Does anyone know what 'station waggons' mean, where the name originated etc?

Question

Hi, I'm British, but watch a fair bit of American TV (ABC / E4) and was wondering - what is a station wagon? where does its name come from?

Thanks

Answer 1

The "station wagon" is the quintesential American family car of the 1970's. These are characterized by a car like front end, a center full sized bench style passenger seat and a third row full sized bench seat that folds flat to give one a huge cargo area. The body style is not nearly as tall as an SUV and is generally more "car like" than a mini-van.

When you say "Station Wagon" to any American who grew up in the 1970's, this is what comes to mind:


http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://faculty.concord.edu/chrisz/hobby/Courtesy/74-SW/74-SWpostCard.jpg&imgrefurl=http://faculty.concord.edu/chrisz/hobby/Courtesy/74-SWSticker.html&h=250&w=415&sz=42&hl=en&start=5&tbnid=lruE7oWatVYhmM:&tbnh=75&tbnw=125&prev=/images%3Fq%3DStation%2BWagon%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN

Answer 2

Station wagons are the cars that essentially were sedans with extended roofs and a tail gate. They were the fore runner of vans and you can find many examples in 1955-69 American cars. See link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Station_wagon. The name was derived from the early models that were converted sedans that were used to pick up and deliver people at the train station. The vehicle had more room inside that a sedan and handled luggage and such better by being able to seat six plus store all of the baggage in the rear portion.

Answer 3

A Station Wagon in England and Europe is better known as an "Estate". Eg: the body style of a Volvo Estate is recognised as a Station Wagon in America and Australia.
As for the origins, as per previous emails.

Answer 4

a station wagon is a kind of car...i don't see too many on the road these days, but Oldsmobile used to make a lot of them. they're kind of like a car that's really long in the back (has a really big trunk), and there's no separation between the car and the actual trunk (kind of like a van or suv has no separation).

Answer 5

it did get its name from a wagon delivering from the r.r. station , in British it is a " shooting brake " where did that one come from?

Answer 6

YES, IN THE DAY, THE TRAIN STATIONS USED THESE VEHICLES TO MOVE FREIGHT LIKE THE WAGONS OF OLD THUS STATION WAGONS

Answer 7

I think oklatom's link has the best explanation here so far.

Answer 8

Cecil, of straight dope fame, knows all.

Answer 9

i don't know sorry