Continue reading after the jump!

When Chevrolet joined the growing performance car market in 1962, the SS badges on its enhanced Chevrolets were known to stand for “Super Sport.” Armed with enhanced performance features and adorned with custom styling touches, the Chevrolet Chevelle SS had earned a deserved place among the top rank of the era’s muscle cars. However, the auto industry’s taste for such cars began turning sour in response to political and economic trends in the early 1970s, but Detroit still issued sports models, and an SS package was created for the completely redesigned 1973 Chevelle.

After five years on the same basic body shells, all General Motors intermediates were totally new for 1973. Wheelbases remained 112 inches for two-door cars and 116 inches for four-doors and station wagons, but convertibles were dropped and closed cars were dressed in new “Colonnade” styling. The two-door hardtops of the past were replaced by true coupes with thick B-pillars and fixed rear side-window glass. Heavy government-mandated five-mph “crash bumpers” were fitted up front.

The mid-size Chevy came in Deluxe, Malibu, and new upscale Laguna trim. Checking off option Z15 and plunking down $243 would make an SS out of any Malibu coupe or — for the only time ever — station wagon equipped with a 350- or 454-cid V-8. Package equipment included a blacked-out grille, dual sport mirrors, color-keyed lower body striping, black-accented taillight bezels (on coupes), black-rimmed round instrument dials, front and rear stabilizer bars, rally wheels, and G70 X 14 white-letter tires. SS identification showed up on the grille, front fenders, rear fascia (or wagon lift-gate), steering wheel, and interior door panels.

Since 1971, GM engines had been detuned to run on low-lead fuel. The 350 engine was rated at 145 net horsepower with a two-barrel carburetor; 175 horses with a four-barrel carb. The optional big-block 454 now netted 245 horses. Automatic transmissions were standard with the SS engines, but four-speed manuals could be ordered for the 454 and the stouter of the two 350s. As it was, the 1973 Chevelle SS was the last one offered, even though 28,647 were ordered, an increase of almost 4,000 from the 1972 totals. The Laguna Type S-3 coupe served as the sportiest Chevelle from 1974 to 1976. These Chevelles have become the “Lost Generation” considering most collectors and parts suppliers focus on pre-1973 Chevelles.

The SS option cost $243, and was sold on 28,647 Chevelles. The 454 option cost another $235, and was only sold on around 2,500 of those cars. The wagons are very rare, as I could not find any information as to the number sold. And with no CarDomain Members sporting around with the sportiest of Station Wagons, its no wonder I can’t find any information about them. So, with the last year of a Chevelle SS offered, and a one year only Station Wagon model, is this a true Obscure Muscle Car, or should it be confined into Station Wagon Hell? Let em know, as I will be watching during SEMA Week!

While this is not an SS model, the illustration shows the very clean back end.

This is a 1964 Chevrolet Biscayne 2 door sedan. Pretty plain isn’t it? Don’t let the understated looks fool you–this puppy is stuffed with a 425-hp, 409 Cubic Inch V-8, backed with a 4 -speed manual. If you look inside you’ll see that it didn’t even come with a radio, and it’s so original that it’s even rolling on bias plies. It will be going to the Barrett Jackson Auction this January, and should bring in big money.

Speaking of Barrett Jackson, take a look at this 1967 Corvette Stingray Convertible. This little red Corvette is equipped with the 435 Horsepower, 427 Cubic Inch V-8, which is also backed up with a 4 Speed Stick. The Red Line tires really add to the vintage look, as does the sidepipes, and Rally Wheels. This has the triple carburetor set-up, and has an engine compartment so clean, you could eat from it.

Last Car I want to show you is this marvelous 1937 Ford DeLuxe Wagon. It comes equipped with the famous Ford Flathead V-8, 3 Speed Shifter, and look at those vintage wire wheels. This was shown at the Lexol Auto Care Booth. I like wagons, but I know they are not for everyone.

In 1955, Chevrolet introduced the breathtaking 1955 Nomad, and by 1957, it was offered with fuel injection. In 1964, again Chevrolet offered a two door Chevelle wagon, and it was available with all the performance hardware of the SS (without the nameplate). By the early 70s these faux wood beasts could be equipped with 327, 400, or 454 power. But what would you say to a 90′s land yacht from Buick, complete with plastic wood paneling, Vista Cruiser roof, and a Corvette LT-1 V8 under the hood? Say hello to a most unconventional muscle car, the Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon.

Continue reading after the jump!

During the 1991 model year, General Motors rolled out their long awaited re-designs of their “B” bodied full size, rear wheel drive, sedans and wagons. The previous versions offered by all GM divisions were largely unchanged since their 1977 debut, with the exception of various face lifts and engine offerings. Originally, Chevrolet was the only division to offer the Caprice Sedan, but Buick and Oldsmobile wagon versions were also in the mix. There was nothing muscular about these cars, with a 5.0L V8 only producing 170HP, and only 255 lb ft of torque, which was barely adequate at hauling these leviathans with anything approaching performance.

When the 1992 models were introduced, both the Buick and Oldsmobile wagons offered a 5.7L low output V8 shared with many of the Chevy trucks at that time, with throttle body fuel injection. But this engine was only marginally better, generating 180HP, and 300 lb ft of torque. Soon, the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser was put out to pasture, and only the Buick and Chevrolet versions continued on.

However, it was in the fall of 1993 that these cars had a heart transplant, with a derivative of the Corvette LT-1 taking up room in the engine compartment. This engine put out 260HP, and over 330 lb ft of torque. So how did this “B” body perform with the Corvette of V8s? Car and Driver test results showed 0-60 times clocked at 7.8 Seconds, and 1/4 mile times of 15.6 Seconds and a speed of almost 90 mph. This may not sound all that fast, but remember, this is almost a 5,000 pound wagon doing these times.

The Roadmaster Estate Wagon had it’s fair share of sales, with the high point being 1992, selling over 85,500 of the brawny wagons, and then settling down to around 40,000 per year for 1993 through 1996. These cars sold at healthy margins in those days, without the usual rebates, or 0% financing you find in today’s market. However, these rear wheel drive monsters (along with the Chevrolet Caprice, Impala, and Caprice Wagons, as well as the Cadillac Fleetwood) were soon discontinued because of Americas love affair with the SUV. The Arlington Texas assembly line was converted to produce Chevrolet Tahoes, GMC Yukons, and soon, the Cadillac Escalade. The last Buick Roadmaster Wagon produced was just sold at the Barrett Jackson Auction this past January.

Car Domain Members Rides

There are quite a few Roadmaster Estate Wagons within the CarDomain community, so let’s take a look. First, we have Scott’s “Daddy Wagon” from Boca Raton, Florida. Just take a look at his ride, and what he did under the hood. That’s a great ride, so visit his page, and leave some comments.

Then we have Jimmy’s Roadmaster Estate from Mobile, Alabama. The Estate was just recently painted with White Pearl, and clearcoat, and it looks like the Woodgrain wil be replaced with Carbon Fiber. Good luck with that.

Here we have a work in progress. Nick’s Roadmaster Estate started out tan with woodgrain, but is now going Black with red accents. Look at the progress on his page, and see what you think.

Wagons are approaching “cult” status, and the Buick Roadmaster Estate (along with the Chevrolet Caprice, and to a lesser extent, the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser), are leading the way. Think of these as latter day Chevy Nomads, or Ford Country Sedans with big horsepower, in a refined package. They will never be confused with an SUV, and really stand out in todays sea of sameness. But what do you think? Should these land yachts be considered Muscle Cars? Are they obscure enough to be included in the Parking Lot? Or should I just have my head examined for even thinking that a wagon could ever be a Muscle Car? Let the debate begin.

As many of you may know, I have a thing for station wagons, so it’s not totally unexpected that I use “station wagon” as a search term on eBay. And look what I found today–former Motor Trend editor and current ESPN commentator C. Van Tune’s 427-powered 1969 Chevy Kingswood Estate. Continue reading…

C. Van Tune was the journalist who gave me my first big break as an automotive journalist, tapping me to be the editor of the Autotronics department in Motor Trend from 1995 to 1997, until I became the editor of Car Audio and Electronics. For that I will always appreciate his support. Now that the full disclosure is out of the way, let’s take a look at Van’s muscle wagon.

Unlike the non-Cobra Jet 429 under the hood of my Colony Park, which is strangled by a two-barrel carb, this is a fire-breathing four-barrel 427 big block. It was built for a GM executive, J. A. Stansberry of the Salt Lake City zone office and spent most of its life in Idaho. It currently has 60,812 documented miles with a single repaint over the last 39 years.

Van has not forgotten his editorial roots and has written extensively about this beauty so no need to repeat all the details here. Suffice to say, this is a fully optioned car, including Cadillac-style air conditioning complete with the build sheet and might very well be the only such surviving 427-powered 1969 Kingswood Estate in existence.

I agree with Van’s assessment that big block station wagons are poised to be the next big thing in “affordable” collector cars and hope this auction sets a new benchmark for ’69 full-size, big block woodies, which certainly won’t hurt my Colony Park as I am considering selling it. Besides 427-powered Chevys and 429-powered Country Squires from the late sixties, consider that Chrysler built many 440-powered Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth station wagons, and I’ve seen more than one 401-powered Rebel, Matador and Ambassador wagons. If you’re thinking of pulling a vintage Airstream, think about a big block wagon as an alternative to a ¾-ton heavy duty pickup.