For the 1949 model year, Ford introduced its first post-war model line.
 While retaining body-on-frame construction, the 1949 Ford chassis abandoned several design elements retained by Ford since the Model T, including a torque tube driveshaft and transverse leaf springs.
 In a major change, Ford sought to change the marketing of station wagons, transitioning their use from a commercial vehicle to a premium family vehicle.

Designed by Eugene Gregorie and Ross Cousins, the Ford station wagon marked the first transition away from the full "woodie".
In place of a complete wooden body aft of the firewall, the 1949 Ford station wagon was designed with a steel roof, rear fenders, and tailgate frame.
 Wood construction remained for the side bodywork and upper and lower tailgate (using mahogany plywood trimmed by maple or birch).
Sharing its body with Mercury, the Ford station wagon was offered in Custom trim.
 To reduce noise and improve sealing, the station wagon was offered with two doors instead of four; however, three seats were used, allowing eight-passenger seating.

For the 1950 model year, Ford renamed its model lines; initially, the station wagon was a Custom Deluxe with the Country Squire name introduced in early 1950.
 Several revisions were made for 1950 to improve functionality and capability.
 The second and third-row seats were redesigned, allowing their removal without tools.
 In another change, the Country Squire also received heavier-duty rear-suspension, wider tires, and a larger fuel tank over Ford sedans.

Following its introduction, the Country Squire underwent several revisions distinct from Ford sedans.
 For 1950, the spare-tire cover was deleted; in April 1950, the lower tailgate was redesigned, changing from all-wood construction to steel construction (with wood trim).
 For 1951, the Country Squire retained the dashboard of the 1950 Ford (with the 1951 steering column).
For the 1949 model year, Ford introduced its first post-war model line.  While retaining body-on-frame construction, the 1949 Ford chassis abandoned several design elements retained by Ford since the Model T, including a torque tube driveshaft and transverse leaf springs.  In a major change, Ford sought to change the marketing of station wagons, transitioning their use from a commercial vehicle to a premium family vehicle.
Designed by Eugene Gregorie and Ross Cousins, the Ford station wagon marked the first transition away from the full "woodie". In place of a complete wooden body aft of the firewall, the 1949 Ford station wagon was designed with a steel roof, rear fenders, and tailgate frame.  Wood construction remained for the side bodywork and upper and lower tailgate (using mahogany plywood trimmed by maple or birch). Sharing its body with Mercury, the Ford station wagon was offered in Custom trim.  To reduce noise and improve sealing, the station wagon was offered with two doors instead of four; however, three seats were used, allowing eight-passenger seating.
For the 1950 model year, Ford renamed its model lines; initially, the station wagon was a Custom Deluxe with the Country Squire name introduced in early 1950.  Several revisions were made for 1950 to improve functionality and capability.  The second and third-row seats were redesigned, allowing their removal without tools.  In another change, the Country Squire also received heavier-duty rear-suspension, wider tires, and a larger fuel tank over Ford sedans.
Following its introduction, the Country Squire underwent several revisions distinct from Ford sedans.  For 1950, the spare-tire cover was deleted; in April 1950, the lower tailgate was redesigned, changing from all-wood construction to steel construction (with wood trim).  For 1951, the Country Squire retained the dashboard of the 1950 Ford (with the 1951 steering column).
Ford Country Squire