Drawing of the Wombat

Hooniverse Asks: What’s your favorite wagon?

Jeff Glucker

/comment

Comments

It’s Wednesday, which is as good a day as any to think about the longroof. There are a handful of great options on sale now. But some of the all-time great wagons have come and gone. Of all the wagons, both past and present, which one is your numero uno?

Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo 4S – One of the greatest cars ever…

Of the modern era, I have a hard-time choosing between the Mercedes-Benz E63 and the Audi RS6. Though I’ve recently seen the light that is the Porsche Sport Turismo. Of the vintage wagon variety, it’s hard to beat a big old Country Sedan but anything packing Mopar heat is up to the task of battle wagon competition.

There are also all the one-off custom wagons, which I’m going to allow here. Aston Martin has built a few, both in the past and in more recent times. There’s a Mustang wagon. The Ferrari Breadvan is a wagon by way of being a shooting brake. Hell, you could even cast a vote for the Griswold’s Family Truckster.

What is your all-time favorite wagon? Sound off below.

About

Jeff Glucker

Jeff Glucker

Jeff Glucker is the co-founder and Executive Editor of Hooniverse.com. He’s often seen getting passed as he hustles a 1991 Mitsubishi Montero up the 405 Freeway. IG: @HooniverseJeff

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The maximum upload file size: 64 MB. You can upload: image, audio, video. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop files here

70 responses to “Hooniverse Asks: What’s your favorite wagon?”

  1. 0A5599 Avatar
    0A5599

    Those Volvos that come in an IKEA flat pack.

    https://www.eurosporttuning.com/media/wysiwyg/Blog_pictures/bizarre-volvo-7.jpg

    Reply
    1. mdharrell Avatar
      mdharrell

      Ah, that explains it. Mine must have been packed sideways.

      https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2ae6b3755ec581bcc3d60492eeca59b62180fff83a585d1ab6ac948193d30781.jpg

      Reply
      1. Lokki Avatar
        Lokki

        I think you just need to add water to get it to grow to full size. Have you tried washing it?

        Reply
        1. mdharrell Avatar
          mdharrell

          The previous owner washed it after that photo was taken. It didn’t help.

          I haven’t tried again myself.

          Reply
  2. Victor Avatar
    Victor

    Ford Flex is my favorite .

    Reply
  3. Fuhrman16 Avatar
    Fuhrman16

    The ’68 to ’72 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/df7309cef7369e88882a9f04eba678dd08ad7b882e0213ea2454584f77ba2d0c.jpg

    Reply
    1. Lokki Avatar
      Lokki

      All hail the Vista Cruiser!

      Reply
    2. HuntRhymesWith Avatar
      HuntRhymesWith

      I hope Eric Forman kept that old thing to restore

      Reply
      1. 0A5599 Avatar
        0A5599

        Clark Griswold was too late with his.

        https://pics.imcdb.org/0is132/vacation4pt9.976.jpg

        Reply
    3. Lokki Avatar
      Lokki

      All hail the Vista Cruiser!

      Reply
  4. Batshitbox Avatar
    Batshitbox

    c2

    Reply
  5. Batshitbox Avatar
    Batshitbox

    How did it get to be Wednesday already? Did I miss Two-wheel Tuesday? Can I combine Two-wheel Tuesday and Wagon Wednesday and just say Two-door Wagon?

    Custom Poncho, basically an El Camino with a roof. That rear window… Rowr!

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/de3c5f33559f895caf28e81de98b85ad2d389ccfbfca3dd9574cf46acf4bf085.jpg

    Stock Studebaker Scotsman. Really not PC name there. They were called Scotsmans because they were the cheap (some may say frugal) model.

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/123f7785704e81372e57f2e00056a4ec5de2719c0f18564d7dbe637472e90af9.jpg

    Reply
    1. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      Could have saved money on the Scotsman by not making the fins so large…

      Reply
      1. Batshitbox Avatar
        Batshitbox

        TL;DR The Scotsman was a low option Champion, and outsold the Champion, and begat the Lark, which served as the nose of the Champ; and Studebaker went out of business because no lower level could be attained.

        Oh, my friend, know ye not the frugality of post WW2 Studebaker products? Did ye not see the Studebaker Champ I posted not a week ago in answer to a “Hooniverse Asks:…”? Let me yield the floor to the first 4 paragraphs of the Wikipedia page on the Champ, whilst I research what abandoned Packard and Nash products went into the Scotsman Wagon.

        The Champ:
        “Designed at a time when Studebaker’s truck line had not seen major upgrading in over 10 years, the company, which had endured years of declining sales, was forced to use a number of existing components.

        The chassis and cargo box of the Champ were basically the same as what had been used for Studebaker’s Β½ and ΒΎ-ton trucks since 1949, but the cab section was very different.

        An entirely new cab was out of the question because of cost considerations, but the new Lark compact car’s body proved to be just the right size and shape to suit the purpose. The engineering staff took a four-door sedan, cut it in half behind the front doors and modified the front half slightly to fit the truck chassis. The only new sheetmetal stamping that was required was the back wall of the new cab. Minor modifications for mounting of the cab to the 1949-vintage truck frame were also made.

        The Lark’s front end sheetmetal was retained as well, but funds were allocated to give the Champ a new horizontal-bar grille that delivered a “tougher” look.” -Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studebaker_Champ

        (Research ensues)
        The Scotsman Wagon was just a stripped down Champion Wagon, so the sheet metal was already there. Dealers were instructed to not option the Scotsman too much, for fear that a customer might get a Champion in Scotsman clothing. (Maybe call it a Braveheart?)

        As it turns out, the Lark from which the Champ was cobbled together was a direct result of the Scotsman’s success, which ties these threads together quite smart, I think?

        “The Scotsman, which got off to a great start for ’57, continued its success in 1958, outselling the Champion, Commander and President lines combined. The Scotsman proved that Studebaker need not attempt to follow the styling trends of the rest of the industry. Building on the Scotsman’s clean-lined look, Studebaker engineers and designers quickly and cheaply created a new compact car for 1959, the Lark, not as austere as the Scotsman, but able to seat six adults in a package markedly different from its competitors at the time.”

        Reply
        1. outback_ute Avatar
          outback_ute

          I knew most of that, I was just thinking to go ‘full-Scotsman’ they could have used leftover ’56 rear panels or done a special run. After all it would have saved a couple of pounds of sheet metal and a penny or maybe even two of paint!

          Reply
        2. Zentropy Avatar
          Zentropy

          Given that I generally prefer spartan, base-model cars and I have a Scottish surname, I’ve considered getting a Scotsman in the past just for the hell of it. However, I really dislike late-50s American styling (fins in particular). I admittedly own a ’59 Rambler American, but it looks little changed from the 1950 Nash on which it’s based (other than the fender wells). To my eyes, post-war cars up to about 1954 are the sweet spot.

          I might go for a Scotsman pickup, though, which still carried its early-50s look.

          Reply
  6. GTXcellent Avatar
    GTXcellent

    I know we’ve had this Hooniverse Asks at least twice (I answered Conestoga once and Radio Flyer another time) so I won’t bother with a snarky answer again. I’ve said it multiple times, but I don’t care for wagons.

    However, there is a certain wagon I saw many, many years ago that still stirs something inside of me – My Dad took me to a local car show when I was a wee lad (it had to have been at least 35 years ago), and the only car I can remember was an absolutely stunning, 1956 Ford Parklane hot rod – pearl white with dark, dark purple accents. Slight chop, Lake pipes, Cragars, it was perfect. I obviously don’t have a picture – but in the far recesses of my mind I can still picture it. That’s a wagon I’d love to have.

    Picture this one, only with that gorgeous pearl roof and fenders, and dark purple (egg plant? aubergine?) hood
    http://smclassiccars.com/uploads/postfotos/rare-restomod-1956-ford-parklane-wagon-351c6-ps-4wpdb-ac-tilt-nomad-55-57-5.JPG

    Reply
    1. 0A5599 Avatar
      0A5599

      I figured you would have picked something more familiar.

      https://i3.wp.com/o.aolcdn.com/images/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/800×450/format/jpg/quality/85/https://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/440sixpackwagonlead.jpg

      Reply
      1. Zentropy Avatar
        Zentropy

        A GTX-ized Satellite wagon? Yes, please. That’s sweet.

        Reply
  7. Zentropy Avatar
    Zentropy

    That’s like having to choose a favorite beer! Forced to pick, though, I’ll go with the Volvo Amazon/122 (and Bell’s Two-Hearted Ale).

    https://cdn.bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/1968Volvo220Green27-940×588.jpg

    Reply
    1. 0A5599 Avatar
      0A5599

      What about a favorite beer wagon?

      http://www.mackeysclockrepair.com/oldwv-30.jpg

      Reply
      1. Zentropy Avatar
        Zentropy

        Nice choice of response. That brewery used to be in my college town!

        Reply
  8. Batshitbox Avatar
    Batshitbox

    Willys Wagon. (I swear by the end of the day I’ll choose one that’s my “favorite”. Today’s favorite, anyway.)

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2a8880abc4195b2dd407e85649756a096456b5aa6b2f0864ec5c9282960438ff.jpg

    Reply
  9. KentMB1 Avatar
    KentMB1

    the 2008 SRT Magnum https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f391ca3e24f6d60313713005f2417986fc120b2a09a9a2c70313cc01a6a432c9.jpg

    Reply
  10. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    Hard to come up with a straightforward answer. For aesthetics, ride, feel and only the occasional load, there can only be one:

    https://d39a3h63xew422.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/03151638/Volvo-P1800ES-7.jpg

    …but if we’re talking real wagon there is one on top of the pile that really does everything better than the competition:

    https://s1.cdn.autoevolution.com/images/gallery/VOLVO-245-2432_11.jpg

    Reply
    1. 0A5599 Avatar
      0A5599

      You’re misremembering. It was a sedan on top of the pile.

      Reply
      1. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        Now this, of course, turns this whole thing on its head. Once, at least.

        Reply
        1. Vairship Avatar
          Vairship

          That poor graving dock / skeppsdocka!

          Reply
    2. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      Upvote for the 1800ES!

      Reply
    3. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      Love the P1800ES, but in my mind, that’s a shooting brake. The 240, though, is perhaps the definitive wagon.

      Reply
      1. dead_elvis, inc. Avatar
        dead_elvis, inc.

        There’s the P1800, and there’s the 1800ES (& carb’d 1800S & injected 1800E, IIRC) but there’s no such thing as a P1800ES. Volvo dropped the β€œP” after the first 2 years of production.

        (Yes, CL searches say otherwise. Those also provide us with the Chevy β€œCamero” variant.)

        Reply
        1. Zentropy Avatar
          Zentropy

          My apologies– you’re entirely correct. Despite the P1800 accounting for only a small fraction of the total production, I still by default think of them all according to the original name. Most of the cars are probably the 1800S model, so I guess if I’m picking one name, it should be that. Regardless, I’ve been a fan of that little car for decades and sorely regret walking away from a purchase back when I was in my 20s and had plenty of discretionary income and no wife to tell me how to spend it. The 122/Amazon remains my favorite Volvo, though.

          Reply
  11. Manxman Avatar
    Manxman

    “I got a ’34 wagon and I call it a woody” Always my first choice. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e6e3c4022f49c2353590e226c91b0260d8a3ec2515a70ce9a05dcd67caa4e039.jpg
    Sadly not mine. My second choice would be a Corvair wagon. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9bc5cab298b46063acab3657435728de5447c2e2ab470ba9a2a40168266657ae.png

    Reply
    1. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      Corvair wagons are sweet. Nice choice.

      Reply
  12. mdharrell Avatar
    mdharrell

    Of the wagons I’ve driven, my favo[u]rite is the Humber Super Snipe.

    https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/amv-prod-cad-assets/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/LBW12-Winners-IOE-626×426.jpg?resize=4146:*

    Reply
    1. Fuhrman16 Avatar
      Fuhrman16

      What ever happened to the Super Snipe? I know Alan had it for sale for a while, but I haven’t heard anything about it for a few years now.

      Reply
      1. mdharrell Avatar
        mdharrell

        Alan’s first Super Snipe, shown above, was rolled by a guest driver at Chuckwalla in 2012, the same race at which I drove it. This was after it had won an IOE at a previous race. He salvaged enough from it to turn his second Super Snipe (originally a parts car for the first one) into a racer, which he eventually took on the first-ever LeMons Rally through Death Valley in 2016. A little over a month later he won an IOE with the second one, too, at Buttonwillow, thereby bringing the Humber marque up to two-for-two on the IOE front. He sold it shortly after that, then it turned up again with the new owners on the 2017 Monterey-Canadian Border-Monterey Lemons Rally. Alan was also on that rally, but in his Volvo wagon. I haven’t seen the second Super Snipe, or Alan, since then, but that may be in part because I missed last year’s Monterey rally.

        Reply
      2. mdharrell Avatar
        mdharrell

        Alan’s first Super Snipe, shown above, was rolled by a guest driver at Chuckwalla in 2012, the same race at which I drove it. This was after it had won an IOE at a previous race. He salvaged enough from it to turn his second Super Snipe (originally a parts car for the first one) into a racer, which he eventually took on the first-ever LeMons Rally through Death Valley in 2016. A little over a month later he won an IOE with the second one, too, at Buttonwillow, thereby bringing the Humber marque up to two-for-two on the IOE front. He sold it shortly after that, then it turned up again with the new owners on the 2017 Monterey-Canadian Border-Monterey Lemons Rally. Alan was also on that rally, but in his Volvo wagon. I haven’t seen the second Super Snipe, or Alan, since then, but that may be in part because I missed last year’s Monterey rally.

        Reply
  13. Zentropy Avatar
    Zentropy

    Ok, it’s admittedly not my favorite, but a wagon just like this reliably and safely carried me through several winters in high school. I literally never got it stuck, anywhere. I may not have love for the AMC Eagle Wagon, but I do respect it.

    https://images.autotrader.com/scaler/620/420/cms/content/articles/oversteer/2017/05-may/05-09/265257.jpg

    Reply
  14. wunno sev Avatar
    wunno sev

    bit of a cheaty answer since I have one, and I know it’s very subjective. but the Volvo 850 / V70 really tickles my senses in a way that other wagons don’t. the styling looks like the car was designed as a wagon first, and the sedan was the afterthought. it’s got a compact footprint but giant cargo volume, it’s got an optional big-turbo engine, it had a good reputation for its handling back in the day, and it holds up well to use and abuse (though not neglect). but all of these are rationalization. I really just love the styling and the motor. it’s a box, but it’s not an ugly box.

    from a higher level, it’s not the best at anything, but I think it’s such a good package.

    pic below not my car. stolen from swedespeed.
    https://www.swedespeed.com/artman2/uploads/1/98T5_lt_cover_4.jpg
    https://www.swedespeed.com/projects/v70_t5m/index_Project_V70_T5M.html

    Reply
    1. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      Plus probably the most infamous wagon race car too (with apologies to the LeMons Super Snipe!!)

      Reply
      1. 0A5599 Avatar
        0A5599

        TV Tommy and his 4-engine, 4 wheel drive Wagon Master might disagree.

        Reply
        1. outback_ute Avatar
          outback_ute

          Good point, but I’m not sure it would be so clear cut?

          Reply
  15. 1slowvw Avatar
    1slowvw

    My favourite wagon I’ve owned was a VW B3 Passat wagon. My favourite overall? There are just too many great options.

    https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/data/external_url_proxy.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fres.cloudinary.com%2Fmk1-golf-owners-club%2Fimage%2Fupload%2Fc_limit%2Cw_1024%2Fv1441387904%2Fuploads%2Fattachments%2F55e9d57edfba2.jpg

    Reply
  16. SeattleCurmudgeon Avatar
    SeattleCurmudgeon

    Peugeot 504 diesel Dangel
    http://www.eurooldtimers.com/temp/stroj_big_zoom_31454.jpg

    Reply
  17. Zentropy Avatar
    Zentropy

    Ok, it’s admittedly not my favorite, but a wagon just like this reliably and safely carried me through several winters in high school. I literally never got it stuck, anywhere. I may not have love for the AMC Eagle Wagon, but I do respect it.

    https://images.autotrader.com/scaler/620/420/cms/content/articles/oversteer/2017/05-may/05-09/265257.jpg

    Reply
  18. kogashiwa Avatar
    kogashiwa

    Shout out to the Toyota Corona Mark II I grew up in.* Apparently these were actually quite uncommon. My love for the Toyota straight six may have started here.

    Ours was the classic ’70s pea green. A better green than ’70s puke green.

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ad35018ef858139be2528417d719658eac25ed3919e3e2ed21e5dc4ecaf1b931.jpg

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/25aae0d1b7571d068e9ad1557e96d494c27af4ccd7d66f425e95a42df7069099.jpg

    *disclaimer: may have not actually ever grown up

    Reply
  19. Rover 1 Avatar
    Rover 1

    My favourite has to be the Mercedes Benz S124 wagon.
    Specifically one of these, one of about twenty made. Because Pagani don’t make a Zonda wagon, but you can uprate the motor and put it in a 124.

    View post on imgur.com

    https://www.benzworld.org/forums/attachments/w124-e-ce-d-td-class/80370-w124-7-3l-v12-brabus-o-11_1855122_47200633610pm.jpg

    https://i.pinimg.com/originals/af/23/0f/af230f4b8f27ed3917ef391e463c2699.jpg

    Reply
  20. Jeff Glucker Avatar
    Jeff Glucker

    Yeah… I thought it was Wednesday today, when I posted this. Pre-coffee.

    Reply
    1. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      Hey, it’s Wednesday here if that counts.

      Reply
    2. Fuhrman16 Avatar
      Fuhrman16

      If it makes you feel better, I didn’t even notice until you pointed it out.

      Reply
  21. crank_case Avatar
    crank_case

    Favorites really tough to pick, but I’ve always had a hankering for the 1st gen GF8 Subaru WRX Sport Wagon, even if like the Alfa sportwagons, we’re pushing the edges of what counts as a wagon…

    https://img.favcars.com/subaru/impreza-wrx/pictures_subaru_impreza-wrx_1992_2.jpg

    Reply
    1. Vairship Avatar
      Vairship

      Another option for good-looking Subaru wagon: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/dc/GTB-Limited.JPG

      Reply
  22. outback_ute Avatar
    outback_ute

    I’d like an LS-powered E46 BMW 3-series, it seems like it would be tick a few boxes other than perhaps being realistic (not sure how viable it would be to do here legally)

    Reply
  23. PhilLC Avatar
    PhilLC

    Lancia Thema SW with theFerrari V8 engine (8.32 spec) i.e. a Lancia-Ferrari Sation Wagon!

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/5d10a65e7a096d2fb851f0915e74fdf17d287ef101262e139f9cc7d2f32d1df4.jpg

    Reply
    1. Rover 1 Avatar
      Rover 1

      If we’re talking Ferrari wagons, there are these, seven made for The Sultan of Brunei, this one spent quite some time being driven around Kensington, London as the Brunei Consulate Shopping car. A four door estate version of a two door Ferrari, The 456GT Venice Estate.

      https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/Ferrari_456_GT_Venice_%282613856422%29.jpg/1280px-Ferrari_456_GT_Venice_%282613856422%29.jpg

      https://autoweek.com/sites/default/files/styles/gen-932-524/public/venice.jpg

      Reply
      1. PhilLC Avatar
        PhilLC

        but I prefer the Lancia πŸ™‚
        I was aware of these one-offs for the Sultan…

        Reply
        1. Rover 1 Avatar
          Rover 1

          One offs would be extravagant, they made seven.

          I like Lancias too, I will never sell my Gamma Coupe. πŸ™‚

          Pininfarina made a wagon out of that too. The Olgiatta.

          https://i.pinimg.com/originals/1f/00/bf/1f00bf09b9cf9290ec045c55accb7bae.jpg

          Reply
          1. Rover 1 Avatar
            Rover 1

            https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b5/Lancia_Gamma_Olgiata_1982_schr%C3%A4g.JPG/1280px-Lancia_Gamma_Olgiata_1982_schr%C3%A4g.JPG

          2. PhilLC Avatar
            PhilLC

            such a mistake of Lancia not to produce these in series…

          3. Rover 1 Avatar
            Rover 1

            Particularly the Scala. Subaru proved the worth of the mechanical layout, and the efficacy of the big capacity flat four. It’s just a shame Lancia didn’t make them to the required standard. My Gamma is an odd mix of Mercedes Benz material, assembly and design quality mixed with Lada material and design quality. The Gamma was a big influence on the Subaru Lagacy’s designers.
            Do you have a Lancia?

          4. PhilLC Avatar
            PhilLC

            Lancia had huge experience with flat 4s. The Flavia…Subaru copied Borgward…

          5. PhilLC Avatar
            PhilLC

            https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/b984a9ab1c29779eff4a3e09eecc561b8b111c03e87af3382a98f51da75d0698.jpg

            Gammas at the Pinifarina works. Berlina, Coupe & Scala 4 door. My photo.

          6. Rover 1 Avatar
            Rover 1

            Wow.What a lovely line up! I understood that the Scala was in private ownership, I noticed it was for sale in the UK a while ago.How did you get to take the photo?.

          7. PhilLC Avatar
            PhilLC

            it was a special Gamma event to celebrate its 30 years and several Gamma clubs/Gamma owners came together in Turin to celebrate. It was 10 years ago. I had Gamma owner friends and had joined the event. One of the stops was at Pininfarina. We also met the designer of the Gamma Aldo Brovarone. The Scala was in Italian ownership at that time.

      2. PhilLC Avatar
        PhilLC

        but I prefer the Lancia πŸ™‚
        I was aware of these one-offs for the Sultan…

        Reply
  24. salguod Avatar
    salguod

    I’m late to the party (Saturday is my Hooniverse catch up day) but I’m surprised no one mentioned GM clamshell wagons from the early 70s. Needs to be pre-’73 so you get the smaller bumpers. Fastback styling, big and practical and that trick tailgate.

    Make mine an Oldsmobile.

    https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Olds-1971-CC-14.jpg

    Reply
    1. Vairship Avatar
      Vairship

      Why not go with the top of the line? https://www.hemmings.com/blog/wp-content/uploads//2012/09/1974CadillacSedandeVille_02_700.jpg Okay, it was never available from the factory, but it’s beautiful and you can never go wrong with tail fins…

      Reply
      1. salguod Avatar
        salguod

        That’s pretty neat, but I actually like the look of the Olds better. Although the one in the pic I found is a little rough. πŸ˜€

        Reply
  25. What_Tha Avatar
    What_Tha

    My first car. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a7069ecf39768e50f2367d930bb3037a2d354d04a1d515f1db82a60ecdb6f165.jpg

    Reply