A classic example of the American station wagon, the Country Squire is emblematic of suburban life in the 1960s and 1970s. Many can remember a wagon similar to this one from their childhoods, usually with a healthy dose of nostalgia.

Station wagons evolved from early “depot hacks” and buses, intended for hauling people and cargo, often from train stations to hotels, giving them the name “station wagon.” Ford manufactured the Country Squire from 1950-1991. At 41 years it was the third longest run of a Ford car in North America, surpassed only by the Thunderbird and the Mustang. The 1950 and 1951 models had real-wood trimmed sides, but later models had faux walnut woodgrain trim.

Since station wagons were neither well cared for nor considered worth saving, this example is a real find. It features the original Tropical Turquoise paint and matching-color interior, the largest engine size available, and factory-installed air conditioning. Since this is the top-of-the-line model, it came standard with Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission and high-end interior finishes.

More from our automobile collection:

In our current exhibit, From Carriage to Classic: How Automobiles Transformed America, we present the origin story of the American automobile through 23 cars from Heritage’s permanent collection of antique and classic automobiles. Come along for a ride from the late 1800s to the 1960s and watch the car evolve from a horseless carriage to a streamlined symbol of freedom and independence.