Designing a new station wagon

Hello everyone.


I just so happen to be a sophomore at the college for creative studies majoring in transportation design (cars, boats, bikes, etc...), and for my one class we have to write up character profiles to base a car around. I would like to do one about what the station wagon faithful really want out of a station wagon, so I can design a wagon around it as part of my class project. Any suggestions, thoughts, or ideas I greatly appreciate!

 

The 1958(?) Ford experimental 'Push Button Camper' has it all...
http://www.prewarcar.com/postwarclassic/magazine/previous-features/push-button-camping-020759.html

Then there's this:
http://www.woodyboater.com/communityweb/1954-kom-pak-sportsman-are-hotel-prices-getting-you-down/

Ford really was into wagons, I think they sold more than anyone else, back in the day.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alcue/sets/72157618427084400/
http://www.amazon.com/Ford-Treasury-Station-Wagon-Living/dp/1290656894
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25evi_n6c9g
http://www.cheaprvlivingforum.com/post/Vintage-Station-Wagon-Living-Article-5737293

A station wagon from the 1950's up is really just a sedan with a long roof, a tailgate, and second and third row seats that fold flat.
Federal safety regs killed the rear facing "way way back" third seat.

Good luck!

 

....but with a roof rack!


Seriously though, I think you have a cool project ahead of you. So IMO...what a wagon owner (me) would like to see in the show room.....

1... A flat roof like the older wagons, not like as example and no offence to any owners...but the Magnum wagon roofline slopes back so much you can't take full advantage of the cargo space.

2... Leave all the weird fugly front end styles with head lamps rolling almost up[ to the windshield in the trash can, try giving a older look a modern face lift with style.... as example, what Chrysler did with the Challenger, NOT what GM did to the Camaro.

3... I was serious about the roof rack, but a real rack that you can strap another wagon to it's so strong.

4... V8, RWD!

5... Tailgate window that slides down into the gate.

 

Tough assignment - that's like asking 100 guys what makes a girl beautiful - you'll get 100 different answers.

What do the station wagon faithful really want out of a station wagon -for me?
1. Styling - low and sleek - not a minivan.
2 Utility - Choice of 2 door or 4 door versions; wide opening tail gate; able to open the tail gate in more than one direction (from the side like a door to a house, from the top like a SUV); able to open the glass on the tail gate separate from the rear door itself. Seating for 5 or 6 (bucket seats up front or a 60/40 split seat for 3 in the front, 3 in the rear). No 3rd row seats - get a minivan if you need that many seats. Ability to remove rear seats quickly/easily.
3. Capacity - a 4x8 sheet of plywood used to be the standard bearer; it would be great if that could still be accomplished (with rear seats folded down or removed).
4. Towing - 3000 lb minimum rating.
5. Drivetrain - choice of diesel or gas engine; ability to switch from rear wheel drive to all wheel drive. Available with a manual transmission.

Let us know how your assignment turns out!

 

cool! from my side somewhat of a retro look, clean lines, 2 tone or "wood";
the Ford Flex has some elements that I think are good such as the lines on the back. Tailgating features might be fun. And distinctive tail lights.
Let us know how you progress.

 

I mostly liked Jrwscout's response, but added a few of my own comments.

 

Thank you guys on your input so far, this is really awesome, and is helping me a lot! Later tonight Ill have some concept sketches to post.

 

and to ad to that...... a ash tray, Although I smoke, I never use one in the car and it's more user friendly for parking change than the stupid coin slots they put in new cars.


And don't ask for a government bail out on your design, if you do I won't buy it no matter how awesome it looks!

 

...and now we know why Tedy's pics of the dogs in the back of the wagon always show the tailgate window open. The dogs would rather breath the exhaust from the car than the exhaust from Tedy's cigarettes (they don't know that Tedy won't light up in the car).

 

Lots of good suggestions. I agree about the ash tray rather than the coin holders. But since I don't smoke I'd like to see it just as a small drawer for change, nail clippers, keys, and other small items.
Good luck.

 

Cat, I think that clipping your nails while you're driving could be every bit as distracting as texting while driving (especially if you're clipping toe nails).

 

LMAO


Well to ad to the wagons design yet again...... a properly placed exhaust system (function over looks) prevents exhaust fumes ( and cigarette ) from entering the way back of a wagon with the tailgate window open


DON'T GM on mid size and have the rear door windows not roll down, and Don't Mopar as the Volarie's did and have no breathing in the back because the gate window was fixed. All and all, in the mid size wagons I found my fox body's the best.... rear door windows rolled down and the tail gate although opened up on a hinge had the extra option of being able to open the window on hinge by itself. But if we are talking full size, lets do the tailgate correct

 

......They called it a ash tray

 

Yes but I don't need an ash tray I need a small drawer or even several, for small items. Yes my nail clippers, which I use a few times a year in the parking lots while my wife spends money in the stores.
I also liked the type rear tailgate and window like my 1972 Gran Torino had. Altho a clam shell looks nice a real fold down tailgate for sitting on and hauling longer items is nice. I also agree with the third seat and all seats behind the front seats folding flush with the floor.

 

can you show me a picture of the 72 gran torino tailgate folded down?