What are the things you like about your wagon the most?

It was the motivator for finding this forum and so many online friends

I really never gave the question any thought. And I've been ignoring an answer. I believe saf57 has the best answer of all. After all, that is why I am here.
I didn't realize such a boring subject could be so much fun. Sometimes I actually forget it's a station wagon forum. For that reason I am sorry.
But way back when I bought it the reason was I had a 1955 Chevy 2-door post and a 1957 Chevy BelAir 2-door HT. But I had the need for something to haul parts in from the swap meets. I started looking for a tri-five sedan delivery when I saw my 55 wagon several times as I was going home from work. I followed it and soon it was mine.
Since that cold January I learned to do more things to improve old cars and my newly adopted son learned right along side me. We both feel the 55 Chevy wagon is a part of our family. Especially when we sold it and took three years to get it back.
It's proven itself as a parts hauler, show car, vacation vehicle, and much more. Besides, we get more stares, thumbs ups, and questions than any vehicle I have ever owned. So I suppose another reason is because it's different and as easy to work on as any old Chevy, with parts interchangablities endless.

 

I bought mine for two reasons. What started me looking was the fact that I was tired of having my two dogs ride in the front seat of my truck whenever I went anywhere. Now, I could have bought an SUV or a minivan, but I also had the urge to acquired a car to piddle around with again, as my autobody and mechanic tools have been gathering dust since I got out of the car repair business.

I was looking for a nice, untouched Falcon or Fairlane wagon but ran across this original survivor Catalina wagon. I prefer bare bones, un-optioned vehicles that don't have a lot of electrical options to fry out, and this one was also the last year before computer controlled engines came out. I can have fun with it and make my own modifications and paint. While the original paint is failing, it doesn't have a single speck of rust anywhere. And the best thing is that I only gave $1200 for it and it had new tires, exhaust, ball joints, shocks, and alternator. It was the deal of the century.

 

What I like best about my wagon, foregoing any of the wagon-specific attributes, is the fact that it will be unique. There are no more than a handful of the Commuters left, let alone '67s. But also because I am tweaking it to be my own, and how I would have wanted it optioned if I had purchased it new (even if the options didn't exist then!)

Second right now, but surely will be first once I have it on the road is it will be the family cruiser that will go anywhere and be fun. The kids are so excited about riding in it, and I know that they will excited with the attention it gets when we go places.

Plus, not having to go places in the minivan won't hurt either.

 

The rear-facing 3rd row, of course! Had to give my kids the same view I had as a kid!

-Mike

 

I never thought of it until I read your post. you like me have a wagon that is far from common today, myself... although I clearly don't have the cool styling like yours as mine with its freeken big nose it's pretty darn rare. For the full size plain jane Mercurys of 71 and 72 I've online found no other Canadian Meteors in existence other than the really nice 71 that happens to be in my city. The only other one is in Washington state, a 71 US model Mercury owned by a member here. So does this mean there are only 3 know to exist with this front end style....the last US model for 71.... the last Canadian model for 71.... and mine, the last Canadian for 72? I like that when I think about it

May be rare, but too bad there styling won't let them be worth big $$

 

I like mine because I just like wagons. As a bonus, it's loud, fast, and has an idle lope to kill for. I have a 71 K5 Blazer that I show so I don't drive that too much other than to shows. My 65 GTO is apart in the middle of restoration, and I have a 65 Fairlane K code hipo 4 speed with 40K original miles. Since I got the wagon, it is all I want to drive. After 3 or 4 evening cruises for ice cream and to enjoy the summer evening in the wagon, my wife recently asked "can't we take a cool car tonight"? I am contemplating divorce after 37 years .

 

rsavage I just looked it up and that is grounds for divorce unless she straighens up immediately and begs to go for a ride in your station wagon.
The poor woman may need consuling immediately.

 

HHhhmmmm, lets see now.......




Yup, divorce granted

 

Slow down Tedy. We have to think this over very carefully. It's possible his wife could get the goldmine and he gets the shaft. After much thinking I'd rather stay married to an unfaithful wife than loose the beautiful wagon. After all, she may come around to thinking logically someday. I've heard that some women can do that.
I hope fannie and the other female members don't read this or you are in trouble Fat Tedy! After all, i am not really here. I'm on vacation.

 

Hey man, I did say...........should I have said...,,, or





BTW, thanks for the post card of the resort your staying while in, Illinois..... I can see why you left Florida...............


.....or should I say

 

I really don't know what more to add. After all, it's a family problem and even the law does not like to get involved in family problems. Might be a really nice wagon up for sale soon. I do know I'd stop buying her ice cream!

 

There is so much I love about my wagon,

Its just such a great car.

Styling, comfort, flexibility, power, usefulness and size.

I love how it captures so many peoples imagination's of holidays, relaxing, outdoor trips etc.

I love how others gaze at my wagon in either awe of its size, (glitzy meets suburban styling of the 70's) puts so many smiles on others as well as my own for its unique and craziness-meets-practicality.

I love the power under the hood, how the front raises under hard acceleration from traffic lights! its smoothness and burbley tone.

I love its flexibility and usefulness, hows its so terribley middle-class, cool, surfer-dudey and stylish all wrapped into one car.

I love how in a lot of Movies how it is that the Wagon is always the car that saves the day! - "Adventures in Babysitting" - "Vacation" - "Harry and the Hendersons" - "Close encounters of the third kind" - "Beethoven" and many more.

I'm just hooked. late 70's and 80's models are defo the ones for me though.

WagonQueen.

 

Actually, no need to be thinking that way. This sounds like the time your wife starts bringing a classic car too. You'll have two cars at every car show and cruise in.

 

I like my wagon cause its.... cause ahuh, well! cause
I got it!!!! It always makes the 10 ugliest cars ever built !

 

...but it's a cool fugly