Movie Cars - The Griswold's "Wagon Queen Family Truckster"

  

During my family's annual viewing of "Christmas Vacation" recently, I noticed the Ford Taurus wagon the Griswold's were using to fetch their Christmas tree was a woody Taurus wagon. That's quite the inside joke seeing since the Ford Motor Company never made a woody Taurus. Although, seeing how "good" the woody Taurus appears in "Christmas", you'd think they did. "Christmas" was not a "road movie" like "Vacation" so there was no need to draw attention to the Griswold's family car, but us fans of "The Wagon Queen Family Truckster" from "Vacation" were sure happy the produces of "Christmas" paid homage to it. 

 

We first see The Truckster near the beginning of "Vacation" when Clark attempts to trade in in his aging 1970 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser for an "Antarctic Blue Super Sports Wagon" with the CB and "Optional Rally Fun Pack". Things go sideways when he goes to pick his new car up and before Clark can tell the salesman he's going to take his business elsewhere, he has no choice but to drive home in a brand new "Wagon Queen Family Truckster". Eagle eyed spotters - note that the Vista Cruiser at the end of this scene is a 1972 Vista Cruiser and not a 1970 as in the beginning.  
 

The Griswold's "Wagon Queen Family Truckster" began life as a 1979 Ford LTD Country Squire. "Vacation" was shot in 1982 (released in 1983) and since Ford had changed little styling wise on the car since they introduced it in 1979, it made sense from a budgetary stand point to use a 1979 Country Squire as the basis for the Truckster instead of a brand new one.

 

There's conflicting information as to whether George Barris, the famed Hollywood car designer whose most famous work was the Lincoln Zephyr based Batmobile from the 1960's Batman TV series, designed the car or not. What we do know for certain was that it was designed  intentionally to be the most hideous car it could be.

Not unlike looking at an Edsel today, it's interesting to note that the passage of thirty plus years has actually made The Truckster less ugly. The pea green Truckster, resplendent with fake wood paneling that even covers part of the hood, eight headlights and a grille area largely covered by bodywork, was funnier looking years ago because the joke was about the ubiquitous woody station wagon. Keep in mind that 1983 was the year that Chrysler introduced their revolutionary K car based minivan and SUV's being used as everyday vehicles was almost of unheard of. Especially in suburban America. In 1983 America there really was no other real family hauling vehicle to choose from aside from less utilitarian based four door sedans. Think of the Truckster as a great big collective inside (outside?) joke. 
 

Of course, the best part about the "Vacation" movies was Clark Griswold portrayed perfectly by Chevy Chase. If "The Truckster" poked fun at the family car then Chase's Clark Griswold poked fun at family men. And in such a way we didn't loathe him; thin line to walk. Clark Griswold is an example of what a loving, modern family man should be - family focused, loving, approachable, fun, accepting and understanding. And, frankly, and out and out goofball. Clark Griswold was the father you wished your father was.

Here's hoping, this holiday season, your shitter's full.