The past seven days has had the introduction of the redesigned Subaru Outback, which looks like an SUV more than ever. For that reason, this week’s AutoHunter Picks highlights a couple of honest-to-goodness station wagons of different flavors: one a prestigious automobile for short hauls, while another—this one a family hauler—for trips short and long. Both reflect what station wagons meant in different eras.
But it’s not all wagons here, as we also have two cars that would be absolutely stupendous on the open highway. One is vintage, the other quasi-late-model. I like both, and I hope you agree.
1948 Buick Super Estate Wagon
When this car was built, it truly was inspired by estates, like the family arriving at the Montauk train station and this car picked them up to go to their weekend home. Buick’s styling in this era was stellar (this coming from a guy who doesn’t have love for most post-war cars of the 1940s), and the wood nicely contrasts with the Cumulus Gray hue.
Interestingly, this wagon didn’t come with “Dynaslow,” so the three-speed and straight-eight is likely faster out of the hole.
1964 Chevrolet Impala Wagon
Oh, another wagon? This one is way past the era of estate wagons, instead being more of a family hauler (and one of the most popular ever in terms of sales—almost 193,000). There were plenty of choices of engines and transmissions, with this wagon featuring one of the better selections: 327 four-barrel, which is backed by the stalwart Powerglide.
The Saddle Tan with matching vinyl interior, complemented by wire wheel covers, is quite attractive too. If you want an unusual classic with good parts supply, this is it.
1970 Mercedes 300 SEL 6.3
In America, vertical headlights were obsolete by 1970 but, over in Stuttgart, nothing ever seems to be obsolete with Mercedes. This 300 SEL is one of the few equipped with the 6.3-liter V8, giving American-style power in a German-style Autobahn cruiser.
Though horsepower is not as high as you’d expect, it was THE Autobahn cruiser of its generation, with drag strip performance that would just nip the heels of your average muscle car. Only 6,526 were built from 1968-72, so not a common car either.
2006 Cadillac XLR Star Black Edition
I’m familiar with the XLR, the car that should have been named “Evoq” except for Cadillac bean counters being on a European safari to nowhere. But what I was not familiar with was the Star Black Edition, which was limited to 250 units.
All were painted Star Black Metallic (different from the usual Raven black) with 18-inch polished chrome wheels, chrome grille, numbered sill plate, and car cover. Inside you’ll find an attractive two-tone Shale leather interior. Horsepower was 320 from the 4.6-liter V8.
