Clam Shell

The Clamshell is the sort of wagon I want, but I suspect the choice is limited here in the UK.
My understanding is that they were current from 1972-76, and were available in the following variants in order of price/prestige: Chevrolet Brookwood/Caprice; Pontiac Grand Safari; Buick Estate Wagon and Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser. I believe all variants could be powered by either a 350 or 455 cubic-inch V8.
Is this correct?

 

In fact 1971 was the first year. A Chevy could have the 400 or 454 as well. The 455's (B-O-P.) were all different engines (BBB-BBO-BBP).
I know of a (green/no woodgrain) 1972 Buick Estate Wagon for sale 2 or 3 years ago in the UK, however I cannot find the ad anymore so I consider it's been sold in the mean time..

 

Hello, Rob
Thanks for that. The green Buick you speak of was for sale at an outfit in Redhill (Surrey) called Dream Cars a few years back. It was as you describe with the Buick 455 engine.
Interestingly, my father drove an Australian Holden Kingswood station wagon (a 1974 model, I think) which had many of the clam shell styling features, but was nowhere near as big and only had a 202-ci L6 engine. The window line was near-identical (as was that of the Vauxhall Victor of the time)
GM cars looked very similar in all parts of the world, then as now.

 

Found the photos of the one I meant: more grayish/greenish. I recall the price was high.

 

oh,those clamshells

Knew only one person who had one.A 72 or 73 Kingswood Estate.It took two people to open and close the back end,,,it had degraded to the point of being "power assisted" and both the glass and tailgate needed to be moved by hand.But only while someone was twisting the key in the switch...And it wasn't easy.And,one time,my friend had to reach in and yank a magazine out of the way for the tailgate to open all the way.

 

A nice example.....

This is not my car, but one I was lucky enough to see this 100% rust free 1974 Pontiac Grand Safari wagon at one of the local cruise-ins this evening...
this was a very high optioned car... 3rd seat, A/C, tilt, FM radio, cruise control, power windows, power door locks, power tailgate, power seat, etc. The car appeared to be wearing its original paint. The only flaw I seen was a small surface rust spot on front fender and it was missing the emblem on the right front fender.

 

Dang! Now that is one great looking clamshell! I love the way the rear reflectors are part of the woodgrain framing. Nice touch, Pontiac.

 

Yeah and I am not sure about the 1974 models, but the 1971-73 models had the reflectors actually built into the woodgrain... meaning the woodgrain itself on the tailgate was reflective... that was pretty neat.

 

Did the tailgate work?

 

Like you already mentioned in another thread: change the rims, back to original.
On a car show yesterday a good friend told me he still had all the NOS weather stripping (incl tailgate ) which he got with his former car; a 74 Pontiac Safari. Doesn't want to sell, cause he now is looking for another clamshell.

 

I noticed in this month's issue of 'Classic American', that the same car is for sale again. The photo provided is not very flattering (the car seems to be filthy) but I will go and look at it.

 

BTW..., Clamshell is where bad clams go when they die, Surprised you guys didn't know that.