1978 Ford Country Squire Wagon: A Last Hurrah for the Super-Sized Family Hauler!

[@kcindc5539]

My best friend Joey’s family (5 kids under the age of 12) had a ‘77 Country Squire in this exact color. It was a battle barge and had such a floaty it felt like it was in perpetual motion. I remember Joey’s Mom could parallel park that aircraft carrier like no one I’ve ever seen since, in two swift motions snick-snick twirling the wheel with a single finger.

[@Sheisthedevilyouknowwho-ft9we]

I know the type of mom from back then, could back in the largest vehicles of any sort better than anyone else

[@kcindc5539]

@@Sheisthedevilyouknowwho-ft9we exactly!

[@Sheisthedevilyouknowwho-ft9we]

@@kcindc5539 the woman I heard about, a mile from the Nebraska town of 200 I live in, was legendary for being able to back in a full tractor-trailer full of grain at the CO-OP, and get it perfect on the first shot, better than any man. . . (She passed away a long time ago, oddly enough from those "Rely" brand products, I'm 49 y.o. man but with a mother & 4 older sisters I heard about it)

[@kcindc5539]

@@Sheisthedevilyouknowwho-ft9we dayum!!

[@JTA1961]

Wonder why she was better than the "breast" ?

[@Michael-lk4oh]

So much green! This car should be driven in a St. Patrick’s Day parade.

[@timhinchcliffe5372]

I was thinking that, you'd probably make money exporting it to Ireland.

[@gregc3827]

My dad had the Mercury Colony Park! Towed our 18' camper from NY to Florida! Great memories.

[@AlexanderCrump]

I'm sure they were. Lucky you!

[@mikebell2750]

We had a 1974 County Squire in gold, with the tan vinyl interior and a 400 under the hood. It wasn’t the fastest car around, but it sure was comfortable on the highway.

[@AFTER_MIDNITE]

Nice color. We had a ‘78 with a medium blue interior/exterior, and with a 460. At speed, it was like riding a magic carpet floating over everything.

[@mikenb3461]

I love these cars. I remember admiring them as a kid in the '70s. Thank for the great review!

[@ComblessMan]

Love to travel in your circles. You see some truly amazing vehicles. I love this wagon.

[@Cadillac61]

Although I prefer a Caprice or Buick estate, everyone respects the Country Squire!

[@BlackPill-pu4vi]

The entire auto industry began losing its panache in the 1980's and it was all over with in the late 90's. The last hurrah for American cars with American styling cues was the Buick Roadmaster of 1996.

[@harrymills2770]

@@BlackPill-pu4vi It started in the '70s, with OPEC and skyrocketing energy prices. The Japanese unapologetically made 4-cylinder vehicles with good gas mileage and began stealing market share.

[@BlackPill-pu4vi]

@@harrymills2770 True and the Japanese cars and trucks of the 70's were visually honest and pleasantly balanced with their classic 3-box layouts. But, my gripe is when U.S. automakers began removing American styling cues of speed, power, sess appeal, and visual harmony in the downsized models of the late 1970's. The U.S. automakers went out of their way to make their vehicles ugly in the late 90's; starting with the Pontiac Aztek and Solstice, Chevy HHR and SSR, Chrysler PT Cruiser, and the ugliness just spread into the 21st century. The Japanese picked up on the uglification of cars later with cars like the Scion xB, Honda Element, KIA Soul, and other cars like them.

[@harrymills2770]

@@BlackPill-pu4vi I think there were a lot of ugly cars made by Detroit over the years. My gripe with the rice-burners is they had the right idea, but their vehicles were underpowered for U.S. highways, and when they finally started dropping a small V6 into them in the late '80s and early '90s, they ALSO increased the weight of the vehicle, so that the improved power was only marginal. Yeah, my '93 3.0-L V6 is better than my '84 4-cylinder was, but not by a mile. I don't know if you remember the Mustang II, which was the "fuel-efficient" version of the Mustang that came out in the last '70s, but it was a dog. No power. I want something that I can baby most of the time, but has plenty of get-up-and-go when I need it, for instance passing on a 2-lane highway or going up a long, steep grade.

[@BlackPill-pu4vi]

@@harrymills2770 I absolutely remember the Mustang II. I was in jr high when it came out and I was sorely disappointed at how badly Ford fumbled it. Back then, I figured Ford would use the Maverick Grabber 302 as the foundation for the new Mustang. Not the Pinto. I could wax on about how bad the Mustang II was but, that would be a very pointless rant.

[@leonardpoindexter5289]

I love station wagons. Automakers should bring them back .

[@williamegler8771]

Why? Several automakers have offered station wagon models but not enough people have bought them to make them economically viable. Everyone wants SUVs and CUVs.

[@joshm3342]

Audi, MB, Volvo & VW still make them.

[@moremphisbetter]

We had this exact same wagon back in the day, color and all. Except ours had the 460. I took my driving test in that car and went to my first concert in it with 8 friends! Thanks for the trip down memory lane!!

[@AlexanderCrump]

That Ford green was iconic. I don't recall seeing any other make with that shade. And the matching green interior. God, I loved it.

[@DSP1968]

Ah, when these behemoths roamed America's highways. A dream to look at and ride in, with great quality for the day. But boy do they embody "road hugging weight!" This particular example is the best color, by far. And the rare Duraweave interior in Dark Jade, no less! I always liked that. And you are correct, it was only available in the big Ford and Mercury wagons of this era. This car also looks pretty darn loaded with optional equipment. Wow! The reason that they combined the OIL and TEMP lights into the ENGINE light was to make room for the optional "Fuel Economy Warning Light" introduced in 1976. It lit when engine vacuum was low, letting the borrower know to lay off the accelerator. A great video on this car, Adam.

[@davidgrisez]

I am 73 years old and I grew up in a family of six children. Over the years my parents owned a number of full size station wagons. One of them was a 1964 Ford Country Sedan that did not have air conditioning. A vacation trip with driving across the Nevada desert convinced them that the next car needed air conditioning. The next station wagon was a 1971 Ford Country Sedan station wagon. This was a large vehicle that had air conditioning. When I was growing up my family would take traveling vacations in these large station wagons. The station wagon would be loaded with mom and dad and six children and a top carrier full of luggage.

[@jamier1124]

This is my literal dream car. Looks so beautiful in green. ❤

[@geraldsnyder6482]

Imagine. Once upon a time auto interior weren't only black or tan.

[@phillippacker5920]

Right... and the word "tan" is being overly prosaic for what you actually get! I think manufacturers should rename the interior color offerings as Ugly (black), and Butt Ugly (tan).

[@RustyZipper]

Gray …

[@j.kevvideoproductions.6463]

I own a 1965 Rambler Ambassador 990 4 door sedan. The seats are white, black and light yellow fabric. The Carpets are black and come up on the lower part of the door. The car is a Pale yellow (Solar Yellow). Even though AMC was always pinched for cash, they always tried to put as much as they could into their cars. Style used to matter back in the day.

[@georgewilson1184]

@@geraldsnyder6482 back in 1965 my Dad bought a new Ford F/ 150 the correct colors according to the bill of sale was a tu tone dark Navajo Beige & Light Navajo beige same in side chrome grille &front bumper chrome mirrors &wheel covers rear bumper was argent he had chrome dual exhaust put on and dual chrome spot lights and a custom fit leather tonneau cover and he had his name on each door in red lettering it was the Law in Illinois in those days even though he was not in a business Illinois considered that half ton pickup as a commercial motor conveyance

[@benzo560]

Good times

[@TheJmich2001]

Beautiful vehicle and piece of history.

[@jwelchon2416]

My parents had a 78 wagon that was yellow. I was at that age where I didn't want to be seen in it. In hindsight, I would love to have it today!

[@renegadetenor]

Our 78 was a very regal midnight blue; the 73 was a very 70s copper orange!

[@jasonrodgers9063]

My late mother-in-law had one of these. Good, solid car!

[@zippydooda563]

We had a 1975 Impala station wagon, 400 small block 4bbl, turbo 400 trans. The best vehicle we ever had. I remember the Firestone recalls for the white wall tires and the pelletized catalytic converter. It was pea green and a lot of fun!

[@komradkolonel]

This brings back a lot of memories. One of my best friends when I was in high school had a 1978 LTD wagon except his was brown and didn't have the fake wood trim. It did have the 460 with the tow package and ice cold a/c. It might be 95 degrees outside but it would be like a meat locker inside. This was a time when Ford was building "real" cars or just cars in general.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

I'm a GM guy. But I would love to have it. I love wagons and the green interior is awesome

[@danielsiminski5878]

My dad had one in 1985.....Right when I was to take my DRIVERS TEST!!!!! Needless to say....I FAILED pretty quickly, LOL!!! These things were LONG and HUGE!!!!! And I still LOVED IT!❤

[@67marlins]

We had a 351M in a 1977 LTD II mid-size....the engine ran over 500,000 miles without rebuild. It still ran OK when the frame rust took it to heaven.

[@jamesengland7461]

Wow that's amazing!

[@67marlins]

@@jamesengland7461 We took really good care of it, maintenance, etc.

[@PugDaddy-ze2gt]

Dang! She sure is a beauty❤ I've always wanted a Woodie, just epic & beautiful👍

[@LlyleHunter]

You can play bongos with the D pillars on this series of Country Squire or Colony Park and it plays with perfect pitch. No joking if you play drums on the pillars with your hands it sounds like a real bongo. I grew up doing it on my mother’s car in our garage every day when I was bored.

[@624radicalham]

Fascinating story that only a true owner of this vehicle would know!

[@phillipbouchard4197]

Thanks for an excellent video Adam on the last of the big Ford wagons. I am the proud owner of the downsized Panther platform wagons - being a 1987 and a 1991 Crown Victoria LX 8 passenger models. I tow my boats with them having rear air shocks to take the load. Nothing like the cushy ride of the big wagons except for my 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis LS sedan which is sprung a bit softer and more plush seats. Your feature car is absolutely stunning - that Jade Green color is beautiful as well as that interior. Reminds me of Tony Car Cares example.

[@troyp9485]

We had this car when I was 10!!! It took us to Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Mt Rushmore. Memories.

[@AlexanderCrump]

No better way to see those places!

[@drewintampa]

What a beautiful wagon. I have always wondered if the original owner(s) purchased these low milage, true survivor cars knowing that they will go into a time capsule and resurface one day. They are getting harder and harder to find. I am in my early 50s and when I grew up, every family on the block had a huge wagon in the driveway. I took my drivers test at 16 using my mom's 1985 Buick LeSabre Estate Wagon. I had to parallel park the beast. I miss seeing them all over the road like in my childhood. Thanks for posting.

[@donmoore7785]

I took my test in my mom's '72 Sedan de Ville. Nothing like taking the test in a beast.

[@drewintampa]

@@donmoore7785 I just looked one up. That car is a beast indeed! My grandmother, God rest her soul, gave me my first car, which she bought brand new. It was a 1976 Buick Electra 225. Red with a white landeau roof. Massive engine. On the highway, it felt like I was in a boat gliding over the water. Loved that car.

[@ctg6734]

Back in the day as a young driver, I would never have owned a car like this. Now as I've gotten older, I'd love to have one! The styling, colors, and plush interior just looks great!

[@LooneyFarmGuy]

OOOOOOOOH , I just love that interier ! 🥰 Wish we had tose color options now 🫤

[@randyfitz8310]

I bought one of these from friends of friends when it was eight years old for $50; it needed a battery and some ATF. So much: comfort, space, wood grain vinyl, gasoline! The ‘75 I had was fitted with to 400 2V and dual luxury lounge seats up front!

[@jimurrata6785]

My grandmother had one in white, with a 460, C6 and a 2.75 posi. That car was a rocket on road trips.🤯

[@LlyleHunter]

Actually they gently floated.

[@socalltd]

I remember seeing a few 73-76 squires with either 400 or 460's and a 3:25 rear on the door codes.

[@Carstuff111]

Man, Ford really did a great job with their green interiors. I love this, I would own one in a heartbeat!

[@MG-sj1em]

WOW, I had this exact wagon (ex rear end that I know of). I bought it used in 81 from a guy who owned a high end French restaurant in my town, same colors and options as this one, even the floor mats. It was a beautiful car but, I will say the green did wear on you after awhile. And you're right it was a dog. It drove heavy like it was having a hard time pulling its own weight. But, I loved the color that's what sold me. I miss wagons. SUV's just don't cut it sometimes. Thanks for another informative video!!

[@renegadetenor]

Wow, hey! I found the other person on earth, who still likes an actual color?

[@cycleguy666]

My grandfather had a 1970 LTD wagon w/wood sides all through the 70s in maybe till 85!! It was a boat but a hell of a car. Got over 20mpg on the highway. 351W-2V. The rear diff I think was in the 2.70 area. Finally my aunt gave him a 78 Chevy Nova......ne needed a smaller car!! I wound up with the Nova after he died. I had that car for another 10 years!! Another great machine!!

[@Shiba_Inu_Des]

When I was 7yrs old, this was my dream family mobile, to sit and play with hot wheels in the back, not seat belted while dad would cruise down I-5. This was the best!

[@Paul1958R]

The 79-91 Panther platform Ford Country Squire/Mercury Colony Park wagon was smaller but still fairly big

[@wagonmaster1974]

As my family grew, I found a 1975 Country Squire. It was hard loaded, like the one you present, with the exception of a 460 and 3.0 ratio trac-loc rear gears. Had [supposedly] factory dual exhaust, as well. It was quiet, for duals. It wasn't a racer, but did pretty well, for the huge car it was. Had that car until 2008. Kids grown/gone. Sold it, ruefully, for more than I paid for it! Don't need a big wagon anymore, but sure do miss it. Lots of good family adventures and hauling sports teams with it.

[@johnpezzullo9644]

Gorgeous Wagon... !!!! The way things were.

[@JohnWhite-xc3md]

I remember growing up, my friend's parents had a black version of this car. It was the smoothest, quietest car. Being a kid at the time, I asked "Are you guys rich or something?" 😂😂

[@Sheisthedevilyouknowwho-ft9we]

I know what you mean. I rode with a friends family in jr high to basketball games in the '80s. They had a chevy suburban, I was so jealous, I thought they must have been rich😂

[@rightlanehog3151]

Adam, The return of the Country Squire is overdue. 🤩🤩

[@douglasrizzo9210]

This car has the VERY rare optional Forged Aluminum Road wheels and the equally rare power mini vent window option, as well as rear defroster and digital clock. This has the stereo 8 track player, but not the "Quadrasonic" tape player.. This car has the standard level LTD trim, with the Dura-weave trim, notice the door panels. Dura weave was available in the two door and four door cars when also equipped with the split bench seat options, as per the brochure. This was also the last year for 400 and 460 engines. As always, fantastic work, Adam!

[@MarioLT4]

My dad had three of these growing up it was my favorite memories jumping over the back seat to go to the third row jump seat he had a small corner grocery store he used these wagons as a truck

[@trudygreer2491]

Same here! except my Dad used our 10yo Colony Park! Kept a garden hoe in the car to pull out boxes that slid forward~ Memories! 🍻

[@ripvanwinkle2002]

my parents had an older one with a HUGE ford big block in it. my brother surprised a lot of pony cars at the red light with that beast

[@MUUKOW3]

It sure looked good flying off the overpass in the Blues Brothers. " I've always loved you"

[@rh4267]

I had 4 Taurus/Sable wagons in a row. I miss station wagons so much, I would love to have this big wagon!

[@jamestamu83]

I had a 1986 Crown Vic Wagon. It was great for a growing family!

[@eyerollthereforeiam1709]

It's funny what nostalgia does. I used to hate the big wagons. But that one is kinda growing on me. Having grown up in the 70's, I remember cars like this were everywhere.

[@jnucci1]

I remember wanting one of these as a kid, especially this model. I had a copy of Ford's "Car Buying Made Easier" guide that listed all the options along with MSRP for each. I practically wore the print out building my dream cars. I'd show the results to my dad, and everry time he'd respond along the lines of "I'm never spending more than $6000 on a car!".

[@jeffreyhalat1535]

I love that wagon!!! We had a 79 Mercury Marquis wagon with the Crystal Cut gauges

[@steelehere1]

I remember when this particular low mileage car went up for sale a while back and all the car review sites were blown away by its $30k sale price. As someone whose parents drove the same year Mercury Country Squire with the wooden trim and painted blue, I get it.

[@fourthgirl]

My dad had this wagon in the early 70's. Loved the cargo seating because I could play Battleship with my sister.

[@drno-xc1yt]

These are such interesting cars of a bygone era - as birthrates decline and since buyers don't seem to want anything other than trucks, minivans, and SUV's, I doubt we'll see the station wagon coming back any time soon. An LTD wagon was the family car of one of my grade school friends, and that thing was enormous on the inside.

[@markohara6855]

Cool wagon! I had a 90 Ford LTD wagon with the 302 engine. It was brown with woodgrain sides. That car just floated along on the highway. I really liked that car.

[@jivepatrol6833]

My Mom had a 1969 Ford Country Squire Wagon my parents bought new and it was great! As kids we enjoyed sitting in those fold up seats in the back and having the rear glass down.

[@johnstapler5956]

Wicked nice. I love the big wagons, especially the Fords. Grew up riding in a wayback of a pea green 64 Bel Air. My 21 Ridgeline has a dual action tailgate. The Ford wagons were ahead of their time.

[@MichelleUS66]

We had a Ford wagon back in the early seventies. Those side-facing rear seats were awesome for kids. Four of us could sit back there and horse around - miles away from the folks up front. (As for seat belts, nobody used them at the time.)

[@Sweetwater20120]

I learned to drive in a 75 caprice estate with a 454, loved that old beast

[@kurtcocktoasten4592]

1969 Country Squire with 429. White/red interior. Was a WONDERFUL car and a screamer.

[@MillerMeteor74]

I wish you'd do a video on the last of the big Chrysler Town & Countrys. We had a `75 that was the brochure color, whatever that was called. It had the optional 400 with ignition lockout on the front seat belts. It had power windows, but no power locks, except on the rear tailgate/door. Also no cornering lights, no intermittent wipers, no cruise and no auto climate control. It also started rusting out when it was about 3 to 4 years old, and had terrible carburetion problems when it was new. But still I really miss it. My brother and I always rode in the 3rd seat on the family road trips. That Ford is beautiful.

[@jamespolcyn8441]

I love wagons

[@josephgaviota]

Me too! I wish they made more of them.

[@LlyleHunter]

Me too. They were a way of life for a long time. It’s why I have a crossover today. I couldn’t live with a coupe or sedan. I need a car that I can use for different things and sometimes load up.

[@Henry_Jones]

​@@josephgaviotayoure living in the golden age of wagons man. 3 row suvs are all just station wagons on stilts.

[@Henry_Jones]

​@@LlyleHunteryou drive a station wagon on stilts

[@simonmarch7783]

You must be the Toy Story Dinosaur then!

[@paulncvic]

Those carpet insert floor mats wore like iron! Loved them. And the Fords had the dual comfort lounge seats or something like that. And the tilt wheel, lots of options. Maybe even the automatic parking brake release. Cool stuff.

[@Wargasm54]

My buddy’s folks had the 460ci model. We drove it around in the early 80’s as our stoner wagon 😂. It would carry our whole crew plus room for a Keg in the back. It probably only had 200HP but it would do awesome donuts with 6 hoodlums packed in. 😂. And it drove beautifully. Just wafting down the road with comfort and ease. Good times. 👍🏻

[@michaelwhite2823]

Now you're cooking with gas. I learned to drive in a 1978 Colony Park the Mercury sister car. It had leather, 460 and all the options. I think you'd be able to do an interesting video on the downsizing of EACH MAKE AND MODEL during the late 70s. The different statistics, sales figures, and even the design and engineering challenges.

[@fredmckinney8933]

We had a '76 Country Squire in maroon. Later, when I was old enough to drive, I had a '78 LTD (just a sedan, though). About consolidating the oil and temperature lights, in 1975, Ford introduced a low fuel economy light, next to the right turn blinker -- so they had to consolidate them into the engine light. While Ford had discontinued that optional light by 1978, they left everything else as it was, possibly with the idea of eventually putting in another light.

[@ProjectFairmont]

Always though a full-size Ford of the 70s made the most sense as a wagon. Comfy, handsome and road so nice.

[@ponch38]

When I was a kid we had a silver ‘78 Country Squire with the 460. That thing floated down the road

[@nthused]

Brings back some great memories.

[@AFTER_MIDNITE]

We had a ‘78 Country Squire in my early teens. That car was awesome. It had a medium blue interior/exterior, and was loaded. It also had the 460 engine so it had plenty of torque. That thing would just float with the speedometer pegged at 85mph. It was a blast to fishtail on wet roads. I’d buy one in a heartbeat if I could. As for the side-facing seats, I actually prefer them to rear-facing seats. They keep you engaged with the front passengers/driver, whereas rear-facing seats leave you awkwardly staring at the people in the vehicle behind you and them staring back at you.

[@mowmanjones3353]

I owned one of these in 1985 best car ever had, would go through snow like a 4x4

[@LlyleHunter]

Same with the sedans. Though they didn’t have the steering feel like the concurrent GM’s of the early 70s the chassis had a better natural front to rear weight balance than the GMs so they were much better in snow and on wet roads and less prone to fishtail.

[@cruiser6260]

​@@LlyleHuntermore overhang more weight over rear axle, but ford were better with putting LSD as standard on V8

[@jefweb5043]

Great feature! There was a small Ford-powered group that got together recently; there was a '77 or '78 Country Squire with a set of Magnum 500 rims on it! It had a great look to it. I think wheels absolutely make the look of any car.

[@greglane3978]

This was my Mom's car. As she once said she never had a better vehicle than this before or after. This thing was a tank with a lot of power. 400 CID V-8. Great car.

[@AlexanderCrump]

My friend in high school had a '73 with the 400 and I can recall vividly to this day -- over forty years later -- exactly how that car felt and rode and sounded. It was very solid and reliable.

[@hurstbear]

Thank you for featuring this wagon. Loved the large wagons. I have a Navigator now and there are a lot of similarities that remind of the old days.

[@mairelise]

That's the car I learned to drive ~ grew up with these (family of eight)

[@vancejohnson4395]

What a beautiful car. I would absolutely love cruising that everywhere.

[@tomholschbach5966]

Love the Longroof’s. We had a root beer colored 72 with a 429. That car was awesome!!! So many camping and fishing trips. I remember my dad taking me to the Gulf Full service filling station to put on the studded snow tires in the fall. I also remember how they chewed grooves in the asphalt and throw sparks when he would do a burnout in it!! 🇺🇸🤘😂😎

[@chrisdb4278]

My family owned one of these back in the day and referred to the car as the Battleship. We bought it used and drove it for at least 10 years and over 100,000 miles. Although the car was very reliable, I remember that when I got my license, my dad showed me the emergency vacuum release under the hood for the headlight doors, just in case that system should ever fail when I had it out for a drive. Never had to use that knowledge, but was glad to know. In later years, someone ran a redlight and t-boned the battleship at 30+ mph. The car had no air bags but all occupants walked away unscathed, and the damage didn't even look that bad. The other driver's car (newer, with an air bag) was destroyed, and I think they had minor injuries. Insurance would end up totaling the Battleship and it was replaced by a Ford Taurus. Epilogue: The Taurus would prove to be a good car, lasting for many years and miles, but never held such legendary status as the Battleship.

[@blockcl]

I had a bunch of Country Squires over the years. Bought them 3rd or 4th hand. They made great work cars/tool haulers, especially in the winter.

[@bentrovato3082]

We had a '66 and a '72 Ford Squire - 390 and 400 cu.in. Great cars, many pleasant memories no mechanical issues.

[@scottbrown7415]

My parents had several LTD Country Squire wagons over the years. Not very efficient but tremendous towing and hauling capabilities. We loved the “magic two way tailgate” . A feature that my parents openly acknowledged was a deciding factor in their decision to buy multiple Ford wagons. I remember that relatives would frequently borrow the car from my parents to use for some task that their car was simply not capable of handling. I clearly remember when my dad’s only Aunt traded her VW bug to my dad for a couple days to go pick up her seasonal supply of apples, she was a tiny woman who was dwarfed in the driver seat of our 1968 Country Squire. We all busted out laughing as she tore out the driveway chirping the tires in this huge car with a 390 v8 that probably had five times the power and torque of the VW she normally drove. Such great memories of these cars! Thanks Adam!

[@bradkrekelberg8624]

That color is gorgeous.

[@charlesdalton985]

Stunning example. Iirc Rolls Royce also used GM A/C at this time (along with the THM 400 transmission). They really were the best at the time. Thanks for sharing.

[@tomflynn4477]

My Dad bought a '78 Chevrolet Caprice Classic wagon at the end of '78...he traded in his '73 Ford Ranch Wagon (bought new), guess he could have gotten one of these but his with the 400 (bought before the first energy crisis, in Feb 1973) didn't get very good mileage, plus GM finally (in '77) went with the 3 way tailgate instead of the clamshell on their large wagons (even though they were downsized starting in '77). His 78 had the 305, and it ended up being his last wagon (maybe true for many, they didn't make wagons too long into the 80's, by that time my sister and I were on our own and he no longer needed a wagon (sold the camper in '82). He replaced the Caprice Classic wagon with his worst car (a new '84 Pontiac Sunbird, went through 2 engines in 80k miles despite dealer service per the schedule, car was junked less than 5 years after being bought new) so downsizing didn't work well for him; he abandoned GM for a number of years after that (until he bought a 2001 Impala and another 2006, both new, the latter became his last car. I've been driving 50 years this year (learner's permit in Feb, license in July) and the '73 was one of the cars I practiced on. It replaced a '69 Country Squire that had less equipment (it had the 351). The Ranch Wagon was his first with AM/FM Stereo, manual air conditioning, power locks (but manual windows) and trailer towing package (we towed a pop top camper at the time) and the 400/2v. His was the 6 seater; he didn't need or want the 2 side facing rearmost seats, instead he'd use the empty space he called "the well" for storage, he had packing down to an art, with a goal of fitting as much stuff down there as he could so my younger sisters had space "up top" to sleep on long trips. The car had really loud turn signals (maybe because of trailer towing package?) which clicked distinctively. The power locks were also loud. I had a job at Hertz in both '77 and '78 as a transporter, it didn't pay much (maybe actually less than min wage, we were paid by the trip no matter how long we took) but I loved driving a variety of (mostly Ford back then) cars, though we also had some Dodge (no Chrysler nor Plymouth) one AMC and a Toyota Corolla Liftback and Datsun 510 (the late 70's version) in our fleet. Also drove a Mercury Cougar wagon, though Mercury wasn't common in our fleet. For some reason no Maverick nor Pinto, though in '78 I drove plenty of Fairmonts, Grenadas both years, but mostly LTD II and Thunderbirds. Even drove '77 Gran Prix and a '78 Dodge Magnum. Why this info? My Dad owned plenty of cars in his lifetime but I've only owned 5 in 50 years, probably partly because I got a chance to drive lots of cars back in the 70's and didn't need to buy a car to scratch that itch thereafter...though I've enjoyed ones owned by others by proxy. Now that I'm elderly myself, I wish I could buy one of these new....don't care for most of what's offered nowdays, I prefer cars to trucks, don't need or want SUV or crossover...I'd just like a smooth riding vehicle like one of these. Back in the day when they were common I wouldn't look twice at them (yes, took them for granted) but now you can't get them I would like one...guess I'm spoiled, want what I can no longer get. I really need to replace my current (24 year old car bought new) but can't get excited about what's available as replacement.

[@YouTooDoTube]

A Tesla model Y is super silent and spacious…

[@floydt2029]

Remeber these, the green interior needs the Pine air freshner too!

[@LlyleHunter]

Oh I think pine scented air freshener is obligatory with the green interior. What else would you use?

[@howebrad4601]

Absolutely love that color combination and if I could get those colors today, I'd order a new pickup tomorrow! The other nice color Ford had around that time is Medium Green Glow Metallic.

[@anthonycaniano9892]

What a beautiful wagon, especially the interior. It looks very high end.

[@dan7163]

I grew up with these monsters. I miss them

[@blautens]

Having grown up in full and midsized wagons from Ford and GM from 1963 to 1977, I have to say my favorite was our 1972 Old Cutlass Supreme wagon. It was just the right size, and the styling was just perfect. It lasted long enough for me to drive it briefly in high school in 1984 whenever my car wasn't running, and was the goto car for concerts with my friends.

[@LlyleHunter]

Oldsmobiles from the 50s through the 70s generally lasted much longer on average than the other domestic brands. It’s not surprising that it was your favorite. I had just about all of the American brands and I’d say that six of my favorite of the twenty three cars I’ve owned were Oldsmobiles. They were my favorite flavor from GM. I had a couple of Buicks and Caddies that I liked and a favorite Chevy. Two Fords and a Dodge pickup that I wanted to be buried in but someone bashed into it when it was parked, a couple of nice old Volvos and a 78 New Yorker that I wish I never sold but I wish they still made Oldsmobiles. Real ones. Not the giant Saturns that they tried to call Oldsmobiles in the end and couldn’t understand why they weren’t selling because Oldsmobile customers were waiting for GM to make them their Oldsmobiles.

[@larryhall8666]

In 1962 my parents bought a ranch wagon that car was probably the best car they had for a family of kids

[@csumme7]

My ex had a 71 country squire wagon she got for her 16th birthday from her father. It was used (5year old at that time) and had been hit on the rear passenger side fender but popped out however it was painted with a paint brush mustered yellow. It was the rolling banana she said. It had a 400 or the 429 under the hood though.

[@nlpnt]

No big Ford wagons in my family but Aunt Betty went from a '76 Town & Country to an '83 Escort (with similar 20 grit vinyl weave seat inserts). Owner of the gas station she always used told her tongue-in-cheek that he'd had to let a guy go! Later on an uncle had a '78 LTD sedan, super plush at a time I was old enough to appreciate it (had outgrown childhood carsickness).

[@mzaccagnini7179]

I love those big wagons. My Family always had them. Although we had a 76 Caprice estate wagon . That's a beautiful wagon!

[@scottyg7284]

In my small town in Scotland in the 80’s there was an older couple with a similar Mercury Colony Park wagon of this age, an unusual sight to see driving around.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Aye.

[@rogerhinman5427]

I think Car & Driver once described this car as a greenhouse on top of a warehouse. I had a 1979 LTD wagon and loved that car. That green is simply gorgeous.

[@LlyleHunter]

It was a real emerald green as opposed to a forest green.

[@67marlins]

Thanks for posting.

[@dustin_4501]

Great time for the Station Wagons, before the Minivans came into the scene.

[@landiahillfarm6590]

My father had a late '70's Merc Monarch 2dr Coupe in that same Jade Green metallic with the same green interior. And I must admit, for as stodgy at I thought the Monarch was, in that color combo, and with a 302 w/4spd manual stick, it was actually pretty sexy. Would be proud to have it today.

[@cadesmith4278]

Love the AM-FM-8 track! (and the gas gauge you could practically see moving from F to E...lol)

[@earllutz2663]

Thank you for highlighting the big full sized vehicles/Automobiles. I am only 6 feet and I c

[@kevinkoepke8311]

In Houston, there was a Ford dealership that advertised a sale on St Patrick's day in 1978, in which the front lot was covered in green cars and pickups. At the time, I thought what a horrendous color, but I guess green was accepted then. Thanks!

[@oscartango2348]

This is the new Wagon Queen Family Truckster, a damn fine automobile. If you're taking the tribe across country, this is the car you should be using.

[@billknoble4188]

Wow this brings back memories! My uncle had one of these up to the early 90s. It was a 76 in the pale yellow, with woodgrain, and the camper special package. I remember him saying it had the 460, C6, and 8 bolt hubs. I know he said it was rated for 10000 pound towing. And chassis parts cross referenced with the F250!