What is a "cool" family cruiser

Nothing finer than a 1957 Chevy station wagon. They are 9 passenger and just reek cool.

 

I've been looking for the same thing, and found this website:
http://www.stationwagon.com/gallery/gallery.html
plenty of pics to browse

 

How about a '55 Ford Country Sedan, seats 9 comfortably

or a Ranchwagon, seats 6, throw the leftover in the back.

Mine today, has plenty of room to make more babies with the seat folded down...

 

Cool cruiser for the fam.....

Rat

 

A 1958 Mercury Turnpike Cruizer Wagon. Gigantic car with room to spare. My mom had one and even back then we called it the Land Yacht

 

How about a stretch '56 Ford Fairlane???

 

57 Chevy wagon. Can never go wrong with a 57

 

Congrats! Looks like every one else has beat me to it, but my vote would be for a A100 or an old wagon.

 

I've got a Corvair 9 passenger van.
has plenty of room, drive it quite often..........still turns heads.

 

late 30's sedans....i love the suicide doors.

 

Great thread. What rodding-minded guy hasn't found himself suddenly with kids AND still wants to cruise in STYLE?

 

Any old Wagon

 

Where in hell would you park this thing, Man, I'd have to park it behind the grocery store like my neighbor does his big rig, then walk home 3 blocks.

 

here is a neat one that was at last yr's Manifold on Main show in
Irving Tx............should be a good turn out Sat for the 2009 show..

 

Congrats on the addition to your family.....here's my family transport....

 

how about this one??

 

How about this one too? Can't beat this look.

 

Thank you all for the Great comments and the well wishes! I know there have been a lot of Long roof/more door threads but I had not seen anything that specifically addressed 7+ passenger vehicles of all kinds. I have learned a great deal.
<O
I sat my wife down last night and let her read through this whole thread (her first time on HAMB) she was surprised at the great response from everyone and now (thank god) her heart is set on a 57 Chevy 9 seater Wagon. This is going to be her car after all, so now it looks like we are on the hunt.

<O

 

i found the ultimate BIG family vehicle.

http://www.autotraderclassics.com/find/vehicle/vehicleDetail.xhtml?adId=66912&ownerId=63912021

 

I posted a couple wagons, so when I say this remember that I'm all for the old family cruiser idea and I don't mean to be a downer. But remember that if it's her primary transportation, something made in this century may be better so that you have the peace of mind knowing you're less likely to have to rescue her off the side of the road with the 5 kids standing in the hot sun or trying not to freeze, or a drunk driving into her stranded car (they're attracted to lights like moths). Obviously newer cars break too, but most of us on the forum don't mind getting under the hood to figure it out. She probably won't know what to do, and your choice of her primary car might put her and your kids unnecessarily at risk. You also probably will be the one who works on her car due to few mechanics around anymore that will know how. Thus, she'll be out of a car for awhile till you can get to it (or driving yours). Your going to have all kinds of new baseball, or soccer, or spelling bee schedules to deal with. Your time is going to become precious.

Your family would also be safer with airbags, collapsible steering columns, and other modern features. You could build the old wagon for family vacations, weekend cruises to car shows, and going to Grandmas at Thanksgiving.

Please don't take this as I don't think a 50 year old car can be reliable. It just takes a lot of effort to get one back up to that level, and you may not have the time or $$ with your new big family to get it there.

I bring this up because I got tired of the stress and scheduling repairs with the older car my wife was driving, and throwing a rod bearing on a 102 degree day was the final straw. I love wrenching on old cars, but I can't take anymore canceling all my time with the family on the weekend because I have to fix the car else I don't get to work on Monday. Now she drives a newish Kia (boring), but when we get her car rebuilt she wants to drive it again, but have the Kia around for backup (Actually, she thinks I should drive the Kia so that she can my car as the secondary).

 

Wow. I can see a Cummins Turbo Diesel in that. Oodles of space, comfort, power, and good mileage.

I don't however see a parking spot!

 

Actually her daily driver right now is a O/T 2008 Kia, that is not going anywhere but it is only a 5 seater. We only need the Wagon when the whole fam-damily rolls out (that would include me). But it will still be her car, mine is a 41 Chevy coupe,........I dont claim the kia.

Really it is just an exuse for her to let me buy another cool old car

 

So that's the trick... Have more kids, buy another "cool old car". I'll get started on thar right away Just one question, How do you afford another "cool old car" with all those kids

 

Two Words "Garage Sale"




Of course there is a "Not for sale!" sign in the 41

 

Check out craigslist Las Angelas. There is a bad ass 55,56,57 chevy wagoon, fat whites, and bagged out. Its a flat green. I dont know the guy or anything so not helping him out but when I get bored I look all over the states for cool shit and happen to run across that. I thought it was a nice car for sure. Anyway search that craigslist...and hell if someone seees this and buys it from the guy tell him to send me a case of beer (thats if he isnt already on here). Anyway good luck...

 

Hey man good luck with the wagon hunt the great news is if you can score a 57 the world as I am sure you know is your oyster! parts parts parts every were and everyone has done them from lowriders to gasers so picking a style and getting the cheese to build it will be the hardest part! wish you and your family luck and cant wait to see the build pics of this family ride........bummed you didnt go for the suburban limo though man! think of the keep the kids quiet dvd/game system you could have put in that bad boy !!

 

What a little cutie, good luck to you and your Family...

I'm on my second generation, raising my grandson...



Grandma hates it when I get him greasy...

 

Oldsmobile 70's Vista Cruiser wagon

 

Wow....5 row seating!

 

*Check out this link......
You could put them in the back.....maybe add a 3rd row seat if seatbelts are wanted....This wagon is a really good deal. The owner is a complete asshole though.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=394251