By Jim Brennan
Welcome to a Marathon Edition of Hooniverse Wagon Wednesday. Here on the East Coast, we are currently getting hammered by another winter storm of epic proportions, which promises to pile on more snow to the already healthy totals we already have….. so I thought I would try and bring thoughts of spring and summer vacations with a few featured wagons.
And I will start with what is probably the iconic wagon of the 70’s, a 1974 Ford Country Squire.
Vacation time in the US before the first OPEC Oil Embargo consisted of families packing up the full sized wagon, and heading off to some god-forsaken destination. With luggage on the roof, and the dog in the cargo area, American families took to the road to explore the wonders of these United States. That all came to a stop during the first fuel shortage, and during the summer of 1977 it happened again. However, here is your chance to re-discover the joys (or heartache) of driving a vintage 70’s station wagon.
This particular Country Squire has been relisted on eBay, only this time its a no reserve auction. According to the seller:
POWERED BY THE ORIGINAL 400 MOTOR, AUTOMATIC TRANS AND 2 BBL CARB. ONE ORIGINAL OWNER AND COMES WITH THE ORIGINAL BILL OF SALE, WARRANTY BOOKLET AND ORIGINAL OWNERS MANUAL.
THE EXTERIOR OF THIS CAR IS NICE AND STRAIGHT, IT DOES HAVE SOME SMALL AREAS OF RUST WHICH CAN BE SEEN IN MY CLOSE UP PICS. THE PAINT IS ORIGINAL, IT LOOKS NICE BUT HAS A FEW AREAS THAT ARE FADED NEAR THE HOOD – SEE PICS. ALSO HAS OPTIONED FACTORY ROOF/LUGGAGE RACK.
THE INTERIOR IS IN FANTASTIC CONDITION. I HAVE MANY PICS OF THE INTERIOR. THE REAR CARGO AREA HAS THE BI-FOLD DOORS IN THE FLOOR WHICH PROVIDE MORE ROOM FOR STORAGE. CAR HAS POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, POWER DOOR LOCKS AND AIR CONDITION. FACTORY AM/FM RADIO STILL WORKS. LIGHTS, WIPERS, BLINKERS ARE ALL IN WORKING ORDER.
THIS CAR ONLY HAD ONE OWNER. THE UNDERNEATH LOOKS GOOD OTHER THAN SOME SURFACE RUST, THE SPARE TIRE WHEEL WELL HAD SOME RUST AT THE BOTTOM AND HAS BEEN REPAIRED. IT RUNS AND DRIVES NICE, IT WAS IN DRY STORAGE FOR MANY YEARS. WHEN I FOUND IT, IT HAD BAD GAS. THE CARB WAS REBUILT AND FRESH FUEL WAS PUT INTO THE CAR. IT RUNS NICE, BUT COULD BENEFIT FROM A PROFESSIONAL TUNE UP.
There are over 70 Images of this car, and the color combination of reddish-brown and wood tone is perfect, and the interior is nearly spotless. With 70,000 miles, the exterior isn’t perfect, but so what. It does have a Class III trailer hitch, perfect for your project car hell, project bike hell, or project house hell (Take your pick). The bidding is currently at $1,000, so if the idea of owning a Malaise Era full sized wood paneled wagon sounds appealing, go here to see the listing.
Jeff Glucker 
Kamil Kaluski
"Holiday Rooowoooowoooooad!" Goddamn, that shit is squarely stuck in my head, and I didn't even watch the vidja.
Solid wagon at a reasonable price. If quadruplets were in my future, I would pull the trigger.
Thanks you for not telling where the car lives, it makes it so much easier to resist that way.
I like the air deflector on the back of the roof rack. It always cracked me up that they had woodgrain on them.
As a youth, I remember Papa Tiberiuswise swapping out a 150,000+ Ford wagon for a gently used -75,000 mile one every so many years. We generally preferred the Torino version but there were plenty of LTDs in the mix. As time went on many of them didn't have the deflector. A trip to the dealer was made and we learned that they became optional because they hurt fuel economy. Many a wagon was sold from our front yard that had "newer" end caps on the roof rack while the air deflector racked up untold miles on subsequent vehicles.
I'm pretty sure the deflector was to push air down on the window and clean it off due to lack of a rear wiper.
I'm not sure I've ever seen a Torino wagon (hint, hint… pix please!).
My folks had a '77 Buick Century wagon – the miserable, least-optioned version available, which meant no A/C and rear windows that didn't roll down, just crappy little vent wings that did nothing to make summer road trips tolerable – with a deflector above the tailgate window… kept it cleaner than any rear wiper ever could.
I LOVE this style of Country Squire. One change that I would have on my dream wagon, is to have the version / model year with the doors over the headlamps. I mean really, who wants to look at disgusting headlamps when you could have elegant doors to cover them up, right?
<img src="http://www.aswoa.com/ASWOA/www.aswoa.com/wpe37.jpg" width="400">
I wonder what the tow rating is? Probably higher than the 305hp Edge's 3500lb capacity. It's comical that more sophisticated control over engines, braking, and stability in everyday cars has been accompanied by shrinking tow ratings. If it's the spring rates, perhaps U-haul should rent trailer toads. Is Australia simply less litigious that the base model Falcon is rated for over 5000lbs?
We hauled a 24 foot travel trailer with our Pontiac Safari wagon when I was a kid. The big old tugboat hauled that trailer over the Rockies, no problem at all. I'll bet this Ford would have no problem at all doing the same thing, although I'd put overload springs and a transmission cooler on it, for good measure.
I can't get behind the fussy baroque styling, but there's no denying that this would make a killer highway cruiser. I mean, 400 cu.in (6.5 litres)! We don't make engines that bit anymore! So by that yardstick, I dig it. Plus, no one would dare cut in front of that bumper lest they want to lose a leg/half their car.
I can't help but think the scene from "Used Cars" where Gerrit Graham's character guilted the family into buying one of these after "running over" his dog Toby. Then the tailgate broke and dumped the kids out of the back of the car and into the mud, heh.
**Actually, a quick search reveals, the car in the movie was a Gran Torino Squire.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REa2DDzChGM
From deep within my ice cocoon, I thank you. My own dog now is sure I've lost it because people shouldn't sit in their living rooms laughing.
Be careful when driving down Holiday Road, especially on a Monday Morning, or you might run into Trouble. Trust me, I tried it and I thought I might Go Insane; I'm definitely Never Going Back Again. Doubt me all you want, but I Know I'm Not Wrong…ah, whatever, just Go Your Own Way.
Brilliant!
I have no love for these '70s Ford wagons – big, overweight, underpowered ugly boxes utterly lacking in style. If I want an old pre-downsized Ford wagon, this is about as late as I would go.
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/1968_Ford_LTD_Country_Squire.jpg/800px-1968_Ford_LTD_Country_Squire.jpg" width=500>
They're not utterly lacking in style, just relatively lacking.
WOW! What a great car! I love everything about it, especially the brown on brown.
Brings back tons of memories of high school, power sliding on dirt roads and launching "Bessie" the old Green machine through the air with 9 passengers and a keg in the back. I never got to enjoy that kick-ass wood paneling though.
That 400C.I motor had enough torque and gearing to make these beasts fun to drive. Gas mileage was just a bit harsh though.
(Obligatory re-post of high school car) Note slightly askew-ed front bumper and hood from landing said jump.
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4690260650_2b8ac8614e.jpg">
A perfect example of why the "woodsides" rule. Here is a longroof I spotted the other day. It caught my eye with the body colored bumpers, tinted windows and cop caps.
[youtube ZDh1u3mfdHo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDh1u3mfdHo youtube]
I'd suggest a '72 or earlier, i.e. a pre-bumper law car. Ford's crash bumpers are particularly hideous, although they can be used as picnic tables or additional seating for your tailgate party.
That is as beautiful a wagon as you'll ever see. I had one once and wish that I still did.
I bought this car and drove it home from va. to Mn. 14.8 mpg, and smooth running the whole way. will likely take it to calif. later this year.
Sounds great! Got any pics to share of the trip? It's nice to see an old girl like this get a new family to take car of her.