Ford Country Squire

Ford Country Squire
1982 Ford LTD Country Squire
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford
Also called	Ford LTD Country Squire
Model years	1950-1991
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size station wagon
Body style	2-door station wagon 4-door station wagon
Chronology
Predecessor	1948 Ford station wagon
Successor	None (Ford Club Wagon, Ford Aerostar, Ford Explorer, all indirect)

The Ford Country Squire is a full-size station wagon that was assembled and marketed by Ford Motor Company from the 1950 to 1991 model years in North America for its namesake Ford division. Throughout its entire production run, the Country Squire was the premium station wagon model of the division, sold only in the full-size car range. In use for 41 years, it was the third longest-used car nameplate used by Ford in North America (behind only the Thunderbird and Mustang)

Distinguished by its woodgrain trim, only the first-generation 1950-1951 versions are true "Woodies"; to lower the high production cost of true woodgrain trim, the body trim on subsequent versions was composed of various simulated woodgrain trim, with varying degrees of coverage of the body. Prior to 1986, other variations of the "Squire" name would be used on smaller "woodgrained" Ford station wagons. The genuine wood body panels were manufactured at the Ford Iron Mountain Plant in the Michigan Upper Peninsula from lumber the Ford Motor company owned.

Initially based on the Ford Custom Deluxe and the Ford Crestline that replaced it, in 1955, the Country Squire became a distinct model as Ford separated its station wagon and sedan model lines. While sharing trim with the Fairlane and then the Galaxie, the Country Squire remained a separate model line until 1968. For 1969, Ford consolidated its sedan and station wagon model lines, with the Country Squire becoming part of the Ford LTD line, gaining its model prefix. With the 1983 split of the Ford LTD and Ford LTD Crown Victoria, the LTD Country Squire remained part of the full-size line until its discontinuation.

During its production run, the Ford Country Squire was joined by two other equivalent woodgrained station wagons in other Ford divisions: In 1958, the Edsel division sold the Edsel Bermuda (which became the rarest Edsel); from 1957 to 1991, Lincoln-Mercury sold the Mercury Colony Park, sharing the bodyshell of the Country Squire from 1961 onwards.

Based on the expansion of the minivan and four-door SUV segment during the late 1980s, Ford Motor Company elected to discontinue the LTD Country Squire and Colony Park during the redesign of their Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis sedan counterparts for the 1992 model year. With the discontinuation of the Chrysler Town & Country in 1977, Buick Roadmaster Estate and Chevrolet Caprice Estate in 1996 (the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser was discontinued in 1992), the full-size station wagon segment disappeared in North America, with the lone exception of the 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum.

First generation (1950–1951)

First generation
1950 Ford Country Squire
Overview
Production	1950–1951
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door station wagon
Platform	1949 Ford
Related	Ford Custom Deluxe
Powertrain
Engine	226 cu in (3.7 L) Flathead I6 239 cu in (3.9 L) Flathead V8
Dimensions
Wheelbase	114 in (2,896 mm)

The 1950 Ford model range included a station wagon which, at the time of its introduction, was marketed as part of the top-line Custom Deluxe trim.^[1] In the following spring, Ford began promoting the wagon as the Country Squire, although that name did not appear anywhere on the car. Along with the name change came the addition of a fold-down middle-row seat.^[1] Following the rest of the Ford lineup, the Country Squire was available with a standard 226 cid inline six-cylinder engine as or an optional V-8.^[1]

The first generation Country Squire was the beginning of the end of the full "woodie". The whole body was made of steel, unlike the Ford wagons up to 1948 that were all wood from the cowl back except for the rear fenders. Real wood attached to the steel body on the doors, sides and tailgate of the 1949 thru 1951 models, and Ford did not offer a woodless version. The interiors were all paneled in wood also. GM would later introduce a two-door station wagon in 1955 called the Chevrolet Nomad and Pontiac Safari.

1951 Ford Country Squire

Second generation (1952–1954)

Second generation
1954 Ford Country Squire
Overview
Also called	Ford Country Sedan
Production	1952–1954
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door station wagon
Platform	1952 Ford
Related	Ford Crestline Mercury Eight wagon
Powertrain
Engine	239 cu in (3.9 L) Flathead V8 239 cu in (3.9 L) Y-block V8
Dimensions
Wheelbase	115 in (2,921 mm)

In 1952, Ford expanded station wagons into a lineup separate from its newly redesigned sedans. The Country Squire was the top model, now available solely in a four-door configuration; it was the wagon counterpart of the Crestline series. Joining the Squire were the four-door Country Sedan (Customline) and the two-door Ranch Wagon (Mainline). The 239 Strato-Star V-8 was the only engine offered in the 1952 Country Squire.^[2]

Unlike its predecessor, the 1952 Country Squire no longer was a true woodie; like the Country Sedan, it wore a full steel body. The woodgrain finish was now constructed by woodgrain transfers edged in real wood trim on the sides and tailgate.The real wood trim was discontinued halfway thru the 1953 model run and replaced with fiberglass trim with a woodgrain finish.^[2]

Third generation (1955–1959)

Third generation
1957 Ford Country Squire
Overview
Production	1955–1959
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door station wagon
Related	Ford Fairlane Edsel Bermuda Edsel Villager
Dimensions
Wheelbase	1955-1956: 115.5 inches 1957-1958: 116 inches 1959: 118 inches

1955 Ford Country Squire

For the 1955 model year, Ford station wagons became a separate model range from the sedans, coupes, and convertibles. The woodgrained Country Squire was the top-of-the-line model, trimmed similar to the Fairlane. For the first time, all wood trim was simulated with vinyl decals.

Sharing a common wheelbase with the rest of the Ford model line, the Country Squire saw little visible change from 1955 to 1956. For 1956, a 12-volt electrical system became standard equipment. The Lifeguard package became a new option for 1956, with few takers.

For 1957, the Ford model line grew longer and lower as part of a major redesign; a major factor of the new chassis was the upcoming introduction of the Edsel line for 1958. The Country Squire body and interior would be used for the production of the non-woodgrain Edsel Villager and the top-trim Edsel Bermuda (distinguished by its combination of woodgrain sides and two-tone paint).

For 1959, after only 2,235 were produced, the Edsel Bermuda was dropped, trimming the division's range solely to the Villager. However, in a movement to stay competitive with other manufacturers, all 1959 Fords were lengthened; the wheelbase was increased from 116 to 118 inches. Following the change in the sedan line, the Country Squire was trimmed similar to the newly introduced Galaxie.

In Australia, where the Ford model lineup began local production in 1959, the 1959 body style used for only one year in the US and Canada, the Country Sedan was sold until 1962. The Country Squire was never sold in Australia. This generation is referred to locally as "Tank Fords" because of their size (in comparison to the Ford Cortina sold at the same time).

Fourth generation (1960–1964)

Fourth generation
1960 Ford Country Squire
Overview
Model years	1960–1964
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door station wagon
Related	Ford Galaxie Ford Country Sedan Mercury Commuter Mercury Colony Park Mercury Meteor Mercury Monterey Lincoln Continental

While again remaining a separate line for 1960, the Country Squire became the companion model to the newly introduced Galaxie. With the discontinuation of Edsel and the impending downsizing of the Lincoln line, all full-sized Mercurys adopted Ford bodies by 1961, the counterpart of the Country Squire was the Colony Park.

Prior to 1961, all Ford wagons used a two-piece tailgate assembly that required the operator to lift the rear window up and locking it into place via a mechanical support, and then drop the tail gate down to fully access the rear compartment. For 1961, Ford introduced a redesigned tailgate assembly using a self-storing window feature which could either be rolled down into the gate via crank on the outside of the gate, or by an electrical motor actuated by the key or an interior switch. A safety lockout measure required that the rear window had to be fully retracted into the tailgate before the tailgate could be lowered.

1964 Ford Country Squire

Fifth generation (1965–1968)

Fifth generation
1967 Ford Country Squire
Overview
Also called	Ford Country Sedan
Production	1965–1968
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door station wagon
Related	Ford Galaxie Mercury Colony Park
Powertrain
Transmission	3-speed Borg-Warner T150 manual 4-speed Borg-Warner T85 overdrive manual 3-speed Cruise-o-Matic (C4) automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	119.0 in (3,020 mm)[3]
Length	210.0 in (5,330 mm)[3]
Width	77.4 in (1,970 mm) [3]
Height	56.7 in (1,440 mm)[3]
Curb weight	4,277 lb (1,940 kg)[3]

For the 1965 model year, the chassis of the full-size Ford line was completely redesigned. The leaf-spring rear suspension was replaced with a three-link coil-spring layout; in various forms, this design would remain in use in full-size rear-wheel drive Fords until the discontinuation of the Crown Victoria over 45 years later. In addition, the long-running "valet key" made its debut for 1965.

During this generation, a number of running changes were made to accommodate changing federal safety regulations. For 1966, seat belts became standard equipment for all seats (front and rear). For 1967, the changes were more extensive, as the Country Squire redesigned the steering wheel (with a large, padded hub in the center) fitted to an energy-absorbing steering column,^[28] padded interior surfaces, recessed controls on the instrument panel, and front outboard shoulder belt anchors. To ensure that the 4300-lb Country Squire would not be the victim of brake failure, another mandate required the introduction of a dual-chamber master cylinder (on the Country Squire and all other 1968 vehicles).

This generation introduced covered headlights, which were deployed using a vacuum canister system that kept the doors down when a vacuum condition existed in the lines, provided by the engine when it was running. If a loss of vacuum occurred, the doors would retract up so that the headlights were visible if the system should fail.

In 1966, all Ford wagons introduced the Magic Doorgate, engineered by Donald N. Frey,^[4] which allowed the tailgate to flip down like a traditional tailgate or to open to the side as a swinging door. The Magic Doorgate was made possible through use of a traditional stationary hinge on the right, and combination of hinges along the door's left side which carried the weight of the gate as it swung outward when used as a door. The rear window had to be retracted into the door before it would open to the side, or fold down.

1968 Ford Country Squire

For 1968, the Country Squire wore “LTD” lettering above the grille but was still marketed as the “Ford Country Squire”.^[5]

Sixth generation (1969–1978)

Sixth generation
1973 Ford LTD Country Squire
Overview
Model years	1969–1978
Assembly	Hazelwood, Missouri (St. Louis Assembly Plant) Pico Rivera, California (Los Angeles Assembly) Hapeville, Georgia (Atlanta Assembly)
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door station wagon
Related	Mercury Colony Park Ford LTD Ford Galaxie Ford Custom
Powertrain
Engine	302 cu in (4.9 L) Windsor V8 351 cu in (5.8 L) Windsor V8 390 cu in (6.4 L) FE V8 429 cu in (7.0 L) 385 V8 400 cu in (6.6 L) Cleveland V8 460 cu in (7.5 L) 385 V8 351 cu in (5.8 L) 351M/351 Cleveland V8
Transmission	3-speed manual 3-speed FMX automatic 3-speed Ford C6 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	121.0 in (3,073 mm)
Length	225.7 in (5,733 mm) (1973-1978)

For the 1969 model year, Ford ended its practice of distinct model lines for station wagons and sedans.^[6] Alongside the Ranch Wagon and Country Sedan, the Country Squire were integrated into the three-model full-size Ford car lineup. Remaining at the top of the range, the Country Squire became part of the LTD lineup, gaining the prefix of that model.^[7]

Approximately 7,850,000 full-size Fords and Mercurys were sold over 1969-78.^[8][9] This makes it the second best selling Ford automobile platform after the Ford Model T.^[6]

1969–1972

1970 Ford LTD Country Squire

For the 1969 model year, a new generation of Ford and Mercury cars made their debut; station wagons for both divisions rode on a 121-inch wheelbase shared with the Ford sedan line, a gain of two inches. The "Magic Doorgate" tailgate was updated to a 3-way design: it could now swing down as a tailgate or swing out with the window down or up (the latter was previously not possible).^[6]

As part of the LTD line, the Country Squire wore similar interior trim; with the obvious exception of its simulated woodgrain paneling, Country Squires wore the same bodywork from the windshield forward as their LTD sedan counterparts. For the 1970 model year, visible changes were limited to detail changes in bumper and grille trim. In 1971, the Country Squire would be given an extensive facelift (with only the roof and tailgate carried over from the 1970 model); as with the LTD, it would lose its hidden headlamps in the grille.

Initially, the standard engine was a 302 cubic-inch V8, replaced by a 351 cubic-inch V8 midway through the 1969 model year. As with its LTD counterpart, the 390 and 429 V8 engines were options. In 1971, the 390 V8 was replaced by a 402 cubic-inch V8 (though sold as a 400). . For a variety of reasons, 1972 saw a major decrease in powertrain output. That year, gross horsepower was replaced by SAE net horsepower. The addition of emissions controls and adoption of unleaded fuel required lowered compression ratios and retarded ignition timing. In one example, the range-topping 429 V8 would see its output drop from 365 hp to 212 hp from 1971 to 1972. In 1972, the 429 was joined by a 224-hp 460 cubic-inch V8 seen previously in the Lincoln lineup.^[6]

Production figures:

• 1969: 129,235
• 1970: 108,914
• 1971: 130,644
• 1972: 121,419

1973–1978

1978 Ford LTD Country Squire

For the 1973 model year, the Ford full-size car line was given a major update.^[6] While still built on the same chassis and 121-inch wheelbase, the addition of 5 mph bumpers would add over six inches in length to the LTD Country Squire by the end of the 1974 model year. These would also be the longest and heaviest station wagons ever produced by Ford.

For 1974, 5-mph bumpers were added to the rear, a transistorized ignition system was introduced, as well as a new hood ornament. In addition, the 429 was dropped, largely replaced by the essentially identical 460 V8.^[6]

For 1975, Ford began to pare down its wagon lineup as the Custom 500 Ranch Wagon was relegated exclusively to fleet sales and the Galaxie Country Sedan was discontinued, replaced by a non-woodgrain LTD wagon. To better distinguish the LTD Country Squire, Ford returned hidden headlamps to the model, a feature associated with top-line LTD Landau (and Mercury Marquis) models. In all models, catalytic converters were now standard equipment to comply with emissions regulations.

1975-1978 models were nearly identical except for small differences in trim and emblems from year to year. As a move to increase fuel economy, the 351 cubic-inch V8 was reintroduced for 1978.^[6]

The standard engine on all other full-size Ford sedans and wagons was the 351 Windsor V8. The Country Squire however, came standard with the Cleveland 400M V8, while the 385-series 429 and 460 V8s were optional. With manual transmissions being dropped from the lineup, the C6 3-speed automatic transmission was now the only transmission option for full-size Fords. The 429 and 460 V8s were a common option due to the especially sluggish performance of the detuned 400 engine that was now struggling to drive the ever-increasing weight of a Country Squire.

Seventh generation (1979–1990)

Seventh generation
1988-1989 Ford LTD Crown Victoria Country Squire
Cargo area with rear seats folded (1982 model shown; other models are similar)
Overview
Production	1979–December 1990 217,152 produced
Assembly	St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door station wagon
Platform	Ford Panther platform
Related	Ford LTD Ford LTD Crown Victoria Lincoln Continental Lincoln Town Car Mercury Colony Park Mercury Grand Marquis Mercury Marquis
Powertrain
Engine	4.9 L (302 cu in) 5.0 Windsor V8 5.8 L (351 cu in) 351 Windsor V8
Transmission	4-speed AOD automatic (1980–1990)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	114.3 in (2,903 mm)
Length	1979–1987 215.7 in (5,479 mm) 1988–1990 216 in (5,486 mm)
Width	79.3 in (2,014 mm)
Height	56.5 in (1,435 mm)

1987 LTD Crown Victoria Country Squire

In 1979, Ford became the last American automaker to downsize its full-size car lines. While Chrysler would abandon its full-size wagons until the introduction of the Dodge Magnum in 2005, the LTD Country Squire would take on an entirely new form as the company responded to the introduction of the smaller Chevrolet Caprice and Pontiac Safari wagons. Eleven inches shorter and nearly 1000 pounds lighter than its 1978 predecessor, the redesigned Country Squire retained its 8-passenger seating capability with only slightly reduced cargo capacity. The big-block 400 and 460 cubic-inch V8s were not included in the redesign, leaving the Country Squire with the 302 cubic inches (4.95 l) and 351 cubic inches (5.75 l) Windsor V8 engines.

The 1980s saw relatively few changes to the Country Squire. In 1983 the carbureted engine was replaced with throttle body fuel injection. For the 1986 Model year, Ford went to sequential multi-port fuel injection which is identifiable by the large intake with the EFI 5.0 badge on top. In 1988, coinciding with the facelift of its LTD Crown Victoria counterpart, the Country Squire received a new front clip. Inside, new front seats with larger head restraints were added. For 1990 (the final model year), the dashboard was updated (for the first time since 1979) with the addition of a driver's side airbag; the outboard rear seats received 3-point seatbelts.

1982 front and rear seats  1982 beige dashboard  1987 blue dashboard  1982 carbureted engine  1987 fuel injected engine

Discontinuation

1988-1990 LTD Crown Victoria Country Squire

After the mid-1980s introduction of minivans by Chrysler, Ford, and GM, sales of full-size station wagons began to decline. The primary reasons for the popularity of minivans were their superior cargo capacity and fuel economy despite taking up less garage space; by 1990, Ford's Aerostar had overtaken all competitors in sales with the exception of the Chrysler minivans.

When Ford redesigned the Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis in 1992, the station wagon bodystyle was discontinued. While General Motors would produce station wagon versions of their redesigned 1991 full-size B-platform, they would sell relatively poorly, being dropped in favor of full-size SUV production. At Ford, the role of the 8-passenger station wagon was passed down to the Taurus, which was becoming the best-selling car in the United States; the role of the family towing vehicle was split between the Aerostar and the newly introduced 5-door Explorer.

1979–1990 Production Figures^[10]

Year	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990		Total
Units (non-woodgrain)†	29,932 (37,955)	9,868 (11,718)	9,443 (10,554)	9,626 (9,294)	20,343	30,803	30,825	20,164	17,562	14,940	13,362	6,419		217,152

†non-woodgrain LTD Crown Victoria and Country Squire wagons counted as one total after 1983
††286,673 units total, including non-woodgrain wagons produced 1979–1982

Unique options and features

With certain versions of the Country Squire one could install an AM/FM-Cassette stereo with a combined and fully integrated Citizens' Band (CB) two-way radio, and replacement dual-purpose automatic antenna (with only one visible difference that the aerial mast was a larger diameter, and black-band at approximately half-way up). The radio would then have the appearance of an original equipment, factory radio.

Optional were opposing side-facing rear seats, which could be folded down to make a durable cargo surface. Available for use with the side-facing rear seats was a folding table with integrated magnetic checkers board. Magnets under the plastic checkers pieces would keep them from sliding on the board while the vehicle was in motion.

Behind a rear fender well was a hidden, lockable compartment, not visible when the rear seat back was in the upright position.

GM, Chrysler and AMC would adopt a similar configuration by the end of the 1960s. An advanced version of this was the 3-way tailgate which permitted opening the door sideways with the window up.

References

1. 1950 Ford Country Squire, auto.howstuffworks.com Retrieved on 4 December 2012
2. Auto editors of Consumers Guide (9 October 2007). "1952 Ford Country Squire". auto.howstuffworks. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
3. "1965 Ford Country Squire Station Wagon 390 Thunderbird Special V-8 overdrive (model since September 1964 for North America U.S.) specifications & performance data review". Retrieved 31 December 2015.
4. "The Thinker (Detroit Style)". TIME. April 21, 1967. Retrieved 2007-07-27.
5. Nineteen Sixty-Eight Ford sales brochure W363 (WO55 Revised) 12/67, page 21
6. Odin, L.C. A concise guide to the Ford and Mercury full-size automobile production 1969-1978. Belvedere Publishing, 2016. ASIN: B01HE91Y4K.
7. Ford Wagons sales brochure 5029-8/68, page 12
8. Kowalke, Ron (1997). Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946–1975. Krause publications. ISBN 0-87341-521-3.
9. Flammang, James Standard Catalog of American Cars 1976–1999 3rd Edition (Iola, WI: Krause Publications, Inc 1999)
10. "Box Panther Production Numbers". Retrieved 21 February 2014.

External links

• Smithsonian Institution 1955 Ford Country Squire in the Smithsonian Automobile Collection
• LTDworld.com Website featuring a 1975 Ford LTD Country Squire
• Grandmarq.net Forum dedicated to the Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury Panther Chassis
• Ford Country Squire at the Internet Movie Cars Database