Hauling your kids and other family members might mean you have to take the wheel of your trusty minivan or crossover. This could rip the fun out of any automotive related adventures, just because you’re driving something kind of bland. Well, that doesn’t technically have to be the case: here are five wagons that will definitely make you stand out of the crowd, while also moving a slightly smaller crowd.
1. Studebaker Wagonaire
From 1963 until its end in 1966 the Studebaker Wagonaire was the strangest and coolest wagon money could buy. The Wagonaire was a strange attempt to add more range to Studebaker’s lineup without adding all of the extra cost associated with, well, adding to the lineup. With that in mind, legendary designer Brooks Stevens leaned on a previous concept dubbed Scimitar for the inspiration. He added a retractable top panel to a lightly restyled Lark wagon and called it a day. It doesn’t get more frugal than that.
The Wagonaire wasn’t exactly a runaway sales success with fewer than 20,000 of these cars reportedly produced. The retractable top, too, proved problematic as customers reportedly didn’t like the top of their wagon leaking when it rained. Of course, Studebaker worked at revising the top seals while the Wagonaire was in production, and aftermarket restoration companies have gone even further to help keep owners dry.
This fairly clean example of a 1963 model with the 170 CID straight-six engine sold for a shade over $15K last year on Bring a Trailer. That means this is still an obtainable classic that can do double duty as a people mover.
2. Buick Regal TourX
Not all wagons have to be old to be cool. Sure, it helps, but the Buick Regal TourX is a strikingly good-looking and cool wagon that comes with a warranty and that new car smell. The Regal TourX has only been around for a couple of years, but it’s bound to be one of the wagons people remember longingly as they’re driving down the road in thirty years. The styling is sleek and modern but also interesting enough to seem almost timeless.
The TourX uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 for power, which is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. That means it has the smallest engine of this list, but that doesn’t mean it’s the least powerful. The Regal TourX’s turbocharged engine makes a respectable 250 hp, which bests the entry-level Studebaker above.
Snagging one of these doesn’t take a whole lot of effort: you simply go to the dealer and leave with the car. That isn’t too hard considering the Regal TourX starts at a reasonable $29,995 before taxes and other fees.
3.Buick Roadmaster Estate (Eighth Generation)
The Buick Roadmaster might be the swan song for the wood-sided station wagon, and if it is: good. This wagon isn’t as stylish as the modern Buick above, but that is actually why it’s so special. It looked like your grandparent’s Sunday driver but from 1994 to 1996 was powered by a slightly detuned version of the pushrod small-block Chevrolet you’d find in a Corvette. The LT-1 engine turned the Buick Roadmaster into a special kind of sleeper that was more capable than a ‘90s wagon had any right to be.
These Roadmaster wagons were built from 1991 to 1996, which means there are still budget-friendly examples around. They might have a good amount of wear and tear, and plenty of miles, but could make a good project. With ‘90s nostalgia continuing to grow, examples of pristine Roadmaster Estates are starting to rise.
4. 1957 Mercury station wagon
By the tail end the of the 1950s, the major automakers started taking styling hints from the radical custom cars you’d see in magazines like Rod and Custom. One car that embodies this styling direction that still looks good doing so is the 1957 Mercury. The radically styled wagon was broken up into three different lines: Commuter, Voyager and Colony Park. The range ascended from Commuter with its bare-bones application of chrome, to the opulent, wood-clad Colony Park topping the range. These wagons were also available in two-door and four-door body styles, but all featured a pillar-less design.
These Mercury wagons were available with three completely different engine platforms: base cars used the Ford Y-Block but a Lincoln Y-Block was available in 1957, with the then-modern MEL series replacing that in 1958.
These wagons vary wildly in price based on condition, but you should be able to snag a nice example for around $20K. Of course, you can find a perfect example, but that will likely set you back a small fortune.
5. Mercedes-AMG E63 S wagon
More proof that the cool wagon isn’t totally dead: the Mercedes-AMG E63 S wagon still exists in the ‘States. The 603 hp German muscle wagon might not be the most attainable car on this list, but it is the best performing and fastest.
The only problem with the E63 S wagon, aside from the price, is that another parent might mistake your car for the regular Mercedes-Benz E450. The best workaround for this is to always have the active AMG exhaust in sport mode to remind whoever is near you that you’ve got an AMG.
Hopping into an AMG E63 S Wagon will set you back around $110K, and that doesn’t get you any options. But, who needs extra options when you’ve got over 600 hp?
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