New wave of performance wagons shines light on history's coolest

1965 Chevrolet Impala wagon

By Casey Williams
MyCarData

(May 4, 2017) A wave of performance wagons from Germany and Sweden is focusing attention on the once-forgotten segment.  Buick is even getting in on the act, and the Subaru Outback is a pillar, but could they stand up to these past wagons?

1941 Chrysler Town & Country
Back when “station wagon” literally meant a car that took people and luggage to train stations, T&C ruled.  Just prior to World War II, the 8-passenger wagon was the first woodie (actual wood, not vinyl applique) with a steel roof.  Rear wooden “Barrel Back” double doors are still beautiful and useful.  No other wagon was every this classy.

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300c
A one-off job for Mrs. Caroline Folke, who enjoyed the car in Paris, New York, and Palm Beach, this is a stunning ‘Benz based on the “Adenaur” model.  Bodywork by Binz is completely custom from the front doors back. Blue paint and red leather mirror Mrs. Folke’s yacht.  Opulent features include air-conditioning, Becker Mexico radio, and exquisite wood.  It was sold at auction in 2010 for $242,000.

1970 Buick Estate
A star of the campy movie, The Way Way Back, this big Buick wagon impressed.  Painted green with woodgrain and a vinyl top, it’s especially fetching.  A floaty suspension carried the wagon’s huge 455 cu.-in. (7.5-liter) V8 aloft while the 3-speed automatic transmission got it done.  Pull up in front of any country club and you’ll be a celebrity.  

1985-1992 Volvo 740 Turbo Wagon
As square as the cargo container it emigrated in, the turbocharged wagon was an icon of its age.  Ads of the time placed it alongside an equally square-edged Lamborghini Countach pulling a cargo trailer.  Beyond its turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and 120 mph top speed, it was as safe and comfortable as your grandmother’s living room.

1977-1990 Chevy Caprice
In November 1983, my parents took delivery of brown Caprice Classic wagon – third seat and all.  It was powered by a 150 horsepower 5.0-liter V8 that had an impossible time pulling our 24-foot RV, but took my family all over the country.  Now a legitimate classic, these cars are a testament to their robustness and fondness from their owners.

1986-1995 Ford Taurus
I still remember seeing this jelly bean in a commercial.  It was a sleek, aero-tuned vision of the future – one of the coolest wagons ever.  It’s streamlined nose, rear sloping roofline, and tall vertical taillamps were hallmarks.  It was also a very quiet and comfortable car that looked great in ‘80s driveways.  Too bad its ugly successor bombed!

1994-1996 Buick Roadmaster
This wagon debuted in 1991 flaunting a body shared with the Chevy Caprice and Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser, but things got real in 1994 when the Corvette’s V8 was slipped under the hood.  Enjoying 260 horsepower, the Roadmaster could slay many sport coupes of the day – all while carrying up to seven passengers in full-size luxury.

1995 Subaru Outback
In one of the most brilliant automotive moves, Subaru jacked up its all-wheel-drive Legacy wagon and timed it perfectly with the crossover age.  Then, it employed Crocodile Dundee to sell them.  It worked, endearing it to buyers who bought 182,898 of the Indiana-built car last year, making it America’s best-selling wagon.

2006-2008 Dodge Magnum SRT8
You could steer this muscle-bound grocery cart with its rear wheels.  A decade ago, the 425 horsepower 6.1-liter HEMI V8 leapt from 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds.  As with the current Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, Magnum rode on late ‘90s Mercedes E-Class architecture, putting sophisticated ride and handling with monstrous power.  

2011-2014 Cadillac CTS-V
Ask any auto journalist to name their favorite cars and the CTS-V Wagon will be on the list.  Packing a 556 horsepower 6.2 liter supercharged V8 engine from the Corvette ZR-1, available six-speed manual transmission, and Magnetic Ride Control suspension, it could hold court with supercars.  Those roof-high taillamps left impressions.

2018 Buick TourX
I have no doubt the new Buick TourX, an extended Regal built in Germany, will leave its mark on wagondom.  Standard all-wheel-drive, 250 horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and 8-speed transmission kick it forward.  A hands-free liftgate, variable roof rack, and 4G Wi-Fi add convenience.  The active hood raises to protect pedestrians while a full suite of technology avoids crashes.