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History When did Wagons become Cool Customs?

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by Jive-Bomber, May 19, 2020.

  1. When you get tired of having the same car everybody else has :rolleyes::D
     
    bchctybob and j3harleys like this.
  2. These were pretty damn cool... 02-1529674128061@2x.jpg
     
  3. Jay71
    Joined: Sep 15, 2007
    Posts: 857

    Jay71
    Member

    E5A61FAF-E39B-42B2-86CC-4B194882ABFE.png Being a second generation surfer and growing up in a 56 F100 panel I knew that when my time came I would have to have a longroof. Also, growing up going through all my pops little books I absolutely loved customs. A mild custom surf wagon was a no brainer for me. Never once dawned on me that 4dr wagons wouldn’t make a cool custom. Here’s my 4dr parts car.
     
  4. 41 GMC K-18
    Joined: Jun 27, 2019
    Posts: 3,564

    41 GMC K-18
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Still very cool !
    DSC_3685 (2).JPG DSC_3680 (2).JPG
     
    Chavezk21, Puka, TBirdGirl26 and 6 others like this.
  5. If the one I presently have looked as good as this one, I'd be a happy man.
     
  6. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 19,138

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    Yes they are!
    Had this one in the mid 70's.
    64 Chevelle 2 door wagon.jpg

     
  7. Mike VV
    Joined: Sep 28, 2010
    Posts: 3,029

    Mike VV
    Member
    from SoCal

    I've had several wagons over the years. Me, I think it might be a carry over from liking sedans rather than coupes in the earlier cars. Here's some that I currently own.

    My 54 Stude Conestoga.
    [​IMG]

    My 60 Lark, 2dr. wagon
    [​IMG]

    My Soon to be daily driver, 54 Conestoga.
    [​IMG]

    It's engine. Wiring and exhaust system need to go in.

    [​IMG]

    Mike
     
    Last edited: May 19, 2020
  8. I’d like to think that they became cool after all the mercs were customized.


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
    1947knuck and 31hotrodguy like this.
  9. phat rat
    Joined: Mar 18, 2001
    Posts: 4,920

    phat rat
    Member

    Too me never, 55-57 Nomad/Safari yes. All others no. Same with 4dr sedans. Other than 1 4dr back in early 63 for about 4 months I've never owned a 4dr sedan. Wives have but not me and at 76 I don't intend too
     
  10. fordcoupeguy
    Joined: Apr 26, 2014
    Posts: 172

    fordcoupeguy
    Member

    Practical AND cool at the same time. Imagine that!
     
    Fingers and chryslerfan55 like this.
  11. Here's some vintage pics of the October 1954 ROD & Custom "cover car" (err, I mean "cover wagon") from @mrspeedyt's family photo albums:

    Twitchell Family Album '52 Wagon (1).jpg
    Twitchell Family Album '52 Wagon (2).jpg
    Twitchell Family Album '52 Wagon (3).jpg
    Twitchell Family Album '52 Wagon (4).jpg
    Twitchell Family Album '52 Wagon (5).jpg
    Twitchell Family Album '52 Wagon (6).jpg
    Twitchell Family Album '52 Wagon (7).jpg
    Twitchell Family Album '52 Wagon (8).jpg
    all images from @Rikster's Custom Car Chronicle Al Twitchell 52 Wagon article​
     
    Last edited: May 19, 2020
  12. Norm Ricardo’s ’59 Ford Ranch Wagon ... painted by Darryl Hollenbeck (@hollenbeck32):

    Norm Ricardo’s ’59 Ford Ranch Wagon - paint by VintageColorStudio.jpg
     
    Chavezk21, Lepus, jt7282 and 16 others like this.
  13. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,861

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I'd say that the Ford in the lead photo and probably most of the others that were done when they were reasonably new were bought as practical family haulers and as they were the only ride the owner had got mild custom touches just as a hardtop or coupe might. Most probably didn't buy the car with the idea of customizing it. Get into the late 50's and the 60's and wagons often had the big engine package in them and quite often nice ones a few years old could be bought out of the back rows of car lots for half of what a hardtop might cost. I only had one classmate that drove a wagon and that was a 57 that was stone stock and we tended to razz him about it once in a while but then some of the guys figured out that he had rigged a bed in the back and he and his girlfriend and later wife of 50+ years made pretty good use of it. That was in the days before dark window tint too.
    I remember a couple of mid /late 50 wagons being used as tow rigs at the drags in the early 60's that had some mild custom work done. Nothing radical, just enough nosing and chrome removal and a custom grill , and paint to show that they were something special rather than a kid and grocery hauler.
     
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  14. blowby
    Joined: Dec 27, 2012
    Posts: 8,661

    blowby
    Member
    from Nicasio Ca

    Nomads became cool to me the first time I laid eyes on one 50 years ago. Had to wait until I got old for the rest.:)
     
    Hombre and chevy57dude like this.
  15. My parts runner with 74 year old paint.... 03D348C1-D891-4F8C-BD77-2041E40716E8.jpeg
     
  16. jnaki
    Joined: Jan 1, 2015
    Posts: 9,291

    jnaki







    Hey IM,
    That photo of your woody is outstanding. It is the sign of the times... surfers are prepared for anything at anytime. Ha! Nice quiver, too. Those woody wagons were part of the So Cal culture from the early days of surfing. But, during our time, not many were seen at the beaches unless the owner was a 20 something. It had something to do with high cost versus driving a family station wagon that eventually became the daily driver to the beaches.

    Our high school parking lots had station wagons, hot rods, sedans, and not one woody in our 4 years of high school. But, at the beach we did see a woody or two. Our friends from Newport Beach and Corona Del Mar had a couple of woody wagons, but their area was a little high dollar for our tastes. Coupes and sedans were the hot rod of choice, with a station wagon, let alone a woody, being the last thing used unless it was available as a family 2nd car.

    Jnaki
    The customization of station wagons for us was a non starter. The money was used for daily driving and long road trips up/down the coast in search of good waves. As most would call our station wagons, "beaters" that is a little over the top. They were well used and for some, upkeep was the last thing to do for that era of surf wagons/road trips. We were all teenagers with little in monetary support to keep our cars/station wagons running. But, they were useful in all sorts of teenage lore.
     
  17. My first car was a well worn 1955 Nomad. Bought it when I was 18 and kept it for 20 years.

    Phil
     
  18. Y-Blokkah
    Joined: Oct 19, 2012
    Posts: 167

    Y-Blokkah
    Member
    from Anna, Tx

    They’re not. They weren’t then and they ain’t now. A wagon beat walking. Not by much, but enough.
     
    tubman likes this.
  19. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 17,388

    Squablow
    Member

    Are those letters on the hood lip of the Twitchell wagon? Anyone know what they spell? Looks like 5 letters so it's not Ford.
     
  20. J.Ukrop
    Joined: Nov 10, 2008
    Posts: 2,789

    J.Ukrop
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    Are those piecrust slicks I see on the first wagon?! Either way, more pics please!
     
  21. Corvette Fever
    Joined: Feb 18, 2014
    Posts: 142

    Corvette Fever
    Member
    from Michigan

    My 53 Chrysler New Yorker IMG_1421.JPG IMG_1421.JPG


    Sent from my iPad using H.A.M.B.
     
  22. And bygod the word has been spoken. Mid 50's Ford's for everybody!
     
  23. 51504bat
    Joined: May 22, 2010
    Posts: 4,755

    51504bat
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    When I was in high school vans were just starting to become popular. Unfortunately a lot of girls weren't allowed to date guys with vans for obvious reasons. My solution was a '65 Falcon 2 dr wagon. No issues with girls not being allowed to go on dates in it and just as much room in the back. Started out as a 289 2 barrel and C4. Ended up with a solid lifter cam, headers, and a T-1o 4 speed. Had to sell it when I got drafted but never lost the 2 dr wagon itch. Bought a '54 Ranch Wagon last year but I guess I'm getting older, it will have a 302/AOD comb.
     
  24. flynbrian48
    Joined: Mar 10, 2008
    Posts: 8,220

    flynbrian48
    Member

    88273561_10222525240142389_3016095385811681280_n.jpg This is on it's way to being cool. I'm using '49 Chevy bumpers, a '59 Imperial grill, shaving the chrome (because it's AWFUL), and painting it a dark garnet with white pearl top. Wagons, HO.
     
  25. Brandi
    Joined: Sep 1, 2007
    Posts: 1,041

    Brandi
    Member

    I don’t know, but but I hope they stay cool until Ryno and Earl Scheib finish our project.
     

    Attached Files:

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  26. tubman
    Joined: May 16, 2007
    Posts: 6,913

    tubman
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    The good news? My old man bought a new Nomad in 1958.:)

    The bad news? It had four doors.:(
     
    31hotrodguy, bchctybob and 61cad like this.
  27. Not sure if you understand, i was being a smartass ;) I'd rather have my wagon than have a car like everyone else has.
     
    Hotdoggin DaddyO likes this.
  28. To quote my dad about any objective, personal taste.........
    "They are okay for who likes 'em."
     
  29. JOHN H EDGE
    Joined: Dec 8, 2015
    Posts: 407

    JOHN H EDGE
    Member

    B83256A6-4DC6-4592-A60F-6F2E22E1DED5.jpeg 39329970-D0C5-46C1-A939-4F2AC70D3BC0.jpeg C080C8FC-4A7C-447D-A280-3E4FFBBCA335.jpeg I always wanted a cool wagon so when I found this
    100 percent stocker. My friends didn’t think much of her
    But with time and money. She’s become a star. I get more comments
    When I’m out
    Love those wagons
     

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