The Ford Country Squire was a full-size station wagon produced by the Ford Motor Company. It holds a prominent place in American automotive history as a definitive family vehicle. It represented the top-tier offering in Ford’s full-size lineup for over four decades, often serving as the aspirational mode of transport for suburban families. Its design emphasized passenger comfort and generous cargo space.
Defining Aesthetic Features
The Country Squire is most immediately recognizable by its simulated woodgrain paneling, a distinctive feature that defined its top-tier status. This trim was meant to evoke the classic “woodie” wagons of the past, which were constructed with actual structural wood bodies. By 1952, the Country Squire transitioned to an all-steel body, but it retained the wood look using fiberglass and, later, a specialized vinyl applique.
The most common material for this simulation was a thick, weather-resistant vinyl product, often called Di-Noc, which was digitally printed with a woodgrain pattern. This faux-wood trim covered the side panels and tailgate, serving as the primary differentiator between the Country Squire and lower-trim Ford wagons. The style of the woodgrain evolved over the years, sometimes featuring lighter or darker tones and different patterns to mimic various species of wood.
Utility and Seating Capacity
As Ford’s flagship wagon, the Country Squire was engineered to maximize interior volume and passenger capacity. Most models offered three rows of seating, accommodating up to eight or ten passengers. The most distinctive configuration included a third row that consisted of two optional flat-folding seats facing toward the rear of the vehicle.
A major functional innovation was the “Magic Doorgate,” introduced in the 1966 model year. This patented design allowed the tailgate to operate in two ways: it could fold down like a traditional tailgate for extended cargo loading, or it could swing open to the side like a conventional door. Later versions evolved into a three-way design that allowed the window to remain up when the gate swung open, providing improved utility for loading groceries or luggage.
Production History and Evolution
The Country Squire model debuted in 1950, positioned as the most expensive wagon in the Ford lineup. Its production spanned over four decades, concluding after the 1991 model year due to shifting consumer preferences toward minivans and SUVs. Throughout its run, the model was consistently paired with Ford’s full-size car lines, such as the Crestline, Fairlane, Galaxie, and ultimately the LTD/LTD Crown Victoria.
A significant generational change occurred in 1979 when Ford downsized its full-size vehicles onto the new Panther platform. This made the Country Squire shorter by eleven inches and nearly a thousand pounds lighter than its predecessor. This transition moved away from the massive dimensions of the mid-1970s models while still retaining its eight-passenger seating capability. The Country Squire remained Ford’s premium, body-on-frame station wagon until the company exited the full-size wagon segment entirely.