Wagons Ho!

Post-WWII America grew up in station wagons. In this video Steve examines five classic Mopar wagons from the 2021 Freedom car Auctions Great Texas Mopar Hoard Auction Event including a near mint ’61 Plymouth Savoy wagon that sold for just $2,760.

[@Mercmad]

The damage in the rear of the ambulance was caused by a lawyer following too close.

[@Markver1]

Best comment for this video. No one else need apply.

[@jeffreybarna6543]

Hahahaha.

[@davidleavitt3804]

Yes their head hit it.

[@peterm1826]

lol

[@frankdenardo8684]

An ambulance chaser who wants a quick settlement.

[@TeckTrek3055]

everyone just put all his videos in que and let it play all night and day, this man deserves it.

[@alberto9594]

I was doing that at work for a few weeks.

[@TeckTrek3055]

@@alberto9594 its the least we can do, ive been watching him since i was a little boy such goldmine of knowledge.

[@Sleeperdude]

Nothing better than a wagon

[@ronaldgochnour5327]

I am the lucky guy who got that 61 Plymouth Savoy Suburban. I also found out that it has aftermarket cruise control. I think it was a great buy.

[@SteveMagnante]

RONALD!!!! Lucky you indeed!!! Would you please email me your contact info at [e-mail]? I'd like to learn more about your experience buying the Savoy and what discoveries you have made since receiving it. -Steve Magnante

[@scoobyroorogers]

Congratulations Ronald. That's an awesome wagon at an awesome price. 🙂

[@geoffkeller5337]

You definitely did get a great buy! Hope you post some videos about what you're doing with your wagon.

[@milojanis4901]

Life is simply amazing, isn't it? When I was young 45-50 years ago, I thought these cars were so UGLY!! Now? I think they're awesome looking!!! Go figure..... Also, 2-3k new was a LOT of $$$. Now, this would be cheap@7.5k!!!😮😮😮

[@Sc2ner]

If I had a pick from this auction, it would be this one. The year, color, Slant Six, manual transmission, perfect combo

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

We're all pulling for you Steve.

[@robberry8466]

I’m here to support you Steve! 4hours and counting!👍🏼

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

That "shorty" is cool. Makes me want to build something

[@toddbonin6926]

“Better dust than rust” … my new favorite saying!!

[@TheWhitetailrancher]

I LOVE me some wagons!

[@ravishingdogg]

These are the reasons we end up with so many projects and never get anything done we keep seeing cooler and cooler cars.

[@MikeTheSlacker]

Wagon's Rock. My family always had one. Hauling kids, full sheets of plywood and drywall, dump runs, etc

[@Loonytunes1961]

My Grandpa always said "no bubbles no troubles" Thanx for the videos & Hello from Cincinnati✌️

[@mc3lizard]

It was polite of the people who harvested the axle of the 'shorty' to leave the custom driveshaft so a restorer wouldn't have to make another.

[@joechancio5177]

I remeber sitting backwards im the rear seat of my mother chevy wagon back in the late 70s. Was so cool as a kid.

[@JessicaTG2008]

Growing up my Dad used to drag race in the early 70s with a red 1969 El Camino SS 396 with a factory replaced 435 hp 427 4 speed. He named it Red Ryder , had the name painted on the fenders in yellow. He also had a gold 1970 or so station wagon, it even had the same taillights as the El Camino and the same front end as the El Camino/Chevelle, He would flat tow the El Camino with it to the strip. I was like 5-7 years old or so back then but i remember both cars. He had the El Camino into the late 80s before he sold it.

[@planetwisconsin9901]

Looks like the ambulance had a rear heater vent on the right side in the back. I used to think the early 60's Mopars were ugly but I'm warming up to them. One last thing, ever think of marketing your magnet? The Steve Magnate Magnet! 😊

[@robertclark9]

After WWII, my Dad was a self employed house painter right through the 90s. In the 50s and 60s I always remember him having a station wagon for a work vehicle. Ladders on the roof and all. The oldest one I remember was a 49 Packard wagon.

[@auctionrob600]

My dad was an electrician, he had a well paying job for a big company. One day the boss made him upset, so he told the boss to cram it. He started his own business and used the family station wagon. Same car I learned to drive in, 1974 Gran Torino. It's always good to have a station wagon, you never know when you might need one haha.

[@tylernail2146]

A packard wagon rare!

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

My dad had a Plymouth wagon which I borrowed for my first spring break to Daytona Beach. I will never forget it.

[@timtompkins150]

I'm loving the 56 Suburban. Haven't seen one in 50 years.

[@jamesgeorge4874]

I love it when Steve calls out estimated collision repair dates, so matter-of-fact like. Hoping to see Steve again soon !

[@stevenraposo4830]

Steve you are missed sending prayers may God bless you and your family and may you have a speedy recovery

[@jamespn]

1960s and 1970s station wagons are my favorite.

[@rockettcustoms6266]

I spotted the Holey Goat in the background. Love that shorty! That car deserves to be built. It would make a killer hotrod.

[@urbanurchin5930]

Yes - I noticed that as well, right at the end. The guy that bought and redone the Holey Goat has a KZbin channel and has been documenting the rebuild.

[@patrickregan3302]

This reminds me of a tv commercial I saw in the 70s or so. “I remember a time when I crossed the plains in a wagon. A station wagon, yesss..” W.C. Fritos. (A cartoon depiction of W C Fields) Which also reminded him of “ The time I single handedly subdued the meanest man alive. His name was Igidore Fist. Had the world’s largest knuckles, yesss! I tossed him a munchy nugget. Been friends ever since. If you’re gonna make friends you gotta have Fritos Corn Chips, Yessss” !!!!!!!

[@johnprager7804]

Love watching your videos Very informative We watch every day

[@johngault3973]

At a Detroit scrapyard in '69 I found a fleet of Bell Telephone 1961 2 door Valiient panel vans, would have been cool hot rods!

[@CR7659]

2-door? Didn't even know they made those.

[@davidrobinson4407]

When I was a kid we had a 64 Plymouth Wagon, push button auto- nice shape. Love the the front end on it. I own a 55 belair 4 door wagon now for 24 years, long live wagons

[@mexicanspec]

The ambulance still has its commercial tires on it. Cool

[@arnepianocanada]

Family friends had a similar Valiant wagon when I was about 4-5 years old. Even then I loved the shape; with a '62 Pontiac and some Vauxhalls it started my car-design passion.

[@MichaelandCathy1999]

My father, in 1970, bought a new Plymouth Sport Suburban, fully loaded, with the 2 way rear door, chrome roof rack, and a 383 Magnum under the hood. What a cruiser that was!👍🇨🇦

[@mgmcd1]

We had the 71 with the same specs. Sport Suburban.

[@Daniel-fd3wp]

That must have had good power with 383 engine.

[@mgmcd1]

@@Daniel-fd3wp ours had a 727 and probably 3.73 gears, so it would scoot. But it was only good for about 70 on the highway before it got too revvy

[@ToyKingWonder]

​@@mgmcd1 It would have been better if it had a 3.23 which would have been fine on the freeway. I don't know the reason for ordering the 3.73--more grunt for pulling a trailer and rarely going over 55? I believe at 70mph you would be close to 3200rpm. My 1968 Charger has 3.23 in it, I can smoke the tires and the acceleration is fine. I will trade off a little "off the line" to have the occasional quick blast on the freeway without running out of breath.

[@mgmcd1]

@@ToyKingWonder it might have been the 3.23, but it was fast as stink accelerating.

[@bluerider7922]

My parents had a new '62 Newport 4 door and from the rear door back that quarter panel is NOT '62 factory stuff. That is "Ambulance specific" as is the rear bumper and the tailights. The lights are similar to stock ones that were placed on top of the rear fender and extended over the edge and downward ending in an integral back-up light. They almost look like the stock ones mounted sideways, but they are not. The ambulance company did a decent job with the conversion. Chrysler conversions are rare, because most all ambulance conversions were Buick or Cadillac in the late 40's, 50's and 60's. The first volunteer ambulance my Mother drove was a used '49 Buick, then a used '56 Cadillac, and finally a new '64 Pontiac. She could really throw them around, too; but knew their limitations. There were several people in town who said they would ride with her anytime. [After she drove them, with the gas pedal floorboarded (lights & siren), on US 9W to Albany City Hospital] (Now Albany Medical Center). One 60 flash per minute 2 bulb Rotobeam (yes, that is a Brand Name) on the roof. One red light was all that was needed then, not like the 25 flashing lights today that some drivers still can't see coming.

[@stevebryant7156]

My parents had a 56 Dodge 2 door station wagon in the late seventies. Watermelon pink and white. V8 with push button automatic trans. It was a great car.

[@waterheaterservices]

56 was a great year for Dodge

[@davidpancerev9658]

Two-door. Should've kept it.

[@markcollins457]

I have to laugh we had Ford Falcon Squire wagon with imitation wood sides and a 260 v8 the best part was the "only" power option was a power rear tailgate window. Great car always loved all the wagons.

[@Ray56z]

Dad ordered mom a '65 Falcon Squire woody with the HO 289, she hated it. Was a big car fan and she traded it for a'66 Galaxie 500 390 4 door hardtop(no B pillar).

[@TS-jp1lm]

These videos are good but the junkyard crawl videos are the best.

[@MLFranklin]

Love the shorty wagon at the end!

[@throwingsparks]

I love the long roofs! I traveled to kindergarten in a 66 Chevelle wagon (which was practically new). I would love to have one of my own now.

[@Daniel-fd3wp]

I’m 45 years old live here in San Diego California I’ve never seen these cars around here even as a kid and I’m a car guy. These are rare vehicles very little rust. Great videos Steve.👍😎

[@Matthew_Loutner]

You will see them in LA.

[@robertdryburgh1457]

I knew a guy at least 6 decades ago who had a 61 Plymouth Fury wagon. It was the same blue as featured here BUT had factory a/c with the rear unit as well. Back then there were only a tiny few Imperials, Cadillacs and Lincolins rolling the Winnipeg streets with a/c.

[@davidronan1677]

God bless you Steve 🙏

[@darrenp1549]

Great Idea for the snake bite guards!!!!

[@davidkastin4240]

Nice Mopars. Early 60s we had the 61 Savoy wagon. Love the rocket tailights and the angry grille n headlights 😏

[@shuttlemanjack]

Many fond memories of family trips in our 56 Ford wagon.

[@960wattoffgridrv]

my dad never taught me how to drive a "3 on the tree". it was the only car I never tried to steal

[@sc_308]

Love seeing these classic Mopars! Thanks so much Steve! 👍🏻

[@mikelaumaillier9271]

Cool video. I had two of the cars in this video. My first car was a 62 Valiant with the 198 slant six (green valve covers) four door sedan auto. In the early seventies, I had a 62 Chrysler Saratoga four door hardtop with the 383 two barrel. I beat the crap out of that car and it never complained !! It died of rust cancer 😞. I enjoy all your videos. They bring back old memories of some of the cars I have owned. Best Regards - Mike

[@jeffreybond6491]

Growing up we had several Chrysler products Stationwagons... First was a pink and white 1956 Chrysler Polysperical V8 S/W "like in the TV Show [One Day at a Time] opening Credits" it was in North West Ohio and the passenger rear seat floor, had a huge hole in it "you could see the ground moving under neath the car" from the winter salt... A dark blue 1966 Plymouth Fury II with Air/C and last year of the "A" block V8 318 & Automatic... This S/W a former Singer/Friden "Early Computer Company" Service Manager: over Division employee's, company leased car... 1969 Chrysler Town & Country 383 2V Auto A/C dark blue; decked out with huge factory wood faux side cladding... !! 1972 Chrysler T/C 440 V8 4V Auto A/C fully power everything optioned out... !!

[@davidweglarz3848]

Back in the eighties while working on the Lebaron conv. at Aero-Detroit the draftsman on the board in front of me was a Chrysler direct employee and had been on the 60 valiant program. He told me he drew the rockers and the material thickness was .060, never knew if I should believe him, it was done due to the unknown strength of the unibody construction as it was a new thing for the boys at highland park. Thanks for putting this video up. PS I bought a 61 Lancer from a guy in 1970 drove it two years with no repairs needed just a few tires it shimmied at fifty and the shift lever would fall over as the fingers were well worn but it was easy to get back in the grove. Paid 75 bucks for it and it was a two door. Sold it for 20 bucks thought I blew the engine but years later it dawned on me the water in the number 2 hole was from a blown head gasket. Probably the best car I ever owned.

[@danrichard526]

Brings back memories. My first car was a 1961 Dodge Dart Pioneer station wagon with a 318 2bbl poly engine and a push button automatic.

[@IndridCool54]

I love that’61 Savoy wagon! I would rebuild that slant 6 and drive it as is! Three on the tree baby! 👍🏼

[@randyauer7303]

Another great video professor Steve get well soon brother

[@michaeldesilvio221]

The most reliable and practical car I ever owned was a stationwagon.

[@henrytowne7463]

Mom had a wagon that she was proud of; a 1963 Studebaker Wagonaire. The roof slid forward leaving an opening about 4foot by 5foot.

[@AdamWaffen]

Which has nothing to do with the article, attention seeker.

[@92SC300TT]

Great episode!! I look forward to your return.

[@falconman9554]

I recently Traded a 62' Falcon sedan for a 1962 Chrysler 300 4 door hard top in just as good a shape as that ambulance. Mine is minus the engine, although I already have a Chrysler B motor I'm building to stick in it! Can't wait to start cruising the old bruiser.

[@user-sh6mq3gd4o]

I absolutely love your videos steve, the amount of knowledge you have on cars and what not is astonishing. Keep it up man your killing it!!

[@unclemarksdiyauto]

Beautiful restoration projects for the folks that one those bids. Very reasonable prices.

[@jfeal]

That guy blows my mind, he's the only guy with this crazy knowledge.

[@SideMoneyGarage]

I'm not a wagon fan but, they are def having a moment recently!

[@johnbehneman1546]

GREAT VIDEO STEVE!!!! SOME VERY COOL FAMILY HAULERS!!!! THANKS FOR SHARING!!!! I LOVE STATION WAGONS!!!!

[@johnnieours2111]

Great video, I saw the holey goat in the back ground of the shorty wagon, now I know where it came from.

[@SteveMagnante]

Hi Johnnie, if you go to the Play List on my KZbin Channel (you're on my channel right now) you can go to the Texas Mopar Hoard section and view each and every one of the 150 walk around videos including the one for the "Holy Goat". Thanks for writing, Steve Magnante

[@jonathangodbout6645]

Get well soon Steve!

[@Splagnate]

I think everyone caught on to the wagon in Buick days as the covered wagon!😂

[@tommitchell8425]

This is the same model-albeit a wagon-that Toody and Muldoon used in Car 54 Truly remarkable television 😊

[@jimmyjamsweetlove2338]

I love station wagons too. Tried to get my wife one but she wanted a Honda pilot. 🙄 I was thinking 60s station wagon too. Seemed like a no brainier to me. 😅

[@ToyKingWonder]

I grew up with wagons. I also had a Chevrolet mini-van as a company car and could use it for personal use as well. I loved it, twin electric passenger doors, lots of room inside. It was great. But I always had a soft spot for car based wagons. The last that came out in the late 90s, the Buick/Olds/Chevy wagons, were truly outstanding. I got a ride in the Old version....fantastic interior and an amazingly comfortable rides. You cannot compare a good wagon with today's SUVs/SAVs/Crossovers.

[@vidsbychazzle2056]

Steve ,respect to all you do. Keep making this great content from a long time subscriber.

[@mromatic17]

the inside of that one looked more like a hearse than an ambulance.

[@jamespn]

On the 62 Newport wagon, the power brake booster was a heavy duty unit used in taxi cabs and police cars. The rear door on the Newport ambulance looks like it was custom made.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Steve, For decades and decades, wagons were elevated in popularity until minivans came along. Today wagons are elevated an extra 6 inches in the air and more popular than ever as SUVs. 😁

[@markcollins457]

Wagons rule, I built a Datsun 510 wagon about 35 years ago with a 215 Buick aluminum v8, meanest soccer mom on the block.

[@user-KrackerJack]

That '56 wagon is too cool

[@stevehenderson2571]

Cool to see what they sold for. Thank you.

[@mikechurch2359]

great show Steve you are the man

[@michaelbenardo5695]

Actually, these wagon conversions were fairly rare. Most ambulances were built on a Cadillac, and earlier, Packard, commercial chassis.

[@rudybriskar5267]

Love the ambulance!

[@markbehr88]

I should have bought that ambulance and the 61 Savoy.

[@mexicanspec]

It is odd to see a base car like the 1961 Savoy wagon having factory reverse lights when it has virtually no other options.

[@jeffreybond6491]

My family owned a Funeral Home in that erra of the 1962 Chrysler Amblance and the split 60/40 rear seat was one of many special modifications... At that time period; the Funeral Home would get Amblance calls 24/7 in the community, to take the very ill to the hospital... !!

[@SteveMagnante]

Hi Jeffrey, I'm old enough to remember when Cadillac ambulances were the rule and those GMC 1-ton "box truck" ambulances were juuuust coming on the scene as a far better way of treating wounded folks during the trip to the hospital. I can't imagine much "life saving" can be done by an EMT hunched over in a glorified station wagon! Around 1972 I jumped off a swing set and my right forearm broke. I suddenly had TWO WRISTS! Anyhoo, the town's Cadillac ambulance took me to the hospital to get it set. The next year, one of the "new fangled" GMC Box Truck ambulances arrived in town and things got more modern for everyone. THANKS for writing, Steve Magnante

[@jeffreybond6491]

@@SteveMagnante It was the California based early 1970's TV Show "Emergency" that inspired many of the newly experimental Parmedic Amblance Boxtruck Sevices, across the country... PS The TV Show also inspired new California style of Fire Stations "Engine Houses" for rest of the nation... !! [Recently in Columbus, Ohio by 2000; there is a return to more of Tradional Neighborhood Newly built Fire Stations, drawing from the past before 1970's] Interesting even the 1950's To 1960's Ranch Style Houses popularity were inspired by California... !!

[@Markver1]

Yeah, I think prior to the paramedic revolution ambulances were just scoop ‘n’ scoot operations. “Emergency!” was my favorite show when I was 5 years old. That and Adam 12.

[@jeffreybond6491]

Steve: I run into Carl Horton last year at a Grocery Store parking lot, we had a nice chat... Very interesting guy: he had a bright shinny red VW New Beetle the latest edition; ala Porsche's style headlights... !! Carl of Horton Emergency Vehicles... !! Horton Emergency Vehicles is an American ambulance manufacturer located in Grove City, Ohio. Horton was established by Carl Horton in Columbus, Ohio in 1968 and moved to Grove City in 1994. Horton is one of the largest ambulance manufacturers in the United States. They also build some rescue units, and Horton ambulances have been re-purposed as rescue vehicles in some departments. Horton was acquired by the REV Group in February 2010.

[@preppinglife624]

This is just strong car pornography and I like it!

[@rudybriskar5267]

I'd love to have any of them!

[@Nomad-Rogers]

I wish Mopar made a pre-k car ute like the El Camino, I love it when people chop up a satellite etc station wagon and convert it in to a ute and upgrade it to a Roadrunner or GTX package.

[@Ka9radio_Mobile9]

Love your videos! Thanks so much!! :-D

[@rustbeltmotors3659]

Man that 61 plymouth wagon is cool

[@patricksmith6208]

I grew up living in the northeast rust belt. I remember these cars where you could literally see through to inside from the outside and then see the road through the floor while driving(literally Swiss cheese). I find it amazing how there is really no rust on these cars. Gotta love Texas.

[@MLFranklin]

Very cool!

[@randy2835]

Excellent video, thank you.

[@IndridCool54]

Love you Steve! Hope you’re doing better! 🙏🏼

[@americanrambler4972]

I like all these wagons. But my favorites are the valiant and lancer shorty wagons.

[@davidcoudriet8439]

I LOVE WAGONS!

[@JonathanWhoever]

In the mid 80s I'm about 13. We had a big Ford wagon. My mom could parallel park like a queen. I don't think it would fit in the slots now.

[@troyertroy2687]

ok

[@CAROLDDISCOVER-FINDER2525]

The shorty was the best one of all. If it is online auction I might have made a trip down Texas to go get it. Even a simple 318 would make that little thing scoot. As far as the suburban Plymouth or Chrysler whatever if they're so rare why have I seen two dozen of them six of them are set in one spot. The same spot they've set for the last 50 years. I guess they don't bring much money I thought they'd be kind of rare but rare don't always mean value. By the way the shorty what that was was a prototype for the AMC Pacer in disguise haha

[@terrysellers6712]

My pop had a top of the line 62 New Yorker back in the day 360 hp a/c car 😇 with Electroelumanesence for back lighting on the instruments

[@garycogswell5499]

Front end of the Valiant reminds me of a Studebacher front end of that era.

[@gregkistner1955]

Yep I remember there use to be a ton of them on the road

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Very cool!!!!!!!!!!!

[@patriotdiz4846]

Like your stuff, sir!

[@timleachman7915]

We had a 1960 chevy Kingswood wagon and my first car was a 1967 Ford Ranch

[@rockin86ranger]

I’m curious what the shorty sold for, I don’t usually even like that body style but I love that one.

[@papawoody9597]

I too love wagons. Give me a '60 Plymouth Savoy, '59 Chevy Biscayne, or a '62 Mercury Colony Park. Any Olds Vista Cruiser would work too.

[@jamesjoslin7586]

I can remember in 1967-68 when I was about 10 going with my parents and 3 younger brothers to pick up our new Vista Cruiser. It was teal colored with wood grain sides. I WILL NEVER forget sitting in the back seat when the car was still in the service garage and looking through the roof windows and seeing the florecent lites on the ceiling. We really thought we were in the space age ! Good times.

[@brianbarney1885]

My parents bought one new in 1961, 170 cu.in. slant 6, 3 on the tree. 2 door to keep us kids in😂, windshield wipers were an option. Ugliest car ever built and parts would fall off driving down the road. I rebuilt the engine in 1970 with 200,000 miles and no cylinder wear but the rings were the same size as the pistons.