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Any Thoughts as to Why Two Door Station Wagons Were Manufactored?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Oldmics, Jun 11, 2009.

  1. chopnchaneled
    Joined: Oct 21, 2004
    Posts: 1,428

    chopnchaneled
    Member
    from Buford Ga.

    Being that i have a 46 ford sedan delivery, they may be a little tough to reach everything in the back, but its the most pratical street rod i've ever had.
     
  2. I'm always suprized at what cars they did make as 2 door wagons. They are so rare you hardly ever see them. You never knew that a there was a 2 door 57 Studebaker wagon or Panel and then you see one on here or at a show.
    One of the cooler Pintos was the 2 panel delivery.
     
  3. Henry VIII
    Joined: Mar 30, 2009
    Posts: 272

    Henry VIII
    Member
    from Tulsa OK

    I thought it was because they were a cheaper way to carry surf boards which automatically made them "cool".
     
  4. wvenfield
    Joined: Nov 23, 2006
    Posts: 5,646

    wvenfield
    Member

    Someone had some extra doors one day.
     
  5. phukinartie
    Joined: Oct 8, 2008
    Posts: 965

    phukinartie
    Member

    I don't care why i am just glad they did
    <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
     
  6. 21tat
    Joined: Jun 8, 2006
    Posts: 829

    21tat
    Member

    Makes sense that the two doors were for utility use and the four doors for family shit. Love the two doors though.
     
  7. gotra66
    Joined: Apr 24, 2009
    Posts: 181

    gotra66
    Member

    weren't the tri-5 chevy 2-dr wagons referred to as handyman wagons? So it would stand to reason for handyman to use for hauling tools and such.
     
  8. 55courier
    Joined: Nov 22, 2008
    Posts: 56

    55courier
    BANNED

    This is not my car, But I had to have one when we seen this. 55 Courier.
     

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  9. I can't comment on the reasoning behind the production of two door wagons,but they are every bit as practical as 4 door versions.They probably were initially produced as an entry level utility vehicle that could also be used to transport a man's family to church(or wherever)on Sundays.
    They have been immensely practical to me since I bought my first sedan delivery in 1968.It allowed me to carry all my painting supplies including an air compressor and still have the ride of a passenger car.
    I currently own a pair of 2 door wagons(a 55 and a 57 Safari)and their rear seats are readily accessible unless you have some serious back problems.There is a ton of leg room in the rear as well.With the rear seat folded,I can carry everything I need to set up at a car show including two 10x10 pop up tents.The big stuff will go on the removable roof racks.
    I've lost count of how many Pinto wagons and Cruisin' Vans I've owned.While not tall on power unless they were V-8'ed(I had 2 of those)they would carry a prodigious amount of stuff and get great gas mileage to boot.Not bad looking either.
    At the Hot Rod Power Tour at ididit the other day there were several 2 door wagons including a 57 Ranchero,a phantom Chevy II,and a early 60's Chrysler 2 door hardtop wagon.Never saw one of them before but it looked factory.
    Probably one of the rarest models is a 57 Chevy sedan delivery with side windows.Apparently they were made for the military and were essentially a 2 door wagon with a one piece lift gate.Supposedly only a couple hundred were made.
     
  10. Gotgas
    Joined: Jul 22, 2004
    Posts: 7,230

    Gotgas
    Member
    from DFW USA

    Must have been a fake, but I'd like to see it!

    Dodges and Plymouths were available as 2dr wagons in '60-62, but they had a post. They were also available as 4dr post wagons, or new for 1960 a 4dr hardtop wagon. Chrysler wagons were only available as 4dr post or hardtop in these years.
     
  11. I heard they were sold to counter some of the pickup market...but don't know how true that is!
     
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2009
  12. I'd guess that this the cheapest way possible to build a light duty truck-like vehicle for businesses that wanted more enclosed, secure storage space than the open bed of a pickup could provide. A little more economical to operate, better styling and a more comfortable ride too. I think the availabilty and popularity of vans in the early '60s is what really did them in.

    The vehicle that really kind of freaked me out was the 3 door Chevy Suburbans built from '67 to '72. From the back seat you didn't even realize that there was no left rear door until you reached down to grab the inside door handle that wasn't there!:eek: But it probably saved them $8 to $12 apiece to build them that way.:D
     
  13. coppertone
    Joined: Apr 10, 2006
    Posts: 129

    coppertone
    Member

    so guys gack in the sixties wouldn't have to cut the centers out of so many 4 doors.
     
  14. DrJ
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 9,419

    DrJ
    Member

    This is about as silly a question as why "They" ever built two door sedans.

    It's because two doors = COOL!
    Four doors = L Seven
    "convenient" = taxi cab/transportation appliance
    :cool:
     
  15. RichG
    Joined: Dec 8, 2008
    Posts: 3,919

    RichG
    Member

    They only made them at the end of the production run, when they started to run out of doors...
     
  16. AeroMonte
    Joined: Feb 5, 2007
    Posts: 156

    AeroMonte
    Member

    I've got a 57 Pontiac 2dr wagon and a 58 Chevy Yoeman 2dr wagon in my backyard. They belong to a friend though. I also have another friend with a 57 Studebaker 2dr wagon and a 53 Ford 2dr wagon/ambulance. Still has the gurney in it.
     

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  17. Kustom Komet
    Joined: Jun 26, 2007
    Posts: 640

    Kustom Komet
    Member

    Sounds familiar...

    I've had mine for 21 years now, and a sort of cult '60-'63 Comet 2dr wagon group seems to be forming.

    1988:

    [​IMG]

    2000: (yard art)

    [​IMG]

    Now:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    -KK
     
  18. That Comet wagon is tits!!
    A Falcon with winged feet.
     
  19. Mark Hinds
    Joined: Feb 20, 2009
    Posts: 616

    Mark Hinds
    Member
    from pomona ca

    Fifty year and no garage later, my son says it will shine someday.
     

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  20. N.O.M.A.D.
    Joined: Dec 1, 2006
    Posts: 78

    N.O.M.A.D.
    Member

    Two-Door Hard Top Belaire...... Wagon. Extra-Sweet Nomadder What!!
     
  21. Gasser57
    Joined: Aug 23, 2005
    Posts: 749

    Gasser57
    Member

    I drive my 57 Ranch Wagon every day. Like all wagons, even with kids, it's VERY practical. It is the perfect size for me, having had everything from the little Pinto Cruisin Wagons to a 70 LTD Country Squire. I'm still looking for another 57-59 Mercury 2 door hardtop wagons, my all time favorite. The 2 door wagons in the 50's, like the Safari's, Nomads, Villagers, Roundups, Commuters, etc., were made to appeal to people that wanted a snazzy car, but had to haul lots of stuff.
     

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  22. plywude
    Joined: Nov 3, 2008
    Posts: 699

    plywude
    Member Emeritus
    from manteca ca

    Plymouth only made 2 door wagons in 1949, 50, 51 and I think 52 and 53 the only 4 door wagons were woodie wagons 49 to 51.... Ford stoped 4 door woodie wagons in 1948 production, and only made 2 door woodies with solid steel roofs from 1949 to 1951 ...................:D
     
  23. evolvo
    Joined: May 18, 2009
    Posts: 144

    evolvo
    Member
    from Seattle

    I love tudor wagons so much I built my own, with help from Extreme Metal and Paint. This is a 67' Volvo 122SW (station wagon) only available as a four door. Now its a 122XS, cause its over the top. 3.8 GM S/C V6, T5, Jag IRS and lots more!!
     

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  24. Mark Hinds
    Joined: Feb 20, 2009
    Posts: 616

    Mark Hinds
    Member
    from pomona ca

  25. cafekid
    Joined: Dec 4, 2008
    Posts: 380

    cafekid
    Member

    yeah the idea was being able to carry all of your tools or items to be sold in an enviroment that was able to be locked up and safe
     
  26. 2manytoys
    Joined: Feb 24, 2009
    Posts: 224

    2manytoys
    Member
    from Fresno

    My 60 Morris Minor 2dr wagon. The Morris sedan (rough) I may build a custom 2dr panel wagon out of it.

    Had a Mercury Bobcat wagon once, I really liked it as a practical wagon.

    Wish I had my 79 Buick Century wagon again.
     

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  27. This '55 Pontiac Chieftain 2 door wagon is sitting at the edge of my friends field. It still has the original V8, still turns over too. Pretty rare car... but it's rough and would need ALOT of work. I'd pull it out of there if it were a Safari wagon... I think those are way cooler.

    [​IMG]
     
  28. denis4x4
    Joined: Apr 23, 2005
    Posts: 4,357

    denis4x4
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Colorado

    Here's one I did in 1958. Grill was replaced with pieces from a '58 Caddy after this photo was taken and the scallops were done with a rattle can. There is a small cover over the cargo area. Would do one again if I could find a good 53-54 Plymouth 2 door wagon.

    It was a "tradition" to do late model cars in the fifties. Think Larry Watson's 58 'Bird. But, if you were to follow that "tradition" today, HAMB'ers would be all over you like flys on shit!
     

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  29. brandon
    Joined: Jul 19, 2002
    Posts: 6,373

    brandon
    Member

    i bought a 64 chevelle 300 2dr wagon from a electrician....so there must be something to that....:D my old 59 plymouth suburban wagon was supposedly a ex-military vehicle...but that was never confirmed...
     
  30. belair
    Joined: Jul 10, 2006
    Posts: 9,036

    belair
    Member

    So Nomads could be invented.
     

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