15k: 2-Door Wagons Rule: 1957 Chevrolet 150 Handyman Wagon

by Hunsbloger — In 1957, Americans were looking to get away from all of the
drudgery of the way they used to do things and they sought out anything
that made them feel more pampered and powerful. Today, most aging stick-in-the-mud (or is that stuck-in-the-mud?) gearheads are lamenting
the rarity of manual transmissions, but the American Family buying a new car
in 1957 was probably buying its first car with power steering, power
brakes and the ultimate luxury of an automatic transmission.  Like this 1957 Chevrolet 210 or 150 Handyman Wagon (although the owner idenifies it as a Bel Air, the Bel Air 2-door wagon was only available as a Nomad and had an angled B-pillar) found here on eBay currently bidding for $12,500 with 1 day to go, located in Oconomowoc, WI.

In the 21st century, most of the people I know have one or two kids but in the 1950’s
Mom and Dad might have been a little formal on the outside, but behind
closed doors they were all about repopulating the planet! Most of the
families I grew up with in the 1960’s had 4 kids. Catholics were
immediately recognized for having 6-10 kids!  Modern requirements for seat belts and kid seats make a minivan a necessity for any couple with a love of those little rascals, but back in the day you could get away with a nice 2-door wagon.

You couldn’t tie
them to the roof Romney-style, but with a full sized wagon you could
easily get one or two of the small ones up front between Mom and Dad
and 3-5 in the back seat depending upon how big they were. On long
trips, you just stacked ’em like cord-wood in the cargo area.

Powering this thing is a “great running” Chevy 454 cubic inch V8 mated to an automatic transmission and a Ford 9-inch rear end.  Side-post battery (with composite anti-sparker) held in place with a bungee cord was not standard equipment in 1957.

See another 2-door family hauler for less? tips@dailyturismo.com