Wagon Train
Early wagon,
Studebaker Museum
Where do I start? I could do a brief history of how they got their name carrying passengers and their luggage from the train stations. Or how they were originally bodied with wood and did not really come of their own until the fifties. Or even how disappointed I was when my dad traded our ‘57 Fairlane convertible for a new 1960 Ford Ranch wagon. Naaaaaa, I’d rather look at how great these pieces of history blend in with today and have made people who really didn’t like them see them in a different light.
Their affordability has been somewhat reduced lately due to popularity, but compared to their 2 door sedans and hardtop counterparts of the same year, they are still bargains. Wagons are usually more optioned out and have been treated better. Almost all of the performance parts, suspension parts etc. that are sold today to update your 50’s or 60’s ride will work so you can enjoy the drive, let alone all the stuff you buy and bring home. (Two years ago, we took an entire dining room table and 4 chairs to my mothers in Tampa, FL from Richmond, VA on the way to the Turkey Run in the back of our ‘66 Belair wagon!) So we thought we would talk to a few wagon owners and look at their rides and projects.
When we asked our readers about their station wagons and reasons for owning one, we found the stories behind the cars were as diverse as the cars themselves. In fact, the response was so great we have decided to make it a two, or maybe three, part series.
So enjoy the stories and if you own a wagon and want to share your thoughts, send us a photo of your ride and join SR’s Wagon Train. E-mail . See you on the road.
Big John
1955 Chevy 210 Wagon
Owned by Jay Lujan
Oak View, California
I’ve owned this car for 12 years and have a blast cruising it up and down the coast. Growing up surfing since I was 10, I’ve always been drawn to the old surf wagons. This one is home built with some help from friends along the way. I think wagons are bitchen’ for a number of reasons. They are still fairly cheap, especially 4 doors and they don’t take much to get them lookin’ good. No major surgery needed cause the proportions are good n’ straight from the factory. Just some lowering and shaving and you’re good to go. I like em’ clean and simple! We love throwing the boards in the back and taking a cruise down to the beach. Also when we go to shows a lot of times it’s the only wagon there.
Jay’s ‘55 is runnin’ the original 265. mill with orig.’ 4-barrel intake, orig.’ dual exhaust running out the back through dual glasspacks. Original oversized oilbath air cleaner air brushed and modified to fit over modern air filter. It is sporting a new Edelbrock 4-barrel carb. The drivetrain is stock 3-on the tree, stock rearend. The body of this ‘55 has shaved handles and emblems. Peaked and shaved hood. One piece, smoothed front bumper (still savin’ up to have the rear one welded up), custom tube grill. The paint is metallic green and the top is a Cadillac pearl white, shot by Jay’s friend Ramon Lopez and himself. The suspension has a disk brake conversion, with dropped spindles and cut coils up front. Stock drums out back with lowering blocks to bring it down. The interior is a old black tuck-n-roll job. Finished by stock steel wheels painted body color with old baby moons n beauty rings. All the work was done to this ride was done by Jay, the owner and friends, as it should be.
Why a Wagon …
I guess I love wagons cause
they're bitchin’
it’s as simple as that.
Jay Lujan
Oak View, California