Who needs an SUV? Buy a classic wagon instead!
Wednesday, 20 February 2019
While the default family vehicle of choice these days is the SUV, there was a time when the mighty station wagon ruled supreme.
With SUVs getting lower and sportier, the wagon may soon be back under another name, but if you can't wait for that then there is always the second hand option, and no, we don't mean a three year old Commodore wagon - how about a proper classic wagon?
Recently a gaggle of classic wagons went under the hammer at the Shannons Melbourne Summer Auction and their relative affordability might surprise you.
The standout in terms of rarity was a largely original 1964 Chrysler Valiant AP5 Safari wagon that had just two owners from new – the first for 53 years.
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A rare car today - and one that is increasingly sought-after by Australian car collectors - the Safari was one of a raft of station wagons offered by Chrysler, Holden and Ford in the late 1950s and 1960s because they made very practical family cruisers for expanding families, their dogs and toys - you know, the same reasons people give for buying an SUV today.
Distinctive in its white with brown highlights finish, the Safari was purchased from the original West Australian owner's estate just months ago by the current owner and is fitted with a 225ci (3.7-litre) six cylinder engine with a push-button automatic transmission.
It is also fitted with a number of period accessories, including a wire-mesh sunvisor, a rear window dirt deflectors, a metal stone guards behind the front wheels and Pacer hubcaps.
It was up for auction with no reserve and was expected to sell within the AU$8,000 - AU$12,000 range and, indeed, did go for AU$11,000 (NZ$11,463).
Another classic Aussie family vehicle in the auction was a 1970 Holden HG Kingswood station wagon offered in 'substantially original condition.'
Being a typical family wagon of its time the Kingswood packs a bench seat up front, while the floors are vinyl-covered. Drum brakes all-round handle the stopping and the transmission is a 'three-on-the-tree' manual, while the original 161ci (2.6-litre) six was replaced with a reconditioned 202ci (3.3-litre) six in the mid-1980s.
Fitted with period alloy wheels and offered with no reserve, the Kingswood was expected to bring AU$14,000 - AU$18,000, and only just hit that mark, selling at the lowest estimate of AU$14,000 (NZ$14,588).
Ford fans were also catered for with a two-owner 1978 Ford XC Fairmont V8 manual wagon fitted with an optional (and desirable these days) GS Rally Pack, consisting of special paint treatment, bonnet scoops, bumper overriders, a sports steering wheel and enhanced instrumentation. Additionally, it had also been fitted with a chrome roof rack and the very desirable two-way rear tailgate option.
Even more desirably, its 302ci (5.0-litre) V8 engine is hooked up to a four-speed manual transmission.
The Fairmont was expected to sell in the AU$22,000 - AU$28,000 range and, again, came in at the low end of that estimation, selling for AU$23,000 (NZ$23,965).
Something that wasn't big and Australian, but is also a classic wagon was a tiny and totally adorable 1963 Fiat 500 Giardiniera. Fully restored, bright yellow with contrasting red interior and fitted with a full-length sunroof, the cute little Italian was also up with no reserve and was expected to sell for between AU$18,000 and AU$24,000, but only managed to attract $AU15,500 (NZ$16,150).
While the prices of big Aussie sedans of the past continue to climb, the wagon still seems to be somewhat underappreciated in comparison (a 1981 Ford Fairmont XD sold for AU$46,000), making them a great alternative to a modern SUV.
Sure, running a classic has challenges, but it would be so much more satisfying dropping the kids of at school in any one of these than a modern SUV…