Yes. Those wagons would have a split rear bench (middle seat) to allow access to the third seat. In the 60's I think some of the GM wagons had that feature.
The Olds Vista Cruisers / Buick Sport Wagons (the ones with the glass roof) of '66 - 72 had forward facing third seats. Also, pretty much any 'suv' type wagon, such as the Chevy Suburban or Ford Expedition would have forward facing third seats.
This is why the Vista and Sport Wagon came with longer wheelbases than the other A-body wagons. Normally the rearward facing third seat is behind the rear axle. It was necessary to stretch the wheelbase to make enough room for the forward facing seats to be in front of the rear axle.
You can also add the 1955/56 Dodge, Desoto and Chrysler 8 passenger wagons to the list as well. I dont recall that Plymouth in these years offered an 8 passenger wagon the wheel base was too short - Plymouth had a 115" wheel base while Dodge & Desoto shared a 120", Desoto also shared a 126" wheel base with Chrysler.
Thanks guys. It's been years since I rode in a Vista Cruiser, 30 to be exact. I forgot about the 3rd seat facing forward. Newer wagons don't have that feature? I was pretty sure all suvs and vans have the forward facing 3 (or more) rows.
The forward facing third seat is also the reason for the raised roof, needed head clearance to get back there and to sit in the seat. The third seat sits a few inches higher than the rest of the seats because it does sit partially over the floor section over the rearend, had to have a window forward in the roof or the adult sized passengers would be staring at headliner. The literature says GM wanted an adult male wearing a hat to have enough room to sit back there. The extra length was also to make room for the larger side door to make room to get in and out. You can put an A body wagon rear facing seat in a two seater Vista, I was thinking of doing it for kicks but went the resto route. The welding point dimples are all there, same as any A body wagon beyond the rear doors, same tailgate, been told the cargo area side covers are too but not totally sure about that, sure look the same.
Peugeot supplied his 404, 504 and 505 "familiale" with the 3rd seat row FF. The Volvo XC90 is still supplied with the same config.
