What is a "cool" family cruiser

Well, my wife and I recently had a baby, we also recently adopted my wifes two neices. So in just two months my family has jumped from 4 to 7, I am looking for Ideas on a cool 7+ passenger classic vehicle.

Any ideas? lets hear them!

And dont forget the photos

 

Congrats on the baby. And you have my admiration for your adoption of the two nieces. My wife and I went from empty nesters to having custody of three grand kids - not quite seven but more than enough for my 36 Dodge PU or my 59 Ford F100. We now all go in a 55 Plymouth Suburban (wagon). You may want to consider early to mid 50's Chevy suburbans or mid 50's to mid 60's wagons - many were three seaters and could accommodate seven with ease. Best wishes for lots more cruising!!!

 

Well congratulaions on all the new additions. Thats a lot of people to be hauling around though. Maybe a late-30s early 40s Packard or Lasalle or something like that (4 door sedan of course) or a 50s or 60s wagon or suburban. Or you could build your wife a car to drive ha

 

Sorry no pics but I always thought the '64 Galaxie 500 wagons were beyond cool. Great lines, rock solid drivetrains and simple suspension layout.

I have fond memories of going to New Salem and Lincoln's home and tomb in Springfield, IL with my best friend and his family. His Dad's boss let them use his brand new '64 Galaxie 500 9 Passenger and I remember riding down US 66 in the rearward facing seat with the tailgate down! What a blast that was for an 8 year old. If you did that today DCFS would have the kids in foster care and you in jail......... Where did it all go wrong?

 

You need a 48 DeSoto Suburban. 4 doors, 3 seats, 140" wheelbase and a roof rack. Seven feet of space between the back of the second seat and the inside of the decklid if you slide the middle seat forward (it's on tracks) and fold down the back seat. Think of the Cunningham's car on Happy Days-family cruiser deluxe.

 

HOLY SMOKES!!!! Talk about instant family!! That's awesome man! Well...you guys need to either get a pickup and throw everyone in the back or get two cars and you and your wife could each drive one!! Hey...how's about a classic limo?! The 49 Caddy is a 7 passenger as is the 33 Franklin and the 53 Desoto was a 9 passenger ride!! Good luck man! I thought I had it bad squeezing my two little guys and myself into my coupe!!

 

I think the suggestion for an older wagon is just right. Remeber that it is not only the kids, but you also have all the kid stuff to go with it. You need a full size wagon to haul all that around.

Kids now days grow up riding in minivans, didn't all of us grow up riding in station wagons?

 

4 Door Galaxies.

 

62-64 Impala/Biscayne/Bel Air wagons get my vote.

 

A Checker Aerobus airport limosine might keep you ahead of the growth curve for a couple years!

 

A Nine passenger wagon is going to be a must, dog gone it all to heck, you are just gonna have to have that back 40 seat that faces the rear. Speaking from experience, the kids are going to have battle royals on who is going to sit back there!!! LOL All of GMs top of the line models made those nine passenger wagons. Nomad, Safari, Vista Cruiser, Estate Wagons. Might want to check with some places on the Net that may have what you are looking for. Try Hotrod Hotline, or even Car domain. Good luck to you. When you get that wagon and need suggestions to keep the fights to a bare minimum, let me know, I found all kinds of creative ideas that the kids considered "cool fun ways" to earn one of those coveted back seat spots.

Carrie

 

Thanks for the tip. I have never really paid much attention to the old wagons. That rear facing seat sounds really cool.

 

LOL, Sweet! .......well got to get back to procreating!

 

Ford, Mercury and Edsel all offered nine-passenger wagons as well.

 

My vote is for an Olds VistaCruiser wagon!

 

There's a Checker Marathon Station Wagon for sale here in Las Vegas - original owner! Needs work, but cheap. PM me if interested, it's the (aging) parents of a co-worker that's selling two (2) Checkers! One 4-door sedan, one wagon.

 

Remember that Checker sedan may have the taxicab jumpseats in the back of the front seat too, maybe the wagon would too.
One thing is for sure, those suckers are roomy and very dependable, especially if they were private cars rather than taxicabs. Checker did sell somehting like 10% or so of its production over the years to individuals.

 

grabbed from this thread: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=400233

- Joe

 

Or this:

 

IH travelall Not too expensive, yet different. Just another option.

 

We had a 1960 Ford Country Squire when I was a kid. Nine passenger (3rd row seat folded down). Six cyl/3sp with O.D. Shoulda had a V8!

 

An early sixties american large sedan anything, don't forget the Bellflower Tips.

 

I've got a 64 Plymouth 4 door in Redding that could work for you

 

X2! When I lived in El Cajon I new a guy that had one done up w-30 442 style. OFF TOPIC but still coooooool.

 

'64 Chrysler wagon. 413 power and plenty of room.

 

Here's my future family cruiser...

 

There's a early 50's Chevrolet version of one of these for sale here in Peoria, IL

 

I'd vote for the 1962 - 1964 Belair style wagon.

 

cool looking and a depenable car

 

I'd go for a bus....like this!