Halo 2 War of Wits: The Sale

I promised several of you a little break from the nearly yearlong exploration of the history of the station wagon. Here it is; enjoy!

1975-1982 Reliant Kitten Estate

The successor to yesterday's Rebel, the ridiculously named Kitten was definitely a step up in power, handling and sophistication. But not a huge leap; I mean c'mon, we're talking about Reliant here. Don't get crazy now!

1964-1974 Reliant Rebel Estate

A relatively rare car in the first place (~2600 produced), the estate is even rarer. In fact, I don't have exact numbers on the long roof. If you do, please share them with me. And yet, the model existed for ten years. Powered by a rough four-cylinder, this tiny car was extremely lightweight. Remember when cars were like that?

1981-1982 Ford Granada Station Wagon

Only the second generation of the Fox-based Ford Granada offered a long roof variant. Short-lived, this car is nonetheless extremely well known to REVolutionairies. For you trivia buffs, this was the return of the blue oval logo, which had been MIA on Ford vehicles since the 30s. Sorry about the lack of audio quality in the video.

1982-1990 Nissan Sentra Station Wagon

The first and second generations of the Nissan Sentra offered a station wagon variant. I write that with hesitation because, in my eyes, it was really a 5-door liftback. But whatever; some sources list it as a station wagon and so we'll roll with that assumption. The Sentra (aka Sunny) is another car well known to REVolutionaries, so I won't go into details. But I will leave you with this bit of trivia; in the Philippines, the Sentra wagon was badged the Nissan California. Tubular...!

Never Was: 1971 Lotus Elan Hexagon Shooting Brake

Here's another coachbuilt long roof. Built by Hexagon, only two were produced. Other than the conversion which features a Renault GTE rear window, they were essentially stock. At least one still exists overseas; it pops up in car shows.

1968-1986 Ford Belina

The Brazilian Ford Corcel (and related Del Rey) enjoyed two generations and it included a long roof variant called the Belina. It was basically a Renault 12 underneath, with Renault and Ford engine options. Here's some neat trivia for you; the Corcel was the first car in Brazil to enjoy a recall due to quality issues.

1970-1975 Opel Ascona Caravan

Only the first generation Opel Ascona included a three-door estate variant. Here in the States, we knew this car as the Buick-Opel 1900; a well-known car to the REVolution crowd. Let's take a look at a customized car this time.

1958-1974 AMC Abassador Station Wagon

Several of you have contacted me and said, "Don't forget the AMC Ambassador station wagon!" How could I?!? It had a long run and production numbers are high. I won't get into details, because so many of you already know all about it. Here's a video from the final model year. I love it because it's really nothing more than some dude washing his car.

"Station Wagon Blues" by Thad Johnson

1973-1982 Volkswagen Brasília

Our final Brazil-designed long roof (for now) is the 3- and 5-door Volkswagen Brasilia. It was intended to replace the Beetle and sold in markets outside of Brazil, too. As is VW's way, the car wasn't anything new in comparison to its predecessors, combining bits and pieces of the Beetle and Karmann Ghia with a newish body. Performance was absolutely pathetic, but at least it was economical to run. Also as is VW's way, the formula was very successful, with over a million Brasilia sold over the course of production. There's a famous legend that goes with this car; a photographer tried to take some photos of a preproduction model and Volkswagen security tried to shoot him (or her). Nice! I the spirit of those frightening and violent antics, I give you this video which features a potential customer who is blindfolded as if he's about to be lined up for the firing squad.

1969-1992 Chevrolet Opala Caravan

The Chevrolet Opala Caravan was once again based on an Opel, featuring styling by the house of Holden and American-sourced engines, including two 4-bangers and the infamous 250 six. For you trivia hounds, this was the first passenger car built by GM in Brazil.

1989-? Chevrolet Ipanema

Another Brazil-only wagon, we knew the Chevrolet Ipanema here in the States as the tragically named and conceived Pontiac LeMans, which was really a Daewoo. If you want to get completely confused, look up the history of the Opel Kadett E. Another ridiculous video, too. I've never been able to nail down what the last year for the Ipanema was so if you find it or already know, let me know!

Was there a girl from here?

1969-1971 Chevrolet Veraneio

Before the word crossover ever even existed and SUV became more than a marketing term, Chevy sold the Veraneio in Brazil. Had they sold it here, I think it would draw the same crowd that currently covet cars like the AMC Eagle. But fear not, for they actually did sell it here; as the Chevrolet Carryall (Suburban). There's a lot more history behind the Veraneio and I encourage you to seek it out if you're interested. For example, it still exists to this very day. I've just focused on this generation, because it's the least SUV-like in my opinion.

It can be argued that the Veraneio is more SUV than crossover and you'd certainly have a point. But it was classed as a station wagon, so it gets included in our seemingly endless exploration of the long roof.

1980-1994 Chevrolet Chevette Marajo

Another Brazil-only variant. There are better Marajo videos on YouTube, but I got such a kick out of this wacky Chevy commercial that I had to feature it. As you'll see, it begins with a woman highly confused and concerned by a window rolling up...

"The Heat Is On" by Mitch Murder

1992-1998 Chevrolet Omega Suprema

Only the first generation Chevrolet Omega was offered as a station wagon in Brazil and it didn't differ much from its Opel and Vauxhall stablemates, other than the badges.

1975-1978 Chevrolet Constantia Station Wagon

GM sold the Holden HJ as the Chevrolet Constantia in South Africa.

Never Was: Volkswagen Corrado Magnum Sport Kombi

Two prototypes were built by VW, featuring a stock drivetrain. Both are currently in the USofA, I believe. More info.

Never Was: Jaguar XJ6 Avon Estate

Bobinott writes in from the Great North; "Do you have this one on your "Never was" list? In this case, maybe "never should have been". Seems like these guys did this more than once; 20 examples, some with V-12, according to this."

No German jokes, please.

I really love how this turned out, even if it isn't all that attractive.

Neat stuff. I did not have this on the list. Thanks, Bobinott!

Never Was: 1982 Audi Quattro Artz Kombi

The same fella that made the 924 Kombi, Gunter Artz, also made this one-off Ur-Quattro station wagon.

Never Was: Datsun 240Z Sport Wagon

Never Was: Triumph TR7 Tracer

Another "never was", as far as I can tell. If you have more info on this, please let me know. There couldn't have been more than a very few ever produced by the coachbuilder that created them.

Unicorn.

Never Was: Porsche 924 Kombi

Two "never was" Porsche shooting brakes in a row, you say?!? Believe it!

I love it.

Never Was: Porsche 944 DP Motorsports Cargo

JJ asked me about this one the other day, another "never was" car. I'll let you do your own research, if you're interested. Such a great custom estate/station wagon! And just to clear things up; by "never was" I mean there never was a variant quite like this produced in any real numbers from the original manufacturer.

Never Was: Citroen 2CV Shooting Brake - Bobinott's Take

If Bobinott were a pinata and you hit him with a stick, all sorts of Citroen candy would fall out*. I brought up a pair of '65 Citroen 2CV wagon conversions yesterday and this is what he had to add. Awesome!

Here's an article about the conversion. I (K2) note that the words imply that this is a one-off, but I said it was part of a pair. I have no proof other than what I've read.

There will be no "thumb a ride" jokes here.

B writes, "That German name translates roughly to Gangster Duck Wagon. The 2CV is affectionately called "The Duck" in many countries," and noted the vanity plate.

B added, "Although the car K2 has shared is a custom, there were wagon-bodied 2CVs in some markets. For example, 2CVs were built under license in Iran, and they produced a really attractive wagon (well, to my eyes anyway) with three rows of seats! There is photo here (below): Personally, I like that Iranian design because it retains the enclosed rear fenders. I find anytime you open up the rear fenders on a 2CV, people immediately confuse them with VW beetles."

That's just plain awesome.

He added one last comment (hopefully, there will be more), "Oh, and just one more thing. The hood and grill treatment on the car K2 posted was an accessory kit for the 2CV. The kit was popular in France in the 1980. It mimics the famous Citroen Traction Avant cars that were produced from 1934 to the mid-50s. Those cars were popular with French criminals, so I guess that is where the "Gangster" portion of the custom's name came from."

And before you yell at the messenger, know that I've tried time and time again to get Bobinott to write an article (short, or otherwise) for the REV. The man is busy, I tell ya!

*Don't hit Bobinott with a stick, for any reason.

Never Was: 1965 Citroen 2CV Shooting Brake

I don't know a lot about these and hopefully Bobinott can fill in the details. Apparently, two were produced and the alterations were done in fiberglass. Other than the exterior, the rest of the vehicles are stock, I believe.

I've got a couple more of what I think of as "Never Were" wagons, so keep coming back to the REV for more over the next couple of days!