Ford Country Squire: История американского универсала

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The Ford Country Squire is a series of full size station wagons that were assembled by American automaker Ford. Positioned as the top level station wagon of the Ford division, the Country Squire was distinguished by woodgrain bodyside trim. From 1950 through the 1991 model years, eight generations of the Country Squire were produced. Following the discontinuation of Edsel Bermuda, Mercury marketed the Mercury Colony Park as a divisional counterpart of the Country Squire, sharing bodywork and trim while the Mercury was not available with a six cylinder engine and was more expensive due to the optional equipment on the Ford that was standard on the Mercury. As part of the full size Ford model range, the Country Squire was the top trim package station wagon counterpart of several model lines. For its first two generations, the Country Squire was based upon the Ford Custom Deluxe and the Ford Crestline that replaced it, along with the more modestly equipped Ford Country Sedan which was identical in dimensions except for the woodgrain appearance and minimal standard equipment. For its next three generations, the Country Squire was a distinct model range; initially sharing its trim with the Ford Fairlane, the Country Squire later adopted trim of the Ford Galaxie. For its final two generations, the Country Squire became a counterpart of Ford LTD and the Ford LTD Crown Victoria after its downsizing for the last generation, while sharing multiple passenger accommodation duties with the Ford Aerostar. The Country Squire was discontinued as part of the development of the 1992 Ford Crown Victoria and passenger carrying duties were given to the Ford Windstar. The decline in full size station wagon sales meant the Crown Victoria was exclusively a four door sedan. The 41 year production run of the Country Squire is the third longest of a Ford car nameplate in North America, surpassed only by the Ford Thunderbird and Ford Mustang which is to date still in production. The term squire is a British term that refers to a village leader or a lord of the manor, which is also called a "squire", and the term was applied to members of the landed gentry.

Although all Ford Country Squires feature wood grain body trim, only the first generation 1950 1951 versions are true "Woodies". The genuine wood body panels were manufactured at the Ford Iron Mountain Plant in the Michigan Upper Peninsula from lumber owned by Ford Motor Company. For 1952, all steel bodies replaced wooden body structures to reduce production costs. Subsequently, exterior body trim consisted of simulated woodgrain (with varying degrees of coverage on the body). During the 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s, Ford would use the Squire nameplate on intermediate, mid size, compact, and subcompact vehicles, denoting station wagons with woodgrain exterior trim. Alongside full size Fords, the Squire name was used for the Falcon, Fairlane, Torino, Pinto, Granada, Gran Torino, LTD II, Fairmont, Escort, and mid size LTD (the last model range to use the name). The Squire name was also used on woodgrain trim versions of the Ranchero; in 1976, Ford offered a Pinto Squire two door hatchback.

As a true "woodie", assembly of the Country Squire was labor intensive, requiring completion at three assembly plants. Initial assembly of the steel body was completed at the Dearborn Assembly Plant, with the incomplete body shipped to the Iron Mountain plant for the fitment of wood paneling; upon completion, the bodies were shipped back to various Ford assembly facilities for final assembly (mounting to frames, fitment of interiors). While gaining an inch in wheelbase, the second generation Country Squire was reduced approximately 10 inches in length over its predecessor while adding two more doors for rear passengers. For 1954, the range of color choices were expanded from six to twelve (remaining single color exteriors), with red, blue/white, or green/white interiors replacing the previous tan/brown interior. Several power assisted features became introduced; in 1953, power steering became an option, with power brakes and a power adjusted front seat introduced for 1954. The Crestline was discontinued, with the Country Squire becoming the counterpart of the all new top level Fairlane sedan line. The listed retail price was $2,392 ($ in dollars ) and production increased to 19,011. For the fourth generation Country Squire, Ford returned to extensive annual model revisions, with only the roofline and doors shared between all three model years. For 1957 27,690 were manufactured with a listed retail price of $2,556 ($ in dollars ). In line with all Ford sedans, the 1959 Country Squire adopted the 118 inch wheelbase previously exclusive to the Fairlane.

For 1957, the Country Squire carried over all three engines from the 1956 model year, with revised power outputs. Starting with 1962, the Galaxie became the senior, full size model series when the Ford Fairlane became the intermediate model series on a shorter wheelbase, and was also offered as a station wagon with optionally available woodgrained appearance.

Retaining the use of a perimeter frame, the Country Squire grew in size over its predecessor, five inches wider and five inches longer than its predecessor. The wood exterior trim returned to the appearance of boat decking, with a simpler border trim design. To improve entry and exit, the forward sloping A pillar was replaced by a rearward sloping design, allowing for wider front door opening. While the third row seat still required the removal of the lower cushion to fold flat, access was improved as one third of the second row seat folded separately.

The rear wheel drive 1965 Ford chassis used by the sixth generation Country Squire retained the 119 inch wheelbase of the previous generation. For higher strength and rigidity, the frame rails became fully boxed; the perimeter frame configuration was retained. While again using a double wishbone, ball jointed A arm configuration for the front suspension, the front track width was widened to improve handling. For 1968, the 289 was expanded to , producing 210 hp. The 2 bbl 390 and 428 were retuned, making 265 and 340 hp, respectively. Coinciding with all full size Fords, the Country Squire adopted two sided keys for 1965, introducing a valet key (while unlocking the front doors and starting the car, the key would not unlock the glovebox and rear cargo door). Following a minor grille update for the 1967 model year, the Country Squire underwent an exterior update for the 1968 model year. the two way tailgate configuration allowed the rear door to fold down (like a traditional tailgate) or hinge open to the side (as a door). The Magic Doorgate was made possible through a traditional stationary hinge on the passenger side and a combination of hinges on the driver side, carrying the weight of the tailgate when it swung outward. While opened by the exterior or interior door handle, the rear door would not open to the side or fold down unless the rear window was retracted. In various adaptations, the two way rear door would become utilized on full size station wagons across Ford, General Motors, and AMC during the 1970s.

With certain versions of the Country Squire, 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; 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. Other options included 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 an integrated magnetic checkers board. Magnets under the plastic checker 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 seatback 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. Otherwise, the tailgate could be hinged downwards only after operating the lock which was accessible from the outside only with the window lowered.