Ever since I came across this image I’ve been wanting to share it. I know there’s a story in here, I just wish I knew what it was. An image is worth a thousand words they say, but I would have loved to hear what those words were from the bunch featured here, as this doesn’t seem the happiest of outings.
Whatever the story behind it may be, we do know that they’re going out in a 1960 Plymouth Suburban Custom. And considering the size of this family, it better be the 9-passenger version. If so, it’s one of 8,116 units sold that year. And with those girls growing mightily fast, it better have a V-8 to haul them around. For 1960, choices ranged from the bigger 383CID with 330 HP, to a 361CID with 305/310 HP, or the smaller 318CID, with 230/260 HP.
Then again, having a large family is expensive… So maybe it has the ‘Economy Six’ 225CID with 145 HP?
As has been discussed elsewhere at CC, Exner’s 1960-62 Chrysler products were an acquired taste. Lots of cool jet-age-inspired stuff, mixed with rather Ex-centric detailing. On the other hand, they were certainly unique and there was nothing quite like them. The full-size ’60 Plymouths were no different, with their curious double fascia taking some getting used to.
However, the two-tone full-size wagons feel more satisfying to me, with the matching roof and fender-cutouts making a more complete styling statement.
Either that, or I’ve gotten used to them by now.
As told at CC, Plymouth was the first of the Big Three to offer an all-steel wagon back in 1950. It found a receptive niche and sold heartily, with about 34K units finding buyers. Not that the division managed to keep that lead, as Chrysler’s fortunes were quite the rollercoaster in the ’50s-’60s. By 1960, Plymouth’s full-size wagon numbers were still a decent 57K units, but paled against the competition’s. That same year, Chevrolet moved 212,700 full-size wagons, and Ford a good 171,824 units (plus another 74K Falcon wagons).
Sales figures aside, unlike the girls in our featured photo, I would love an outing in one of these vintage Plymouths. Jet-age styling and practicality? How could I ever turn that down?
Related reading:
CC Capsule: 1960 Plymouth Deluxe 2-Door Wagon – Deluxe Accommodations
Cohort Pic(k) Of The Day: 1960 Plymouth DeLuxe Suburban Wagon – Good Bones, Big Fins And Wild Dash
I like it, going out with flash, panache and dash .
I wonder of daddy knew he’s the reason they only had girls ? .
-Nate
Great picture! It screams mid-late 1970s to me, probably in the San Fernando Valley, CA, maybe Chatsworth or San Gabriel or somewhere around there near the 118 freeway? The houses don’t seem earlier than 1970 and the trees are big enough to make it later that decade, same with the clothes.
The girls are not excited to be taking the “old” car with the sticky vinyl seats. They’ve all learned their lesson (including Mom), except for the tallest one on the right, when they come back out of the mall into the vast acreage of parking lot and the sun’s been shining on that car for hours heating up the vinyl, that’s gonna hurt.
We used to put large beach towels on the seats of our 8-passenger white on black ’63 Chevy wagon. Made it MUCH more bearable.
I thought it reminded me of the San Fernando Valley and yes I lived there out on the west end between 1966-68. That is kind of what the hills looked like when the smog was blown away so you could see them.
It could be San Jose. Pretty generic California suburb. Lots of room in the way back for those kids.
It screams mid-late 1970s to me,
Hmm; Stephanie and I both place it in the second half of the ’60s, and not later than that, based on the clothes. No woman in CA would have been caught dead in that outfit in the mid-late ’70s. Think earth tones, etc.
Also, it’s really hard to imagine a financially-comfortable family in a nice, newish suburb driving a 15-18 year old family station wagon.
Here’s what women wore in 1975:
Agree 100%. I would guess 1967.
To Jim’s point, I’d say that this photo was taken about 6 – 8 years after that Plymouth was new. Mom’s still rocking a mid-60s outfit, but especially the girl in the extreme bell bottoms is totally late 1960s and maybe even early 1970s. Most of those kids look like they were lifted from my elementary school class photos (late 60s, early 70s).
I think any time you try to put 6 kids under the age of 12 in a car together – particularly when all or most are related – you’re going to get “not the happiest” of outings.
Very commercial lead photo, would look good in a Life magazine article, on the suburban lifestyle. The more serious (and functional) station wagon bodystyle, makes oddball styling look more purposeful.
The original Wagon Queen Family Truckster.
Dad probably wishes they had one boy to be the Designated Mower. With all girls, the job isn’t getting done.
The wide variety of costumes makes me wonder if they’re heading for something like a fashion show. Normally a big family goes for repetition to enable hand-me-downs.
Some of those girls could be friends!
Never knew Plymouth was still making a 2 door wagon in 1960. Did many miles in the “way back” in our 4 door. Before that it was a 55 Plymouth wagon.
My dad bought a 1960 Savoy Suburban wagon in the fall of 1959 . His was a strip down version with only a AM radio and heat
His was Corporate Blue with a blue interior and rubber floor mat. It was powered by the first year 225. Slant 6 and had a 3 speed on the tree. I basically remember the car from 69 to summer of 71 .
The main problem with the 60 Chrysler Products were that (a) the light bezels would rot out from the inside , and also the cowel would not drain right and kept water trapped in the towel area and the upper rear front fenders and rot out .
Now I really enjoyed your story brought back some memories.
Hypothesis A – the kids are all going out with the family to Grampa and Grandma’s for Sunday dinner. Most of them are looking forward to it, save possibly the one in the red pants, and possibly, Mom herself.
Hypothesis B – kids 1-5 from right to left are arranged in descending order by age. The kid on the far left is along for the ride, she is the girl who lives next door. Dad is taking the picture just before they leave for a Saturday afternoon trip to the ice cream stand. They must all eat at the picnic table though, no eating in the car!
Fast forward to 2024. This picture would not be possible. Half the kids would be staring at their phones, and the practical family SUV can only carry 5 passengers, into which all the girls could not fit due to car seat regulations. Possibly they would have had to purchase a minivan instead. Also, Dad would have used his phone to take the photo, and upon previewing it would have noticed the distraction and taken a better shot. In 1960 he would not have wanted to take 2 of the same picture on his roll of film, ever mindful of the $1.75 charge for developing at the drug store.
This looks like the last day of school with the mother taking the girls and friends out…San Fernando Valley 65-66. And look! no cell phones in their faces!
I miss the simplicity
Great photo. Perhaps the sun is in their eyes which would cause the displeased expressions. However, going to Grandma and Grandpa’s is more like it except that they are probably going to the home of the grandparents who always criticize the children.