Part 2

Star Cars, an automobile company founded by Wm. C. Durant in 1922. This was Daurant's try for the light car field. In 1923 they had what is considered the first production station wagons. Meaning, they were built within the Star Car factories. The Star-Car name lasted till 1928


Star wagon 1923	Chevrolet Screenside Canopy express 1933	Ford Station Wagon 1929

As the years passed, and the station wagon was slowly being accepted, the major auto makers decided to incorporate the wagon into their line up. But it was still a commercial vehicle. Ford in 1929 advertised a station wagon which was sold as a commercial vehicle. The wood working was still being sent to other body builders. Yet it was a good year for them. Ford lists 5,251 of those station wagons for that year.

I n 1934, General Motors Cars were offering the first production all-steel turret top for their complete 1935 line up of models in all five divisions. Chevrolet had an all- steel station wagon body. It was built on the chassis of a panel delivery truck. It didn't catch on. The all-steel body will gave to wait fourteen years before it would be accepted by the people.

In 1940, when Oldsmobile offered 'Hydramatic' automatic transmission as an option, station wagons accounted for less than 1% of the total motor vehicles in the country. In the late 30' the station wagon body was finally being put on the auto-mobile chassis. So, as the 40's came in, the wagon was being produced by a number of auto makers. It had finally been accepted as a multi purpose utility vehicle by the public.

The 1942 bodies were getting a little larger, and body doors were getting curves in them. To help enclose the disappearing running boards. At this time, of the Chrysler cars, Plymouth was the most dominant in wagons. In the General Motors camp, 4 of the 5 companies were producing station wagons. LaSalle had disappeared in 1940, making the G. M. C. group number 5 instead of 6. Chevrolet had 2 wagons in 1940, a Master 85, and Special DeLuxe. Only 411 of the Masters, and 2126 of the Specials were sold. In 1942, when civilian production stopped, 1057 Chevy wagons had been built. Pontiac's highest priced car in 1940, and 1941 was the Custom Torpedo station wagon. Its price was $1250. in 1942 they had 2 Woodie bodies, one on a Standard, and the other was Chieftain. Buick in 1940 had an Estate wagon, and Oldsmobile had a Series 60 wagon.


Find a 1941 Buick Special Estate Wagon, and you'll have one of only 838 ever built for domestic sales.		1933 Ford

I n 1942, Buick only had 1 wagon, from the Super it went to the Special Series. It was still called an Estate wagon. Oldsmobile had 2 wagons in 1942. They came in the six and eight. Ford had its share of Woodies in the early 40's, and the Mercury which came into being in 1939 also had a nice liking wagon. The 1940 DeLuxe wagon, the most expensive in the Ford line is considered an automotive classic. Mercury's station wagon was first offered in 1941.

First Mercury wagon came out in 1941, had a wooden top and body.

I t was capable of carrying 8 people, was also the heaviest Mercury, weighing in at 3,408 pounds. Style wise, it was built like the Ford. Of the independent companies, Nash, Packard and Studebaker, in 1940 only Packard had wagons. These are known to be great looking cars. A very sought after collector car.