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Car Of The Day: November 11, 2010; Zylmex '78 Ford Country Squire
Topic Started: Nov 11 2010, 01:54 AM (841 Views)
Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
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Today's car of the day is Zylmex's 1978 Ford Country Squire.

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Wikipedia
 
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.


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

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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.

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Wikipedia
 
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.


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Wikipedia
 
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.


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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.

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Sak
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Ezekiel 25:17
Any Ford station wagon of the era's a good subject to tool. The only plus with this one's the tailgate swinging open in that fashion, as did the real car. Detailwise, this one's a bust...but then, it's a wagon. I'm strangely forgiving on a point such as that one.
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm pretty much in agreement with you, Sak. But then, I think all long roofs are good diecast subject matter.
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JustDavid
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SUV
WOOT WOOT!!! This was my very first real 1:1...it was light blue with wood panelling. Best memory of that car was bringing home 13 drunk friends when I was in college. Worst memory was the 8-10 mpg on a good day. She was a total gas hog. Of course I have this casting despite some faults with the details.
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be77bt
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be77bt
*In Memory Of*
it is very different.
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pjedsel
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Muscle Car
While maybe not the greatest castings in the world, Zylmex brought us a number of nice and unique models in diecast. Having a full size Ford wagon in the collection is nice - would love to see GL or JL or someone do this one in a better qualtiy casting...then again, I keep hoping someone will do an Edsel SW in 1/64th scale. :toy:
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ivantt
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New casting? Quick! Take it apart!
If HW can put forth a Ford wagon as nice as they did the 1970 Chevelle "SS" wagon custom, we'd have a nice wagon with lots of fun possibilities for less than a dollar. I doubt MB would do another wagon soon.
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Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
GreenLight had a question regarding what cars we'd like to see on their blog yesterday and I suggested this one. ;)
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James
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Mr.Bowtie
And HW with the Chevelle and the GTO back to back years.
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ivantt
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New casting? Quick! Take it apart!
I'd LOVE to see a GL Ford full size wagon, but I'd also like to see one for 97cents hanging on a peg everywhere and I can grab as many as I want for customizing. I'm sure the derby and diorama guys would like an easy to find a low cost wagon, as well.
Edited by ivantt, Nov 12 2010, 10:33 AM.
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JustDavid
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SUV
Swifty
Nov 12 2010, 01:22 AM
GreenLight had a question regarding what cars we'd like to see on their blog yesterday and I suggested this one. ;)
I highly second Swifty. :lol:
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craftymore
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Support your local demo derby.

To my knowledge, this is the only full size '74-'78 'Ford' we have in small scale. Would be cool to see a '74-'78 LTD sedan plus this wagon done by another company. I'm still waiting for a true land barge series of wagons done by someone in small scale.

My dream 70s wagon lineup.

'71 Buick Estate
'72 Plymouth Sport Suburban
'73 Chrysler Town & Country
'73 Malibu
'74 Impala
'75 Plymouth Gran Fury
'76 LTD
'76 Caprice
'77 Impala
'79 Ford LTD Crown Vic

^What awesome derby bait they would make.^ ;)
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Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
craftymore
Nov 12 2010, 11:31 PM
My dream 70s wagon lineup.

'71 Buick Estate
'72 Plymouth Sport Suburban
'73 Chrysler Town & Country
'73 Malibu
'74 Impala
'75 Plymouth Gran Fury
'76 LTD
'76 Caprice
'77 Impala
'79 Ford LTD Crown Vic

^What awesome derby bait they would make.^ ;)
Throw in the '70 Town & Country, '74 Catalina and '77 Monaco Crestwood too!
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James
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Mr.Bowtie
Cool, and for the Pre soccer mom era, A Taurus or Sable Wagon and a HW K car Wagon reissue........Dodge or Plymouth or even the Chrysler Woody K-Car
Edited by James, Nov 13 2010, 08:22 AM.
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Tone
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Rocket 88
That is a beautiful toy!
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Sak
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Ezekiel 25:17
I'd skew earlier. I would love to have a small-scale 1957 Country Squire, I think the most beautiful station wagon ever made. Any Country Squire 1957-1964 would make me very happy.

I love the Chevy wagons, too!
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James
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Mr.Bowtie
Sak
Nov 13 2010, 01:06 PM

I love the Chevy wagons,
Best quote I heard all week, maybe even this month...... :thumbup:
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