1950s

1950s

	The 1950s saw an amazing growth in the Station Wagon. As the American family grew, so did their cars. As if overnight the wood began to give way to all-steel bodies. The 2-door Nomads came from this era showing a sporty style to the wagon.

WAGON	1950	DeSoto	Custom	4-door Woody Wagon
MODEL	TKM Models (resin)	1/25
CAR COMMENT
MODEL COMMENT	The models are handcast in resin plastic. Use Chrome paint or bare metal foil to detail bumpers, grilles etc. Body may be painted with Auto or Hobby paints. Some sanding and preparation is required for best results. Kits are sold complete with resin wheels and tires, metal axles and a metal chassis.
WAGON	1950	Willys Jeep		Station Wagon
MODEL	All American Models (resin)	1/25
CAR COMMENT	In 1946 Willys introduced their first all steel station wagon based on the heavily successful WWII Jeep. This was the beginning of the end of the woodies. This 1950 version is little changed from the 1946 version. More pictures at Dave Lindsay's web site.
MODEL COMMENT	Unfortunately I believe this company is out of business.
WAGON	1951	Mercury	Mod Squad	Customized 2-Door Station Wagon
MODEL	Aurora	#583-250 (1969) 1/25
CAR COMMENT	Mercury (like Ford) only offered 2-door station wagons from 49 to 51. This is a fine example of the transitional phase between the 'Woody' 40s to the all-steel 50s.
MODEL COMMENT	Some question over the exact date of this wagon. The box list it as a 1951, but the instructions calls it a 1949. The interior looks to be from 1950. Well, it does say Customized. A nice collectable kit with both the TV show and rare car tie-ins. Linc, Julie and Pete figures and gear included.
WAGON	1953	Buick	Roadmaster	4-door Wagon
MODEL	TKM Models (resin)	1/25
CAR COMMENT
MODEL COMMENT	The models are handcast in resin plastic. Use Chrome paint or bare metal foil to detail bumpers, grilles etc. Body may be painted with Auto or Hobby paints. Some sanding and preparation is required for best results. Kits are sold complete with resin wheels and tires, metal axles and a metal chassis.
WAGON	1953	Chevrolet	Sedan Delivery
MAKER	Revell/Monogram	#H-1219 (1970) 1/25   #H-1376 (1973) 1/25   #7113 [Hot Rod Series] (19??) 1/25   #2976 [Speed Shop Express] (1998) 1/25
CAR COMMENT
MODEL COMMENT	Only 10,000 produced in 98. Contains grills for both '53 and '54 versions. With a little work this could be converted into a 4-door wagon.
WAGON	1953	Ford	Mainline Ranch	2-door Wagon
MODEL	R & R Vacuum Craft (resin)	1/25
CAR COMMENT	The 53 Ranch wagon did not have wood trim (either real or fake).
MODEL COMMENT	Requires a Lindberg 53 Ford to complete. I don't know much about this company. More pictures at Dave Lindsay's web site.
WAGON	1954	Chevrolet	Corvette Nomad	2-door Wagon
MODEL	Polar Lights	#6701 (2001?) 1/25
CAR COMMENT	This was the original Corvette Nomad proto-type that debuted at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York.
MODEL COMMENT	This was scheduled to be released in 2001, but for some reason Polar Lights pulled the plug. I don't think any ever hit the streets.
WAGON	1954	Chevrolet	Corvette Nomad	2-door Wagon
MODEL	R & D Unique (resin)	#RDU-2885 1/25
CAR COMMENT	See Above
MODEL COMMENT	A Transkit from their Mini Exotics series. Requires 1/25 AMT '53 Corvette Kit #T310 or #31811. Includes body, rear valance, interior floorpan, inner tailgate, inner side panels, seats, chassis, vacuform windows.
WAGON	1955	Chevrolet	Bel-Air	Nomad 2-door wagon
MODEL	AMT	#2555 (1968) 1/25 #T289 (1969) 1/25 #T289 (1970s) 1/25 #PK-4116/#2755 (1979) 1/25 #6592 (1980s) 1/25 #8320 (1997) 1/25 #31740 (200?) 1/25 #31835 [ProShop pre-paint] (2002) 1/25 #31740 (2002) 1/25 #38252 (2005) 1/25
CAR COMMENT	In 1954 Chevrolet displayed the Nomad prototype. This was basically a 54 Corvette with the Nomad back. Because of its popularity Chevy rushed to get the Nomad to the market choosing to use the new 55-style body instead of the Corvette. These 2-Door Nomads from 55-57 (and their Pontiac Safari counterparts) were a nice twist of style and sport on the wagon frame and are some of the most desirable wagons by today's collectors.
MODEL COMMENT	AMT has a long history of producing this model. So long in fact that it is a little confusing on when versions were created and what molds were used. I do know that all versions included parts to build as stock or racing custom (street or drag). Most if not all the kits included options such as opening tailgate, bucket seats, fuel injection, Moon gas tank, chromed front suspension, custom hood scoop, and chrome 5 spoke mags. This kit can also be built as pick-up conversion, very cool. There is no reason to list pros or cons on this kit as no wagon collection would be complete without it.
WAGON	1955	Chevrolet	Bel-Air	Nomad
MODEL	Testors	#232 (2001) 1/24
CAR COMMENT	see above
MODEL COMMENT	Pros: Prepainted, easy to build. Opening doors and hood. Cons: Poor body fit. Summary: Lincoln Mint Gold Series. Good for a paper weight.
WAGON	1955	Ford	Ranch Wagon	Posies Orange Krisp
MODEL	American Muscle	#30152 (1999) 1/24
CAR COMMENT	The Posies Special Interest Vehicles group has been building custom cars since 1964. This is roughly based on a 55 Ford wagon with Edsel highlights.
MODEL COMMENT	Pros: Features opening hoods, moving wheels, lowered suspensions and customized interiors. Prepainted and easy to assemble. Cons: Not much detail. Can not be built stock. Summary: This metal-bodied kit is not too exciting, but an interesting piece.
WAGON	1955	Mercury		4-door Wagon
MODEL	TKM Models (resin)	1/25
CAR COMMENT	.
MODEL COMMENT	The models are handcast in resin plastic. Use Chrome paint or bare metal foil to detail bumpers, grilles etc. Body may be painted with Auto or Hobby paints. Some sanding and preparation is required for best results. Kits are sold complete with resin wheels and tires, metal axles and a metal chassis.
WAGON	1955	Pontiac	Safari	2-door wagon
MODEL	Modelhaus (resin)	1/25
CAR COMMENT	Pontiac rolled out the 2-door Safari wagon as Chevy had the Nomad. The 55-57 Safari is basically a Nomad built on the Pontiac Star Chief frame. As fewer Safari's and Nomads were built they are highly sought after by collectors.
MODEL COMMENT	This is a complete resin kit including body with hood molded in, interior tub, dash, steering wheel, bench seats, front bumper and grille, rear bumper, hood ornament, headlights, taillights, fender skirts, promo wheels, T-232 tires, chassis, glass. I have not seen this kit, but Modelhaus is known for fine resin kits.
WAGON	1955	Pontiac	Safari	2-door wagon
MODEL	F & F Resin Casting (resin)	1/25
CAR COMMENT	see above
MODEL COMMENT	This is a 16-piece resin supplemental kit. It requires an AMT 55 Nomad to complete, but you could build a pretty good curbside without it.
WAGON	1955	Pontiac	Safari	2-door wagon
MODEL	All American Models (resin)	1/25
CAR COMMENT	see above
MODEL COMMENT	Unfortunately I believe this company is out of business. More pictures at Dave Lindsay's web site.
WAGON	1956	Chevrolet	Bel-Air	Nomad
MODEL	Revell/Monogram	#85-2489 (1997) 1/25 #07310 [Germany] (1997) 1/25 #85-2892 [California Wheels] (2006) 1/25
CAR COMMENT	The 56 Nomad, still very popular, often gets lost in between the 55 and 57 model years. This was the second year for the famous 2-door wagon.
MODEL COMMENT	The RM model is said to be a fine work. Molded in white. I do not have one yet, but plan to. Model Car Garage makes a nice photo-etched sheet for the 56 Nomad (#MCG-2114). The California Wheels reissue includes brand new large diameter wheels and low-profile tires as well as newly-tooled chrome engine dress-up parts and new suspension parts to make it easier to lower the stance.
WAGON	1956	Chevrolet	210 Wagon	2-door
MODEL	R & R Vacuum Craft (resin)	1/25
CAR COMMENT	This is not the Nomad, but an actual 2-door station wagon.
MODEL COMMENT	I don't know much about this company. More pictures at Dave Lindsay's web site.
WAGON	1956	Ford	Country Squire	Station Wagon
MAKER	Hendrix Manufacturing Company (resin)	1/25
CAR COMMENT	Ford stubbornly hung onto the wood look with their simulated wood side trim on the Country Squire wagons.
MODEL COMMENT	Comes with the interior tub, seats, body, and wood decal sheet with paterns.
WAGON	1957	Buick		4-door Wagon
MODEL	R & R Vacuum Craft (resin)	1/25
CAR COMMENT
MODEL COMMENT	I don't know much about this company.
WAGON	1957	Chevrolet	Bel-Air	Nomad 2-door wagon
MAKER	American Muscle	#30280 (???) 1/24
CAR COMMENT	The classic look of the 1957 Chevy Bel-Air is synonymous with the 50s. This, its most popular year, ended the 3-year streak of 2-door Nomads as the 4-door version came out in 58.
MODEL COMMENT	This is a metal body prepainted kit from the CustomShop series. Includes screwdriver and glue. Easy to assemble.
WAGON	1957	Chevrolet	Bel-Air	Nomad 2-door wagon
MAKER	Revell/Monogram	#H-1260 (1969) 1/25 #H-1372 [Street Classics] (1973) 1/25 #2235 (1978) 1/24 #H-1390 [California Classics] (1978) 1/25 #7112 [Hot Rod] (1985) 1/25 #2740 (1987/1995) 1/24 #7163 [Skip's Fiesta] (1988) 1/25 #85-7801 [Highway Scenes] (1997) 1/24 #85-0856 [Basic Builder] (2006) 1/24
CAR COMMENT	see above
MODEL COMMENT	#H-1260 200: The doors, hood and tailgate open. Tinted windows and chrome reverse wheels. The first release also had a mail-in offer for 331/3 album offer called WHEELS. (pic1) (pic2) #2235: Molded in Yellow with opening hood. #2740: Molder in Red with opening hood. #7163: Molded in dark metallic blue #85-7801: Includes Die-Cut Gas Station Diorama
WAGON	1957	Chevrolet	Bel-Air	Nomad 2-door wagon
MAKER	Revell	#H-1364:225 [GO MAD NOMAD] (1971) 1/25
CAR COMMENT	see above
MODEL COMMENT	This is a CARicature (cartoon-looking car). Novelty piece.
WAGON	1957	Ford	Country Squire	4-Door Wagon
MODEL	Revell	#H-1220:149 (1957) 1/25
CAR COMMENT	Another fine example of the flashy family wagons of the 50s.
MODEL COMMENT	Only produced in 1957. The tool was changed to create a Ranchero. This was molded in brown. Because of the rarity of this model and the splendor of the real car, this is one of the most sought after models by collectables fetching over $200. If this were to be released it would be an instant success.
WAGON	1957	Ford	Country Squire	4-door wagon
MODEL	All American Models (resin)	1/25
CAR COMMENT	see above
MODEL COMMENT	Unfortunately I believe this company is out of business. More pictures at Dave Lindsay's web site.
WAGON	1957	Mercury	Colony Park	2-door Wagon
MODEL	TKM Models (resin)	1/25
CAR COMMENT
MODEL COMMENT	The models are handcast in resin plastic. Use Chrome paint or bare metal foil to detail bumpers, grilles etc. Body may be painted with Auto or Hobby paints. Some sanding and preparation is required for best results. Kits are sold complete with resin wheels and tires, metal axles and a metal chassis.
WAGON	1957	Plymouth	Suburban	not sure which version
MODEL	Modelhaus (resin)	1/25
CAR COMMENT	All 1957 Plymouth station wagons were called Suburban. They offered the Custom (2 and 4 door), Deluxe (2 door), and Sport (4 door).
MODEL COMMENT	Includes station wagon body with hood molded in, interior tub with separate bench seat, dash, steering wheel, front bumper, grille, rear bumper, headlights, parking lights, taillights, taillight bezels, hubcaps, steel wheels, tires, wheel backs, torsion bars, chassis, glass. I have not seen it.
WAGON	1957	Oldsmobile	Super 88 Fiesta	4-door wagon
MODEL	R & R Vacuum Craft (resin)	1/25
CAR COMMENT	Another example of the lavish style of the 57 GM cars.
MODEL COMMENT	I don't know much about this company. More pictures at Dave Lindsay's web site.
WAGON	1957	Pontiac	Safari	2-door wagon
MODEL	F & F Resin Casting (resin)	1/25
CAR COMMENT	1957 saw the introduction of the 4-Door Pontiac Safari, but the 2-Door Safari was also produced. This was the last year for the 2-Door version.
MODEL COMMENT	This is a 15-piece resin supplemental kit. It requires an AMT 55 Nomad to complete, but you could build a pretty good curbside without it. More pictures at Dave Lindsey's web site.
WAGON	1958	Buick	Century Caballero	4-door wagon
MODEL	R & R Vacuum Craft (resin)	1/25
CAR COMMENT	Just plain an explosive use of chrome. Check out this link to EphemeraNow for the 58 Buick wagons.
MODEL COMMENT	I don't know much about this company. More pictures at Dave Lindsay's web site.
WAGON	1958	Chevrolet		4-door wagon
MODEL	R & R Vacuum Craft (resin)	1/25
CAR COMMENT
MODEL COMMENT	I don't know much about this company and I don't know if the version they offer is the Brookwood or the Nomad..
WAGON	1958	Edsel	Bermuda	4-door wagon
MODEL	All American Models (resin)	1/25
CAR COMMENT	Edsel only offered wagons in 58, 59, and 60.
MODEL COMMENT	Unfortunately I believe this company is out of business. More pictures at Dave Lindsay's web site.
WAGON	1958	Pontiac	Safari	4-door Wagon
MODEL	R & R Vacuum Craft (resin)	1/25
CAR COMMENT
MODEL COMMENT	I don't know much about this company.
WAGON	1959	Cadillac		Ambulance
MODEL	AMT	#6017 (1989) 1/25 #31947[Entertainment Series] (2003) 1/25
CAR COMMENT	Cadillac never offered a stock station wagon, but they are the best selling car for hearse conversion. The Miller Meteor Company converted many Caddys into Hearses and Ambulance and one of their 1959 conversions was the base for Ecto 1 from Ghostbusters. Here is an original sales brochure for an MM Ambulance
MODEL COMMENT	Ecto 1A from GhostBusters II. A very interesting kit. Molded in white and with lots of extra Ghostbusters parts. A collectable. The 2003 re-release may be of the Ecto 1 from the first movie. Here is a link to Davis Goog's website where he steps through the building of an Ecto 1A.
WAGON	1959	Cadillac		Ambulance
MODEL	Polar Lights	#6812 (2002) 1/25
CAR COMMENT	see above
MODEL COMMENT	Ecto 1 from GhostBusters I. Snap together kit.
WAGON	1959	Chevrolet	Biscayne	Brookwood 2-door Station Wagon
MODEL	Modelhaus (resin)	1/25
CAR COMMENT	The only 2-door wagon produced by Chevy in 1959. Only about 20,000 were made. A very distinct looking car with its wing-like fins.
MODEL COMMENT	This is not a complete kit. Includes 2-door station wagon body with open hood, interior tub, rear glass, hubcaps. It requires an El Camino kit to complete. More pictures at Dave Lindsay's web site.
WAGON	1959	Chevy	Biscayne Brookwood	2-door Wagon
MODEL	R & R Vacuum Craft (resin)	1/25
CAR COMMENT
MODEL COMMENT	I don't know much about this company.
WAGON	1959	Dodge		2-door Wagon
MODEL	R & R Vacuum Craft (resin)	1/25
CAR COMMENT
MODEL COMMENT	I don't know much about this company.
WAGON	1959	Oldsmobile	Super 88 Fiesta	4-Door Station Wagon
MODEL	F & F Resin Casting (resin)	1/25
CAR COMMENT	This year Olds switched to a roll down rear window from their previous lift window.
MODEL COMMENT	This is a 23-piece resin supplemental kit. It requires an AMT 59 El Camino or Monogram 59 Impala to complete, but you could build a pretty good curbside without it.
WAGON	1959	Rambler	Cross Country	4-Door Station Wagon
MODEL	Johan	#JC 101 (2003) 1/25
CAR COMMENT	Station Wagons were very good sells under the Rambler name badge accounting for nearly half of all auto sales. This 1959 version had the famous down-stepped roofline.
MODEL COMMENT	Johan (formerly X-EL Products, formerly Jo-Han) is set to release a curbside kit version from their promo tool. This kit will be part of their '3 in 1 Curbside Cruiser' set. This is going to be a very exciting kit. It will contain parts to build it either as a family version with woodgrain trim or even flames. It will also contain extras to build it as a police, taxi, or ambulance. More info on this model can be found HERE. Buy these buy the dozen.