1970 Buick Estate vs. 1966 Ford Country Squire

Some of those Buick motors were putting out over 500 ft lbs of torque.

What do the 428s offer?

 

If I do decide to sell the Squire, it will more than likely be sold "as is." The cost of prep, paint and woodgrain would be expensive.

 

The 428's offered 345 bhp and 462 ft lbs of torque.

 

The Buick EW were all mostly fully optioned out as I remember while the big Ford wagons were not. Might be worth checking how many were as highly optioned as yours was before setting a price on it if you decide to sell it. Does Marti cover the big Ford wagons with their reporting service?

 

I believe there are only 2 or 3 Country Squires in the Galaxie registry with more options than mine. The Marti report only goes back to 1967.

 

When did your Buick arrive? So did you have a plan when your bought it...maybe they changed..your plans?

I like the look of the Buick(sorry GM fan). But it looks more comfortable, more capable for towing, has A/C...but it's your call. You must like it since you got it after you already had the Ford.

 

Don't mash that blue hair lying down!

 

The 70 Buick 455 put out around 360 HP and 510 lbs of torque. It should be noted that during that year the numbers were DOWN played by GM.

 

Well, aren't you the FORDunate one to have two wagons to choose from! I understand about being able to afFORD only one of them, although one seems better FORDified for the towing job. Your FORDress would be well-protected by one more than the other, but I'm hesitant to give an opinion.

 

GO CHEVY, WOO-HOO!!!!



(ha to be said, he-he-he-he ....)

 

Sell the wife's car, keep the wagons!

You have a tough choice that I would NEVER want to have to make. I would be heartbroken to have to part with either. Being a GM fanboy, I would opt for the Buick, but I like that FORD way to much to be able to choose.

Put a stupidly high price on the one you choose to sell, when the time comes, then when it does not sell, tell the wife, Oh well, guess we have to keep her. HAAHAHA

 

same thing happened to me 50 years ago..........

Im with Blackie....sell the wife

oh...he meant the car.....

I dunno Proff....im the wrong guy to ask....personally...i'd sell the house and a get a bigger yard...

both stellar choices

 

Yeah, that Buick owner was apparently just testing the waters back then. Never got back to me about letting me look at it. His CL ad at the time said he was in Tustin, CA (IIRC...) - Orange County

Youv've got a quandry on which wagon to keep.

I'd do this first:
- Make a very detailed list of everything each wagon needs, how long approx. it will take. and roughly it will cost. This will help separate out the emotional issue for you. Then try to look objectively at each wagon without allowing your feelings about each one cloud your judgement.

Then forget all that and keep the one that gets you jazzed the most.


Marshall

 

They were more affordable and the every man's car, but I wouldn't say more valuable. Granted the muscle and sports cars are worth more because they are more collectible. However a comparable full size Ford, Chevrolet, or Plymouth will not be worth as much as a Cadillac, Lincoln, or Chrysler. There are exceptions with muscle and pony cars since they were suppose to be utilitarian to begin with, so the economy make is more the tradition.


As for the Squire vs. Estate. It is a hard decision I'm sure the Squire with the 428 is real rare, but is there a build sheet or a number in the vin proving it is real? The Buick looks to be ready to go like it is, and will be a little bit more comfortable for driving and towing since it has a/c, better seats, and more torque. I'd probably go with the Buick because I'm guessing the Squire is rare and deserves a proper restoration.

 

Value varies greatly depending on body style, engine and equipment, but I pulled a few samples from the NADA site. A 66 Coupe deVille was valued at $5,800 to $13,500, while a 66 Impala 2-door with a 327 was $8,797 to $26,105.

Ford vs. Lincoln was closer, with the Ford worth more at low retail and the Lincoln worth more at high retail. A 66 Lincoln 2-door was $5,650 to $23,500, while a 66 Galaxie 500 2-door 7-litre with the 428/345 hp (same as Professor's Country Squire) was listed as $8,750 to $20,370. Those with a smaller engine came in lower.

NADA listed a 10-passenger 66 Country Squire with the 428 and air (the only option choices they had on the NADA website) from $5,625 to $23,550, low-retail to high-retail. NADA didn't have a selection for a 70 Buick Electra Estate Wagon, just the LeSabre Estate Wagon.

I didn't check any Chrysler/Plymouth comparisons. I remember, though, a few years back, a gold 72 Plymouth Sport Suburban was bid up to $25K on eBay. It would surprise me if a 72 Chrysler ever brought that much, but I could be wrong.

Of course, ultimately the most important value is how much you like the car. Both the 66 Squire and the 70 Estate Wagon are nice cars; either one would make me happy.