When I first found this wagon on eBay I needed to leave the room for a couple of minutes because the blood started to rushing away from my brain and into…errr…other areas. When I think of a cool 1960s wagon/cruiser, this is literally the car I imagine. Plain white wrapper, minimal factory trim, dog dish caps, black steel wheels, big block under the hood, and room for days inside. The Ford Country Sedan was the less flashy brother of the Country Squire and this one was spec’d out in 1969 with a 429ci big block, a 2bbl carb, air conditioning, and a Detroit Locker out back. While it may seem weird for the Detroit Locker to have been specified for a car that wasn’t exactly a horsepower killer up front, sometimes it is all about intent.
This car was apparently used sparingly to bring people on pheasant hunting trips in Washington State apparently. Because of that, we’re thinking that the locker was factory optioned to deal with potentially slick conditions or dirt roads that they would use to get themselves into the woods for the hunt. The seller says in the ad that no trailer hitch was ever installed on the car so that theory goes right out the window.
The inside is what you would expect out of a car like this. Black vinyl benches front and back, a cavernous cargo area, and a few buttons and knobs on the dash to control the radio, ac, etc. The car is not “perfect”. There are dings, scratches, some areas where paint has chipped off but that’s a great thing in our book. With 107,000 apparently easy miles under its belt, the car is allowed to show some wear.
This may not come as a huge shock, but we’d have to wake that 429 up some. There would definitely be an intake manifold and carb change happening, likely a camshaft, and if we really had some jack, some cylinder heads as well. The look would have to stay the same with the steel wheels and all because that is really what makes this thing.
See yourself thumping into a car show in this car with that cammed up big block making people fall off of their lawn chairs and then see yourself standing on the gas and ripping down the drag strip in the barge running 11s or something. That is greatness and the best part is that there’s room for the kids, a marching band, and a petting zoo back there as well. This car is spectacular.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE MORE OF THIS 1969 FORD COUNTRY SEDAN AND THE AD LINK
Perfect look..steelies have never looked better!!
I will never understand some peoples fascination with big old 2 ton station wagons. Unless they have a whole parcel of kids and wish for the days before Mini Vans. Other than that, . . .
Because they look cool, and because underneath the extra tonnage they’re basically the same as whatever muscle car was around at the time. Fullsize wagons can do about 90% of what a pickup truck can do, while carrying more people in relatively higher luxury, and potentially faster and better handling.
They make good drag cars with all that extra weight on the back too. I’ve thought they were cool since I saw a COPO ’67 Caprice wagon with a factory 390hp/427 and a 4-speed (complete with wood grain and roof rack) throw down in one of those Pure Stock classes.
Not sure a 427 wagon would be a COPO. It was a regular-production motor for this car, although it was rated at 385 horses.
The announcer at the dragstrip said it was COPO. Perhaps the 4-speed part. Or maybe he was mistaken though. Or it may have had one of the hotter 427s. It was a while ago, so I don’t quite recall all the details.
As was the 4 speed manual trans. If you ordered a 427 in your wagon, it came with a HD 3 speed manual with either the 4 speed or TH400 (first year – 1967) optional. No powerglide.
Between 1965 and 1969, 1967 was the only year a 425 hp BB engine was not an RPO for a full size Chevrolet. 1965 was the L78 396 and 1966, 68 and 69 were the L72 427.
I don’t see how a big boxy 4 door vehicle “looks cool.” I think you and others are just into nostalgia – for something that is no longer available.
The only station wagon I ever thought that looked cool was the Volvo 1800 simply because it wasn’t big and boxy.
Coolest wagon ever…Volvo 1800??? Welp, you’ve just answered all of our questions.
Lee – you had to be there.
I was there. In 1969 I was 18. Used to go to Englishtown all the time. When a station wagon raced it was more of an oddity than the norm.
In 1970 I made my living driving a station wagon all day, 5 days a week making deliveries. The only time it was cool is when it snowed and the extra weight became an advantage. Other than that, it was a 2 ton pig.
.. My recollections are different than yours. I was 16 in 1980, and muscle cars (in their truest form) were starting to dry up, most had been crashed, blown up or were headed for car show status. yes, among my friends there was a base engine 69 GTO, 71 GS Stage1, 70 Cyclone 429, 70 Trans Am, 67 SS396 and a 69 383 Charger. But kids being kids, most of these didn’t run for crap, and were barely held together…
But what was hitting the streets and the time was” Mom’s” wagon. Generally well equipped, big engine variants…but most importantly – well maintained and running right! These cars were now 10-12 years old and getting handed down to sons and daughters all across America. Plenty of room to party, creature comforts like you only dreamed of and SMOKE! No, they weren’t fast, they would just sit there and burn tires. Think open diff, tow package gears and an H78-15 Firestone Town and Country snowtire! THAT was what was important!
The other phenomenon these cars introduced us to – Drifting!
Although we called it a “power slide” at the time. All that roof, tailgate and glass – these cars would swing like a pendulum, and yet were controllable by a rank amateur. I watch these guys tear the bumper covers off AE86s against the tire wall and know, KNOW I’ve done it better in a 350/4 Buick Sportwagon. AND a Clamback 455 Olds Custom Cruiser with smoke pouring out the freaking SKIRTS….(loved that car!).
And that same Sportwagon made short work of the aforementioned Stage1, which just happened to be running with holes in the tops of two pistons…..easy pickings.
yep, these cars handled horrible – all that same weight would turn them into understeering pigs at speed, and I cant tell you how many times I sawed at the wheel and prayed. And many of those same wagons met their fate that way (The Skipper’s 69 390 Mercury Monterey went through a guardrail and ended up perched 15 feet up in a maple tree that way. Made the paper.)
But here’s to them all: the 68 396 Kingswood,, the 75 (?) 460 Country Squire, the 74 455 Pontiac Grand Safari (with Radial Tuned Suspension!), the 70 383 Plymouth Sport Suburban, the 70 Catalina 400, the 68 Bonneville 428 (with 8 lugs!), the 72 Chevrolet Concours (350/4, three on the tree!) and of course my Sportwagon. Each doing twice what was asked of them, each keeping a towns next generation safe, each tearing up wide swaths of turf across the front yards of America! Put down the tailgate, and lets get it ON!
If only it had a 4 spd…one can dream can he?
Wish I could find something like that in my price range. Because yes I would rather tow with a vintage big block wagon-especially if I still had my 69 CJ Torino. So I’ll keep looking for a big block truck for back up and towing cuz I just can’t swing the old wagons cost. That said if anyone knows where a running driving $1500 1972 429 Torino wagon is please let me know
I have a 69 LTD 4 door for sale. 40,xxx original miles with the 429 4v. If interested call 318-265-0491
Don’t quote me, but a Detroit Locker for this car?
I think those were optional for the Drag Pack, which was a Cobra Jet thing.
If it had a 9″ rear, the LSD was called a Detroit Locker.
There were not any 2 or 4 barrel heads with the 385 series. Just regular and Cobra-jet & Boss. The regular heads are good for about 450 hp with support. Sure some alloy Cobra style would be an upgrade but is has potential just as sits. The 69 heads are pre smog too , so a higher compression. That would get some 13’s or better out of that boat.
Oh boy, would I like that in my driveway.
If this car was priced at 8 or 9K it’d be in my driveway tonight. Anyone else think that price might be a little stratospheric?
I have a 69 LTD 4 door with 40,xxx original miles. 429 4v. Excellent car. If interested call 318-265-0491.
BBR could do some good with this!
That thing is sweet!
My old man had this cars identical twin back in 82. Loved that beast. Would love to own this one for sure. …
My 63 Ford full size wagon weighed 4,200 with big block, c6 and aluminum intake, the fastback Galaxie version weighed 3,825 so there isn’t that much difference in weight like everyone makes it out to be.
I absolutely love this, but then I’m partial to them
I have a 1968 CS 390 FE /C-6/ 9″ rear end , same color combo,,,
A/C, disc brakes, power steering, Cool as hell!!!!
Hey neat. I have one of those. 1969 Galaxie 500 Country Sedan station wagon. Mine has a 302 2bbl and a factory limited slip rear. It also has no trailer hitch. That car did very well in the snow and ice. Still sitting in the barn where it’s been for the last 10 years waiting on an engine.
Here’s some pics. http://imgur.com/a/WK16y