1970 Ford Country Squire

1970 Ford LTD | GR Auto Gallery

Just received this in an email from the Michigan dealership that is selling that 1971 blue Country Squire on Ebay (with rust). This one is going for around the same price and doesn't have rust.

However, it doesn't have AC ! And roll-up windows!

 

Ha, this wagon is hardly a "family truckster!" It is a good looking car. Looks straight, solid, and the combo of Calypso Red with the wood is very attractive. That mileage, for a 70, is incredibly low. I wonder if that mileage is correct, and if the paint/wood is original. I would think this wagon would be worth more.

 

That isn't necessarily the actual mileage. They sneak around that by stating "odometer reading". Since it is only a five digit odometer, it could have (and very likely has) rolled over at least once. That allows them to present what appears to be a low mileage car, but they aren't technically saying that is actual mileage. If it truly were a 28k mile car they would have mentioned it at least half a dozen times in the ad copy.

-20 points for no surfboards on the roof rack.

 

I suspect it’s been repainted. It’s definitely been re-papered. The original dinoc was planked. It’s really a lovely car but the lack of ac does hurt it though. I also think about with no air it was probably a northern or north east car which would in my mind think there may have been some body work. Although it could have been a third family car that was strictly used for choirs or very sparingly. With that much redone wood though I can’t believe the wood faded and the paint didn’t. Pretty car love the red.

 

The first thing that bugged me about this car was the non-authentic woodgrain. It closely resembles the cheap applique that J.C. Whitney used to sell. I have no confidence in its durability. Aside from its lack of simulated plank lines, it's simply an incorrect grain.

Next, notice the "restored" dash pad. We've seen this type before on the forum -- overstuffed and lacking the original grain.

There are also a few places on the lower body that have me concerned. Some might be dirt, or they might be rust. Other areas look like they might have seams as though they'd been patched. There is definitely some rust on the inside corner of one of the doors. The potential for more hidden rust (and I know from experience how these cars can hide rust) is what I'd be most concerned about.

The oil pan and the bell housing look wet. I suspect an oil leak from either the pan or the front seal.

Of the last two '70 CSs I saw for sale online, one sold for $45K (I think the other was somewhere around $30K, but I can't recall for certain) . I wonder if the issues I've mentioned are part of the reason this is listed at less than half that. I also wonder if there are issues I've missed.

The lack of power windows is not of great concern to me and is not particularly surprising. Relatively few Fords of this period had them.

Interesting that the dealer is advertising this as a 5.8L V8. The VIN indicates it's a 390 car, and the engine is definitely an FEIt seems highly unlikely that someone would have swapped in a 352 (which would also be 5.8L), so I have to conclude that the dealer is simply not familiar with these cars. Or he doesn't know his metric conversions.

If there's little or no additional rust, this might be a good car to buy -- at less than the market rate -- and enjoy as-is or possibly do a gradual refurbishment.

 

You are very sharp and came up with many good observations. I was curious as to why this wagon is going for so cheap. An extremely clean all original 1970 Squire should be going for double.

 

Just mentioning Michigan will get a wagon to start rusting. Who wants to fork out good money on something that is only held together by its Di-Noc sheet (if be it the case with this one)?

 

Just noticed the Seller raised the price $10K on their Ebay listing !!! Maybe they heard you
Seriously, what a bunch pf crooks !!!

 

That's ridiculous!

 

Well that’s my mantra. If you can’t get any activity at $19,000 raise it 10k and nobody will really not want it. I’m sure they’re thinking someone will see it, and try to negotiate it down to $25, and they’ll think they got a great deal. I’m glad I’m past my car accumulation phase.

 

You hit the nail on the head, Mercman!