Firing It Up At The Museum: 1970 Ford LTD Country Squire

Firing It Up The Museum, Ep. 5: One of the best parts about maintaining the cars in the San DIego Automotive Museum is firing them up and listening to the engines. Hang out with us while we do some behind-the-scenes work and learn a thing or two about the cars. A special thanks to our exhibitors for sharing their vehicles and being part of the museum.
Featuring: Pandora Paúl Sordon, Curator and Education Director and Gregg Rushall, Volunteer
Guest appearances: 1970 Ford LTD Country Squire “Billy Squire” on loan from Alex Hart
Filmed by: Mireya Lopez
Edited by: Kimaris Rosby
Produced by: San Diego Automotive Museum
Location: San Diego Automotive Museum, Balboa Park
Please like and subscribe!
NOTE: We change our cars on exhibit often. Not all cars in our videos are still on display at the Museum.

[@allhart18]

It's my Billy Squire! Thanks Pandora for featuring Billy in your video! I got a real surprise when Greg turned on the lights and the headlight doors actually opened - Mason had disconnected something in the mechanism so they would stay down during the months the car is in the exhibit (otherwise, the vacuum holding them down would dissipate over several days and the headlight doors would open). It was so nice to see this woodgrained wonder in your video, and hear the lovely burble of that 429. Thanks for taking such good care of Billy - I know he's in good hands!

[@kyboy5]

Ok boomer

[@kyboy5]

Ok boomer

[@kyboy5]

Ok boomer

[@dermotthompson2115]

Vacuum down, spring up

[@johnsaunders1435]

Absolutely stunning! I grew up with 3 different mercury colony parks and then bought my own to play with. Cherish your treasure. These cars will never exist again.

[@ElectrologyNow]

Never thought I'd see a 1970s car in a museum. Seems like only yesterday ...

[@rsprockets7846]

Merc colony park even more luxury

[@danielulz1640]

@@melvinharris7859 you are mistaken, it is a 1970.

[@spiff8862]

@@rsprockets7846 Colony Park and Park Lane. Two of the classiest names to ever come out of Dearborn.

[@rsprockets7846]

@@spiff8862 unc bought a 69 Country Squire, kid wrecked it he had full insurance on it so we went to Lincoln Merc dealer and we drove the 1970 Colony Park wagon home, had a VINYL Top on it red with a white exterior. outa this world and a5.5k price tag was toooo much so he got another Squire

[@spiff8862]

@@rsprockets7846 My Dad bought a '69 Thunderbird Towne Landau for $6200. He thought it was a tad high (my dad was...let's say frugal in nature). Definitely got his money's worth. Kept it til 1987 when he bought himself a Japanese Corvette.... A Mitsubishi Starion Turbo 2.6 liter wide body w/a 5 speed stick (wouldn't let me touch it 😄). Kept that Pocket Rocket for the rest of his life.

[@erikajennings9055]

That's a beautiful wagon, thanks for showing it off. Those old wagons were loaded with class.

[@jobamasux]

Wow the car we rode in as kids is in a museum, I must be getting old!

[@johnfranklin5277]

We had a 69 Ford LTD sedan. Bought new. 390 v8. Ice cold ac, loved it. Cruise control, rare in those days. Sold it in 1982. Lifelong Southern California car. Still in good shape, headlight doors never a problem, still working when sold. Loved the wrap around drivers instrument panel, and deep recesed passenger front legroom. Just a great looking car in and out. Bought a very nice 68 Mustang in 1977 from the original owner, 289 v8, factory AC, optional hood with turn signal lights in it. Have had it 45 years now, still on the road. That one is staying put with me! Thanks for the video of this beautiful wagon.

[@Phonejag1]

Certainly one of the prettiest wagons I’ve ever seen,,,

[@rsprockets7846]

1970

[@user-ht1xu4gv2u]

We had a 69squire

[@chevken1831]

I think those old Ford wagons are my favorite.

[@rsprockets7846]

like the 68 to 71 style

[@Nexalian_Gamer]

Older cars in general look better. The exterior features like the hood, headlights, and bumper are pronounced and have a very intricate look to them. Nowadays, cars look completely flush. All the lights look so ugly and the giant fake plastic intakes on the front and the ugly curved doors look hideous. Also the rims on modern cars look ugly as hell.

[@doug9066]

This a & always was a beautiful car, when I was a kid we had a 1972 Ford LTD Country Squire with wood trim, loved sitting in the far back. Keys I remember when Ford & as others had 2 keys, round for unlocking doors & trunk, square key for the ignition.

[@carlm8821]

God I just absolutely LOVE this car ❤❤❤ Although my favorite generation is the 1973-78 Country Squire/LTD, I totally appreciate the 69’ - 72’ models for their understated stateliness and handsome looks! This is a beautiful example and so so glad to see not all have gone to the crusher!

[@theothermrhenderson2456]

As a kid of the 60's and 70's..... I cracked up about the statements: "Keys for the door locks and the far back seat".... Dhaaaaaa..... Bwhaaaaa hahahahah.... Young wipper snappers showing this car.... Bless their hearts.....

[@bradleypollack5658]

At a time when the cars were as big as the trucks!! A late 60’s early 70’s Chevy pickup in the background!! I love it!!

[@dermotthompson2115]

Absolutely gorgeous

[@BenGreggSweden]

Love the enthusiasm! As a kid, I loved these cars (especially the 1969-1972 series). Sadly, my dad preferred to save a few bucks and got the 1970 Galaxie 500 “Country Sedan” (which I thought was a strange name for a wagon). I remember being disappointed that our Country Sedan did not have the wood trim or hideaway lights of the definitely more upscale LTD Country Squire.

[@allhart18]

I totally understand. My situation was even worse - we had a '66 Falcon Futura wagon, with no power steering or power brakes. Talk about disappointment! I wanted my folks to buy a new full-size Ford wagon in 1969-1970, because I thought they were so beautiful! Alas, mom drove the Falcon until 1978. That's why as an adult I so wanted a 1969-1970 Country Squire. The one in the video is mine - I've had it since 1992.

[@lanceklinge8234]

I WANT THAT CAR I LOVE THAT CAR 🚗 😍

[@amyh3223]

68 through 70 full sized fords were cool for having Ltd xl line having a different grill than the Galaxie

[@animestarlord9021]

Love those old boats.

[@daveroe8612]

Outstanding, so much more than today's SUVS

[@colibri1]

Our neighbors when I was a kid in the early seventies had a pine green 1970 Ford LTD Country Squire and a red 1967 Buick Wildcat. Great cars.

[@vilhjalmrwt]

My dad had a Ford station wagon I think a 1973 74 White/ beige Loved it

[@trekkeruss]

My das was a Country Squire kinda guy. The first one we had was a 67, and then a '76. We had the dual facing rear seats; I always wished we would have had the optional checker board table. I guess that is why I have the factory option table for my Honda Element.

[@steveboehme3070]

What a beautiful wagon!!!

[@jamesspeck4151]

A beautiful car! I consider the 69 and 70 versions the best looking wagons ever made. Georgeous!

[@gene978]

We all had one growing up! ‘68 Ford Country Sedan.

[@johannesherrmann2676]

I owned a Matchbox Country Squire when I was a little boy, nearly 40 years ago. My first dream car ! Wonderful !

[@jamestravis1037]

We had a 76 Ford station wagon with the wood trim(fake) . The wood trim became all faded over the years and the only way to bring it back and make it look new was to spray it with Endust Spray. So we nicknamed the car Endust...... Anyway...sounds stupid but it brings back many good memories!

[@rsprockets7846]

we used pledge

[@linwoodouellette6132]

My mom had a 1970 LTD COUNTRY SQUARE in a dark 💚. Green we lived it I was 10 loved it

[@stevenbongiorno9277]

We had the same wagon when I was a kid, in blue. What a good looking car it was.

[@jacktaylor1030]

My dad leased a new one every year from 1968 to 1974. They were always fully loaded LTD Country Squires with the big Boss 429 for power. They were always gold with wood tone sides and looked pretty cool. I remember hitting the highway and cruising at 85 - 95 MPH. They wouldn't do a 100 MPH unless going down a big hill though. They were really nice cars for family vacations. I drove my high school friends all over the place with them hanging out the windows raising hell many times. I have a lot of fond memories driving these humongous wagons down the road. It's sad to say, a smaller Chevy wagon blew my doors off with a 327 small block one day. Back then gas was 25 cents a gallon, so they were fairly cheap to drive until the oil embargo happened.

[@67marlins81]

I love it!! I had a 1970 Galaxie 500 wagon, the next step down from the LTD. It had a great 390, over 250,000 miles and still ran strong before body rust did too much damage after 35 years. I currently have a 1970 Mercury Marquis 2 door, 429 2-barrell.

[@garystremel4366]

We had exact same car, color, interior, etc. Rode Like a magic carpet. It was a great car for long distance vacations. Comfortable!! Loved the multi position tailgate. Clever and functional.

[@valtito9297]

first date was in a 72 country squire what a night to remember!

[@tomtheyank1]

Such fond memories of the 60s and 70s. Our family had a 1970 chevy malibu Station Wagon , jetty black , inside and out... a beast , 350 , neighhood called it the Herman Monster Mobile ... took us to the drive in theatre's, camping , jersey shore , 6 flags Great Adventure ( wolly world )... if muscle cars were dinasors,, that malibu was a T REX !!!!!!!

[@stephenspilker9334]

i love station wagons. especially fords, have had 2 over the years that t should have kept.

[@toddmo1]

Love it!

[@Imnotyourdoormat]

great shot of the motor......

[@seanbryant2848]

My Mother had a 1971 Ford LTD Country Squire... it was a great car... I currently own a 1970-1/2 Ford Falcon Station Wagon... the very last production year for the Falcon... it is actually a re-badged Ford Torino Station Wagon, to give the Falcon its last hurrah. I love my station wagon.

[@tomwebber9377]

What a great trip down memory lane for multiple reasons. #1, my step-mother had the slightly less immense Gran Torino wagon in 1973. She was burdened with 5 kids every summer when we came to visit and we went everywhere in that thing along with half the neighborhood. I think there were something like 8 kids and two adults in that car at almost every outing. Additionally, and I'd like to see you do a focus on it too, there is a Datsun 510 wagon (red w/roof rack) in the background. My mother had a '72 blue with off-white interior during those same years! We took that car everywhere, even camping in Canada in '74, with 3 kids. Usually it was only 4 of us but once in awhile it was 5 people, one dog and a week's worth of food and clothing to go to the beach! Great stuff. Please do the 510 video soon. There are lots of us who really enjoy them.

[@discerningmind]

This car deserves to have the correct wiper blades installed on it. The black blades are incorrect. The first station wagons were at train stations/depots, and were known as depot hacks. The term station wagon came later. Full size station wagons are much better than a large SUV. And yes, they can carry 4 X 8 sheets of building materials and still allow for the tailgate to be closed. They're more comfortable than an SUV, use less gas, safer because they have a lower center of gravity, and they cost less to repair. As well, one can actually reach to wash the roof of a station wagon. I don't know why we don't have station wagons any longer except that SUV's have always been a fashion statement, since most people don't need an SUV. But a station wagon always fits into people's lives because they're so useful.

[@samatarali5334]

It's only 50 years ago jeez😢 time flies

[@fourthgirl]

My dad's Country Squire that we owned in Oakland CA (ha-ha), was green. First grandson and I were the same age and the rear cargo seating was the best! The cardo door also had a swing gate feature so you could step into the back without climbing over the tailgate.

[@Akasnacker]

I have a 1969 Ford LTD and I love it! This wagon is awesome too I like the color combination and the and the woody!

[@RichadTheLionHeat]

That station wagon is absolutely beautiful. I would love to own one again. This classic Ford, the 1972 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser. 👍🏻😉🙏🏻🇺🇸🙏🏻🇺🇸🙏🏻🇺🇸

[@toddbonin6926]

LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Sandhill1988]

Absolutely gorgeous!

[@Al-thecarhistorian]

My father purchased a 1970 Squire new and it was the most reliable, most comfortable car he ever owned.

[@spiff8862]

As a HUGE Ford fan, I've always had a soft spot for the wagons. After seeing this video, I realized how Ford always had a homerun hit with these wagons.

[@Gomindyourownloser]

we had a 1977 Merc Station wagon a lot like this one blue and later we had a 73 LTD by 73 on the ltd the hidden headlights were gone but still on the 77 Mercury Both Had Balls would pass everything but a gas station although you could get around 25 MPG if you were light footed

[@allhart18]

This 1970 Ford Country Squire wagon is my car. Best MPG I've ever gotten was 13, on a trip to Phoenix from Southern California. It usually gets around 9 MPG around town. This one has the largest V8 Ford offered in 1970 - a 429 4-barrel.

[@lindycorgey2743]

Very light footed. If you drove about 35-40mph, which is where they shifted into 3rd. You might get the high teens.

[@allhart18]

@@lindycorgey2743 I think it may be possible to get into the high teens in MPG with a 351 or 390, but it would be a tough call with a 429. The Ford C-6 automatic transmission typically shifts into third between 20 and 25 MPH. I've owned several Fords and Mercurys from 1969-1970 with the 429 and C-6, and the transmissions all performed similarly. With a car like mine, I don't car about gas mileage anyway. 😃

[@bruceh92]

Agreed, this is a very cool "station wagon!" And it was so nice of Rosanne Barr to take time from her busy schedule for this video. Thanks.

[@danpurcell9764]

What a boat!

[@Jvcomet]

Was my favorite car. Same car. Love it thanks!

[@michaelwitas9482]

Undoubtedly one of the best looking station wagons of its era. I can remember a house being for sale across the street. The Realtors were getting out of their Country Squires and commenting the they all drove the same kind of car. But before SUV's, this is what many businesspeople drove if they needed a luxurious looking but somewhat utilitarian vehicle. 1970 was the first for the plastic radiator grille. Previously, LTD series cars had a die cast metal grille. This car appears to have the power lock option although I'm not sure they are hooked up.

[@allhart18]

Yes, the power locks DO work! Unfortunately, they are vacuum-operated so they are quite slow after 51 years. Power door locks weren't too common on 1969-1970 Fords. You're partly right about the plastic grille. The center section is metal, but the darker (black) portions of the grille and headlight covers are plastic. I've had this '70 Squire in the video since '92. Thanks for your kind words!

[@mbhinkle]

Loved your walk thru. Growing up in that car was a treat

[@cujet]

Too cool thanks for the memories! It's easy to forget just how much these cars could comfortably carry. Our family of 6 easily fit, along with my dirt bike and all luggage in the back. Kids could sit in the "well" but that really was not comfortable for interstate trips. We had 2 of these cars, a 1968 and a 1971, with a 390 and 429 cubic engine respectively. 8 MPG was about what they got around town, and about 14 on the highway. Of course, nowhere near the speed limit... After the gas rationing, we moved to smaller cars, and ended up doing our weekend and vacation traveling with 2 vehicles. Total gas savings for the years with smaller cars = 0.

[@God-has-entered-into-my-body]

this is really an awesome car

[@user-ht1xu4gv2u]

Everything but there. Taillights. Wood back onto fence either crack or. Break. Then but 15 bucks from dealer. New

[@727100bear]

the comparable 1970 Plymouth Fury Sport Suburban also offered a factory installed dual air conditioner - an exclusive Chrysler Corp option

[@massgallo749]

I love this Car

[@theonlyonestanding8079]

I love old station wagons

[@donaldclark9462]

What a beautiful Ford this was in its day!

[@lvsqcsl]

I think she could have opened the rear gate sideways with the window either up or down on that car. 1969 was the first year for that.1966-68 the window has to be down to open the door either way. Great video!

[@rsprockets7846]

Magic tailgate google it

[@lvsqcsl]

There is a 3 -way and a 4-way magic tailgate.

[@rsprockets7846]

@@lvsqcsl 5 way is the gate hanging off lower hinge......don't ask me how we did it.....

[@allhart18]

@@lvsqcsl I think it only went as far as a "3-way Magic Doorgate" - opened down like a tailgate, like a door with the window down, or like a door with the window up.

[@lvsqcsl]

@@allhart18 I think you are right. We has a '68 that was just a 2 way.

[@727100bear]

Plymouth’s Fury Sport Suburban’s fuselage styling was more attractive - Plymouth also offered factory installed dual air conditioning and the rear window air deflector wasn’t an afterthought attached to the roof rack like Ford’s

[@allhart18]

Those fuselage-styled Chrysler wagons are gorgeous cars! They never sold as well as Ford wagons did, so there are far fewer of them around today. My favorite fuselage wagon would be a '69 Dodge Monaco wagon with woodgrain and Super Lite.

[@lvsqcsl]

I had a neighbor that had a 1969 Sport Suburban. That rear air conditioning unit really kept the car cool and comfortable on hot days and it was integrated well into the interior just over the rear seatback.

[@allhart18]

@@lvsqcsl I think Chrysler Corporation was the only company to have rear air conditioning units in their wagons - yes? It is a big space to cool on a hot day, so a secondary A/C unit would be very handy to have.

[@thomasdollard7971]

We had a 1970 Ford Country Squire.

[@nightbloodrayna]

I had a 73 back in the day.

[@DSRQ1]

My mon had the same year Country Squire, but white w blue interior. Got my license in that boat.

[@burtbunns2270]

I would totally drive this thing around .... it's like in your face american to all these new smart car's .... those people would give you the 🙄 passing them in their new smart Honda civics Toyota's this thing is a beast... lmao I would hate to be in today's new car look in your rearview mirror and all you see is a giant grill...the hood is as long as a Honda.....👀

[@rscamarolover]

Awesome beautiful wagon, she's a piece of automotive history. I prefer my chevys but all wagons are awesome, I have an 06 magnum wagon that I love as much as I do my camaro, I'm looking for a 65 or 66 chevy wagon or a 69 chevy wagon as a cruiser

[@markk3652]

The only detractor from these 70's and early 80's cars are the fact that they had a brushed stainless wiper arm, and you just can't buy the brushed stainless wiper frames anymore. This car is prime example of how off it looks with modern style wiper blades grafted on those factory arms. It used to be a new set of wipers were just the rubber blade insert getting changed out.

[@chuckselvage3157]

I like station wagons they're great.

[@carlweidman3026]

Love my Ford but I can do without her

[@LocoCanada]

I was thinking the same thing. I feel sorry for her husband

[@richardisner4030]

Highbeam switch is on the floor. It was in all cars and trucks back in the day. I think they should put the switch back on the floor

[@lvsqcsl]

1979 was the first year that the dimmer switch was on the turn signal stalk. I had one and the horn was on the turn signal stalk as well. You pulled toward yourself for the high beams and pushed the end in for the horn. The tilt steering was a separate lever.

[@jeffdalrymple1634]

My late grandmother had a '75 Country Squire landau with a 460 with dual exhaust; which she purchased brand new. They forgotten to put a catalytic converter on the passenger side. The car used to stall whenever it got hot because the fuel line would pinch at the tank. Not to mention it would always jump out of reverse on it own. Nearly killed us.

[@67marlins81]

Rare defects. Tens of thousands of big Fords were built, sold, then transported families trouble-free for 200,000 plus miles. I know - I've owned them.

[@markk3652]

Pushbutton door handles of the 70's was just rigorous thumb training for our smartphone futures. Texting, swiping, commenting, and thumbs-upping- we owe a lot to these doorhandle calethstetics that our parents forced upon us.

[@rsprockets7846]

Wood redone we have a nos dynoc piece hanging in tube in garage since 70. They had black stripes on wood and a gritty texture

[@allhart18]

The car in the video is mine. I spent time looking for NOS dynoc but ended up buying reproduction wood grain instead - it looks identical to the original, and was far easier for my painter to install.

[@rsprockets7846]

@@allhart18 yeah we had a 69 wagon and got tapped on the street the body shopp pieced the rear in dynoc and youd had to look hard to see the joint....it was a pebbly finish and had black stripes and by 74 thewood was already fading and the surround wood ws getting delaminated

[@RS-yu4lb]

Has the factory AM/FM Stereo radio, but where are the speakers on the front doors ?

[@chrisolsen7679]

Is it a 390 or 429?? Or even a 351W??

[@sadydog1234]

Time machine

[@BogattheMoon]

Your host, Rosie O'Donnell.

[@davidallen5776]

I can use one of these!

[@rsprockets7846]

Tail lights always getting bashed

[@rsprockets7846]

yup i would piece them together with epoxy and silver tape

[@gojoe2833]

Back in 1970 gas was only 27 cents a gallon, and OPEC hadn't yet blackmailed the world with their oil...so getting 9 miles per gallon wasn't a problem

[@richardgannon62]

Beautiful, however, if i may , windshield wipers not recessed all the way to molding, also wrong wiper blades, originals were 19" anodized trico. yngr brother and i shared one in the eighties

[@allhart18]

You're right on all counts regarding the windshield wipers. I have since remedied the situation. Thanks for pointing it out! :-)

[@lvsqcsl]

Good eye, Richard.

[@TexasMan77]

What engine?

[@franklyspeaking4480]

My first car was a 1974 Ford wagon exactly like this Bought it for $50 & drove it home when I was 14. By the time I was 16, I had a 1979 Z28...until I was 18. Then I had a 1978 Olds Delta 88 with a 468 stroker in it. Now I have an 06 Grand Prix. Anyone wanna trade for an older car ? 😕😂

[@saddletramp6935]

Didn't Paul also have Volvo wagon with a Ford 302 in it?

[@rexspangler4641]

why didnt you pop the hood? the car looks great but ya have to show the motor especially if its a "429".

[@b58hustler71]

Ford Country Squires ride like Lincolns, maybe better. I'd take this over any SUV.

[@ralphabreu5022]

When a wagon was a wagon. Body on frame. America needs to start building these cars again. Instead of unibody SUV'S The sad part is that SUV'S took the place of these beautiful cars and they're no different in gas consumption than modern SUVs. This is more eye catching than an SUV.

[@nando11220]

You gotta rev the engine

[@derriusbranch8620]

Hello

[@halaheleu7013]

Sandy eggo

[@frothe42]

We had a yellow 1970 Country Sedan 2 seat wagon. Was troublesome; rear window refused to work, we got a loaner car, 1971 Ford Pinto! My mother fit herself AND FIVE KIDS into that Pinto! Seven years it was rusting out severely, GM vehicles ever since

[@67marlins81]

I had a 1970 Country Sedan station wagon that drove over 250,000 trouble-free miles. I owned it 9 years, then bought another just like it that served equally well for another 13 years. These were good cars.

[@allhart18]

@@67marlins81 I've owned the '70 Country Squire in this video since 1992. I can attest to the fact that it is a great car. It's still solid after 51 years. :-)

[@67marlins81]

@@allhart18 Great work, keep it garaged and take care of it!

[@derriusbranch8620]

Go good TV. And go Good tv and tops and RCA and LG and go VHS and go Systems and good things. Go good pictures and cameras and go Duracell and diehards and go Xm and Am radio. And go rubber maid and go glad and hefty . Go good things and coolers and igloos. Go Ones and good A groups and files. Go GM and Ford's.

[@melrose9252]

That wagon is clean. No offense but your narration is annoying and you didn’t even pop the hood to show the audience the mill. Please consider leaving the narration to someone who actually knows something about cars other than look how much room.

[@carlosschein9283]

Exactly, she talkes to the viewers like we’re stupid.

[@kevincostello3856]

Grew up with 78 mercury colony park wagon. Dad drove a mercury grand marquis coupe black. Just love and miss those cars/ 70s. Oh yeah, I wrapped the grand marquis around a telephone pole in summer 86. Yup had the car for all of 17 days before I destroyed it. Youth--- stupidity

[@thewilscott]

Nice car, annoying chat.

[@derriusbranch8620]

Hello Friendly hellos and we'll Wishes. And Go good things and Departments and desks. And go A groups. And go good things and machines and Technology. Go good computers and go HP and go Commordore computers and Xeroxs. And go IBM. And go Good things and files And A groups. Go good things and safe things and sciences.

[@thomasdollard7971]

Seats 10, not 9

[@quagmiredavis4117]

Idiots running without actually driven this ruins a car over time condensation in oil engines you need to actually drive the damn thing Stupidity like this keeps my shop going fixing ruined engines and brakes etc .. can't fix stupid