Text by Patrick Bell.
Station wagons were the people haulers and utility vehicles of the 1950s, and we have a good gallery of the more basic models that were seen most everywhere, and doing most anything. I know I have many memories from the back of a wagon, perhaps you do as well. Let’s take a look.
We begin with a lady checking the radio antenna on a close to new 1956 Ford Country Sedan. It was also equipped with two tone paint, one of the Thunderbird V8’s, and had an Illinois license plate. Plus there were a couple of kids and a dog in the cargo area.
This was Ford’s most popular wagon during this era, and was a common sight on the roads and in the driveways.
The driver was waving as he departed in a 1954 Chevrolet One-Fifty Handyman that had a load in the cargo area, and likely one in the roof carrier as well. The only option visible was the two tone paint.
Chevrolet did not offer 2 door wagons until 1955, so this was the entry level wagon prior to then. It had a base list price of $2020, which was a $397 premium over the One-Fifty 4 door sedan.
Here was a couple in a 1955 Ford Custom Ranch Wagon that had stopped to take a photo of a dam under construction along with their car. The lady decided not to get out. The visible options were a radio, fender mounted outside mirror, 272 cubic inch Y-block V8, and full wheel covers.
The Ranch Wagon was a well liked model for people who preferred a two door wagon.
And a nicely dressed 1956 Plymouth Custom Suburban with a 1957 Ohio license plate and a roof carrier for traveling. It had the popular two tone paint, radio, outside mirror, full wheel covers, and was propelled by one of the V8 engines.
The photo notes indicate this was “Marina Blvd.” It did look like California going by the architecture and other license plates, and there is a Marina Blvd. in San Francisco. If that is correct, or even close, they were a long way from home.
In front of the wagon you can see the right taillights of a 1954 Buick, and across the street was a 1950 or 1951 Plymouth Club Sedan. To the left was a 1953-1956 Ford F-series pickup, and on the end perhaps a 1951 Buick.
A 1955 Chevrolet Two-Ten 4 door wagon from California that was parked on a long driveway in a rural area. It was another one with the optional two tone paint, plus a radio, a pair of mismatched outside mirrors, and a pair of accessory front fender guards that were mounted on the bumper.
Of course this was the first year of the iconic “Tri-Five” models that have always been popular.
This was a 1956 version of Ford’s Custom Ranch Wagon that was in brand new condition. Its second paint color was on the side and rear window frames, and it also had an outside mirror, one of the Thunderbird V8’s, full wheel covers, and spotless white wall tires. It also had a South Carolina license plate with another number on the bumper.
The Custom Ranch Wagon was the middle trim of three, and aligned with the Customline series.
Now we have a V8 powered 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad, which was the rarest and most expensive non-Corvette model for the year. This one looked like it had been around a few years, but still was solid. Two-tone paint was standard, and it had the normal radio, outside mirror, full wheel covers, and white walls.
The base list price was $2608, and 7886 copies were produced.
Here was a 1956 Buick Special Estate Wagon that had stopped to visit a friendly burro. It was equipped with two tone paint, a radio, De Luxe Wheel Covers, and white wall tires. It also had a bug shield, and was towing a pop up camp trailer.
This was the lowest priced and most popular wagon of the two models offered that year. Passing by was a 1960 Dodge Matador.
Everyone was posing for the camera as the 1958 Plymouth Custom Suburban 4 door was about to hit the road. It had a loaded roof rack, a load in the rear compartment, and a load of passengers. The only option I see was the Sportone two tone treatment.
The Custom Suburban was part of the Savoy series, which was in the middle of three. It was offered in 6 or 9 passenger models, and the two of them were the most popular Plymouth wagon of the year.
This 1955 Ford Custom Ranch Wagon was a near twin to the third image, with the color the only difference, although the one above looks like it was older, or perhaps had a harder life.
It had a Washington state license plate used from 1958-1962, and was issued in Okanogan County, where the seat is Omak. There was some damage on the quarter panel, and apparently it was the victim of a sloppy gas station attendant.
A 1956 Pontiac 860 2 door with a small family inside was shown on a residential street. It was equipped with two tone paint and full wheel covers.
This was Pontiac’s least expensive wagon at $2569 for a base list price. That included the standard 316.6 ci Strato Streak V8.
Here was a 1957 Dodge Sierra with two tone paint, a fender mounted mirror, and later narrow band white wall tires. The wheel covers were missing, perhaps someone had helped themselves. And it had a California license plate issued in 1963 in the city of Montebello.
The new Swept-Line Dodges debuted this year along with the other Forward Look Mopars.
And a 1958 Chevrolet Yeoman 4 door that was taking a break in a mountainous area. It was a V8 model, and had quite a load. Perhaps someone was moving, as I see no room for more than one or two passengers.
The Yeoman was part of the entry level Delray line, and was also available as a 2 door.
Perhaps a mother and son were posing on a special day next to the family 1959 Rambler Super Cross Country. The two tone was limited to a side spear, but it also had full wheel covers and white wall tires. And the lack of a V8 emblem indicates it was a 6 cylinder model.
Ramblers were growing in popularity during this era due to their compact size, while the Big 3 offerings kept growing and growing.
A brother and sister in their Sunday best were posing on the front lawn while a 1959 Pontiac Catalina was parked in the driveway. It had the optional full wheel covers and white wall tires, and could have used a wash job.
There were no full size 2 door Pontiac wagons after 1957, so the model above was the lowest priced wagon that year.
We will close today as we began, with a Ford. This one was a 1959 Ranch Wagon that was equipped with the Style Tone two tone treatment and an outside mirror. There were a couple of persons in the back seat, and everyone had been to visit the Lake Louise Sedan Lifts in Alberta. And that could have been the location of this image.
The Ranch Wagon was the price leader in the Ford wagon line up, and was also available in a 4 door model. They sold very well, but the Country Sedan edged them out for the best seller prize.
Thanks for joining us and have a great day!
Wondering if the 57 Dodge Sierra lost its wheel covers in the woods or if they removed them when they put the new tires on.
The off white suit and big grin in the 1959 Rambler photo suggests the car may have been some kind of gift for an occasion and this is documentation of that gift. Whether that occasion was a graduation, a wedding, a new job, or possibly a new car to take to college, he seems entirely happy about it.
Zooming in on that photo strongly suggests that this is not a mother and son, but a couple, as he is older than a first impression might suggest and she is way too young to be his mother. They are dressed up for church or some other event; maybe celebrating their first new car. I’d peg their ages to be roughly 30 or so.
That was my first thought too. My second thought was that he looks far happier about that Rambler than she does. 🙂
My best friend in Iowa City had a ’56 Custom Ranch Wagon in blue and white just like the one in this gallery. These two door wagons were popular back then with families because they often put down the rear seat and the little kids used the load area as a big play pen.
The two tone on the ’55 & ’56 Ford wagons really makes them look sharp .
Well into the early 1970’s I remember those early 50’s Buick wagons on lower priced used car lots, they were very good cars and sadly all gone now .
The couple next to the Rambler Super Cross Country, I was thinking his wife looks a little dowdy, typical AMC buyers .
Some years back my Sweet asked me to find her a nice station wagon, I stumbled across a 1959 Rambler Super Cross County fully equipped with the “Westerner” interior, three tone pink & white paint, factory AC, AM radi, three speed and over drive, she quickly put the kibosh on that, I guess perhaps a little too quirky .
All of these are nice and show a U.S.A. that’s long gone and never coming back .
-Nate
I am really liking that 59 Ford wagon at the end today – I don’t recall ever seeing a 59 Ford painted in that 2 tone combination, and it is not half bad.
This brings back fond memories of my Dads 57 Ford Ranch Wagon. The option list consisted of……..a heater….. That was it. Black with black wall tires and dog-dishes. 6 cyl, stick. I used to ride in the way-back with the tailgate window open, in the summer of course. Remember the smell of everybodies’ exhaust systems!
The couple in front of the Rambler wagon appear to be expecting parents. She’s wearing what looks to be a maternity top of the era. Thus the new wagon, and beaming father to be!
Of course, all speculation on my part.