When you think back to the heyday of the American suburban family, you picture mid-century ranches in nicely manicured neighborhoods, kids playing, and of course, the family station wagon in the driveway.
They were the perfect vehicle for the family. Often offered with three rows of seats, there was plenty of room for mom to load up the kids for school, scouts, baseball practice or anywhere else they would need to go. Fold down the seats and there's room for groceries. The cargo space was 4x8, perfect for hauling drywall or plywood while Dad's doing his weekend home improvement projects. Let's not forget that luggage rack on top for those memorable family vacations.
As time went on, the wagons got bigger, more ornate, and plenty more wood 'Di-Noc' paneling on the sides. It seems like every family had one. Sometimes, it seems as though they've disappeared overnight. How often do you see these quintessential family cars making their way down the road like the grand land yachts they are?
When minivans came out in the eighties, the extra height and removable seats lead people away from their wagons, and then the SUV eclipsed the minivan. It's all part of times changing, but I can't help but feel nostalgic. My grandparents had wagons, my dad's first car was their 1966 Caprice wagon that he bought from them. When I was a kid, my parents had (an already slightly antiquated) 1977 Ford LTD wagon. It was a big brown beast with a 400 engine. My mom could get three of those really big 80's style car seats across the rear bench. They sure don't build them like that anymore!
It seems that the tradition hasn't died yet. I own two station wagons, myself; a 1987 Caprice, that I drove through High School, and my current daily car, my 1990 Grand Marquis Colony Park.
As time goes on, I hope my (someday) kids get to enjoy riding in the 'way back' and looking out the tailgate window, just like I, and generations before me did. It's a tradition my fellow wagon aficionados and I hope to never let die.
My High School Wagon (Now Awaiting Restoration)
My Current Wagon
I hope you've enjoyed reading my first blog post.
God bless,
-Tom
No comments:
Post a Comment