(first posted in 2011) So just whose idea was that? Along with the business coupe and the Ranchero/El Camino utility pickups, the large two door station wagon ranks right up there in the Pantheon of American car oddities. One can even make a pretty good argument that it towers above them, given its questionable heritage and utility. The business coupe’s origins go back to the earliest coupes, like the Model T, when roadsters and two-passenger coupes were were common. And the utilities were just an update on those same coupes and roadsters with little beds grafted onto them, the pickup’s precursor. But for about a dozen years or so, Detroit graced Americans with something they had no idea they needed: the two door wagon.
Before WW2, the station wagon was primarily a commercially-oriented vehicle, and given its intended role in hauling large numbers of people and their cargo, always with four doors (or more, like this handsome LaSalle) . A two-door wagon? It’s possible that someone will prove me wrong and show me that a production two door wagon existed before WW2. Station wagons then were almost always built by outside contractors, using plenty of wood, and at least four doors. And almost all of them were registered as commercial vehicles, given their commercial chassis underpinnings and typical role. But like so many things automotive and otherwise, the post war era unleashed big changes.
Ironically, it all started with the maker of that WW2 icon, the Jeep. Desperate for a new market, Willys brought out their quite revolutionary all-steel wagon in 1946 (the wood grain is painted on). Given that this was not intended to directly compete directly with the existing station wagon market, and rode on a substantially shorter wheelbase, two doors certainly made sense.
The Willys was also significantly shorter, and not available as a three-row wagon. Rightfully, it could be called a compact wagon, and was available with a four or six. In a world of strictly genuine-wood four-door wagons, the Willys was a true revolutionary.
Plymouth clearly was heavily influenced by the Willys wagon, and introduced their own all-steel two-door wagon in 1949. This marked the first all-steel wagon by the Big Three, and was made right on the same assembly lines as the sedans. The Plymouth two-door wagon sat on the smaller 111″ wheelbase of the junior P 17 Plymouths, which only came in two doors variants anyway. The larger P 18 series had a traditional woody four door wagon, so both bases were covered. The Plymouth wagon was a big hit, and given its rugged construction, could still be seen in its role of hauling families well into the sixties.
Ford really jumped into the two-door wagon pool with both feet in 1949. Unlike Plymouth, Ford only had two-door wagons for their 1949 – 1951 models, including the nine-passenger Country Squire. In a bit of an odd twist, Ford kept the traditional wood construction. Might as well be sure you’re going to float after taking that plunge.
The logic of building a two-door three-row wagon, with the third row still facing forward, would be mighty difficult to muster in today’s obesity-challenged world. Folks still knew how to bend and clamber.
And there they are, all happily ensconced, including adults in the third row. Well, the Ford certainly was a nice looking wagon, until the lacquer peeled off the wood and it started to fade and rot.
Chevrolet went the other way, offering only four door wagons. These tall wagons were quite roomy too, although maybe not quite so as is depicted in the ever-unfaithful renderings of the time. Makes it look like a bus in there.
Ford added four door wagons by 1952, and kept both body styles in production. But Chevrolet held out until 1955, when the Handyman low-level two door wagons were introduced,
as well as the very upscale Nomad (CC here), which had its own unique sheet metal. Suddenly, the questionable identity of the two-door wagon became really fragmented, populating the very low and high end of the station wagon pecking order. With the Nomad, the idea of the wagon as a sporty, upscale vehicle took hold, but its life as a two-door was quite short, ending after the 1957 model. But its influence would be felt to some degree or another throughout the rest of the station wagon’s tenure.
Ford responded to the Nomad with their 1956 Parklane, but it was really just a gussied up two-door Ranch wagon.
Plymouth didn’t bother, and the two-door wagons were just the typical bottom of the barrel variety.
Although with the all-new 1957 models, the low end Plymouth wagons can hardly be called lack-luster. In fact, they’re quite dramatic. But I can’t recall seeing one in the flesh, rotted or just just spongy. Big Plymouth and Dodge wagons of the time were popular with big families, but they mostly stuck to the four door versions.
Mercury was notoriously flamboyant in the 1957 – 1959 era, and they fielded not just a two-door wagon, but a two-door hardtop wagon! Now we’re really starting to make sense! Unless I’ve really blown it, Mercury was the only one to do so. Well somebody just had to.
That made me wonder if Edsel got to share that body shell too. No such luck; instead they had to make do with the lowly Ford Ranch Wagon body, and a name that would really resonate today: Edsel Roundup, guaranteed to kill something.
The big-bodied Big Three cars of this period rightfully marked the end of the whole foolish exercise. It’s not like most folks couldn’t afford the extra eighty bucks to get you that second set of doors. But with a wave of new compacts about to make the scene, giant finned two-door wagons suddenly just seemed ridiculous. 1960 marked the last year for the big Chevy Brookwood two-door.
Ford lasted one year longer, with this quite rare 1961 two-door Ranch Wagon.
And Plymouth also bowed out after 1961. Any of these later year two-door wagons are hot commodities now. But what about the independents? Where they true to their name, and stayed out of the two-door wagon mania?
One can excuse the compact little Rambler, especially since all the bigger Rambler wagons were exclusively four doors, and it was so damn cute anyway.
Studebaker didn’t even enter the wagon market until 1954, and then only with a two-door. But a four door came along a couple of years later.
And Studebaker took the whole stripper concept to its ultimate and most starkly naked extreme. In 1957, the Scotsman sedan and wagon were devoid of every possible amenity, including chrome-plated hub caps. Even wasting color film on publicity shots would have been all wrong with this el-cheapo special. And just try using that name today.
The 1959 Lark may have been promoted as a thrifty compact, but it had the same basic Studebaker body, minus the goofy front end. And the whole Scotsman austerity theme was out, as this ad makes quite clear. Small doesn’t have to be spartan. Especially when small is in.
The new 1960 compacts took different approaches to their wagons. Falcon (and Comet), fielded both versions, to great success. The Valiant stuck to four doors only.
I shouldn’t really show it here, because it was such an ugly duckling. No wonder the Falcon wagon totally creamed it. And good luck try finding one of these early Valiant wagons today.
And the Corvair joined the compact wagon party in 1961 with four door wagons only too. Given that the Chevy II was due the following year, having two compact four door wagons made no sense. Chevy should have made a Nomad-ish Corvair wagon, as a companion to the sporty Monza coupe. Unlike the total dud Lakewood wagon, that could well have been a hit.
So now we get to the end of the story. What was the last two-door wagon standing? Well two actually. The Falcon’s last year for that body style was 1965, which was really just an updated 1960. How’d you like to have that one, with a 289 and stick shift?
But it was Chevy that revived the two door again, as a fresh new body style of the all-new 1964 Chevelle. It had a very obvious Nomad-inspired side window treatment and B-pillar, but was available only as a low-trim Chevelle 300.
Why Chevrolet bothered to tool this up, when none of the other competing intermediates were offering a two-door wagon might be hard to fathom, except for the fact that the new El Camino shared much of its body structure, minus the roof. But having done so, why they didn’t offer it as a sporty Nomad is even harder comprehend. Can you imagine what a cult status a ’65 Malibu Nomad SS 396 would have?
Needless to say, these ’64 – ’65 Chevelle 300 two-door wagons have pretty much all been appropriated by the go-fast crowd, for obvious reasons. And who can blame them, since Chevy missed out on such an opportunity to revive the Nomad.
One last speculation: why didn’t John DeLorean appropriate the Chevelle two-door wagon body for Pontiac, and turn it into a GTO shooting brake? Sounds like it just needs to be done; at least on photoshop. Any volunteers?
There would be precedence, of course, as Pontiac got their sticky fingers on the original Nomad.
Someone’s gone and done it the 1964 Buick Sportwagon, and that’s not a photoshop. Maybe we’ll leave it at that, since this Sportwagon makes as much or more sense then most of the production two-door wagons. Let’s face it, the lasting impact of the two door wagon was hardly its utility, but as a plaything and oddity. And if you’re going to play, might as well make a sport of it.
That little ’54 Studebaker looks like a Saab.
If I’m not mistaken, the Scotsman came with cardboard door inserts standard.
I think that’s really interesting that Mercury had the only two-door hardtop wagon, especially coming from the same division that gave us the only modern day four-door convertible.
I’m not really into Hot Rods, however I can picture that Edsel Roundup with wheel tubs, slicks and a blower sticking thru the hood.
“Plymouth…introduced their own all-steel two-door wagon in 1949. This marked the first all-steel wagon by the Big Three….The Plymouth two-door wagon sat on the smaller 111″ wheelbase of the junior P 17 Plymouths, which only came in two doors variants anyway. The larger P 18 series had a traditional woody four door wagon, so both bases were covered…Ford really jumped into the two-door wagon pool with both feet in 1949. Unlike Plymouth, Ford only had two-door wagons for their 1949 – 1951 models, including the nine-passenger Country Squire.”
While Plymouth initially kept a four-door wagon in the lineup, it was a traditional woody wagon, as stated above. This made it fairly large and expensive for a Plymouth, and I don’t think it sold in large numbers (IINM, it was built off of the same body as that used for the larger, more upscale Chrysler products). IIRC, Chrysler then replaced the four-door woody wagon with a steel-bodied four-door wagon wagon midway through the 1950 model year. When that happened, the Plymouth version was not carried over (again, it was really intended for the larger, more upscale Chrysler brands; in contemporary GM terms, the steel-bodied Chrysler wagon was a B- or C-body, not an A-body), leaving Plymouth with just the smaller two-door wagon. So throughout this period, Plymouth never really had a four-door wagon that was mainstream for its price segment. For that matter, even the two-door wasn’t really mainstream, being built off of the short, almost “compact” 111-inch wheelbase. Once Chevrolet’s steel-bodied wagon was on the market, the Plymouth paled in comparison, as the Chevy not only was a four-door but was also a normal full-size car for the low-priced segment. Plymouth didn’t have a normal-sized steel-bodied two-door wagon until 1953, and didn’t have a steel-bodied four-door until 1955.
Dodge did not get the two-door steel-bodied wagon in 1949. Perhaps it was meant to be a Plymouth exclusive, or the short wheelbase wagon was felt to be too small for Dodge’s price segment (like Plymouth, Dodge had a short-wheelbase series during this period, although it used a longer wheelbase than Plymouth’s). IIRC, Dodge initially kept the four-door woody, then switched to the four-door steel body that appeared midway through the 1950 model year. That wagon body was on the large and expensive side even for Dodge, though, so when Chrysler finally introduced a steel-bodied two-door wagon body suitable for its more downscale brands in 1953 (in contemporary GM terms, its A-body), Dodge replaced the oversized four-door with the smaller two-door, and went two-door only for the next few years. Like Plymouth, Dodge finally got a “right-sized” steel-bodied four-door wagon in 1955.
To sum all of this up: Chrysler had a two-door steel-bodied wagon on the market midway through the 1949 model year, and a four-door steel-bodied wagon on the market midway through the 1950 model year. The former was built off of a body type that was unusually small for the time (almost a “compact”), however, while the latter was available only on a larger body intended for more upscale brands. Chrysler didn’t have a steel-bodied two-door wagon of normal size for low-to-medium priced brands until 1953, and didn’t have a steel-bodied four-door wagon of normal size for low-to-medium priced brands until 1955.
Perhaps the rarest 2-door wagon ever–from Harold and Maude.
awesome
I had no idea Studebaker made a 2-door wagon. Too bad that body style didn’t stick around until the Packard merger, they could’ve done a pretty mean Packardbaker Nomad-type thing with the supercharged V8.
IINM, the Studebaker two-door wagon actually lasted all the way to the end of full-size Studebaker production in 1958 (Paul has a picture of a ’57 in the article). Similar to the other manufacturers discussed in the article, even after a four-door wagon was introduced, the two-door wagon continued to be sold alongside the four-door wagon for a time.
It probably never ocurred to S-P to sell a Packard two-door wagon. It had to be apparent by ’57 that in an environment where both two- and four-door models were offered, the two-doors weren’t going to be big sellers. Where available, the two-doors also tended to be restricted to low-to-medium priced brands (the most upscale GM brand that ever sold two-door wagons was Pontiac, the most upscale Chrysler brand, Dodge). The unique 1957-59 Mercury two-door hardtop wagon was probably the most upscale American two-door wagon ever produced.
Packard merged with Studebaker around 1950, the Curtis Wright company bought them, and dropped the Packard from the lineup. Last Packard rolled off the Detroit line in 1966. A Caribbean styled wagon would have been sweet.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/last-packard-produced
The S-P merger took place in 1954. Curtiss Wright did not buy the company, but was brought in on a management contract that ran from 1956-59. Given lead times, the decision to stop Packard production in Detroit must have been made well before the C-W contract, probably shortly after the merger. The fact that they had the Studebaker-based Packard tooled up and ready to build in the second half of 1956 suggests that the big Packard’s fate was sealed no matter what.
Blue ’64 Chevelle wagon? Gimme! That would be a sweet ride for someone like myself, who wants both sportiness and the practicality of a hauler.
Missed out on a chance to own a real nice ’65 Sportwagon a few years back (albeit with more doors). Still regret that one a little.
Close enough?
How about a wagon that you’d think would look really odd, but really doesn’t…
Ferrari 456GT Venice 4-door wagon
While they seem an oddity now, the two door station wagon was popular primarily because it was the least expensive station wagon families could buy in that period. For the customer for whom maximum seating capacity and utility at the lowest entry price was their primary consideration, it was the ultimate bargain. In small towns and rural area, they were ubiquitous. As one would expect, they were used, abused and driven into the ground and junked without a thought, that’s why they’re rare now.
Of the comments on the ’49-’54 Dodge station wagon type availability, one caveat needs note. For ’53, both Plymouth and Dodge shared a new body series and Dodge fielded only a two door wagon for ’53. Then for 1954 Dodge added a four door Sierra station wagon with body sourced from Ionia Body Company stretching and modifying the basic two door wagon shell. Only 1,300 were built according to The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-75 edited by Gunnell. Finding one to feature as a Curbsite Classic would be a real coup.
Enjoying this page. Some of these old creations are truly artistic while others make you go, “WHAT were they thinking???”
Anyway, does anyone have any idea what this is a pic of? I’m thinking late 40’s to mid-50’s American make. Thanks in advance.
It’s the same wagon that is shown in the fifth picture in the article, the Plymouth all-steel wagon, which appeared first in 1949. It was a very important car, because it was the first all-steel station wagon by the Big Three. I’m not sure of the exact year of the one you show, but it looks like a ’59 or ’50, as best as I can tell.
That was quick! (Thanks!) You’re right, it does appear to be a flavor of the Plymouth all-steel wagon. The side-chrome and the hood ornament (barely visible in my photo) seem to indicate this.
BTW, did you really mean “’59 or ’50,” or did you intend “’49 or ’50”? I ask only because models 10 years apart don’t often tend to look similar.
Fat-finger typo; ’49 or ’50.
Thanks!
Jay Leno’s 1950 Plymouth Suburban – https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ngOWkb2cM-k
I own the 60 Plymouth in the opening photo. They made about 5500 of these, so they were not as rare as hens teeth. The Plymouth’s rusted quickly, and were not considered pretty, so I’m sure only a small percentage survived.
I’ve had it since 1989 when I bought it for $500. I picked it up just before getting married and still got married anyway (she passed the test – we are still together). I actually used to drive it to the park-n-ride back in the day, but it’s a hobby car now. Paint is mostly original. It as originally a slant 6 3-speed on the tree. Its currently got a high-compression ’66 383 and 4 speed with 3.91 sure grip.
You’re a lucky guy. It’s the coolest and she’s set up right!
I’m a Chrysler guy, but am I the only one who thinx the ’61 Ford full-size 2dr. wgn. is the most perfectly austere, clean looking one of the bunch?
I had a ’54 Ford Ranch Wagon – Ranch Wagons were 2-door wagons only. Had the
ohv 6 (the V-8 was still a flathead in ’54) and had lots of room under the hood. 2-door
wagons were considered Very Cool in the Surf Culture, thanks to the popularity of the
’49 – ’51 Ford wagons. Somehow a 4-door wagon, like the Estate Wagon fake – woody,
just wasn’t Cool, had to be 2-doors. (Panels were considered Very Cool)
The Ranch Wagon had it’s own nice western-theme seat covers, etc Surprised to
find came with bigger brakes, clutch, lower gearing, heavy-duty springs, higher ground
clearance, etc. Meant for ranches not for shopping centers? Mine came with some
hay inside, totally original too: good to restore. My only car for 2 years in the late ’80’s, Colonial White and Ford’s Turquoisey/light green. A sweet surf wagon & rare.
HAPPY TO HAVE COME ACROSS THIS SIGHT – THANKS! Lu.
Hesitate to comment but IIRC the Ford V8 was a flathead in 53 and ohv in 54. I think this might not apply to trucks but I remember the cars very well. Export models still came with flatheads in 54 according to some Australian commenters. Owned several of the 53s but not any 54s. Seemed strange to me that the engines changed for 54 but the body style basically did not.
Canadian Fords, Meteors, Mercurys, and Monarchs didn’t get the Y block until 1955.
Paul,
Is this site still active? I just discovered it while looking around for a reasonably priced mid fifties wagon. A really interesting read for sure. I am retired from 20 some years as a contributing writer/ photographer for most of the street rod/ custom mags. I did a column for Custom Rodder for several years titled “Stylines”, in which I did commentary, advice, etc, along with providing concept/ project suggestions illustrated through Photoshop, a lot of which addressed the two door wagon body style. If you are interested, I’d love to drop a bunch of “Phantom” wagons on you for your reader’s enjoyment.
Thanks,
Dave Hill, Pueblo, Colorado.
Yes it is. I didn’t notice your comment until now, though. You can reach me at curbsideclassic@gmail.com
I hope Dave saw your comment and followed-up. That would be cool to see for Wagon Week.
This is my 1972 Fiat 128 2 door wagon. I think the last year for this car was 76 or maybe 77.
As a kid I remember my dad looking for a 57 Chevy wagon; it was about l959. We had a 52 Plymouth wagon to trade-in. He wanted a two door as he always had an eye for things that looked clean and neat. He found and bought a 57 210 wagon (there were no Bel Air 2 doors – only Nomads, 210’s or 150’s). It was turquoise and white. It was the power pack version. It had a 283 with 3 on the tree, overdrive and dual exhaust. I remember him pushing (or pulling) the overdrive lever and feeling it kick in after a pregnant pause. Many memories were made with this familymobile. I know he wanted a Nomad but took this one instead. About two weeks later a yellow and white Nomad showed up on a local dealers lot. He and I went and looked at it. I know he was hurting but in hindsight both were amazing. How I wish I had kept the wagon.
I have recently become the owner of a factory COPO 2 door 1965 Chevy ll 2 door station wagon, ordered by the Air Force as a runway hatch, have great plans for it. My wife and I flew to Minneapolis and picked it up, we drove it back to Ca. in the S.F. bay area. car got a lot of attention at each stop on the way back.
Randy, I’m a bit stunned by that two door Chevy II wagon of yours. I find it remarkable that Chevrolet would spend the money to tool up a 2 door wagon for just the Air Force.
I’d love to do a post on your car. Could you send more pictures, and any documentation? curbsideclassic(at)gmail.com
would be happy to, will only allow me to download 1 picture at a time, where can I send multiple pictures?
Thanks
Randy Thompson
Castro Valley, Ca.
Damn that’s impressive!
You got my envy.
Randy do you still on that two-door 65 wagon I owned the car before you got it from Andy car come from Tennessee and the guy got it from Florida like that towards a Air Force Base
Paul ebay listing # 281260886410, dated 2-10-14, will take several pictures tomorrow for you.
Randy Thompson
Randy, that is AWESOME. My dad had a four door Chevy II wagon when I was a kid and I have developed a profound fondness for 2 door wagons. This is one of the best I’ve ever seen. Truly a rare bird!
AMC was making two-door versions of the full-size Jeep Cherokee, at least into the mid-1970s. It also produced a two-door Pacer wagon variant in the same time frame. When the Cherokee was re-created in 1990s, a two-door was again available.
http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/1976-Jeep-Cherokee-Overview-c6781http://www.pinterest.com/pin/183662491027855679/
http://springfield.craigslist.org/cto/4514558542.html
(April 2015) Aha! I see someone thought of the Pacer “wagon” already:
found this little gem of an article several years later. very nice piece! three pieces of two-door info – my grandparents owned a pair of those gawd-awful UGLY valiants in the early 70s. a coupe and a wagon. I considered and declined to buy a 2-door ’58 yeoman back in ’92. hadn’t seen one before; haven’t seen one since. friend of a neighbor showed up in late 70s with a vette that was customized with a wagon roofline. very odd. purists still hate him.
great article.
-j
What about the Chevy Vega Wagon?
– definitely two-doors
Well, we’re talking about cars that were generally also available as four door wagons too. When it comes to sub-compacts, there were scads of two-door wagons: Vega, Pinto, VW squareback, Corolla, and lots of other little Japanese and import wagons. But invariably, there were only two-door wagon versions of them made.
As of late, Aston Martin has produced Shooting Brake two door wagons in very small numbers in the 1990s, and lately, a gorgeous Virage Centennial showcar by Zagato from 2014.
I really like the idea of a 2 door wagon…but that’s because I go for cars that are destined to wind up as hotrods. If only the Dodge Magnum was a 2 door or at least had Element/RX-8 style ‘clamshell’ doors. Im not alone, it would seem:
http://s21.photobucket.com/user/infurnoASH/media/Concept%20Cars/Magnum.jpg.html
How about a micro 2 door wagon From Fiat quite a rare car this is the only one Ive ever seen.
Good write up. So many models of two door wagons I’ve never seen before.
I was reminded of a two door wagon I came across in a rural area not so far from my home. In rather good condition, complete with some rust. If I had th dollars at the time it c oils have been mine.
The current wagon craze among collectors has me on the lookout for a good one, not too old though. My budget stretches only so far.
I still own this Saab 95 two door wagon.
I bought this this Willys All Steel Utility Wagon just after this picture was taken.
Naturally, I love this one!
Great article Paul. Always wanted but never got a 2 dr wagon. For you Woody fans in the southwest the San Diego Woody show is Sept 19th at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas. A great show, at a great location.
Drugs are bad, someone at Ford was doing drugs….Don’t do drugs kids….
I actually had one of the cruise’n wagons. It made sense for anyone that wanted a panel delivery type of vehicle or a quasi mini van. In the mid 70’s it was not uncommon for a typical full sized van conversion to get any where from 12 to 18 mpg average. The pinto and chevy vega could get over 25mpg. I saw both van wagons used as Bakery delivery, caterer wagon and flower delivery. A local architect also had a pinto cruise’n wagon as his work vehicle. It would haul a transom and such with no problem. Ford offered the CW as a surfer van or as a plain commercial type van.
Sometimes, a two door wagon is all you need.
What about the Chevy Blazers and Ford Broncos and the like? What about all there little brothers the S10 Blazers and the Bronco IIs and the Explorers? Body on frame construction and rear wheel drive in some cases. They were just as impractical. I remember having to climb into the back of my father’s 1987 S10 Blazer and even as a teenager it was difficult.
> One last speculation: why didn’t John DeLorean appropriate the Chevelle two-door wagon body for Pontiac, and turn it into a GTO shooting brake?
Rumor has it that there were a small number of 1972 GTO wagons (not 2-door but regular 4-doors) built on the line in 1972. There is disagreement as to whether these were true GTOs with badging as such, or Tempest wagons ordered with the “Endura” plastic front end.
I was visiting a small resto shop last Saturday and the owner was working on one of these that a customer brought up from the southern US. I didn’t get to see any badging, interior or engine, as the car was partially disassembled and covered with dropsheets for the bodywork, but he claimed it to be a real GTO.
According to Pontiac and GTO sites, those wagons are “unofficial”.
Sort of like someone I know who said they have a “1972 Monte Carlo SS”. But after talking more, he said it was ‘like one that could have been’.
Thanks for posting this (again) Paul. I have always loved wagons!
When our family got too large for Dad’s ’54 Buick Super Riviera, he traded it for a ’57 Studebaker Scotsman. I remember Mom asking him if he was crazy. Our’s had chromed wheel covers and a radio, but it also had the single stylized letter S on the hood. So, apparently the original buyer of that car insisted the dealer add those two options. I did not like the fact that it had only two side doors. At least the rear seat side windows slid open. There were two things I liked about that car. To me, the front resembled that of the ’57 Chevy, and the tail lights looked like they could have come off a ’55 Buick. I knew of only one other two door wagon in town, and it was a ’57 Chevy. I think the two door feature of our Studebaker was an added bonus for keeping us kids under control. Dad said that his real reason for buying that wagon was that while it was equal in quality to the others, he paid a third less than the price of any of the popular big three wagons.
One morning, three years later, I woke up to find a sharp looking 1960 Ford 4 door Ranch Wagon in the driveway. It had two toned paint. It was Meadowvale Green with a Corinthian White roof. It rode on wide white wall tires and had those beautiful cone shaped full wheel covers. It seemed so strange to me how, back then, some folks would buy the base model, yet add some nice extra cost items. I guess it made sense if the options you wanted most were still extra cost items on the more expensive Country Sedan. But, at that time, to an eight year old car guy like me, when your Dad bought a car with two toned paint and white walls, it meant that you were moving up in the world.
Until a couple of years ago, I was not aware that in 1957, Ford build an upscale 2 door wagon called the Del Rio to go up against the Chevy Nomad. I was very surprised to read that it was much more popular than the Nomad. The production numbers I’ve seen are 46,105 Del Rois versus 6,103 Nomads. I’ve never seen a Del Rio, but after seeing the pictures, if I could have one ’57 Ford, that would be it.
I love this site. For just such as this.
Thanks!
Z3 Coupe would be considered a 2 door wagon, right?
It’s more often considered to be like a shooting brake. I am not sure if U.S. bound Z3 had any rear seat.
Thanks for the informative page. I have owned 3 of those 54 Conestogas. I have always been a fan the 2 door wagon. VW also had the squareback from the late 60’s:
http://www.vwvortex.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/squareback-fotd.jpg
and the 411/412 models into the mid 70’s:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/Vw_411_h_sst.jpg
Chevy also had the panel wagon/sedan devery as far back 1939:
http://www.rasloto.com/gallery/chevy/39chevy-p-145X.jpg
http://www.rasloto.com/gallery/chevy/40chevy-sd-181X.jpg
I think the reason two door wagons came to be was that sedan delivery bodystyles were already being produced. So, the basic bones just needed glass and some interior trim and a seat. It added what is called “incremental sales” today. When ford lauuched the original Econoline/Falcon van and cab forward pickup along with chevy and its corvair/Greenbriar van and pickup I think those were the last nails in the coffin for the 2door wagon and sedan delivery.
Here is a nice example of the 1977 Chevrolet Vega Estate wagon, along with the 1978 Mercury Bobcat Squire wagon. I think they are both quaint.
Cost. That was the prime factor in the design of these vehicles. Designed to appeal to professionals and tradesman, they usually had the smallest displacement engines and manual transmissions(anyone recall 3on the tree shifters?) that were pure business and no frills work oriented. The mini wagons you posted images of were very popular with both small families and business that needed versatility and economy. the current Ford C Max and Kia Soul are modern iterations of this formula. I dont see any of them as being quaint. They are rational designs for their time.
Old Wagons have become super desirable now and bring big bucks.
I purchased this car when I was 19 for $125.00. A lot of money for a kid in 1969. fell in love with it at the age of 11. People who owned it lived only a couple of blocks away. It was solid as a rock with a little over 62,000 miles. A lot of work and many changes since that time. Sorry. Picture quality is poor. Had several offers over a period of some 46 years. Been one of my life’s passions. Guess someone will inherit it from my estate when I’m beyond caring.
I researched Volvo’s neat sporty 2 door “shooting brake”, the P1800 ES, from the 1970’s. I knew they reinvented this concept as of late – the C30, but I did not know that they had a 2-door wagon before the 1800, the PV445 (or “Duett”)! Here is a photo of all three.
Lancia Beta HPE.
Hi all! My wife shoot a very odd car on the road today and I just wanted to find a manufacturer/model, to no avail 🙁 May be anyone recognized this ? Not sure if it’s a “wagon”, but it certainly looks like one!
Matra Simca Rancho.
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/1977-matra-rancho-the-worlds-first-cuv/
AMAZING ! Thanks, Don!
Dont forget the fastest of them all!
Saab 95 two stroke with Erik “On the Roof” Karlsson behind the steering wheel, here at The Monte Carlo Rally 1961, took a fifth place that year. The reason for driving the 95 instead of the 96 was that the 95 had a 4 speed gearbox while the 96 still had the 3 speed as only option.
Another pic:
The Saab 95 was made from 1959 to 1978!
Eric “On The Roof” Karlsson, The Saab 95/96 fit him very well -like a snug fit tuxedo.
both Ford Pinto and Chevy Vega had 2 door compact wagons with anemic four cylinder engines.
That’s me and my sister trying to claw our way out of the back of our new 1960 Chevrolet Brookwood 2-door station wagon. I remember it having an all-steel interior and everything getting hot to the touch. My older brother and sister would get high by dangling their feet out the rear crank-down window at high speed and smelling the exhaust fumes. With no power steering and a column-mounted manual stick-shift, my mother complained at the time it was like driving a truck. (She preferred her snappy 1960 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 convertible.)
Another favorite of some: the “J series” Jeeps (Wagoneers from ’63, the ’70s era Cherokees), and the later small Cherokees, all as two door wagons.
I have a 2 door Chevy Biscayne Wagon. Looks real Did Chevy make a 2 door wagon. I know in 1959 Chevy COPO built 55 2 door wagons for the Navy
There were “regular” two-door Chevy wagons from 1955 to 1960, as well as the Nomad from 1955 to 1957.
I don’t think I’ve ever commented on this article. One thought is that prior to “childproof” locks a two door car helped keep the kids securely in the back seat.
On a trivia note, the Ford Pinto and Chevy Vega wagons were also two door and the last of their line in the US, although they were subcompact rather than intermediate or full size. Outside the US the two door wagon hung on for some time. The Opel Kadett and Ford Escort were available as a two door wagon until the late 1980s as was the Brazilian VW Voyage, sold as the Fox in the US and probably the last two door wagon sold in the US. The VW Squareback was also two door.
My dad, a thrifty guy if there ever was one, bought a new 1957 Ford Ranch Wagon. Its list of options included……..a heater/defroster. That’s it! Only lasted a year or so, it started to overheat regularly.