Funny how perception is so different over time and space... in 1990 Germany I swapped my boring, uncool VW T3 Transporter turned campervan for a giant, super cool US-made '79 Ford LTD station wagon (insert exploding van life hipster heads here). The Ford had a V8 and 140 hp as well as pathetic mileage, and I loved it to the death. Thank you Ed for another, specially great episode!!

"because French station wagons break down all the time" ah a man of culture I see

My friend's girlfriend used to have this big ol boxy Volvo station wagon. I believe it was a 245 from the 80s. Thing was beat to hell and back and had well over 500k miles on it. Looked like it had been repainted at least once. But it ran without any major issues and was built like a tank.

Back in the day (early 80s), when my car needed brakes after they caught fire (that is another story) I needed something to drive. I found a Vista Cruiser for $75, and it was an overheating beast, but it lasted just long enough until my car was repaired. Ahhh, the Vista Cruiser. Thanks for the memories.

I remember in the 70's and 80's going to demolition derbies. The Station wagons were the car of choice because they could really batter other cars with that back end.

My dad bought a CTS-V wagon back when they were offered, I fell in love with station wagons because of it, I love them more than I can describe 😂

I’m the proud owner of a Buick Regal TourX and love it. So few were sold that I often get asked what it is and compliments on its styling. It is so much more comfortable than an SUV.

In Argentina, the model is known as "rural" (probably because it was suitable for rural areas). However, the Renault 18 Break was very popular and a lot of people call them break after that.

I used to own a 1953 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon (model 79R). Having restored the wood myself, I can assure the world that the wood was STRUCTURAL, unlike other late-era woodie wagons that were metal with some wood attached. The C and D-pillars were seasoned Northern Ash, which was the only thing holding up the roof. The back panels of the tailgate and part of the doors were Mahogany. I used to love sleeping in the back when traveling, because when I'd wake up in the morning, I'd look up and see all that LUMBER above me. Gorgeous!

Actually we do call them station wagons in Australia. Once they were very popular. I always thought they were called 'station' after our huge outback farms...that are called 'stations' . Such as a 'sheep station'. In USA called 'ranch' and uk 'estate'...all after their farms. So your train station theory was new to me. very interesting ...and great episode.

I learned to drive in a '69 Ford Fairlane 500 wagon. As heavy as it was it could still move out. These were the days when you could order your car just the way you wanted it built. Dad dropped a 351C into for towing purposes. It would smoke the tires! Loved that car.

This is undoubtedly one of the most entertaining channels on KZfaq! While I'm not really a "car guy", I have a little interest in the history of said wallet-eaters, err, vehicles. But the thing that makes THIS channel so fun is the host! Wonderful sense of humor built into every video along with the solid historical content! I jump on each new video made here as soon as I see it!

Ah, crap, Ed! Now I'm going to have nightmares about the 70's coming back to get me! Seriously, another great episode.

As a wagon lover in the US, it's so hard to find good wagons. I love Volvo V50, a rebadged Ford Focus Wagon with a 5 cylinder engine, but it's starting to have more and more problems that are probably going to cost more than the car itself is worth. Wagons are honestly the perfect car for me as an artist and woodworker, because I can fold the back seats down and it's pretty much a pre-chicken tax small pickup that I can fit a full sheet of plywood into, and then after I've unloaded it, I can flip the seats up and my friends and I can go out together. It's such a perfect style for someone like me, and it's becoming increasingly rare here in the US, and that makes me so sad.

Enjoyed the video. One sort of related aspect is why Americans call the cargo area in the back of a sedan a trunk. Back in those original station wagon days, people traveled with luggage that was usually in the form of a trunk. Really a steamer trunk. Steamer being a ship. Trunks were enormous. And heavy. And made back in the times before luggage makers discovered the wheel. When put on a car, or wagon, they were stuck on the back. So the transition was simple.

Come on Ed. Get one of those wood panel Roadmasters and we will throw in a can of pledge

"You think you hate it now, but wait till you drive it!" METALLIC PEA!!

I really liked the last bit comaparing the different body types. It reminded me of the question. Is a hot dog a sandwich? Is a hatchback a station wagon?

My 1991 Land Rover Defender is a 'County Station Wagon' by definition of Land Rover. Weirdly, this particular station wagon was, for a while, used to ferry people from Theydon Bois tube station, on London's Central Line ,to a paint ball 'experience' in nearby Abridge. Unlike most estate cars here in the UK, my particular Land Rover was by its use, a real station wagon - proper job. Thanks and power to you!

Hello Ed, You have come up with another gem from days gone bye. I started to drive Mom’s 1960 Rambler station wagon with a “six-banger, and three on the tree”, and was glad to have it to drive. Your reviews, are always a grand combination of information and entertainment, with a bit of nostalgia whipped in.

A buddy of mine always has interesting cars. My favourite was his '65 Ford Galaxie Country Sedan, which was a base model full size wagon. This was about six years ago and we had good times cruising in that barge!

I like the part where they've got the octogenarian in the rear facing seat, with two kids. When the tailgate drops, the kids bolt, but gramps makes a half-hearted effort, and stays put. Wonder if he ever got out? Brian Regan has a funny routine about riding in his parents truckster as a kid.

When I was a kid in Canada we had a 76 Impala wagon. Apparently my European grand parents loved it!

I'm a boomer. My dad always owned station wagons (I learned to drive in Pontiac Catalina wagon & drove it on dates in high school with the girl I later married). We owned full-size and mid-size wagons & a mini-van in the 70s & 80s to haul our kids and stuff. I now own a BMW 330xi "Sport Wagon" (yeah, it's a wagon). Great car. Drives like my wife's 328i sedan but has plenty of room for golf clubs, Christmas trees, you name it. The Europeans have the right idea - they are ubiquitous over there. Alas, my 2018 is the last year BMW imported them to North America - so I'm doing everything to keep my wagon running forever (or until BMW starts selling them here again).

Wish I could do more than 1 thumbs up. Your videos are always fun, entertaining and educational.

The French used to call their breaks Familiale when there’s 3 benches. Check the 505 Familiale which was the largest (European) station at it’s time with the Ford Granada Estation break wagon touring cruiser Kombi.

In high school I had a station wagon. We nicknamed it the Family truckster, Grocery go-getter, $#!%box, classic. It was a Malibu classic SW.

Ed, really enjoy your videos... We appreciate all your research and great content not to mention your excellent narration on all your videos. Thank you.

That was your best episode yet, I learned a lot and really enjoyed it. Very good editing and writing also, you’re looking very professional!

I was raised in the back of several station wagons... You intro was spot on... :D

When I was a kid I was graced with the luxury of a 1984 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser powered by a custom-built 5.7 diesel V8. Dad scored her at the dealership he worked at. I got to see most of the United States in the backseat of that gorgeous lady. When everyone was going to minivans we stayed strong with that great American Steel Beast. We finally sold her in 96 when Mom upgraded to the full size four-wheel drive Suburban.

I'd love to see what some modern/recent sedans would look like with a wagon version like the crown victoria

In 1983, I drove a 77 Renault R12 Automatic wagon, packed like a steamer trunk, from New Orleans to San Jose, CA. It used half a quart of oil and that was the only "problem" that I had. I miss that tough little car. It rode like a French car too, even loaded!

The "Family Truckster" was a 1979 Ford LTD Country Squire customized for the film. That 70s Show featured a 1969 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser. My parents had an "ice blue" 1987 Plymouth Reliant K wagon. Aunt and Uncle had a 1982 Chevy Celebrity wagon in dark maroon with wood applique.

We have a Volvo V90 in our American family! We love the station wagon and would never live without one, drove a Buick later 80s estate with the sticker wood for over 20 years, a 90s 965 volvo for the rest, and now the V90. Thank you for teaching me why it's actually called the station wagon. Makes me never want to drive anything else now. Except my truck that I need to pay for it with!

My brother had a succession of estate cars in the 80's .. Austin Allegro, Morris Ital and a Hillman Avenger which was one of the first cars I ever drove.

They forgot to mention that because of the wood paneling on the station wagons, they were often referred to as ‘Woodies.’

Thanks again Ed

I remember the first station wagon my Dad bought. It was a mid sixties Ford. Green in color. My Dad, being color blind thought it was brown. Spent the whole trip from Florida to California in the late sixties sitting in the very back seats looking out the back window. I myself (being married and with three kids) bought a land yacht Ford with the fake wood paneling. It was straight out of National Lampoons Vacation. That was in 1991. Drove from North Carolina to Oregon in it.

I'm thankful that you have a KZfaq channel! Thank you,

In Australasia ( where I have lived since the'50's ) station wagons are always known as station wagons. Maybe sometimes as wagon but almost always station wagon. Large farms in Australia and New Zealand are called stations so this is where our name came from as they were suitable rural cars.

Excellent overview, as usual. Another station wagon term in American English was "woodie", which were old beaten-up '30s-'40s station wagons used in the '50s-'60s by California surfers to haul their surfboards around. As Jan & Dean sang, "I drive a '30 Ford wagon and I call it a woodie; Surf City, here we come ... two girls for every boy!" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surf_City_(song) We had mostly European cars growing up, but my father had a '78 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser as a company car. I believe it was the largest passenger car made at the time, and clearly inspired the fictional "Family Truckster" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile_Custom_Cruiser which appeared in "National Lampoon's Vacation".

I had a 1977 Mercury Marquis station wagon. Baby blue. 400M motor that I put a 4 barrel Holley on. I also put a B&M transpak and adjustable modulator in. It came with a Y-pipe so I had a local shop do up a custom dual with cats on each side, resonators, quiet mufflers, quiet silent but good performance. LOVED taking the wife and daughter and doggy camping. We had ALL the room needed, ALL the car needed. It was the best thing for our family trips, rode like silk. I'll tell you THIS much: every trip we went on: I would look over at the wife, back at the kid...and I saw smiles. A wonderful car.

I have a Subaru Outback. I've wanted to do an itasha wrap on a car for a while, but I thought it wouldn't work on a station wagon. This video reminded me that station wagons have been wrapped in vinyl for a long time and are perfectly suited for something so garish.

My mom's parents used to have a bunch of Country Squire Station Wagons that she rode in when she was a kid and my dad's parents used to have a Pontiac Safari Wagon with a Pontiac 400 in it that he rode in when he was a kid as well.

I love station wagons! They are still very popular in Europe.

Love all your episodes but this one in particular. I learned to drive in a Plymouth Satellite station wagon. No power steering. No power brakes. Manual transmission with the shifter on the steering column. I always told myself that if I could learn to drive on this car, then I could drive anything. And it was true! Dear old Dad loved the 318 cubic inch V-8 engine (the smallest V-8 they made) because of the peppy acceleration. I still remember him teaching me how to change the oil (and filter) and change out the warm weather tires for snow tires. Those were the days...

I grew up riding in our family Station wagon. We had 3, but the one that I remember the best was our Ford LTD. It started out as a school bus, but by the time my dad got it, it was a car but with a twist it had a jump sit in the back of the wagon and I loved it. Love from Marysville California

My aunt and uncle had 6 kids. And they also rocked some station wagons when I was a kid in the late 80's/early 90's. Man I LOVED riding in those things. I always wanted one of my own.... Granted I said that before I was 16 and had some pretty cool cars when I started driving.

Incredible amount of research. And the tour of historic carriages and the evolution of the linguistics that is associated with this typology of vehicle is much appreciated and really helps contextualise the type in each country and show its country specific applications. Excellent works as always and I look forward to the next one!

The movie the Wagon Queen Family Truckster was in is called "National Lampoons: Vacation." Saab called its final station wagons a Sport Combi. And I'm one of those weird people that's like wagons. My 07 Saab 9-3 Sport Combi Aero hasn't been my daily since 2018, but I don't plan on ever selling it. Unless I find a mint 72 Olds Vista Cruiser.

Eds English accent is hilarious. Loved it everytime he said estate car 🤣🤣🤣

My dad bought lots of station wagons. I came home from the hospital in a 57 Ford Ranch Wagon & then in 1963 he got a new Rambler Cross Country station wagon, Woo Hoo!!! Then his last station wagon was a 1969 Chrysler Town & Country!!!

I must protest about "French Breaks" beaking all the time! My father had a Citroen ZX Break, and it was quite reliable. But before that he had one BX Break - Oh Boy...that hydraulic suspension at the rear axle...

The movie is National Lampoon's Vacation.

I would argue that to qualify as a “station wagon “ or “estate car” or “brake wagon” it must have the rear fold down door (aka tail gate) capability. Otherwise if it’s just a lift hatch with a trunk rim, it’s a hatchback, not a wagon.

Here in Malaysia, there's used to be a couple of station wagons model that were offered, with popular one being Nissan AD Resort (presumely Sentra based?). Though at least those were pre-2000 (the year i was born). Nowadays, i believed MPVs basically took over the role for practicality. While it is an ideal car, i wished station wagons are popular again here in Malaysia. At least make the entry-level sedans like Proton Saga and Perodua Bezza having station wagon variant. Which would look ideal for SME (small businesses). Too bad that the local mentallity thinking station wagons are hearses doesn't help (despite the hearses that we got are mostly commercial vans).

Hi Ed - no, they were station wagons in Australia too - my family had a Aquarius Blue Holden Kingswood station wagon with a white vinyl roof in the late 1970's-early 1980's (at least that's what we called it, perhaps the ads only referred to a wagon). In any case, it is still one of my favourite car colours

my dad had a 67 ford galaxie station wagon in wimbledon white that he traded in on a 73 LTD country squire station wagon in wimbledon white but with the wood sided applique. other than the grill and front end styling, it looked like the blue ford at 10:37. we pulled our travel trailer (you Europeans call them caravans) from michigan to maine, to DC, to south to the Ozark mountains. i rode in the 'back-back' and my sister got the back seat. lots and lot of fun times with it

14:06 Don't worry about being confused - all modern cars look like roundish blobs, roughly the same size - the names don't matter much anymore

In Sweden we also call them kombi (although Volvo has always called them herrgårdsvagn, translates to estate wagon), and that made me giggle a little towards the end when you addressed the confusion about the different for all the not so different body styles. Vice versa to this, the Saab 99 and 900 hatchbacks weren't hatchbacks, no, they were Combi Coupés. How's that for fancy? xD Thanks for uploading! Greetings from Sweden.

I have a 1976 Volvo 245 wagon. With an '83 Turbo engine. I love that little car. She punches way above her weight class and is almost as useful as a truck

It’s comforting to know that even after all this SUV BS they’re gonna slide me into a station wagon for my last car ride.Yay!

I've owned almost 50 different cars now and one that has me flabbergasted right now is a E350 Mercedes Benz station wagon. It kinda reminds me of my grandpa's 1985 Plymouth Reliant station wagon that I grew up with. K Car! Nothing beats a station wagon. Even my old 73 VW Squareback was a lot of fun to drive!

My favorite car model, my granpa owned a 404 peaugout wagon back in the day, and my other gramps used to drive a ton of them. Station wagons are some of the best cars way better than the SUV wagons give me all those fond memories of roadtrips😊

Thank you Ed, for another awesome episode and for validating what I've always known to be true. Some people say that Ithe wagon has died in North America. I disagree. I believe it just evolved. I'd rather have a wooden-sided wagon than most of today's SUVs. More garagable and better handling, too! 🚙

Thanks for the wonderful flashback memories, Ed. At 9:24, my brothers and I would launch out the tailgate of our Grandpa's '67 Impala wagon just the same. The last one to plant their feet on the ground had to close it. Other station wagons in the family include the '71 AMC Ambassador, a '72 and '74 Ford Country Squire, and a '74 Chevy Caprice wagon. My Dad bought a used '66 VW Squareback around 1970 but it couldn't haul the whole family without overheating.

I havent even started the video, yet I know that this is the best thing you have ever done and you will never top this!

The Olds Vista Cruiser is legendary. That 70s show was built around it. Windows in the roof Ooo la la!

I was expecting the term 'Variant' to be included for the German (and Scandinavian) language versions, especially as the V in Volvo's model numbers (V70, V90, etc.) stands for Variant and also the VW Type 3 and Type 4 Variants back in the day. The largest estate car I had was a Volvo 940 and with the rear seats down, the boot was over 6' long by over 4' wide which made these older RWD Volvos popular with harpists as they'd take a full size concert grand harp no problem. And a bari sax case would go in the boot widthways without touching the sides. I replaced it with a 2nd series V70 (the one after the 850/V70) and that was nowhere near as big as I had to take the rear seat cushions out to get a concert harp in which was a big disappointment. Then when I had to replace that, the only estate car with a wide enough tailgate was a 7th generation Honda Accord Tourer. My bari sax case won't fit in widthway in a large Mercedes or even a Jaguar estate which is ridiculous given how large those estates are. Same with a VW Passat estate as the area behind the rear wheel arches is all closed in to make the loading area the same width all the way along its length. I like estate cars for their practicality and low centre of gravity as well as the fact they have far more room than some SUVs - take the Volvo XC90 and a V70 and the V70 wipes the floor with the XC90 in terms of boot space. Plus the fact I can't stand SUVs and crossovers anyway. I'm going to be a bit stuffed when it comes to having to replace my current Honda Accord Tourer unless I can find another one.

Man i love those US family wagons

Our family car was an Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 bought brand new on Jan. 31, 1963. It lasted exactly 10 years, with the engine disintegrating on January 31, 1973. I was in preschool when dad bought it, and I was in my freshman year of high school when it died. Must’ve had around 300,000 miles on it. What a trooper!

In italy they were called "giardinetta", giardino meaning garden. They were very rare, being considered only work vehicles. Today are more of a common sight and called station wagon.

Nice to see you back Ed. We were a family of 5 kids and Grandma so Dad bought a 1972 Buick Estate Wagon 9 passenger and it was just beautiful. It was bamboo yellow (a Cadillac color) with woodgrain everywhere and it set the bamboo off. Cadillac didn't make a wagon so this was GM's big luxury wagon, which explains its color. It had a 455 V-8 in it and would just fly. Imagine that, a high performance battle tank and it was that. I loved the wood grain so much it stuck. So I bought a 2011 Jeep Liberty and turned it into a "Woody" complete with the surf board. And it is a looker. Even the airport workers ooh and aah over it. Keep the faith friend. I hope you didn't get vaxed. I want you to love cars for decades to come. I certainly have. I have a small collection that I know you would like. And no, the movie was called "Vacation" and was make by National Lampoon, a magazine. Danny J

I was born in 1951 and grew up in a family of 6 children. For my family for many years station wagons were the main family hauling vehicle. We would take family traveling vacations with Father and Mother and six children and a top carrier full of luggage in a family station wagon. My family had a total of 4 station wagons over the years.

The other thing about SUVs and europeans is their roads. Many of their roads, particularly in smaller villages/towns, are not large enough to support larger SUvs or full sized vans. Of course in more populated areas like say Munich Germany, this isn't a problem, but in really small towns it could be especailly if there is a lot of traffic. The same for some Asian countries...their roads are not big enough for a standard US style SUV or van, so the crossover is a good compromise for those locations.

The kind of 'brake' as in 'Shooting Brake' is spelled 'Brake' not 'Break' There was no error in the video I just wanted to mention it as it's yet another variation! The terminology around UK taxis got touched on here with 'Hackney Carriage' is very rich vein of terminology! And I bet the US scene is as well. In fact Ed, that might be a good video idea for you. The US taxi scene, Chequer and all that

I love the swedish station wagons, much safer and reliable

Excellent video as always, Ed. My dad had a 1977 Country Squire Ford station wagon. When we went on road trips, I wasn't strapped safely into a car seat or even a seat for that matter. Mom and dad folded the rear seats down to give me a play area that was almost bigger than my bedroom at home. 8 track tunes, air conditioning, and believe it or not, 24 miles per gallon with a 400 cubic inch V8 in a car bigger than a modern Suburban. We dig all your videos down here in the great state of Miss'sippi, little brother. Keep up the great work.

Ed buddy, I learned so much from this video. I've been in the automotive business for 25 years, and never, ever knew what the hell shooting brake meant. Thank you sir!

The SUV will be the new minivan or station wagon. The SUVs popularity will eventually come to an end and future generations will laugh about those wannabe offroaders like I´m lauging now. The station wagon, the mini van, both were great ideas but SUVs? Why do people buy them? 99% of them will never leave a paved road and many are even sold without all wheel drive. It´s ridiculous

This is, by leaps and bounds, the finest documentary style, American-focused car channel on the internet.

Thanks Ed. Brilliant vid. Only 4 mins in and I've already learned more about wagons than a lifetime reading car books/magazines. 😁

I had no idea of the origins of the term Station Wagon OR why there was wood on the side…fake or otherwise. As usual, GREAT video!

70 year old guy here. Growing up, my parents had a 1960 Dodge Dart Seneca wagon followed by a 1966 Buick Special wagon (the car I learned to drive on). Later in life with my own young family there was a 1983 Mercury Grand Marquis Colony Park wagon (with woodgrain) and a mini wagon..a 1986 Plymouth Colt Vista wagon with a 5 speed. Then came 2 Chevy conversion vans but, that's another story.

Thank you for putting together this video with clean history of automobiles.

Aussie here, yes Station Wagon has been in use in Australia for decades.

I really appreciate this video!! My 1st car was my mom's retired 73 Ford LTD Country Squire. Loved that bad boy!!

Growing up as a boomer, my dad bought a 1952 Chevy Woody wagon, a new 1958 Edsel wagon, then 1961 Rambler wagon.

Thanks for making a video on my second favorite vehicles. My first favorite is a DeLorean

The best explanation I've ever heard ! I will saw the rear facing seat was so much better than the third row in today's SUV.

Growing up we had a 1968 Pontiac Catalina station wagon- was HUGE, giant V8 engine, super smooth ride, and AC that would freeze you here in the Arizona heat. Wish I had that car now....

your videos are alway very entertaining and informative. thanks.

Interesting and entertaining! Another great video, Ed!

Loved the video. We grew up in the back of a station wagon and raised out kids in vans or SUVs.

Excellent video as always. :) I had a Daewoo Nubira wagon for nine years in the early 2000s. Eventually wore it out... After a eleven year interlude with a diesel hatchback, I privately imported a Toyota Fielder hybrid wagon to Australia (Japanese market Corolla wagon) and am enjoying the extra space and practicality (plus using less fuel than the diesel hatchback). :)

Good show! The Truckster and the Homer both share DNA with the modified station wagon from the movie The Apple (1980), which dared to predict vehicle design of the distant future of 1994. And nailed it.

I love estate cars, they are perfect

Station wagons were the favorite of funeral directors (I mentioned this before probably), they were inconspicuous to be able to go into the suburbs for a removal without arousing suspicion and were nice enough to give the grand feel funeral homes try to give but they were also utilitarian enough that they could afford to use those daily and leave the hearse which were and are expensive to upkeep for the funerals. This also paired with the fact that funeral homes in the U.S weren't obligated to be the ambulance service anymore meant they could afford to do this. Eventually as Station Wagons fell out of favor Minivans, and SUVs and the ubiquitous Comercial Van became the Go-to, most funeral homes use Minivans and SUVs to this day.

Thanks Ed, for reminding me of the 9-passenger station wagons I grew up in during the 60's and 70's here in the USA. My folks had 2 Chevy ('66 & '69) Kingswood Estate's, a '63 Ford Country Sedan, a '69 Plymouth Sport Suburban, a '63 Rambler Ambassador and a '69 AMC - SST Rebel Wagon. All were great for carbon monoxide fume intake from the rear-facing seat, if you were one of the younger kids in the back - facing rear. Thee were 6 of us kids & a dog trapped inside for vacations every summer. Would love to own any one of them today.