Video: Eight awesome longroof muscle cars, from mild to wild

While most of our readers will agree that there are few things in life as cool as a muscle car, getting everyone to agree on a make, model, or even style is flat out impossible. However, one thing that we (at least those of us in the office) tend to agree on, is that a properly-done station wagon–or “longroof”–is a thing of beauty, almost regardless of make or model.

There is just something about classic wagon styling, be it a Chevy, Ford, B.O.P, or Mopar, that just strikes all the right chords. The adaptive styling which retained the parent car’s front end looks, but morphed into something all its own out back can stand alone as to why wagons are awesome.

However, when you add in the sleeper aspect (who really expects a wagon to yank the front wheels or lay a pair of thick, black stripes down the road?), coupled with the extreme versatility of having all that room in the back, really, can you think of a more practical muscle car to have as a cruiser?

This Lime Gold 1964 Ford Galaxie Country Sedan is powered by a 390-cube FE engine, and is absolutely gorgeous.

This video showcases eight wagons, all of different makes – well, mostly. There are a lot of Chevys in the mix, but that’s OK, because they are all different from one another, and it’s doubtful that any of us would turn down the chance to take one home.

Of the eight wagons in the video, we’re going to talk about our five favorite ones. First, is the 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser. Combining the traditional muscle car looks of a Cutlass with a sleek wagon rear-end, this particular wagon has a sleek ram-air hood with hood latches and a 454 under the hood. Not quite a sleeper, with the giant “ Rob Lander Racing” decal on the rear windows, it’s still a good looking wagon that seems like a fun cruiser.

The Ford Country Sedan Galaxie wagon in the video really gets us going, partially thanks to its extremely clean lines, and also because of its more period-correct theme. Powered by a 390 cubic-inch FE engine with subtle pinstriping on the body, this blue-oval longroof isn’t trying to be anything but a classic cruiser—and it’s succeeding at that. From the whitewall tires to the Lime Gold paint, we’d love to have that one in our driveway.

Next on our list is the 1966 Chevy II Nova Wagon. One, who doesn’t like a well-done drag racing muscle car? Two, who doesn’t like a Chevy II wagon?! The big-tire Super Stock beast runs tens in the quarter-mile, and does awesome wheelies off the line. What more needs to be said about this awesome wagon?

The Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser might just be the quintessential station wagon. Of course, being powered by a 455 Rocket from the factory, and then adding longtubes and a full exhaust make it more than your average grocery-getter.

The Plymouth Belvedere Wagon in the video is simple and clean. While it’s another drag-wagon, that’s not why it’s one of our favorites. The simple white body and black roof, combined with the sharp, elongated bodylines of the Belvedere have always appealed to us (and not just because they used a fifth-gen Belvedere in the pilot of Adam-12, one of our all-time favorite TV shows). The 383 under the hood sounds quite healthy, and the skinnies and slicks really look good under the car. If we’re being honest, though, the orange driving lights don’t really flow.

Finally, we come to the second-generation Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser. First and foremost, because skylights! The elevated, windowed rear roof was extremely unique, and one of our favorite parts of the car. While some might call the woodgrain paneling “dated”, we choose to call it timeless. This particular example from 1970 has a Rocket 455 under the hood, which has been bored .040-inch over and has longtube headers and a dual exhaust. The Vista Cruiser also has a special place in TV history for us, as it was the Foreman family car in That ‘70s Show.

We’ve shared our five favorite longroofs of the video with you, which one(s) are your favorite? Tell us in the comments below. Have an awesome muscle wagon of your own? Let us know!

About the author

Greg Acosta

Greg has spent nineteen years and counting in automotive publishing, with most of his work having a very technical focus. Always interested in how things work, he enjoys sharing his passion for automotive technology with the reader.
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