Designing a new station wagon

I was actually thinking about doing that, and I specifically in class told him that it was a global design, not just a united states design.

 

First and foremost, a wagon needs a full sized car to be based on, or the economy of scale is gone. A PROPER version of a Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis, with a good engine of sufficient size. A real frame under it! The ability to carry a 4X8 sheet of plywood is a must have for a real wagon. That is, with the tail gate shut. As has been mentioned, the drop down/swing open tailgate works well. Ford came out with that idea in 66, and it lasted through the 91 model year on the Country Squire and Colony Park. That is a real tailgate. I would say the ability to tow at least 5,000 pounds with the right equipment. Space to seat up to 8 in comfort. The other thing is remember the sight lines! The new vehicles SUCK! Forget the rising belt line, as all you end up with are blind spots, and forget the sagging roof, as you lose utility. One other thing: An ENGINE. Not these lousy things we have now, but a real engine, with a torque peak that happens way low down in the revs where you can use it. My old 351W had the torque peak at 2,200, which was why the performance axle was a 2.73:1. Most of all, make the thing strong. People load them up and go long distance. Strong frame, strong body, strong engine, strong transmission. Make the body out of double sided galvanized metal of sufficient thickness that it doesn't dent if you look at it funny.

I can't wait to see the design you come up with. This ought to be good!

 

Actually think retro here guys. the new Camaro, the Mustang, the Challenger! All selling well


How about a Nomad retro-wagon with the roundback frame!

 

My 72 Beator has 2 fairly large yet small drawers in the front dash....... The called them.........










Wait for it!................




































A ash tray! They even have a lite so if it's dark you can find your nail clippers

 

Tedy the young man is recreating the station wagon here. It has nothing to do with ash trays! But a couple of small drawers without those danged round holey cigarette butt holders taking up space would be nice for loose change, extra keys............................... and---and








and maybe nail clippers. You never know when a man's favorite mutt may snag a nail. :2_thumbs_up_-_anima
I do believe a well built low priced updated real station wagon similar to those built in the 70's would be a good seller. That is with a few change drawers .

 

I guess our input..... what kind of wagon did you have in mind, full size, mid size, compact? Myself, I have to admit I was old school thinking also, must be able to cary a full sheet of plywood with door closed, yet I've only done that once and will never do it again as to much risk scratching the interior panels so you loading it 20x slower. So although the room of a full size is great for trips etc, who in there rite mind would buy a brand new station wagon today because you know it would not be cheap and then pack lumber around in it? Every body knows some body with a truck, many member have a truck also, or in my case I'm using my honeys worn out full frame rwd GM mini van witch I have and only once hauled full sheets of plywood with the seats out but even that was the same hassle of 'don't scratch interior" so I bout a utility trailer...... saving the whale!

A wagon in todays world should be luxury, a comfy touring machine with good visibility and room for your luggage and or on the roof if need be......and a trailer hitch so ya don't need to haul lumber, you could then even haul a small camper trailer

 

........ You could put your nail clippers in the round holey and all ways be able to find them!

 

This driver could sure use his nails trimmed. If only he had a late model station waon with a handy drawer for his nail clippers!

I do agree that even A LOW PRICED MODERN STATION WAGON WOULD COST TOO MUCH TO USE LIKE A TRUCK. Small utility trailers are very popular and very few young people are gonna haul plywood around.

 

In the above picture, Griffin is driving Deb's newer SUV, it has no ash tray, so there is nowhere to put his nail clippers, But it does have useless coin slots....

 

So..... Cat wants this in the new station wagon.........











Me.... I would like some thing like this.....

.....

Decisions, decisions.....

 

Toyota had a nice little Corolla wagon. It didn't have enough room for a sheet of plywood, or a 'way way back' third row seat, but it handled surfboards pretty well, and a bicycle would fit with the backseat folded down and the bikes front wheel removed.



If you want to sell cars, the price needs to be something the average Joe can afford. To keep costs down, you would want to use as many off the shelf parts as possible.
This has been done successfully in the past with cars like the Ford Mustang, based on the lowly but practical Falcon.
A bit less Less succesfully with the Pontiac Fiero.
And don't forget GMs epic fail, the front wheel drive minivan based Aztek.

 

Ok here is my top 10 list:

1. At least 18 feet long and wide enough for 4x8 sheet of plywood in the back.

2. tasteful hood ornament

3. white wall tires at least 3/4" inch thick

4. optional WOODY!!!

5. V8 RWD with a tow-package

6. Luggage Rack

7. Don't be stingy with the chrome.

8. Power Vista Roof or Moonroof would be cool.

9. Third row seating

10. Two-way tail gate with power window that goes down.

 

And by the way kiddo......

If you build it (right), they will come!!!!!

 

A hood ornament?
Seriously?

 

Not just a hood ornamant--------- tasteful hood ornament----------:confused:SERIOUSLY ? Does that leave out the devil thumbing his nose or a big busted naked lady? Now I'd be intersted in one of those.