We were a Buick family, so our wagon was a red and white Roadmaster Estate Wagon (which was the last full-size American wagon made up to 1996). But there was the Ford Country Squire, the Oldsmobile Vista-Cruiser, the Chevrolet Nomad, Plymouth Suburban, Jeep Wagoneer, Mercury Colony Park, International Travelall, Pontiac Safari, Rambler Cross Country, and many other great names.
Since I was the youngest child, I rode in the way-back when it wasn’t full of luggage or something else. In those days we didn’t worry about the lack of seat belts — most cars through the mid-60s didn’t come with them. You could hide under a blanket, or even better, face backward and wave at the people behind you.
My fondest station-wagon memories are on a few rare family vacations that began before the sun went up. We’d pile everything in the wagon, set the alarm for 4 AM, and hit the Winchell’s donut stand for fresh donuts on the way out of town. There’s nothing quite like watching the sun come up while eating a maple bar in the back of a 1957 Buick Roadmaster.
Like all excessive American traditions, the station wagon gave way to more practical alternatives and was substantially down-sized to the point where the difference between a wagon and a sedan is mostly the body shape. Perhaps kids today grow up to have fond memories of riding in the family mini-van, but somehow I just don’t think the two are comparable.
Today’s family transportation vehicles are ultra-safe and the young ones are strapped in behind tinted glass. It’s been a long time since I found myself driving behind a row of kids sitting facing backwards, making faces or rude gestures toward me. And if mini-vans come in two-tone I haven’t noticed.
But at least there are a few donut shops still in business, so I suppose piling in the Subaru Outback and heading off on vacation can still have its charm. That is, of course, if you can afford the gas to go anywhere!
I’d love to hear your favorite station-wagon memories. Just use the Comments button below! And please consider giving a listen to my weekly podcast, Inside Digital Design, available on iTunes and at insidedigitaldesign.com.
This article was last modified on April 20, 2023
This article was first published on May 18, 2012
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