Sitting on the lawn mower is always a wonderful time to have some uninterrupted thoughts. Knowing Wagon Week was coming up, I was pondering which wagon from the year of my birth would most tempt me. The options were as rich that year as ever, and likely this was the peak of station wagons, as there were small, medium, and large offerings. So sit down in the time machine as I hand you a pile of imaginary money for you to go shopping.
Not wanting to miss out on a terrific option, we’re stopping at the AMC dealer first. Wagons are at their pinnacle of variety as even tiny AMC has three offerings, with this Hornet wagon on the petite end. AMC was getting into the swing of 1970s chic and a person can get their Hornet wagon with some really eye-popping upholstery; who wants conformity?
Stepping up to the Matador gets you the 258 straight-six as standard equipment plus your choice of four V8s, ranging up to the potent 401 cubic inch (6.6 liter) mill. Wood trim was optional as was an automatic transmission.
While the Ambassador wasn’t a biggie in the same vein as Ford or GM, it was their biggest available. A V8 was standard equipment. The green one is painted Grasshopper Green; I would like to see it devoid of the faux wood.
For years, Ford was much more competitive in wagon sales than Chevrolet. In looking for brochure pictures, I’m not sure how Ford was so successful, as they dedicated approximately 0.05% of their brochure space to wagons for 1972. To its credit, Ford provided voluminous amounts of wagon material to their salesmen. These pictures were contained in a 150-page wagon guide for salesmen; perhaps Ford’s strategy was to carpet bomb prospects with all manner of lurid and tawdry wagon facts?
The Pinto was still rather new to the market in 1972. Here’s a picture with all sorts of sales propaganda; a wood grained appliqué for the automatic transmission bezel was standard on the Squire models. How could I resist such luxurious temptations? If there were a 302 V8 available, we might be talking.
I am terminally biased against Torinos; everyone has a car they love to hate. Such a beautiful name on such an ugly car.
However, Ford was very good about providing distinct trim differences on their wagons. One could also get a 429 cubic inch (7.0 liter) V8 in their Torino wagon. There is the rebellious part of me who wants this engine in an innocuous looking Gran Torino Squire just so I can annoy the neighbors by burning rubber down the street at 5:30 am.
While I do find the full-size wagons attractive, I just don’t see one as being a good fit for me. However, lots of folks felt differently, as Ford sold 206,000 of their full-sized wagons in 1972. It was by far the most popular wagon for 1972.
I do find the plainer version rather more compelling, and it would be as satisfying as a cold beer on a hot day (or a warm beer on a cold day).
Maybe a Mercury, seen here in Colony Park trim, would be more my style. That front end reminds me of the Parthenon for some inexplicable reason, and it provides a certain allure and fascination. Its face helps balance out the heaviness of the rear for a nice overall look.
While the Colony Park sold quite well, the Marquis wagon sold a mere 2,085 copies, making it the most rare wagon found for 1972. Even the Mercury Monterey wagon outsold it by a factor of two.
You can send a jackass to charm school, but it’s still a jackass. And this Mercury Montego Villager is still a Torino. Others seemed to think the same thing; Where Ford sold 81,000 Torino wagons, only 15,000 Montego wagons moved somebody to sign on the dotted line.
The choice and variety is simply astounding. Since we are walking Retail Row, let’s keep going. Next up is the Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge dealer.
Some wagon names are legendary. Ford had the Country Squire, a name that conjured up images of portly English gentleman traipsing around the countryside with an air of self-importance. Pontiac had the Safari, giving mental pictures of hanging a rifle out the window, waiting to blast some hapless rhinoceros into oblivion. Even Buick had their Estate wagon, appropriately named as it was about the size of some estates, as we shall soon see.
However, the definitive wagon name has always been Town & Country. It provokes images of doing various wonderful and exciting tasks regardless of where you are, a wagon that proves its luxurious utility every day with every chore. Even the full-figured fuselage Town & Country emits vibes of swanky usefulness and comfort. It’s high on my list.
However, the Dodge Monaco wagon trumps the Town & Country. Maybe it’s the hidden headlights or lack of fender skirts. Maybe it’s the simply rarity of it, as this is one of the least numerous of the bunch with only 7,700 being built. Regardless, this Monaco is a looker. It came with a standard 360 cubic inch (5.9 liter) V8.
The Polara wagon, propelled by a standard 318 cubic inch (5.2 liter) V8, sold a smidgen better.
Now for this being 1972, odds are many people will have a garage designed for a wagon somewhat less full-figured than the Monaco or Town & Country. If that’s the case, this Coronet is just the ticket. Not all Coronets wound up as police cars or taxi cabs, and this would be an attractive car for you and the family.
Skip the slant six; go for the optional 440 cubic inch (7.2 liter) V8.
Who would have guessed? Dodge wasn’t the only one with hidden headlights available on their wagons; Plymouth also had them on their Fury. I still prefer the Dodge, as the bumper doesn’t look like it’s trying to consume the front of the car.
The Fury wagon outsold the combined production of Polara and Monaco wagons by about 3 to 1.
As a child, I watched entirely too much television. This brown Satellite wagon is even about the same color as the one from The Brady Bunch. I have to pass on this one simply for the association. We’re car shopping, so we can discriminate all we want for whatever reasons we like. Plymouth’s Satellite wagon would outsell the comparable Coronet by a factor of two.
Since there is no Checker dealer for us to check out an Aerobus, let’s peruse the GM store.
Chevrolet has their nifty Vega Kammback wagon. Rumor has it there are a few engine issues starting to crop up, so let’s keep looking.
This Chevelle looks so bug-eyed and very 1968. By 1972 any mechanical wrinkles should have been ironed out long ago and it’s likely as solid and robust as anything here. The porky Torino still outsold it by a 25,000 unit margin.
The 250 cubic inch (4.1 liter) straight six was standard equipment, as was a three-speed manual. A Powerglide could still be bolted to this engine or the optional 307 cubic inch (5.0 liter) V8. On the other end of the power spectrum, one could obtain a 400 cubic inch (6.6 liter) V8 with a four-speed manual. Now that would help overcome that bug-eyed face.
While Ford again stomped Chevrolet in wagon sales, Chevrolet’s sales figures for wagons were still the second best of this bunch with 160,000 built. Of those, 158,974 would meet their demise in demolition derbies around North America.
Four different V8s were available.
Maybe it was deemed suitable, but I pity whoever chose a Pontiac LeMans wagon with the standard 250 cubic inch (4.1 liter) six-cylinder. Maybe it works out well for the pillow salesman whose territory is primarily flat prairie ground. I have been in several precarious situations due to a lack of engine power, so I would go with the available 455 cubic inch (7.4 liter) V8. It’s 1972 so fuel economy is not a pressing concern.
For those aiming to have an air-conditioned journey in Africa (or visit a drive-through animal park) there is the Pontiac Safari, based upon the Catalina. For those overachievers who want mahogany-looking wood and an extra 55 cubic inches of motivation, there is the Bonneville based Grand Safari.
There were two Safari wagons sold for every Grand Safari.
Being barely more popular than the Monaco is the Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser. Unlike Pontiac LeMans wagon, the Oldsmobile A-body Cruisers had a 350 cubic inch (5.7 liter) V8 as standard equipment.
With the Olds, the Vista Cruiser is what captivated buyer’s attention, outselling the Cutlass Cruiser by over a factor of four.
The Vista Cruiser has certainly played a wide number of roles over time.
For the discerning Olds buyer who wanted something more traditionally sized, there was the Custom Cruiser wagon. Not wanting to disappoint its customers, the 455 cubic inch (7.4 liter) V8 was found under the hood of every Custom Cruiser wagon. At around 5,000 pounds it doesn’t weigh that much more than a new Honda Odyssey minivan.
The last stop on our excursion is the Buick dealer. Despite the slathering of attention on every type of Skylark, Buick didn’t see fit to place the A-body wagon in their brochure. While this might seem to be a turnoff to prospective buyers, it apparently wasn’t, as Buick unloaded 14,400 of them. Like over at Oldsmobile, a 350 V8 was standard.
Two out of three Buick wagon buyers went for the 455 V8-powered Estate Wagon. While these weighed about the same as their Oldsmobile counterparts, these do look more lithe and svelte. Maybe it’s the open wheel wells in the rear.
You could certainly stuff a lot of kids into these Buick wagons.
So which would you choose? Would you take a ’72, or do you need to re-enter the time machine to reach your year of birth? What tantalizes you?
After looking and thinking about it, I know I’ve made my decision. There are 401 compelling reasons why I chose it.
My choice would probably be the Town & Country wagon. The fuselage styling exudes a kind of grace and elegance not found on most other large wagons. The Town & Country also sported the richest interior trimmings of the Mopar wagon fleet.
I like the Fury Sport Suburban and Dodge Monaco wagons, but the Fury front end is a bit too busy. I love the Monaco’s hidden headlights and front fascia, but while interesting, the Di-Noc looks far more cheesy in real pictures of the car.
And the DiNoc on the Monaco was just weird.
Better that than the weird grille and front end of the 1972 Dodge Polara.
It looks like something you’d find on the side of a ride vehicle from Disney World.
Is it just me, or do the front ends of the Coronet and Town & Country look very similar, almost identical? Seems like the smart money would get the cheaper, fully-loaded Coronet.
That’s what my parents did. In fact they bought the exact car in the brochure, a ’72 Coronet Crestwood in Sherwood Gren Metallic. Two-seater, because thy liked the extra storage space.
As much as a GM wagon fan as I am, if it were styling alone I’d chose the Dodge Monaco or Plymouth Sport Suburban! I love those hidden headlights and that fuselage styling that some love to hate! I’m content with my Roadmaster Estate, one of the more modern equivalents of the big boy wagons of yore. I forgot to mention that the unique hidden rear window washing system available on Chrysler Corporation wagons of this era is super cool and would come in handy in Massachusetts given the splash that would accumulate back there!
Vega Kammback for me. I did own the later version (’79 Monza), and I have lots of pleasant memories and almost no bad ones of my ’73 Vega. Of course, I traded it in on a ’76 Monza 2+2, probably saving me lots of problems.
Plus there was a guy in the local autocross group with a ’73 Kammback GT. We swapped cars one day, and damned if his didn’t handle a bit better around the course. Which explained a lot on given Sundays . . . .
I’ll take a Hornet Sportabout woody. Still looks sharp today; although I must say the Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth fuselage models are stunning.
Vega Kammback…with a 350 transplant of course!
This is no contest for me, Hornet Sportabout. I’m not a big wagon enthusiast, (possibly noticeable by my overall lack of comments this week lol) but that one is the only one I think looks as good, if not better than all the other Hornet bodystyles.
I agree, It almost seems like the other Hornet body styles were based off of the Sportabout reversing the usual pattern, As though they started with the wagon,and then chopped off parts to get the sedan,hatchback etc. The Sportabout is the best looking wagon of the ’70s!
Agreed, the Hornet’s design seems by far the most advanced, something that wouldn’t look too out of place today. That styling did elsewhere, ironically at GM (UK): the Vauxhall Victor FE estate looks VERY similar…
What strikes me about the Ford full-sized range (which I’m most familiar with from childhood) is how little difference there was between models, other than decoration. Power front disk brakes, clock, & glove-box light seem about the only technical differences between the Sedan & Squire. Yet even the Ranch Wagon had the power tailgate window standard.
“Ranch Wagon” sounds like a buckboard, to humiliate frugal buyers, I suppose.
Chrysler Town & Country, all day long. Or, perhaps even the Olds Custom Cruiser. Go big or go home! However, I will admit to being a mite intrigued by the Ambassador wagon.
Gotta be the Coronet/Satellites for me with the Cutlass running a VERY close second. I always thought the Kammback wagon was the best looking of all the Vegas and it would have been my pick but for that POS engine!
My Aunt, the one who had the 61 Chevy and 65 Plymouth wagons previously mentioned, then had a 70 AMC Ambassador wagon, which I also have camping pix of, on 35mm slides. The two way doorgate on that wagon never worked quite right. The dealer could get it adjusted to open like a door, or like a tailgate, but never so it could be opened either way. One day, my Aunt opened it like a tailgate, after previously opening it like a door, and discovered the lower right pivot had not engaged when she closed it, so the tailgate fell off in her hands. She got it adjusted one more time, to work reliably as a tailgate, and removed the handle for opening it like a door.
When I was using the foundry’s 74 Ambassador wagon, I always opened it like a tailgate, so I don’t know if that one opened reliably as a door as well.
And therein is a casebook example of what went wrong in the U.S. auto industry starting in ’72.
I currently have a ’71 AMC Ambassador wagon. It has the same tailgate problem as your aunt’s did! I’m making do having it open reliably as a door for now.
The only real difference between the Matador and Ambassador is the latter has the wheelbase stretched several inches ahead of the firewall. All that does is make the car harder to maneuver and let AMC advertise it as bigger than the Matador. (The amount of dead space between the firewall and the front wheels on this car is crazy. The engine is way out front as well, perched on the crossmember.)
The Ambassador did come with more standard equipment, though electric wipers were still on the option list until 1972. That year also brought a better automatic transmission and more modern heater/air conditioner controls. (The ’71 has five levers and a knob to twiddle!)
My Ambassador has the 360 V8 rather than the mighty 401 but it still steps out OK. The “big” AMC wagons used pretty much the same body shell from 1967 to 1978 with changes in things like fenders, grilles, bumpers, and lights. The only major chassis change as far as I know came in 1970 with the company-wide switch to full ball-joint front suspension.
In 1971 Popular Science tested the domestic full-size wagons and the Ambassador came out on top in just about all categories.
I currently have a ’71 AMC Ambassador wagon. It has the same tailgate problem as your aunt’s did! I’m making do having it open reliably as a door for now.
I suppose it’s some comfort to know that your tailgate problem is not the result of 40 years of use, but a design flaw that the car had when new.
Ford no doubt had their doorgate mechanism covered with patents, so everyone tried to copy the functionability, with a different mechanism. We know how AMC’s version worked out. GM had a version for a few years, but it must not have worked worth a hoot either as they went to the clamshell.
My Ambassador has the 360 V8 rather than the mighty 401 but it still steps out OK.
iirc the 360 became the standard engine somewhere in the early 70s. My Aunt’s 70 had a 304, which was a bit wimpy, especially when loaded with camping gear and pulling her Apache trailer.
In 1971 Popular Science tested the domestic full-size wagons and the Ambassador came out on top in just about all categories.
Not surprised. Besides the Ambassador, the foundry had a 74 LTD sedan. I loathed that LTD for it’s numb and slow steering as well as it’s mushy suspension. The Ambassador was light years better on the highway.
“The Ambassador was light years better on the highway.”
Popular Science praised the Ambassador’s performance, handling, and braking. This was with optional 401 V8 and front disc brakes. I forget when the 401 was discontinued, I think in the late 1970s. It is highly sought after today, though you can build up a 360 to be a decent performer.
The review can be found in the April 1971 edition, go to page 42: Popular Science Archive – April 1971
A few upgrades make it even better. Mine has heavy-duty springs and shocks, plus a quick-ratio power steering box meant for a Pontiac TransAm. It doesn’t wallow at all and is about as “tossable” as you’re going to get in a 4000-pound wagon.
I would say for those looking for a big AMC wagon, the best year would be 1972. This brought in the excellent Chrysler Torqueflite transmission to replace the aging Borg-Warner slushbox, standard electric wipers, and rational/modernized HVAC controls. At that point the engines were only mildly emissions-strangled, this changed for the worse in subsequent years.
The big Chevy wagon, or maybe the Olds variant (for sheer presence). My first car was the old family ’71 Chevy Kingswood Estate wagon, and that electric tailgate… total chick magnet.
I would (and did) choose a ’71 Olds Custom Cruiser
LOVE THAT WAGON. Glad to see someone fixing it up, in all of its Palm Green glory : )
Wow this is such a cool sight. My Dad ordered and bought a new Olds Custom Cruiser in ’73. I still have a Popular Science magazine with the ’73 new cars. The Olds list price was higher then the Buick Estate Wagon and 2nd to the Chrysler T&C which was the most expensive American wagon that year!
Bob
+1 Custom Cruiser would be my pick. Wanted one then, want one now.
AMC Hornet hands down. I was born in ’72 so I have an extra strong opinion on this one!
Nice article, Jason, and great choice. Probably no surprise that KenoshaBoy here agrees wholeheartedly. The Sportabout is very pretty, but the Matador (and Ambassador) are much nicer cars. And I like me some 401!
How did GM and Ford come to decide Pinto and Vega should be 2 doors?
My guess is, either they figured family buyers would opt for the next size larger model, like a Maverick or Nova, or else they assumed no one would want an unsporty-looking small car.
All Pintos and Vegas, wagons or otherwise, were 2-doors.
Rumor (and “Collectible Automobile” iirc) has it that Chevy tested a Vega four-door sedan but it split in two on the proving grounds! One more door wouldn’t have helped.
There are a few pics on the internet, without context and with some baffling details, of a Pinto wagon with at least one rear passenger door, apparently on Ford’s test track.
Split in two?? My friend once insisted he saw a Vega’s engine fall out on the freeway, confirming its reputation to us.
I’m thinking that is a later photo shopped 4dr “conversion” the front door does not look useable. Note just how narrow the opening is at the top. It also looks like you can see the driver’s seat which is well behind the B pillar.
Mercury Colony Park for me. 460 please. Second choice? Buick Estate with 455
Apart from the Pontiacs, there is not a dud in that whole line-up. Buick Estate Wagon for me.
Hands down the AMC Hornet and it would have to be green. My friend had a Hornet when he was young and if it could survive the punishment he gave it without ever breaking or skipping a beat then it would surely last a few decades. Ah youth, done and on to the next one.
I do have a soft spot for the chevy clamshell wagons though. My dad bought a ’72 used back in ’77 and as kids we became somewhat attached to it riding in the way back and all. We used to sit all the way at the back against the gate out in the wind even after seatbelt laws came into effect. Someone would yell “COP!” and we would lie flat on the floor until we heard “CLEAR!”. It was the stripper Brookwood without the third row seat and manual tail gate release. You had to have a strong arm to lift that thing up once it was down. Mom’s rule “Don’t put the tailgate done unless your father’s around”. I got to drive it after dad passed but by then it was one rattle can ahead of the rust and not very practical given the circumstances. Lucky for us it got snagged on a city bus and dragged to it’s end.
No prizes for guessing what your pick among the ’72 import wagons would be, though?
A ’72 Ford Country Sedan, with the 429 engine, would be my choice as the updated model of Mom’s ’66 Country Sedan.
BUT
An AMC Hornet wagon, with the 360 engine and the Oleg Cassini interior would be a strong second.
Vista Cruiser, especially with a 455 and a transplanted 442 scooped hood. Red Forman, FTW.
It’s a tough call, as there were so many compelling choices for 1972. In fact 1970-72 are my favourite model years for American cars, at least stylistically.
The Vista Cruiser is one of the most iconic wagons of all time, so it’s hard to look past it. Looking as good as ever for 1972. Also the last year for a proper Vista Cruiser. (no fan of the colonnade wagons)
I also have great love for the Hornet Sportabout wagon. I consider it to be one of AMC’s greatest design achievements, looking good well into the 80’s. It’s just so right-sized and well proportioned. Make mine an ‘X’ with the biggest V8 and a floor shift manual. Brightly coloured inside and out of course.
A cute little Pinto Squire would be a nice to have too. The full size wagons from all makes were impressive looking, particularly GM’s. Too big for me though. I’m more of an intermediate and compact guy.
I’ve had experience with the GM A bodies and I find them to be a good compromise between interior size with a still manageable outer length. My Dad had a 64 Tempest then later a 69 Le Mans wagon and maybe it’s the GTO connection but I can’t see them as dull family cars. With the 326 and the 350 V8s they were plenty peppy and seemed to handle pretty good. Any of the A bodies can be built up as a “muscle wagon” which seems like a pretty good compromise for a family man. The only full size wagon in our family was a 67 Biscayne that I thought was cheap as dirt, but it did ride pretty good. Okay, my dream choice would be that Mercury Colony Park. What a name of bourgeois splendor, and the styling and appointments are only a whisper away from a Lincoln Continental. On a practical note I would choose the Hornet Sportabout w/o dinoc panels. It is really a stretched four door hatchback since their is no tailgate, so the lift over is kind of high. My Dad’s litmus test was if you could carry a refrigerator, so this wouldn’t have been for him. I find the front and rear styling to be very pleasing though. My uncle bought one of the first Hornet two door sedans when they came out and it was as cheap as dirt.
I forgot to mention the CC effect I experienced yesterday morning on the way to work. I was driving my old Mustang and a 72 Malibu wagon passed me on the left side. It was a high line model with the roof rack and cool back up lights in the tailgate. It sported some Rally wheels and two pipes protruded from the rear bumper. It was well preserved and cared for, but no garage queen. I could see a tool box and construction stuff in the back as it passed me. Got me to thinking how cool one of these would be.
Give me a Chevy Suburban from the top picture, 4×4, TH400 and the biggest engine available on the 1500 series, plus all the extras.
If I have to take a passenger car one, the Olds Vista Cruiser looks best to me. A close second would be a stripper Coronet police package with the 440 and A727 Torqueflite.
The choice between the Country Squire and Torino has me in a deep quandary. So I guess it will have to be the T&C.
Wow, a fantasy car question where Paul and I pick the same car? This feels so wrong. 🙂
This is surreal…we have nearly the same thoughts about a Ford.
Don’t we always? 🙂
If I had to go FoMoCo it would be the ’70 Mercury Montego with the hideaway headlights and Knudson nose.
I always liked the styling of the 1972 Torino and Chevelle, although I can say that I never really cared for either in station wagon form. I always thought the most intermediates from the late 1960’s to early 1970’s didn’t look that good as wagons. Maybe the Vista Cruiser with it’s lengthened wheelbase and raised roof looked pretty decent. For me, I’d have to go with the ultimate wagon, a clamshell. Either a 454 Chevy Kingswood or 455 Buick Estate wagon. When I used to participate in wagon clubs, these were considered by many as the ultimate wagons. I don’t mind the styling of the LTD wagons too, but I never cared for the sideways facing seats in the Ford wagons.
Mercury Marquis for me.
Just teasing Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser all the way.
+1 on the Vista Cruiser,that roof seals the deal!Make mine a woody please
+2 The Vista Cruiser is the wagon icon of the late ’60s and early ’70s
I remember those station wagons back in the 1960s/1970s had some interesting tailgate innovations:
The full-size GM wagons had a split power tailgate where the top half rolled up into the roof and the bottom half rolled under the floor at the turn of a key. Anybody have comments on the reliability and practicality? Understand it didn’t last too long before GM reverted to a conventional three-way tailgate like Ford.
Ford had a three-way tailgate: 1) folded down like a conventional tailgate; 2) or opened like a regular door with the window up; 3) was opened up like a regular door with the windows down.
Chrysler had a curved spoiler attached to the end of the roof rack that diverted wind flow down over the tailgate glass, thus keeping it clean.
I don’t see those innovations continued after the 1970s/80s even with the full size luxury wagons
In those days Ford was the “Wagonmaster” and GM wanted to one-up Ford’s tailgate, so they came up with the clamshell design. Our ’73 Custom Cruiser of course had it so I’m quite familiar with them. They were actually very reliable. We never had problems nor do I recall anyone else having issues.
The power rear window was standard. The power tailgate was an option. We didn’t have it. It was easy to tell if the tailgate was or wasn’t power operated. The manual ones had a handle in the middle top of the trim to pull the gate up. Around ’72 or ’73 “wings” were added to the switch on the manual gates. Must be on the earlier ones folks broke the key off opening the gate. I remember you had to give it a healthy pull to close it tight.
I think what killed of the clamshell tailgate idea was, complexity, cost (surprise) and the “fastback” rear window ate into a lot of cargo room.
In fact today you don’t see any kind of tailgate on wagons. They really were handy. But the rear liftgates used today are cheaper to manufacture.
Bob
Very few bad choices there, but definitely the Vista Cruiser.
Almost as much space as the full size wagons, small enough to probably fit in the garage, and just plain good looking. 🙂
To make it perfect, sneak some 442 bits in underneath, but keep it looking stock. 🙂
Back then, I’d have chosen the Chevelle. These days, it’d be the Hornet. Many great choices, but most are just too big now.
Olds Custom Cruiser or Buick Estate please. Clamshells forever!
Too bad there were no Chevy Nova , Ford Maverick, Plymouth Valiant wagons during that time.
Ford should have offered a Maverick wagon to fill the gap between the Pinto and Torino.
I’ll take the Ambassador in blue, and please Brougham it out as much as you can!
Did the Ambassador offer the wood-background gauges, or was that just the Matador?
I like the gauges, but that matador front end!
I wouldn’t mind the lime green metallic Dodge Cornet wagon I had in Driver’s Ed. But a 72 AMC Ambassador wagon would be great. Dad had a genuine “Brougham” 72 Ambassador sedan.
Pinto wagon or Hornet Sportabout. Lots of choices, but those would be my preferences.
Excellent work, here Jason.
When our first child was born, I took my wife to the hospital in a VW Bug and picked her up in a ’72 Buick Roadmonster wagon. I mostly liked it, but it was a mistake because instead of carrying everything we needed for the baby in the Bug, we carried everything we had for the baby in the Buick. According to the registraiton it weighed 5,300 pounds! It ran on ambulance tires. During the winter, if I only drove it a mile back and forth to work, it got 2 miles per gallon. Best I ever got was 13 on the highway. Still owned it when gas skyrocketed for the first time. If I had to do it over again, I doubt that I would.
Grand Safari, hands down! Such romance, journeying to the interior, even if it’s just the “interior” of the U.S. Via I-80! Tied for second are the Country Squire and Estate Wagon.
Without a doubt a Pontiac Grand Safari red with rally wheels. I like how it retains the cock bottle shape, aped by the wood trim. If you are going to do fake wood you need decent ash trim.
Shouldn’t the Jeep Wagoneer be included in the list?
Wagoneer? Now we need the Travelall. Do I get to change my vote?
Travelall, yes.
I thought about it, but then that would necessitate the Suburban and Travelall. It opted to go with passenger car based wagons. While there are some disqualified candidates in the leading picture, the caption on it was what I was looking for.
Hornet. I drove most of these, give or take a couple of model years. (Owned by relatives or friends.) The only one I remember with pleasure is the Hornet. Comfy seats, precise handling.
What a great article. I loved reading over all of the wagons at once – talk about sensory overload for the longroof aficionado! Dreaming. . .my first choice would be the Custom Cruiser, in that wonderful harvest gold, as pictured above (except with the ivory color vinyl and contrasting dark brown carpet and dash). . . light green with an avocado interior would also do just fine. In reality, I’ll settle for the car whose large behind is tucked into my carport, a weathered Polara with a dropped-in 440:
Well, the parents chose the Vega Kammback…. They were tired of unreliable Swedish cars. Turned out to be rather a frying pan to fire event.
But I do have great memories of family vacations to Maine in it, carrying a canoe on the roof (that was rather longer than the car). I wish I could find a picture.
As many have said, there are few bad choices here. 1972 was the year I got my driver’s license, so I wasn’t looking at wagons very much. But I have always preferred full sized cars, so put me down for the Town & Country, with the Grand Marquis bringing up second. If I wanted a compact, the Vega GT is a sharp looker. I actually had a ’73 in later years, and it was a good car once I installed a sleeved short block.
A maxed out Colony Park or a Town and Country. No Family Truckster!
I don’t think theres a bad choice there, Id even take a Pinto or a Vega as long as I got a small block to swap in.
But I think my first choice would be a loaded dark green (with woodgrain of course) Coronet Crestwood with a 440.
A very close second would be a white/woodgrain Colony Park like the one I lusted over that my neighbors had when I was a little guy.
Kadett,(sorry, I am an Opel nut) Hornet, Ambassador, Monaco in that order. Lets not forget the Frenchies Peugeots 404/504 or Citroen Ds. Volvo’s P1800Es is a looker also. Station wagon week is great!
What are my budget and hauling needs, is it for me or the wife (and does my theoretical barely-post-Feminine-Mystique life mate insist on a slushbox), why are imports and truck-based models left out and why doesn’t the Mopar dealer have any Colt wagons (Cricket wagons didn’t appear till ’73 I think)? Ask questions, son…
The “safe” pick among the midsizers would be the Chevelle with a 350/350. Still a true midsize rather than the fullsize exterior/compact interior Torino and all the bugs worked out. Similarly powered Vista Cruiser if there’s more money to spend and more room needed.
Going big or small probably means going Ford; the Wagonmaster’s lead in full-size wagons had to exist for a reason and mean “station-wagon living” gadgets were optimized for it, and I hear from a dealership insider that a 2000cc/4-speed Pinto on those newfangled radial tires is the hot ticket of the entire Ford line.
Oh, and unless the little woman absolutely INSISTS, I’m skipping the Di-Noc.
Stepping out of period character, I think the lack of wagon material in the Ford brochure is because a) like Chevy, they put out a separate wagon brochure (which oldcarbrochures.com doesn’t have), and b) the Pinto, which did get a two-page spread in the line brochure from ’73 onward, was a midyear launch.
I thought about including imports, but didn’t for two reasons. One, it took a terribly long time to find pictures of these and two, including the imports would have taken much, much longer.
Skipping the di-noc is always a good call.
Skipping the Di-noc is never a good idea 😉
Owned a 72 Vega Panel Express and test drove an automatic Pinto Squire…I’d take a Vega GT wagon. Other choice (s)? I would ignore the full-sizers as a bit of overkill for my needs and it would be a toss-up between a Malibu and a Torino/Montego. I’ve driven a 69 and 70 Malibu and they are “okay” cars. For looks (and because I’m a Ford fan) I’d want a Torino….or a Montego, the Montego getting a slight edge for rarity and that front end treatment.
I haven’t seen any of these cars in YEARS.
I don’t like what Chevy did to the front end of the 72 Impala…..It looks like someone took a 1971 Chevy and grabbed the grill like a windowblind and yanked it toward the ground … pulling the top of the hood down into the grill area….Grill is too low on the car.
Too much metal showing above the grill and too much grill showing below the bumper…. One explanation I read was that the front end of the 71 Chevies looked too much like a Cadillac and Chevy was told to revise the front end to differentiate it more from a Caddy in ’72.
1973 was the last year in my opinion that the AMC Matador had a decent looking front end…..Starting in 1974, AMC went off the wall with the long extended center grill section on the Matadors….Aside from all this, I still like the looks of these older cars compared to the look-alike jellybean styled cars of the present.
For ’72, makers added 2.5 mph bumpers, getting ready for the big 5 mph ones in ’73. That’s why the change from ’71 open grilles.
Should have just did the 2.5’s for ’73 on.
Wow! All the tasty choices! I’m normally a Mopar guy, and had this been a ’74-’77 discussion I woud say definitely the Town & Country, but fuselage wagons have never grabbed me the same way.
For 1972, Oldsmobile gets my vote – I’m torn between clamshell and Vista.
The Town & Country would be my choice for its combination of utility and understated elegance.
I remember being very impressed with the 72 Country Squire wagon my friend’s parents owned. Big, smooth on the open road and it was air conditioned! Perfect for those trips to the lake and their cabin when jack was allowed to use the wagon for hauling things. It was had a brownish exterior with ginger leather and cloth. Good times…
I would certainly choose that car over any other wagon.
Easy choice, 1972 Plymouth Custom Suburban. Hidden Headlights, dual AC, 400 4bbl, trailer tow package, 3 seats, Mopar light green and green interior. I had a 71 sport suburban in green with green seats in high school, I hated that color combo then, but the Mopar green feels so right. The 400 4bbl is the best engine in these big wagons, lots of power but it will not kill you on the gas. The dual ac in the Mopar wagons was neat. I would also get the AM FM stereo radio with the floor mounted cassette player.
If I was looking for a nice compact wagon in ’72 I would have chosen the AMC Hornet. For an intermediate, I would have looked seriously at the AMC Matador and Ford Torino. I like the Matador’s styling more. For full-size, probably a Ford Country Squire or a Mercury Colony Park, which looks more upscale. I think the GM full-sizers were just too big and ungainly in ’72, but they would probably have won me over in the 1977 downsizing.
Well, I’m honored that I actually HAD a 1972 wagon! https://www.curbsideclassic.com/cars-of-a-lifetime/coal-1972-chevrolet-concours-wagon-american-iron-or-american-icon/
However, if I had the choice of a do-over and all of the above options were available, I think I might have to try the Matador or the Fury. A fun read, thanks!
Coronet or Satellite 360, burnt orange, hold the Di-Noc. I actually think the wagons wore the B-fuselage look better than the sedans did.
The T&C illustration must be in the running for most deformed catalog pic ever. It looks to be hauling lead ingots so massive, the front tire is no longer circular.
A great year for wagons. All the Mopars are quite interesting. The T&C was rare even when new, and you knew it was something swank when you saw one.
I was an Olds guy back then, and I’m anti rear facing seat now, for safety reasons. So, the Olds Vista and Custom are both viable choices. I have a lot of experience owning and driving big GM iron from this era, and they were pretty easy to handle once you got used to them. So, I’m going big here: Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser.
Tough decisions! As much as I love the GM clamshell wagons – especially in Grand Safari form – and am quite taken with the Fuselage wagons (unusual, because I’m not a huge fuselage fan), I think I’d probably be sensible and take a Vista Cruiser. Sufficiently stylish but not too large… Great for a family!
’72 Chevy Suburban (I know it’s a truck, but it is in the Chevy wagon brochure). Second choice the Olds Vista Cruiser or a B body Mopar.
My choice would be the Chevelle with the TH350 and 307 2 barrel and a look towards various heavy duty choices on the options sheet. A towing package would give me more durable heavy duty parts and a 2.5:1 rear would serve me well in two years when gasoline suddenly starts costing more.
I spent many hours in the back of two of these wagons. The most time was in a Satellite wagon, awful bronze and tan with a sort of medium bronzeish interior. My mom’s best friend had 7 kids and we would jam most of them, mom and me into it, with the smallest kid’s jaws firmly attached to the dash most of the time (All their cars had teeth marks in the center of the dash within a couple of days after buying them). The Sat wagon stuck around for a long time, maybe ’84 or so, when the rust was too far along. It’s replacement was an awful, in both looks and reliability, Ford, in an awful green.
The other one I rode in a lot was my best friend’s mom’s Chevelle wagon. It was a base car, with only a heater and AM radio. No A/C. It was white, at first, but rapidly became orange in all the usual areas. Soon it was patched up by my friend and his dad, and Earl Sheib’ed chocolate brown. It stuck around until the mid 80’s, when it was replaced with a Caravan which was hit by a drunk neighbor and totalled when it was 3 months old. It was replaced with a Voyager, in a truly awful dark brown and beige two tone. I remember when my friend told me his parents had ORDERED it in that color scheme. I was shocked. I can’t think of anything worse, or even as bad as that.
I thought I would be the only one feeling this way, but I see I’m not. A Vega GT wagon for me. Re-engine it with the a sleeved Cosworth twin cam. This in spite of the fact that a 1972 Vega was the worst car I have ever known – and not by a little bit, either.
On second thought, maybe I should change my choice to the Pinto. That Vega was a real heap. I don’t know that it’s appealing enough to be worth the trouble.
I have two favorites:
olds custom cruiser(must have the roof windows)
plymouth
in both cases I’ll take mine sans roof rack and sans fake wood on the sides and a trailer towing package
If a Buick was available with the roof windows I would prefer that over the olds.
1. Colony Park (429-4V)
2. Monaco (440-4V)
3. Olds Custom Cruiser (455-4V)
Might as well go all out and with this group I would have no problem.
I’m going with the Monaco. Hidden headlamps and extremely odd dinoc treatment FTW! Close runners-up include the Kingswood, Hornet, and T&C.
My 3 choices would be 1972 Ford Country Squire with a 429, 1972 Mercury Colony Park (w/wood paneling) and a 1972 Pontiac LeMans Safari wagon with a 400ci V8 or hopefully a 455ci V8 if it was available.
I consider 1972 to be the one of the last of good years for the classic automobiles.
Quite a range on offer far more choice than we had in 72, I was 14 and sweating on getting my license at 15, the old man had a 6 month old 71 HQ Kingswood wagon primrose yellow 202 6 3 on the tree manual It was gone before I was legally on the road and we were in sedans again
I guess I’d take a Vista Cruiser different enough to be worth the extra gas.
I’ll take a ’72 Hornet Sportabout, too. The more garish the color I can find, the better!
My first choice was the Vega wagon – in yellow like the photo. I seriously considered buying one when I was thinking – albeit VERY briefly – about re-enlisting for another two years in the USAF, but a cooler head prevailed and I decided to get out while the gettin’ was good!
Fortunately I got out early for school and found a beautiful 1972 Nova a couple of months later.
However, if I was going to buy a real station wagon, it would have to be a GM mid-sizer, most likely an Olds Vista-Cruiser.
Excellent choice Jason, of course I would choose the 72 Matador wagon as well, having driven a 72 Matador for many years.
I think I’d go for the 258 though, love that straight six torque and balance.
2nd choice would either be a Vega or that monsterous Monaco, wow…
Your Matador crossed my mind when I wrote this. Great minds thinking alike?
The styling of the Chrysler wins it for me, even though I’m a sucker for the clamshell GM wagons.
Country Squire with a 429 4v! I learned to drive on my mom’s… forest green with acres of nasty dark green vinyl inside. Actually, I hated the car itself…mushy, ponderous, so uncool (to a 16 year old at the time). And its emissions-neutered 429 and tall rear axle ratio made for disappointing acceleration. But it’s the fond memories of my old teenage self bombing around town with my best friend riding shotgun, flipped air cleaner lid allowing that “waaaaah” to penetrate the firewall as I opened the secondaries on that 429 every chance I got. What idiots we were!
Doesn’t it look like there was a huge product gap between the tiny Pinto and the gargantuan Torino? Same for Vega and Chevelle.
I did choose a new wagon in 1972. I focused on the ’72 Volvo 145 and in November made a deal to buy a ’73 145 – which I kept for four years.
Knowing now what I didn’t know back then, I would go with either the Matador wagon or the Pontiac or Olds (midsize) wagons.
My real preference is for something like the Vega Kammback, but I can’t unspool 40+ years of what actually happened. If it really were 1972 and I was in the position I’m in now, a nice 2300 cc Vega GT Kammback would be the ticket.
My parents owned (and I drove as a teen) a ’72 green Satellite with the 318. So I’d want one of those again.
Fuselage wagon with 440 for me please. Why? Because the wagon makes the fuselage Chrysler design look like it really is aircraft industry inspired. Almost like the ultimate fruition of the design.
When I was driving the ’71 Chevy Kingswood Estate a friend of mine was driving a fuselage T&C wagon. Being guys we had to pull them up alongside each other to see who’s was bigger *ahem*.
The T&C was bigger by a long shot, of course, He didn’t steer that thing, he navigated.
Actually, only by 1.8″. And the Chevy had a longer wheelbase. Those GM wagons were the biggest ever built.
Wow the choice of wagons back in the day is stupifying! And its funny how a vehicle that back in the day was as mundane and boring as minivans and CUVs are now have evolved into lustworthy and cool if youfind the right one these days.
The Matador makes a nice wagon, and the ’72 front clip looks kinda menacing. I cant say I like the T&C at all. Those skirted fenders are what kill it for me. Call me a fan of the Fury’s front clip though. I do like the Torino and the GM B bodies translate to wagondom very nicely since they share much with the muscle car variants.
My choice is either the Satellite or the Coronet. Both are handsome looking and beg for coke bottle mags, fat RWL tires and some underhood love from Ma Mopar. The satellite sis shown in my top 2 color choices: harvest gold or puke green. If we’re going all 70’s then I want to absolutely WALLOW in its glory!
1st: Vega
2nd: Hornet
3rd: Big Chevy (no Di-Noc) OR Suburban
A family relative was one of the bodyguards for Henry Ford II. He told me they would cruise around in a Pinto Country Squire; the Lincolns were for special occasions.
1st: Pontiac Grand Safari
2nd: Olds Vista Cruiser
3rd: Mercury Colony Park
Well, my Grandfather actually bought a ’72, but it wasn’t a wagon (BelAir)…while my father bought a wagon but it wasn’t a ’72, it was a ’73 Ranch Wagon…He traded in the ’69 Country Squire for it…actually was better equipped than the Squire, it had the 400 engine, air-conditioning (first in our family) AM/FM stereo (first in our family) and power locks (first in our family) plus a trailer towing package. My mom called it “the boat” as it was very long.
As for me, my first car was a ’72 Fiat 128 (wagon)…but it was so badly rusted that when it threw a gear , the mechanic wasn’t sure he could get it back together trying to repair it, so the 128 went to the salvage yard on route 7 up in Jericho.
If I could go back in time, and pick to buy for my folks, would be Buick Estate or Chevy Kingswood [Impala] clamshell, plain sides. Would have been a great car for our trip from Chicago to LA/Orange Co in summer ’72.
For my own collection, I’d like a LeMans or Vista Cruiser. From Ford, a non-woody Country Sedan [Galaxie] with 351 4 bbl.
For me that’s a different question, as I didn’t come along until 1980 myself. So for my parents I’d take a 1980 Chevy Malibu Classic Estate with the 305, as we did have a Malibu in my childhood, a ’79 sedan. Good memories there so it’s just putting them in a different body style. Trading up on that when I got older, I always loved the mid to late 80’s Electra Estate Wagons and was somewhat envious of a classmate whose Mom drove one. So in 1988 it would have been a midnight blue Electra Estate Wagon, with woody sides, the spiffy-looking available alloy wheels, and a tan leather interior. The pinnacle of wagon-dom to my 8 year old self!
Its the Chrysler Town and Country for me ..
As an aside in 1972 I was working my first part time job as a maintenance facilitator (translated janitor) at the local Ford dealership in town.
I pushed a dust mop past many Ford wagons that were parked on the show floor in the summer of 1972.
I do remember that these wagons, were most always the Ford darker metallic brown in color . Also I remember that Fords then had a new car smell that was quite unique.
Being a 72 model myself who came home from the hospital in a 72 Chevrolet full size wagon, I’ll go with the Chevy for old times sake.
My choice for the 1972 wagons would be a toss up between the Chrysler Town & Country or the Olds Custom Cruiser in Black or some sort of Green. If I went with the Olds it would soon be traded in or parked out on the back forty to make room for a new ’76 Olds Custom Cruiser with (in my opinion) a cleaner looking front end on the ever so cool clamshell body. As for my birth year, the 1993 wagons would be a Chevy Caprice Wagon or Buick Roadmaster as an 8 door airport limo conversion. The Non-Wagons- Chevy/GMC C2500 Crew Cab, Long Box, 5.7L V8 w/Manual transmission 4 or 5 speed don’t matter, 3 on the tree would be even better, but I know that wasn’t an option. A ’93 Buick Century 2 door would also be very interesting.
Either an Olds Vista Cruiser or an International Travelall. Realistically in 1972 I’d probably buy a Volvo 145 and have done with it.
Cutlass Cruiser for me. Olds 350 4bbl, TH350, power discs & steering, A/C & Super Stock wheels.
Then off to Koni for some shocks.
Hmmm…
Fury wagon with the hidden headlamps.
Failing that, a good ol’ Chev wagon.
400 cubes would be about right.
If I can’t get dual exhaust, I’ll make it so.
If I can’t order the company’s Rally rims, I’ll make it so.
Forest green, please. Hold the fake paneling, I want that for my den instead.
Another vote for the fuselage trio. Although, the previous giant ChryCo wagon was maybe cooler. Bigger windows. Huge.
There’s something about driving a huge, low, giant car with an acre of hood in front of you and a big V8 and automatic. But really, any claim of any of these getting anything better than appalling fuel economy is just not realistic. So, you find a perfect one with only a couple miles on it and spend another $10 or 15K to put in a new Chrysler hemi and automatic. About a thousand times less pollution too. First: Win lottery.
I choose the Sportabout! It’s really more of a 5-door hatchback, but whatev.
’72 Plymouth Sport Fury wagon. The ’72 Sport Fury was a sinister looking car that never gets its due. I have never seen one at a car show, but from pictures that hideaway headlight front end is mean looking!
Now we’re talking. Just erase the paneling. Nailed it.
I completely agree with you. The ’72 Sport Suburban has a great swagger about it, especially with the road wheels. The dashboard design was goodlooking, intelligent and unusual. Of a binnacle design all the controls were arrayed on a curved matte black surface floodlit in a blue/green soft light. The knobs were big chunky affairs, ergonimically designed and hewn from aluminum; they were beautiful looking. The Plymouth was such a stunningly American design.
Well I actually own 2 1972 wagons, a Scout II and a Travelall. If you wanted a full size wagon the Travelall had no equal. In the 1010 version you had a cushy ride and great handling for the class and time with its torsion bar IFS and the ability to tow up to 10,000lbs. Smaller on the outside and more maneuverable than the full size wagons from the big 3 but more useable space on the inside. They were even available with a forward facing 3rd row which mine is lacking. The drawback is that it did not fold into the floor so I’m not too sad that mine doesn’t have it. The Scout II is a great “compact” wagon if you don’t have the need for a big wagon.
However since those are “truck based” and thus disqualified I do have some other choices.
The Vista Cruiser would be under serious consideration since for some reason for 1972 the Sportwagon did not have the Vista Roof and lacked a 3rd row option. It is strange that until 1969 the Sportwagon denoted the Vista Roof and they had the Special Deluxe w/o the Vista Roof for those on tighter budgets. But for 1970 while the Sportwagon name was retained it was more or less the previous Special Deluxe.
The Gran Torino Country Squire would also be a big contender if a mid size was called for.
A LTD Country Squire with dual facing rear seats and table would be the choice for a full size and the Pinto Squire would be the way to go for a Subcompact wagon.
I do have to give honorable mention as others have to the Sport Suburban and Sportabout as they are good looking wagons, much better than the cars that were based on. Neither would be serious contenders due to the basic qualities of the cars they are based on though.
This is a great exercise Paul. I’ve enjoyed thinking about this all weekend and I have changed my answer. I have a small growing family myself and we are in the market for the modern equivalents. I currently have a Dodge Magnum. Looking at the Durango or the Buick Enclave.
So here are my opinions and biases on the 72 models
I’m initially leaning toward the Mopar wagons because I like the optional electronic ignition. In that era it may be seen as an untried gimmick, but I would probably feel I could switch the distributer back if needed.
Other in the top running is the Olds A-body based wagon for its looks and rear skylight glass for the kids. This would probably win over the ease of maintenance of the Mopars. Plus the 350 would be enough of a motor since I don’t tow.
My biases:
AMC has questionable engineering because they buy so many parts from other companies. Comments on this thread about the tailgate confirm my suspicions. My bias was based on those chunky door handles, big ugly and unrefined, they don’t make a good impression.
Buick – If I’m going to change breaker points it’s nice to have the dist up front. Love their motors, not crazy about the ’72 styling
Chevy – The 400, if a small block is a bad motor for a heavy car. To likely to overheat. The 350 would be better. The big block is too heavy. At least when the car wears out I can sell the motor.
Ford/Mercury – The 70-71 Tornio based wagons were real lookers. My bias is that the small blocks and C4 trans are not well suited to heavy vehicles. The FMX trans is heavy and temperamental. The 390/C6 combo would be the way to go. But Ford puts 2bbl carbs on everything but performance motors. I doubt it can compete on fuel economy with GM quadrajets. To many strikes against their drivetrain, moving on.
The Sport Fury looks great on the front end, I’m not sure about the rest of the car. The Monaco looks like it’s being pinched in the front end when viewed in profile. The Town and County is the most all around pleasing and has presence.
But I think my choice is the Abody Cutlass Wagon. Right sized and reliable, with neat skylights for the kids. A car to get me through the horrible 70’s and 80s’.
Now my only other question is safety. I wonder which is best. The quarter panel mounted gas tanks on some of these cars probably aren’t the safest.
Easy choice… a Pinto with the 2.0L and a stick. Add some Koni shocks and some wider hoops and it would be a fun little driver.
The problem is in 1972 the day of the station wagon had passed. Vans and later minivans, SUV’s and to a certain extent PU trucks would substitute for the All American Station Wagon. In the period from 1955 to 1965 it seemed to me that every 3rd or 4th car on the road was a station wagon. After this time you see less and less of them. I have owned a 1972 Plymouth station wagon and a 1962 Ford Fairlane station wagon. I have either driven or rode in 80% of all the station wagons from ’55 to ’65 at one time or another. The style of these years cars seemed to translate better to station wagon body style in my opinion. In fact I think the ’62-’63 Fairlanes, Tri Five Chevrolets, and the ’58-’59 Ramblers look better in their station wagon bodies than their sedan-hardtop-convertible configurations. The car bodies with lots of curves like post ’67 do not translate well to station wagons, just my opinion.
Full size: Mercury Colony Park w/wood paneling
runner up’s
Chrysler Town & Country
Buick Estate Wagon
Midsize: Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser
runner up’s
Mercury Montego Villager Wagon
Buick Sport Wagon