Mini fini: The Mini Clubman passes into British motoring history
Aurevoir, Clubman.
Wagon latest news
Junkyard Gem: 1994 Volvo 850 Turbo Wagon
Volvo began selling brick-shaped rear-wheel-drive station wagons in the United States with the 145 in the 1968 model year, continuing the tradition with the 200, 700 and 900 series wagons and all the way through the very last 1998 V90s. The benefits of front-wheel-drive proved impossible for those Göteborgers to resist, though, and so the 850 was developed. The 850 sedan first appeared in the United States as a 1993 model, with the wagon version following in 1994. Today's Junkyard Gem is one of those first-year 850 wagons, found in a Colorado Springs self-service yard recently.
Junkyard Gem: 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity Wagon
The beginning of the end for station wagons arrived as the second half of the 1980s dawned, thanks to Chrysler's introduction of its game-changing minivans and AMC's introduction of the even more influential XJ Jeep Cherokee (both as 1984 models), but few noticed at first. At that time, GM's Chevrolet Division still offered wagons in three different sizes: the Cavalier, Celebrity and Caprice Classic; today's Junkyard Gem is an example of the middle type, found in a Denver self-service yard recently.
Buick Electra-L, Electra-LT concepts lead the Wildcat to production
Buick loves the Beijing Motor Show, and why shouldn't it? Working with its local partner, SAIC, the brand seems to saves up so much mojo for April in Asia and shows up with stunning designs. Here are another two takes on the brand's latest sheet metal philosophy, penned by the SAIC-GM Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center and riding on GM's Ulitum platform, the Electra-L sedan and Electra-LT wagon concepts.
Junkyard Gem: 1980 Toyota Corolla Wagon
American car shoppers were able to buy new Toyota Corolla station wagons from the 1968 through 1996 model years (with a break from 1984 through 1987), after which the Corolla-related RAV4 took over. One of the most popular of the longroof Corollas sold here was the fourth-generation TE71/TE72 version, available in the United States for the 1980-1983 model years. Here's a first-year example of that wagon, found in a Denver-area car graveyard a couple of months back.
Junkyard Gem: 1987 Subaru GL 4WD Wagon with 324k miles
When I'm walking the rows of a car graveyard in search of historically significant subjects for this series, a Toyota or Honda needs at least 400,000 miles showing on the odometer for me to consider photographing it based on final mileage alone; discarded Accords and Previas with better than 300k miles are a dime a dozen. With Subaru, however, it's another story; even in Subie-centric Colorado, I don't run across many that drove past the magical 299,999-mile mark. Today we've got one that accomplished that feat, found in rough shape in a Denver self-service yard.
BMW M5 Touring confirmed: Wagon lovers rejoice!
It wasn't long ago that BMW head designer Domagoj Dukec allegedly told a reporter «that the next-generation M5 will be sold in North America in both sedan and wagon body styles.» We say allegedly because the report was later denied altogether before hemming and hawing about its existence and what markets it will be sold in continued in earnest. Well now we have for-real confirmation. Says the automaker in an official release: «The upcoming 7th generation of the BMW M5 sedan will be joined – for the first time in the US – by a Touring variant.»
Six-pack of identical Ford Pinto Wagons for sale, in case you were looking
If the so-called «Toys for Boys» six-Porsche collection from a U.K. climate-controlled garage is too boring for you, may we offer something from the other end of the automotive spectrum. Toys for Men, if you will, because it's going to take some elbow grease to get this six-Pinto collection from Hacienda Heights, California, up and running.
Armored 2016 Subaru Forester cash transport could be a great deal ...
What we have here is one clear reality, one deal, and at least one mystery. The reality is that someone is selling an armored 2016 Subaru Forester on Craigslist Dallas. The Autopian came across the find and called the seller to find out what gives. They didn't get much. The seller's son said his dad bought the wagon at auction, becoming the Forester's second owner after Brinks, the cash and valuables transportation company. «Brinks had that one built,» he said, «and it was used until my father bought it.” What also appears to be plain and real is that the Subie has ferried precious goods 185,345 miles, and the seller wants $12,900 „firm“ for it.