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Growing up, Steve Snyder, of Lanesboro, never had a station wagon and rarely even rode in one. But he always thought they were cool — big, classic, and comfortable. Five years ago, when the opportunity finally arose, he decided to get one for himself.
A friend mentioned a wagon for sale up in northern Minnesota: a 1988 Chevy Caprice Estate. He wanted a collector car to actually drive and enjoy with friends and family, rather than just look at in the garage. Station wagons also offered a more affordable route than muscle cars. One day he surprised everyone with his new station wagon when he pulled into the driveway.
That single surprise purchase quickly grew into much more than Steve had thought. Within the next few years, he got two more station wagons: a 1975 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser found while working in South Dakota, and a 1965 Chevy Bel Air which he got from his brother-in-law. What started as having a casual fun car, has now evolved into a mission to eventually have four total wagons — one for each of his kids to have one day.
He has looked at a lot of wagons over the past few years, but many suffer from heavy rust or require more rebuilding than he would like. Still, the ultimate dream vehicle remains in his sights: a 1967 Chevy Impala station wagon. If anyone has one he said he’s just a call away.
After owning the cars for a few years, he has found himself actually enjoying working on them and planning a few custom touches. One major goal is tracking down rear-facing third-row seats, a signature feature of the 1988 Caprice, and adding them into his other cars.
Aside from the classic look, the layout is hard to beat. The spacious bench seats offer an old-school vehicle feel with plenty of room to stretch out. Maintenance is relatively simple compared to modern vehicles, though tracking down replacement parts can occasionally be difficult.
Part of the reason parts are scarce goes back to when he was younger, when station wagons were routinely used in demolition derbies. Because so many were destroyed then, parts and nice cars are surprisingly rare today. Not only are these cars fun cruisers, but potentially smart investments that could appreciate over time.
Out on the road, these wagons are about comfort. Steve enjoys driving slowly and finds that station wagons are practically built for slow driving. He said nobody gets mad or tailgates a classic family cruiser.
The best part, the cars are instant conversation starters. They draw great reactions from friends and strangers alike, particularly older generations who grew up riding in them. With massive interiors built for socializing and nearly everyone having a childhood memory attached to a family wagon, every trip is an opportunity to meet new people.
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