6 it would be a good deal for the parts but as it is, Just run like it was infected with the plague.
The town I grew up in were lousy with these in the late sixties. Seems like every kid I knew had a mother with one of these. I must be getting old as I find them somewhat attractive now. But the I am a longroof guy. Funny how automotive tastes evolve as the decades sweep by. The seller is optimistic as they’re is little upside unless the crowd at BJ gives up the big block muscle car obsession and begins to buy the wagons their Mom drove. I doubt it.
These were the ultimate family workhorses. Growing up, mom usually drove the wagon while dad chugged back and forth to work in his VW Beetle, or whatever econobox he had.