The original station wagon design was for utility vehicles to transport people and their luggage to the train station. The body style was a variation on the standard sedan design, adding a shared passenger cargo space accessed by a rear door, or tailgate. Station wagons typically share their platform and drivetrain with sedans in their model range, providing the same level of comfort and convenience, with the added benefit of greater carrying capacity. Popular as family vehicles, station wagons have become iconic cars in their own right.
1) Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad
The classic winged body shape that features on 1950s Chevrolet vehicles makes the Bel Air Nomad an iconic American station wagon. First produced in 1955, the Chevy Bel Air Nomad was the most expensive model in Chevrolet’s range of vehicles. The original 1955 Chevy Nomad station wagons are the most sought after by collectors for their unique two-door design. The model remained popular until Chevrolet ceased production in 1972.
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad Wagon
2) Ford Country Squire Wagon
Ford manufactured the Country Squire from 1951 through 1991. The 1960s were the golden years of the model, with vehicles built between 1951 and 1966 being the most desirable among serious collectors. The first generation started the “woodie” paneling feature, which set the tone for a station wagon design that remained an option until Ford discontinued production in 1991. The Country Squire station wagon introduced the self-storing window style of tailgate to replace the standard two-part rear door assembly used until 1961.
|
Ford Country Squire Features |
Specification |
|---|---|
| Length | 211.2 inches |
| Wheelbase | 119 inches |
| Weight | 4,156 pounds |
| Engine | 239.8 cubic inchesStraight six-cylinder |
| Power | 150 horsepower |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual |
The 1966 Ford Country Squire station wagon is an iconic American-made vehicle that featured top-of-the-line specifications. This generation was the first to feature Ford’s Magic Door Gate that can either flip down like a standard tailgate or swing open on the hinges on the left side of the door.
1960 Ford Country Squire Wagon
3) Ford Ranch
Ford manufactured the Ranch station wagon in 1952, offering it as an alternative to the wood panel design of the popular Country Squire model. The Ford Ranch was the first all-steel station wagon built by the manufacturer, and featured a choice of an inline six-cylinder engine or the more powerful Ford V8 motor. The 1961 Ford Ranch was the last two-door station wagon ever built. Between 1963 and 1965 a smaller version of the vehicle, based on the mid-sized Fairlane model, took its place in the range. Ford manufactured the last Ranch station wagons for fleet buyers, before retiring the model in 1977.
1955 Ford Ranch Wagon
Image source: eBay Motors
4) Volvo 200 Series
The Volvo 200 series station wagon is one of the most recognizable vehicles produced in the past generation. The distinctive square styling of the body, roomy interior, and European standards of safety made it very popular as a family vehicle. First produced in 1974, the Volvo 200 series wagon sold 2.8 million units worldwide, making it the manufacturer’s best selling vehicle from 1975 through 1982. It went out of production in 1993 when Volvo replaced it with the 300 series.
Volvo 245 DL Wagon
Image source: Volvo Cars
5) Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser
General Motors began production of the Vista Cruiser station wagon under the Oldsmobile badge in 1964. The Vista Cruiser is notable for its fixed glass sunroof that provides sun visors for passengers in the rear seats. It features a raised rear roof that offers greater capacity in the cargo bay. It also includes a forward-facing third row seat, as opposed to the usual rear facing arrangement favored by most car manufacturers of the time.
GM updated the design of the Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser in 1968, stretching the skylight all of the way to the rear and adding a 350 cubic inch V8 motor as standard, with the option of a 400 cubic inch engine from the Oldsmobile 442 muscle car sedan. This generation of the Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser also offers the option of a dual-action tailgate as standard on three-row models. In 1973, Oldsmobile released the third generation, basing the Vista Cruiser on the Cutlass sedans, and continued production until 1977.
1972 Oldsmobile Vista Wagon
Image source: curbsideclassic.com
How to Buy a Station Wagon on eBay
There is a large selection of classic station wagons for sale on eBay. The easiest way to find the iconic wagon that you want is to type the make and model into the search window on any page. The search functionality makes it simple to refine your results for the exact year that you are looking for. It also allows you to filter the search results by selecting the seller location, which makes it easier to view and collect the vehicle if it is nearby. Whatever classic station wagon is your favorite, you can find one from a reliable seller.
See Station Wagon Cars and Trucks for sale on eBay.
