Charles Phoenix JOYRIDE - 1960 Ford Country Squire
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- čas přidán 4. 10. 2023
- After decades of my unending fascination with space age JOYRIDES, I’ve crossed paths with many showstoppers. But few have sent my spirit soaring and melted my classic car lovin’ heart like this 1960 Country Squire by Ford! It checks all the boxes; BEYOND RARE, low-mileage, SURVIVOR CLASS and has an interesting story to tell. The one year only body styling is out-of-this-world with its sweeping, side-swept fins and eye-popping bubbular tail end, unlike any other station wagon. Extra points for the color, Yosemite Yellow, and button caps revealing painted-to-match wheels. And of course, the two-toned, striped fake wood paneling is the irresistible crowning touch. Simply put, this world class national treasure is spellbinding from every angle inside and out! And yes, you are looking at what has to be the finest 1960 Ford Country Squire on the planet! Behold the glory and enjoy the JOYRIDE !!! …
- Auta a dopravní prostředky
Never leave us Charles until every mid century marvel has been displayed and described!
And then start over!
🤠👍
Totally!
Cruise control?
I know!!
I hadn't been getting my typical suggested watch from CZcams from Charles for quite a while and FINALLY one came in! I nearly fainted from excitement! Finally the grandeur was back! Charles is himself an American treasure! 🚗
Those old vinyl seats were practically indestructible. My father owned fords all his life and I can remember some of the first ones and how nice and durable the interior was.
When I was a kid we had a black 1960 Galaxy 500 sedan. This has always been one of my favorite Ford cars. They seem to be one of the hardest to find now.
And I remember they were all over the place then, patrol cars and taxis too.
Wow, just absolute wow. I'm not even a Ford guy but that Squire is desirable from every angle. Great presentation, Charles. And thanks to owner Tom for sharing his treasure. Off the top of my head, I'm guessing that square doohickey contraption under the hood is a time/space warp drive device.
Charles really gets the true spirit of the 1960 Ford - no better commentator on its profound sublimity.
Those who guessed gate or garage door transmitter are correct. These cars were about as wide as cars ever got!
I don't think so because it says 6 vdc and it has a male plug on the left side that looks like it's for an external power supply so it's almost a certainty it's only in use when the car is parked..
Sincerely,
Lt. Columbo... lol
They have the record for widest: 81.5 inches.
The color. Yosemite Yellow.
My parents bought a 1960 Starliner in the same color. The interior was a vinyl/cloth weave in yellow and black.
We had the same 352 2bbl (235 hp) V-8.
My Dad traded in their 1954 Ford Crestliner (dark green/white top).
To this eight year old, it was the coolest Ford on the road.
They picked it up from the Ford (Jesse E. Smith Ford, Glendale, California) dealership on 12.24.1959.
BEST. CHRISTMAS. PRESENT. EVER!😊
P.S. There's a neat Ford commercial from 1960 starring Wally and the Beav on CZcams.
Thanks Charles, what a magnificent car. The 1960 Ford design has always been my favorite. On my 5th birthday (in 1960) I received a model of the Country Squire as a gift. It was turquoise and had the wood paneling as a peel a stick decal. I remember it like it yesterday. Wish I still had it.
The tag on the box showed the name of a motor manufacturing company from Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Some have guessed a transmitter for a gate or garage door. That seems to make the most sense with the corresponding motor installed to operate the gate or garage door. Pretty cool ride!
In 1960 my father was given a promotion and a job in another state so he decided it was time for another new car. A high school classmate of my father owned a Ford-Mercury dealership so that is where my father went for a new car. With a growing family it had to be a station wagon which (obviously) meant a full-sized wagon. The car was going to be special ordered, so for nearly a week my family pored over the big binder full of information the dealership gave us to help decide exactly what colors and options we wanted. My father was always a bit frugal while my mother was a bit extravagant so we "compromised" and got a Country Sedan. It was Belmont Blue, with a blue interior, 6 passenger, and for the sake of my mom it had an automatic transmission. The Ford replaced a 1958 Chevrolet Brookwood station wagon. The biggest difference between the two was that the Ford was BIGGER, it barely fit in the garage.
This is a perfect example of why Ford earned the title "The Wagonmaster. Ford has built so many iconic wagons and sedans and the F-series trucks, who could blame me and millions of others for being such devoted Ford fans. Since 1966, when my brother bought a black with black interior, 1966 Mustang. It had a 289 ci engine with a 4 barrel carburetor and a 4-speed manual transmission. That was the car I learned to drive a manual transmission. I loved everything about that Mustang. From then on, I have only bought Fords Lincolns, Mercurys, and F-series trucks, and that won't ever change. When Ford announced their 1960 model year line up, we knew it was different from any model years before it. It followed the incomproprable 1959 Fords, which was a very tough act to follow, but Ford did. The 1960 model year was a beautiful and modern one year only design that was also elegant at a time when GM and Chrysler could barely control themselves with those OTT fins and more than 37 miles of chrome, the 1960 sedans and wagons were classy and restrained, and yet they were gorgeous. I was just 5 years old in 1960, but I was already a mini Gearhead, a Ford Gearhead. Since the time I could drive until now, I have only driven Fords, Lincolns, Mercurys and F-series trucks, and that isn't going to change any time soon. I love Ford station wagons. I owned a 1975 Mercury Marquis Colony Park, it was white with tan interior, a 460 4 barrel Motorcraft carburetor under the hood and even though I no longer own it it's still one of my all-time favorite cars. It was big, beautiful, elegantly comfortable, and very powerful. When I bought it all my friends made fun of me, they would tease me about how big it was, and tell me I should take it out of the create it was in because of the woodgrain paneled sides and tailgate, but when we were all going someplace together, it was our go to car. I wish I still had it. It only would get 10 mpg, no matter what, fully loaded, climbing steep grades in the Sierras, or just driving around in town. I wish they still made full-size wagons like that today. I know they could, with today's technology, with or without the woodgrain panels, although I vote with them. The American public loved station wagons, but we were told the new SUVs were the old wagon replacement. I say no they aren't. The Big Three told us that because they couldn't make our full-size cars to meet the new federal gas mileage requirements for cars. And since the restrictions only applied to cars and not to trucks which is what SUVs are considered, well that's how they got around to the gas mileage restrictions. Need I say more?
Dad had one…I forgot that. I was overjoyed to see one again. Thank you Charles. Thank you so very much.
I also love the tail fins and the rear window. The fact that this only has over 21,000 miles is absolutely incredible! Thanks for sharing!
‘60 Ford’s are a favorite, but this Country Squire is beyond belief! The owner
is one blessed collector! The yellow is rare and stellar as well.
This, being original, is exceptional.
My grandfather had one, a white one with that same interior and a 9 passenger. Put it to good use, would take all of us grandkids to church on Sunday. More kids than seats, but not a problem. A lot of times we had fourteen and even fifteen sometimes, counting grandma. Good times grandpa had a heart attack in 69 and passed away. Grandma didn’t drive so the car was sold. Would love to have that car now. Great memories everytime I see a 60 country squire wagon. Puts a smile on my face. 😊
That's a great story, one that most of us can relate to. I had a 1975 Mercury Marquis Colony Park wagon, a 9 passenger with every option available including the power brake. At Christmas time, I would load all my nices and nephews into my wagon and take them to see Candy Cane Lane to see all the Christmas decorations. It was a tradition that my parents started with all of us back in the 60s. My Colony Park was perfect for that and the kids loved it. After seeing the lights and decorations I would take them to 31 Flavors for ice cream. I did that for several years until they grew older. But I keep the tradition going well into the 90s. Even though it was all about the kids, it was my Colony Park wagon that made it happen. I love those great memories and a lot more that were made possible because of my wagon. I still love that wagon, even though I sold it in 2011. I wish I still had it.
I've never been a fan of the 1960 Ford full size models but that station wagon is one beautiful vehicle.
growing up around this period, in a family of 6 kids, we had one of all the wagon brands! they all hold a spot in the heart.
That was a good car for 1960. The styling is unique. Ford always made good station wagons.
In 1960 the Ford dealership moved to about one block from my house, as a kid it was great going down and getting free donuts when the new models came out...the rotating 1961 sign was something I knew I'd never see again...The '60 Fords just didn't catch on and were fairly rare on the streets even back then, this car is beyond special...
Were you down there every September to collect the new brochures?!
@@trudygreer2491No, just for the donuts, but later I collected the brochures because of all the detailed specs they included about engines and drivetrain options, a lot of detailed information...Wish I still had some of those...
so cool. That front end makes me think of the first season on the Andy Griffith show and the patrol car they had. man were those the days. Nobody is going to love cars like us old people do. We got to grow up seeing fabulous machines like this on the road. All these EV cars now suck.
I just turned 61 last month..while that may not be "old" by some measures, but I still remember pop's '61 Falcon, '64
Plymouth Belvedere, '71 Fury VIP.. I can close my eyes and remember playing with the push button transmission buttons on the old blue Belvedere. Ahhh..I can still smell the interior...*sigh*
My parents had a 58 Country Squire, white with wood trim,red and white interior and even air conditioning. I remember pinching my finger on gate like latch to the third row seat. They sold it when my Dad went to Vietnam. Great memories of that car.
My Dad ran the body shop for Frontier Ford in Rapid City from the late '50s untl 1969. In 1960 he bought (with employee discount, $100 over invoice) a 1960 Galaxie 500 two door hardtop with a 352 police interceptor. Anybody that says FE blocks aren't fast doesn't know what they're talking about. 😉
Cool post . It was 1960 and I was six old and dad came home with one of these and I thought a Star Ship had landed in the drive way. We had it for over twenty years. He sold it to my brother's girl friend for $150.00 and then it was scrapped. It was painted the palest green I've ever seen on a Ford.
That is rolling artwork! Rolled off the showroom floor 2 years before I was born. Nothing like the '60 Fords!!
"Savor the moment, behold the glory"
Yes, Charles, a wagon like that would be just about everyone's all time favorite car...everyone with a heart and soul for classic American iron, that is! Originality rules! Thanks!
My parents had a 1961 Ford Country Squire, then traded it in for a 1965 Ford Country Squire. I drove the ‘65 while in high school and my sister then bought it from my parents when she married and had kids of her own. She had the car until the late ‘70’s, when she sold it. I loved driving those old cars.
I like Tom’s story of how he acquired this wagon. Thanks Charles for the showcase.. very cool.
The Phoenix has risen again!
When this style of Ford was common on my local streets, I considered it rather ugly or at least lack luster. But now, I appreciate it, especially in that banana yellow. 🤩
My folks had a 61 Impala convertible in for service and the loaner was a 60 Sunliner with the 406cu(?) I fell in love with that car at 9 years old. I can't count the number of 1960 Ford models I built. When I was 16 I bought a 60 Sunliner big block and 4 speed.
I understand!
Beautiful car and colour
OMG! I don't believe that I have ever seen this model year Ford Country Squire. It is absolutely beautiful, especially in yellow with the faux woodgrain trim.
Thank you, Charlie! 😂
We had Ford 1959 Country Sedan 9 passenger wagon way back when and drove it everywhere. Never liked the 1960 model, but now they a lot better to me and this wagon is best one I've ever seen.
Absolutely incredibly awesome Ford in a beautiful color!! Love this car!! ❤❤
And thank you Tom for preserving this classic for us to enjoy. Kudos amigo!
That car absolutely popped in the thumbnail on my feed. Eye candy. Survivors like this are my favorite too.
This was a total blast from the past! Growing up my parents had this exact car, it was even yellow. The wood decals on the sides went bad and they had them removed and then painted the area dark brown. They said it was too much money to replace them. I think they traded it off in about 1970-71 for a 1968 Dodge Coronet 500 wagon. They both were great cars
What a great car! My first car (in 1974) was a '60 Starliner - a two-door hardtop "sporty" Galaxie. The model lasted only two years, '60 and '61, and of course, I wish I still had it. Mine had the 292 and Ford-O-Matic transmission, and was a real dog in terms of performance, but I liked it.
The '60 Ford's ad tag line was "The silver curve of success", referencing the side trim that ran along the top of the fenders and doors.
That box has what looks like a loop antenna on the front, so it must be a garage door opener. Dad put an early door opener on my great-grandmother's new '57 Bel Air. He said the transmitter was the size of a small shoe-box, and was actuated by a button mounted in a hole drilled into the dash.
They could also be operated to trigger by honking the horn.
I love the manufacturer colors of vintage cars.
beautiful wagon. It's sister wagon was the Edsel Villager, also as stunning. What caught my attention is that chrome trim that runs on both sides the entire length of the roof. I cant recall seeing that on any other station wagon. This would be a great car to have a luggage rack. Station wagon luggage racks became more common in the late sixties and seventies; a must have option IMO. Ford improved a couple of things on wagons that came later. Ford's dual action tailgate is to this day one of the greatest body innovations in the auto industry. Ford also later made their tailgates wider, which made it possible to put a full 4' x 8' sheet of plywood or drywall in the back. This wider tailgate made Ford / Mercury wagons better in some ways than pickup trucks, i.e. more bed length and width. Love the quality and look of that steering wheel. Hope one day the wagon will return, so much more stylish than an SUV.
My grandfather worked at the Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant. This was his first brand new car. He walked the plant with it as it was being built. He loved that car, but the salt here in Minnesota ate away faster than anyone would beleaved. By 1967 the floorboards were gone, and the top the fenders had rusted open. I remember that car driving away with the new owner. 😊 thanks for sharing...
Oh, I hate the 21st century....
Those space age cars are the most gorgeous way to remember how bad we got from the hopeful and marvelous future that was envisioned.
Great car! Congratulations to the owner
Beautifully styled Ford. Wish they still looked like this
A beautiful car!
Iconic channel, the guy that's hosting is wonderful with a flare that brings color to a most beautiful car that I have never seen before.
Ya know, beauties like this that have been under appreciated, or maybe, haven't been in the front of the classic American pack have really surprised me in the uniqueness and beauty.
Lot's of cars such as this are out there even to people on a budget, or just want to own a beautiful period piece.
With out going all in on the most sought-after Camaro or Mustang.
Look at how much joy one can have owning such a cool car.
So glad to see this. My family had the Country Sedan version of this wagon when I was a kid. White with a red interior. I remember we took it out west and had some trouble getting over the mountain passes and she had a whistle on the downside. I don't think my dad ever figured out what that was from. I think ours was a 6 cylinder. No safety stuff back then, but we all survived!
We had a baby blue Country Sedan for a short time around 1964, it was one of my favorite cars. Later in the 60s I was in a school carpool and one of the moms drove a white Country Sedan and I always looked forward to a ride in it. My favorite feature was how that chrome trim widened in the front where they incorporated the turn signals.
Memories! We had a 1960 Ford wagon when I was a kid. Ours was the entry level "Ranch Wagon" model that was light borwn, probably the same color as the interior paint on this one. No optional equipment. Luckily it came standard with a heater!
I hope U had a ranch to go with it. 🤔
Dude you are great to watch, and to listen how you describe pieces of art.. Thanks for your show!
One of the best car buyer storys ever !!
Beautiful car! Few people see cars as I do, Charles. You are a treasure too, thank you.
They were the SUV’s of our childhood. We had a 60 Chevy Brentwood, blue with a white top. My mother was a master mate cruising that boat around. I miss seeing all these stylish cars on the road, especially nowadays.
Excellent sir, taking care of it like you have says a lot.
C H A R L E S !!!!!!! The mystery box,,,,,,,,,,,, let's hear it already !!!
It’s a garage door opener.
He says you'll NEVER guess so garage door opener is unlikely AND after ALL THIS TIME Charles hasn't done us the simple courtesy of revealing it.. @@OleHippy
I thought it was an engine bay warmer since he lives in Minnesota. That loop looks like a high amp heating element. Prevent radiator freezing
@@rayl9335 I guess we're never going to know,, Charles just isn't interested...
What a great car! Thank you Charles for presenting and thank you Tom for preserving this car!
Beautiful what a blast to my childhood. Dad had a red ford ethsel 1959 remember being stranded along highway on vacation with the real axle gear box going out then he traded for a 1962 ford wagon. It held all 7 kids and parents. Remember vacations out west. Last one he had was a 1973 ford Staton wagon. Then he went to a ford 12 passenger van when grand kids came around. Then continued ford or mercury products until unable to drive anymore in his 80,s.
What a beautiful car!
That is what you said. A National treasure! Superb.
Indeed it is!
Hello Charles , Its good to see you young Man . My Dad was a FORD Man , And we owned about 4 or 5 Wagons . I loved riding in the back . I believe the Gray Box had something to do with the Radio , And stopping the hum in the speaker ? Radios back then had Vacuum Tubes in them .
😍Beautiful wagon!!!!!!!!!!!👍
Fine…thank you, Charles…I always enjoy your car stories and those of Lou Costabile…but you’re unmatched with your “motoring flair”….😉
Tuck and roll....in a station wagon. Incredible.
Love it!!! 1960 saw some fabulous, fabulous car designs, and these were up there at the top in my opinion!
I agree with your comments, absolutely gorgeous! Like a "Starliner Squier"! Too kool... 😎
We had black one with red interior in the early 60s. My dad sold it and bought a 63 Country Squire because it had a/c.
My neighbor had one of these, black with red & white interior, bought new in 1960.
Charles please post a short with the answer to the mystery unit,, I'm already fed up with checking..
Thank you Charles. Made my day when this showed up in my subscription panel. No one profiles these classics like you!
My Uncle had a yellow 1960 Ford Wagon. It did not have the wood on the side...It was just a car back in the day...wish I had the car today...I remember he traded his 1958 Ford Wagon for his 1960 yellow one. He had a larg family and always had a station wagon. His last one was a 1962 Ford Fairlane wagon....which I believe had the wood siding!
It's beautiful!
Warms my heart.
Beautiful car !!! Great story !!! The big under the hood beats me !!!!!
The 1960 Ford and Merc were one year only because they were 81.5" wide and the legal limit for passenger cars was and is 80". Somehow they got approved for production and went to tooling before this problem was discovered! Ford had to get DMVs in all 50 states (no NHTSA yet) to agree to look the other way for one model year and do a crash program to reskin for '61 (the '61 came in at 79.9" wide).
Wouldn't that be 79.9"?
@@alanblanes2876 Yup, just edited it. Thanks!
That is fabulous!! The 60 Fords were not big sellers, so they are really rare. It's like the Virgel Exner Chryslers. Thought to be odd when new but highly desirable today!!
I wonder why they were not big sellers. They were gorgeous and not quirky in any way.
@@Trefoile It's like those Virgel Exner designed Chryslers. Thought to be odd at the time but much appreciated today.
Looks like a cruise control unit to me. What a nifty car. I’m old enough to remember them on the road, but living here in Wisconsin, rust consumed the 1960 Fords in a hurry. By the late 60’s they were all gone.
I think that's what it was, an aftermarket speed control. I, too, am old enough to remember our beloved station wagons. Everyone had a station wagon in their lives, and most everyone preferred wagons built by Ford Motor Company, that's how Ford earned the nickname "The Wagonmaster, and rightfully so. With today's technology, they could be built to get better gas mileage, and to handle better. That's what we want.
@@williammaceri8244
My family had a 1959 Ford Ranch Wagon
Garage door opener. Some would honk the horn to trigger it.
That is an amazing and awesome car. Blown away...
Back when cars had style, chrome and vent windows. I miss it.
The 1960 Ford and Lincoln were so wide (81.5”) they were over the SAE and US DOT recommended limit of 80 inches, so for 1961 they were made a bit narrower. All current full-size trucks are right at 80 inches, not counting the mirrors.
Amazing. You cannot say that about the putrid Bread Boxes on wheels calling themselves as SUV's. Beautiful car!
Recently bought a new Volvo V60 Cross Country wagon. Let everyone else drive SUVs.
This Ford CS is gorgeous! Worth the preservation.
All hail the mighty wagon!!!
The '60 Edsel wagons, based on these Fords, were even more Space Casey.
Does that gadget perhaps detect space aliens?
The bolt on add-on accessory could be a garage door operator, similar to the one I had over 55 years ago.
My grandparents had a 60 Ford back in the day. That looks like an old garage door opener transmitter......
It makes a darn good cup of coffee.
😋👍
The 1960 Ford was a clean sheet design that made it into the most ever Ford that did not look like a Ford.
The 1961 Ford wagon was the most redesigned 1960 Ford model because in addition to restoring traditional Ford styling cues the rear was significantly redesigned to accommodate a roll-down tailgate window.
My father had a 1960 Ford Galaxie Starliner 2-dr Hardtop when I was born.
I feel like it’s Christmas when you post a classic car review! I love these cars and your commentary is spot on perfection! These make me so happy! Thank you again for producing these reviews.
Wow, thanks!
@@_charlesphoenix
When do we know what the aftermarket box is?
I'm sure it's a transmitter for a garage door opener or gate opener. There's also a button under the dash below and slightly to the right of the ignition switch.
4:26
@_charlesphoenix you need more cars. Just sayin'
Beautiful car, as always Charles! What really sets it off for me is the painted rims and "dog-dish" hubcaps. On wagons it always looks better than the full wheel covers. I'm not sure what the add-on is. Being it's says transmitter, it must be to open some kind of door/gate with vacuum tube technology. I didn't think they had that ability back then though.
Wow wow wow!!! I KNOW !!! Dang!!! 🤤🤤🤤🤤🫡🇺🇸
Awesome wagon! I love cars that not everybody has.
When I was eleven in 1960, my neighbor across the street bought a new 1960 BROWN four door Ford. Nothing special about it…… until late one night. The horn started honking…..non-stop honk. The family woke up, and upon looking out on their driveway, they saw the car was on fire! By the time the Firetruck arrived the entire car was engulfed. Quite an attraction for all us kids in the neighborhood the next morning…… my first experience in seeing a car burnt to a crisp.🤣
That was a good feature to have! Also the horn would blow if a bird sat on it!
ooooh, a new Charles Phoenix Joyride!! Fabulous car, great story! thanks
Charles!
The ‘59 hood was hinged at the front, but in ‘60 they moved it to the rear. Mechanics everywhere said “behold the glory” as they could easily work on the front of the engine.
Super fine!!!
Where it says "FORD" on dash is a clock delete. Curious it wasn't standard on Country Squire. All around sublime survivor surely.
It does seem rather spartan in terms of options, but its excellent styling sure makes up for it.
That's strange, I just did a search a half hour ago for a Charles Phoenix '60s Ford, He presented the Starliner.
Thanks Charles! Thanks Tom!
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(First!)
Cue the spacey space-age music lol
Charles shows us a 1960 Ford Starliner:
czcams.com/video/jVMg_aw_ioo/video.htmlsi=H7WQUBm51TziZ0Yz
One thing not mentioned here: in 1960 the Ford cars (don't know about the Mercury counterpart) were technically illegal to drive in many states. Back before uniform highway standards, each state had laws governing the width of vehicles. (Most likely to prevent sideswipes on narrow roads and bridges.) The 1960 Fords were too wide for many states...perhaps the widest cars being built in 1960?
I never knew that! I remember 4 headlights were illegal in some states for awhile.
Another terrific review, Charles!
I've never really been a station wagon kinda guy but damn. That car is uniquely beautiful. So spacerific!
What a beautiful station wagon! Heaven help the poor souls who had to ride in that third 'seat', though. It was basically two thin pads with upholstery. The MOPAR and GM seats for those passengers, though rear-facing, were so much more comfortable. A relative of mine had this wagon.
Exceptional!
Nice!