WAGON CHRONICLES

The 1930s marked the true beginning of the station wagon era. Born from the need to carry passengers and luggage from bustling train depots to their destinations, wagons like Ford’s wood-bodied 1931 Model A “Woodie” combined practicality with craftsmanship. Built of maple and birch by coachbuilders such as Murray and Briggs, these versatile vehicles became workhorses for hotels, schools, and families alike—laying the foundation for one of America’s most beloved automotive cat