Car Of The Day: November 11, 2010

Today's car of the day is Zylmex's 1978 Ford Country Squire.

The Ford Country Squire was a full-size station wagon built by the Ford Motor Company from 1951 until 1991, encompassing seven model generations. The Country Squire was based on Ford's full-size car line and was the premium station wagon in Ford's model range. The Country Squire was initially built as a "woodie". After the mid 1950's the rear body was composed of fiberglass covered by a vinyl appliqué printed to simulate wood. Later versions featured an all steel body and are best remembered for featuring body sides and a tailgate covered by simulated wood trim and panels, however the Country Squire could be purchased without them. Models without simulated wood trim were marketed as the Country Sedan and Ranch Wagon between 1952 and 1974; subsequently, all full-size Ford wagons were sold as Country Squires.

The Country Squire was based on the Custom DeLuxe series in 1951, the Crestline from 1952 to 1954, the Fairlane from 1955 through 1958, Galaxie 1959 through 1966, and the LTD/LTD Crown Victoria from 1967 through 1991. Due to declining sales, Ford elected to exit the full-size station wagon market after 1991.

The Colony Park was the equivalent model sold by Ford's Mercury division.

For more information and pictures of the real car please visit: Ford Country Squire

This is not an easy piece to find, but a must have for miniature wagon enthusiasts!  '70s wagons are starting to catch on in 1/64 with Johnny Lightning giving us the '73 Caprice and Matchbox the '70 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser in the past few years.  This Country Squire would make an excellent candidate for a new casting.

With certain versions of the Country Squire one could install an AM/FM-Cassette stereo with a combined and fully-integrated Citizens' Band (CB) two-way radio, and replacement dual-purpose automatic antenna (with only one visible difference that the aerial mast was a larger diameter, and black-band at approximately half-way up). The radio would then have the appearance of an original equipment, factory radio.

Optional were opposing side-facing rear seats, which could be folded down to make a durable cargo surface. Available for use with the side-facing rear seats was a folding table with integrated magnetic checkers board. Magnets under the plastic checkers pieces would keep them from sliding on the board while the vehicle was in motion.

Behind a rear fender well was a hidden, lockable compartment, not visible when the rear seat back was in the upright position.

GM, Chrysler and AMC would adopt a similar configuration by the end of the 1960s. An advanced version of this was the 3-way tailgate which permitted opening the door sideways with the window up.

Due to the decline in sales of full size wagons, Ford chose in the late 1980's not to invest in engineering a new wagon body style based on the "Panther" platform for sale beyond 1991. Ford chose to direct buyers towards its then newly facelifted Aerostar and Taurus

Unfortunately, while this is the only casting of this generation Country Squire available in small scale, it is far from the most realistic looking car Zylmex ever did.  The Matchbox Mercury Cougar Village (the same car minus the front and rear fascias) is a much better choice.