Road Test

Reader D. Beezley of New Jersey writes

I have recently moved to the suburbs. Can you suggest a vehicle to meet the needs of my growing family, but with the sporty panache to make an impression on my new upscale neighbors?

For my money, you can't go wrong with the 1967 Ford Country Squire Estate Wagon. My good friend Duane Hanson let me put his own sleek '67 Squire through a road test after a recent $1 Pitcher Nite at Bowlmore Lanes Lounge. Here are my impressions.

Though it was designed as dependable family transportation, the Squire it is at heart a road car, based on the legendary Galaxie 500/LTD racing platform. Its stout 390 cubic inch power plant simply begs you to put it through its paces, pumping seven to eight cylinders of breathtaking power all the way through its 9000 RPM redline, and the innovative variable speed "shift-on-the-go" Fordamatic transmission allows rapid downshifting for hairpin curves and police sightings. I am surprised that Ford has somewhat downplayed the Squire's off-road capabilities, for it is at home barreling across a muddy soybean field as it is spinning merry circles in an icy K-Mart parking lot.

The interior is somewhat spartan, but keeps the driver in mind. Deep form-fitting depressions in the front bench seat hug the driver in springy comfort, and a the optional brodie knob speeds steering through the four turns between locks. Its spacious rear seat converts to a cargo area with enough room to comfortably accomodate Duane and two chicks we met at the Dairy Queen parking lot. The sound system has been upgraded to CD quality with the add-on portable boombox, but it must be disconnected if the driver needs to use the cigarette lighter.

As for styling, what can you say? Like the Aston Martin DB-5 before it, the '67 Squire caused a sensation after its debut in a spy film, the 1966 Dean Martin/Matt Helm classic, The Silencers. Its gorgeous agressive lines and bubbling simulated woodgrain panels still rivet the eye, and it remains a customizer's favorite. For example, Duane has dressed up his model with a sporty fiberglas hoodscoop and rear spoiler, and for safety, high-impact railroad tie bumpers.

Verdict: Watch out, Cayenne and Toureg! This stylish and roomy wagon is a worthy challenger for the Iowahawk Family Car of the Year in $150-$300 range.

Comments

[dennisw]

More proof America peaked so many years ago.

[spongeworthy]

First BJ at 16, eh? Where'd you grow up, Bed-Stuy?

I have a sneaking suspicion that, as much as the reader might want to relive his seemingly identical tender years, the qualities the older suburban SUV-wrangler needs are somewhat different.

For example: After nearly begging the babysitter to accept a ride home last night, I nearly gouged her eye out on the column shift while trying to force her head into my lap. Granted, I was really trashed and going maybe a little too fast, but I need a vehicle with a push button tranny or some shit.

[rumcrook]

aaaah memories,......

mid 70's ford station wagon with a big block, and lots of room, I recieved my first bl***ob when I was 16 in the parking lot of the local ski resort from the first really pretty girl I was lucky enough to convince to date me (I dont know what she was thinking, I was a barbarian with absolutely no redeaming value) some might argue I still am...

aaahhh memories....