What is a "cool" family cruiser

1956-58 GM "Hardtop" station wagons...

 

55-57 buick 4door

 

That '58 Pontiac wagon is awesome.

 

My uncle has 5 kids. The seven of them easily tooled around in a chevy wagon in the 70's and early 80's, and an LTD style wagon later on. They kept that Ford wagon through the 90s because as unpopular as it was, they found it had more room and versatility than those silly dodge minivans everyone was driving. Maybe something a little older like an Olds or Buick VistaView. It's not HAMB, but it's cool and parts should be available.



The old wagons were also built to haul travel trailers around, which will be a whole lot more economical for vacations than getting hotel rooms for seven.

The 50's Olds Fiesta wagon is way cool, but they may not have that third row of seating you'll require.




Oh hell, here's the thread on wagons I was looking for.

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2240&showall=1

A mere three threads from your thread.

 

the grocery getters have my vote !

 

Congrats on the instant family, fun times ahead. I like 50's-60's wagons been driving this one for about 3 years and it just happens to be for sale. Doesn't have the 9 passenger seat but I know where there is one available here locally Gary
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=371685

 

My family has enjoyed this car from junior high thru their high school years. Both my son and daughter have pictures of this car in their dorm rooms.
GW

 

Some good ideas, there.

But for sheer weirdness, how about an Austin FX4 London taxi:

perhaps with some ridiculously huge diesel in it?

In fact, pretty much any dedicated taxi will work, if the rear-facing jump seats are safe enough.

Here's a German approach. Mercedes-Benz 230 Lang:



Perhaps a bit thin on the ground in your part of the world.

But don't forget "working" limousines. Daimler?

There are lots of these floating around England, so perhaps not all that rare in the US?

But I've always liked the very first iteration of the Jeep Wagoneer:

It might be cool in the weeds with an AWD transfer box and all-round independent suspension, though that'd edge it out of HAMB territory.

 

Ok man I am gonna say stay away from galaxies they are no god and you will hate them they are horrible cars totally over priced chevys are waaaaaayyyy better. ok seriously how about 53/54 chevy suburbans? or dude!! oldschool cadillac limo?! they made some with minor streatches that allowed for a third row of seats in the middle. or........ galaxies but no 66s those are the worst !

 

oh yea old school vans would be cool to

 

We can fit nine.
This is the anti minivan my wife wanted, 48 Chrysler 7 pass sedan.

Jeff

 

I grew up in a family of 10....

our favorite vehicle to take out then EVERYONE went on a trip was my dads old international travel all.

here is a pic of the style we had...




I loved driving around with the family in that old wagon...... lots of room and HUGE windows.

 

Congratulations - When they are all raised you will be very glad you did it,
Just saw this over last week-end - Note the glass partition - HUGE tires and of course a little 454 to pull it -

 

How about a 64 Impala 409 Wagon. Now you have the 9 passanger with the 409 so its still got that "hot rod" appeal. I just happen to know where one is available.

 

split window vw bus

 

there ya go!!

 

Heres a good picture of the 409 wagon

 

Imagine the upholstery bill on one of these!!! Might be running seat covers for awhile!

Airport limos were done to a lot of 55-59 Chevy's by Armbruster and, IIRC Superior (ambulance builder). They occasionally pop up for sale.

You didn't say what your budget was, or how much work you can do yourself (making an 8 door 50's sedan yourself).
Prolly cheapest way out is 9 pass wagon or 50's-60's suburban.

 

I agree with your wife my vote is on this one

 

I really like my car, I can fit both boys, a stroller, cooler, tools, tent and still have room in it. I also know where a really nice yellow one is for sale..
although you need a kingswood, I know where a project one is!

 

There are two perfect cars for your needs in the classified today, a 1954 Chevrolet wagon, and a 1940 Ford stretched Limo, how many of those have you seen in your life?

 

I have the opposite problem. My 58 Coronet is TOO big. It`s only my wife and me and occasionally our 16 yr old.

I would love to trade for a 2 dr "something" or would probably sell this thing CHEAP.

 

This is my 50 Suburban I restored and sold a while back and my Father in law's 52 Pontiac wagon I just restored . I think these are an excellent choice with seating for 6 to 9 , tons of room for kid seats and the kids loved it . You can get in to either one of these fairly reasonably and fix em' up however you like as you go . I taught myself how to woodgrain on the wagon and they were both fun to work on . I'm going to do one again for my family pretty soon .

 

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One of these.

 

Be sure to check out the so-called 'professional cars', ya know, like the small limos used by funeral homes and such. Generally, not much demand and usually in top notch condition. Look here for examples: http://www.nationalhearse.net/forums/archive/index.php/f-11.html

And You get extra points for the extra kids!

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