Decades ago, Americans with big families and a desire to explore the country sought out big station wagons as their transport of choice, though these days, the crossover/SUV has taken over that significant role. Regardless, these big, vintage wagons are slowly gaining in popularity among collectors, with a couple of nice Ford LTD Country Squire haulers popping up for auction recently, including a 1978 model a couple of years ago, as well as a very clean 1971 that clearly hasn’t been used much over the years. Now, those that want to relive these glory days have another solid chance to do so, thanks to this 1969 Ford LTD Country Squire wagon that’s up for grabs at Bring a Trailer.
This particular 1969 Ford LTD Country Squire wagon was originally sold by Wagner Ford in Simsbury, Connecticut, and remained in the possession of the original owner until 1990. Now on its third owner, the big wagon still only has a mere 55k miles showing on the odometer, an incredibly low sum for its age, and it certainly looks like it. In fact, aside from a paint crack on the hood, its Black Jade hue and signature woodgrain paneling look like new.
Inside the cabin, that also goes for the green vinyl upholstery, which shows little wear for its age, and there are plenty of cool signature features here as well, such as the side-facing third-row jump seats present in the rear cargo area. However, there aren’t a ton of amenities throughout the interior, save for air conditioning and a push-button AM radio.
This old LTD Country Squire is powered by the naturally-aspirated Ford 390 cubic-inch V8, which in this guise was factory-rated to produce 265 horsepower with a three-speed automatic transmission behind it. The seller has done some extensive maintenance work to the car recently, replacing its exhaust system, rebuilding the carburetor and the radiator, replacing the water pump, fan clutch, coolant hoses, timing chain, heater core, spark plugs, ignition wires, and filters, as well as cleaning and relining the fuel tank. Now, this big piece of American history is ready for its new owner, who may or may not want to take it on a nice, long road trip when they bring it home.
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Comments
Gross. I like some Fords of the era, but most anything with “LTD” invokes an involuntary shudder. Add hideaway headlights and make it a wagon, and my God.
My ’69 Ford is a truck, F-100 Ranger Short bed. Looking at buying a ’70 Torino sedan as well, should complement my ’74 Chevy C10 well (both very base models with Inline 6 + 3 spd column shifters, manual brakes and steering).
Same color as my ’69 Galaxie 500 2 door sport roof hardtop. And same nifty wheelcovers.
Ford stylists in this era must have been on some great meds… one year a super cool and stylish front end, like this ’69. But the year before, ’68, was probably the most boring grill and headlamp treatment ever. Especially after the ’66 and ’67 stacked headlight and forward thrusting grill. ’70 was equally stylish, but ’71 and ’72 were dull in comparison. ’73 on brought the battering ram bumpers which Ford did worst than most. All that’s missing in this ’69 however is a 428 and buckets seats with a console from an XL. Otherwise its pretty spectacular.
Has the frame rusted through yet? Had a ‘69 Country Squire and ‘71 Galaxie 500 two door and both frames rusted through. This one won’t last long if used.
Yeah, just goes to.show what you don’t know as they only rusted out due to lack of maintenance and regular car wash and chassis flushes during it’s life. My 69 Ltd Brougham fordor hardtop had a very solid body and frame for it’s age. Preventive maintenance goes a long way in preserving any older Ford such as this fine Country Squire wagon.