A Nostalgic History of the Station Wagon

[HoughMade]

And a much better field of vision. I hear that a lot as a driver of the decision to get an SUV over a car…

Once you are used to sitting up a bit, it's tough to go back. Also, SUVs are a lot less "trucky" now, for the most part.

 

[Bugzilla]

Mom had a 71 Plymouth Sport Suburban. Hate to admit but I had a 77 Pinto wagon. Great for taking the RC airplane to the flying field.

 

[55fairlane]

…

!?

You opened the glove box door and there was a 78 rpm record player. Chrome tissue boxes, crystal vases, curtains & an "open for business "sign in the rear window

 

[55fairlane]

Mom had a 71 Plymouth Sport Suburban. Hate to admit but had a 77 Pinto wagon. Great for taking the RC airplane to the flying field.

Plymouth sport suburban....you could go moto-crossing in that thing!

 

[Alamo]

You opened the glove box door and there was a 78 rpm record player. Chrome tissue boxes, crystal vases, curtains & an "open for business "sign in the rear window

Wowzer

 

[daddyusmaximus]

My folks came to America in 1962 from Newfoundland Canada driving a bran new white 1962 Plymouth Valiant station wagon with red seats, a slant 6, and push button automatic transmission. In it was their daughter (my older sister) and everything they owned.

A year later they celebrated life in the new world with the arrival of... ME.

My dad was pretty proud the day he traded in his old Buick Electra 225, and came home with the new 1976 LTD Country Squire.
Took us on many a vacation in it. It's the vehicle I took my driving test in.



This blurry shot is the only photo I have of it. We were camping in that 21' Layton the night Elvis died.

 

[HoughMade]

When concept cars were cool:

 

[Ingomike]

When concept cars were cool:

View attachment 253903

Never seen that. Very cool even if impractical. At first there appears another seat but where the heck are all those feet and kegs going to go.

 

[bgcatty]

Growing up my parents had Ramblers and Chevrolet station wagons for years and years. Memories of those long road trip family vacations still roam around in my memory. I guess most of us “boomers” grew up with station wagons. Those were indeed good old days!

 

[Leo]

I have no real affection for station wagons, but recognize their purposes and usefulness for those jobs. They could be ordered for trailer tow vehicles as shown in the Daddyusmaximus picture. And they did a good job towing.

When I was dating, I drove a Honda 550 Four made into a cafe' racer, and Custom van. You remember the kind, shag carpet on floor walls a ceiling, comfortable bed and a cooler for your favorite beverages. My girl's father did not like my transportation choices and had me drive her in his station wagon. Big Pontiac Grand Safari, 455, 4bbl, posi with towing rear gear set. Must have had huge sway bars because you could punch it around pretty hard. That car surprised more than a few sporty cars at the light. It was pretty fast, just like his daughter.

 

[Ingomike]

I have no real affection for station wagons, but recognize their purposes and usefulness for those jobs. They could be ordered for trailer tow vehicles as shown in the Daddyusmaximus picture. And they did a good job towing.

When I was dating, I drove a Honda 550 Four made into a cafe' racer, and Custom van. You remember the kind, shag carpet on floor walls a ceiling, comfortable bed and a cooler for your favorite beverages. My girl's father did not like my transportation choices and had me drive her in his station wagon. Big Pontiac Grand Safari, 455, 4bbl, posi with towing rear gear set. Must have had huge sway bars because you could punch it around pretty hard. That car surprised more than a few sporty cars at the light. It was pretty fast, just like his daughter.

The crazy part was he actually thought the outcome would be different in his station wagon.

 

[1DOWN4UP]

Dad and mom started with a 66 Galaxy wagon, later a 69 Country Squire , and to a 72 Chevy Kingswood (with the hideaway rear door). The gas crisis hit and they got a new VW bus. After a Pioneer Supertuner install, and some Mindblower speakers,that was the 70's cool ride. That was the one vehicle I miss to this day.

 

[Flingarrows]

Dad and mom started with a 66 Galaxy wagon, later a 69 Country Squire , and to a 72 Chevy Kingswood (with the hideaway rear door). The gas crisis hit and they got a new VW bus. After a Pioneer Supertuner install, and some Mindblower speakers,that was the 70's cool ride. That was the one vehicle I miss to this day.

The early galaxy s had great body lines.

Hat tip to the supertuner. Connected to house stereo speakers in the back seat