http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/07/the-last-great-gasp-of-the-american-station-wagon/373776/
Yes it is a nice article. Here's something I found very interesting because I once had a chance to have one free. This is in the story. In 1923, Star, a division of Durant Motors—a short-lived automotive company that was meant to be direct competition of General Motors—was the first car company to offer a factory-built station wagon. I've written about this before. I worked with a guy who lived near a few of my relatives not far from Peoria, Illinois. Only Otto lived more in the country. Not farm land. Just not developed yet. Otto often told me about an old woodie wagon in the field across the road from him. No one seemd to know anything about it. It just sat there for years, even ignored by vandals and kids. I remember it being complete and decent for a weathered old woody. Finally I went to look at it. Not sure of the year but I'd bet in the early 20's. A Star woody wagon pretty much all original. I still remember the STAR emblem on the radiator. I knew nothing about early station wagons and after I saw the fancy hand printed writting on the side I assumed it was hand built by a carpenter. The name and address were for a local cabinet shop that apparently no longer existed. The engine was a Continental 4 very similar to those used where I worked on the small enterplant RR "Jeeps." Those heavy brutes were like airports had. I once drove one a few years moving small flat cars from building to building. Those engines were nearly indestructable with a governor to limit RPM and speed. From what I remember many small car companies used the Continental engines. I also remember them on welders. I looked at the Star several times and my coworker begged me to haul it off. I already had a Model T, a 1933 Chevy, and other old cars to mess with. I also was afraid to take it not knowing who may own it. As time went by I got promoted and not working with Otto, forgot about the Star. I do know the area was subdivided and homes built on those lots. My guess is the old Star woody was scrapped. After all back then it was just an eyesore. Once again I may have had a rare vehicle. But there were even more that got away! An Ottawa,which was a Model T built in Ottawa, Illinois and about a 1925 Buick coupe near where we lived. Even an old Rolls Royce in a barn. Still I could have owned the first station wagon. You'd be calling me Cat Star!
Interesting article indeed. It was kind of funny, I thought, while reading some of the comments, that one of the reasons wagon demand decreased was their reputation of being outdated family movers that weren't really "cool". One of the commenters, obviously belonging to a generation at least one under mine, stated that the mini vans eventually attained that very same reputation, hence the popularity of SUV's. I wonder if there will ever be a minivans forum where fans of those vehicles, much like us with station wagons, will do what we do but will be chatting about Dodge Caravans and Ford Aerostars as we do about Town & Countrys and Country Squires.
Snooter I'm sure there will be or already are. Some people love their minivans. I knock them but a few brands are very handy and have decent room inside. I nearly bought a red HHR panel truck. I guess that's a minvan.
No it isn't...it's a GM-built @$$ on 4 wheels. Try changing a headlight or turn signal bulb, and it goes down from there.
This about sums it up, right here: the station wagon wasn't just a car; it was the epitome, at least for a while, of what it meant to be a modern American family. Well said. I for one agree, and will do my best to carry on the tradition.
It was my oldest son's fault. He drives past that Illinois Chevy dealership on his way to work and back. He'd told me about the red HHR panel before we left Florida. It was red and looked cute. But the way it was built there was really not a lot of space in the rear. Plus only seating for two. To empress my wife the dealer started it and turned the AC on as we looked in the windows. Cute is not always good! So we next nearly bought a like new HHR minivan thingie. As I looked back at my quadcab, paid for, truck I wondered why I was gonna trade and have payments again. Common sense and reality sunk in and I passed. It's been several years now and we are still happy with the truck. Sure fuel mileage stinks, about half of the HHR. But what I'd save in gas I'd paid out in payments.
