The cultural sector is hit hard by all the restrictions of the lockdown, but unlike in the Netherlands, all museums will remain open at our southern neighbors. Until the end of May, the Autoworld museum in Brussels will be hosting a wonderful themed exhibition about the history of the origins of classic breaks and station wagons, a model variant that started a rapid advance in the 50s and 60s.
Autoworld focuses on this extra-spacious type of cars that came over from the United States in the 1950s-1960s and established a permanent place in the automotive market in the decades that followed. Breaks are older than the car, as there were already horse carts that carried the name break. In America they are called Station Wagons, because they were originally used to transport travelers with their luggage, often to or from the station. They were based on regular cars, but offered much more space thanks to an extended rear. Before the war they were often partly made of wood, hence the name “Woody”. After the war, partly due to the baby boom, they became popular as a family vehicle, first in the US and not much later also in Europe. In the mid-1960s it becomes clear that the concept can no longer be described as a fad. Worldwide, the automotive industry is starting to focus on the new concept. In many cases, as soon as a new model is introduced, ‘a dual-purpose car’ will follow within a few weeks, which is derived from the classic design. A number of brands go a step further and immediately turn their basic model into a combination. The Renault R4 and R16 are obvious examples, but the Autobianchi Primula also belongs in that list. The sphere of influence of the Estate can no longer be ignored by sports car manufacturers. One of the most distinctive examples is the Aston Martin “Shooting Brake” based on a DB5.
Until May 30, Autoworld will be showing about fifteen cars, a selection of a number of striking models mainly from the 50s and 60s. The station wagons are from the US, so there are some Americans in the selection, including the oldest a beautiful Packard Deluxe One Twenty Woody from 1941. The Chevrolet Nomad combined the sporty with the practical, but the same goes for the 1988 Jaguar Eventer, the latest in the temporary theme exhibition. And what about the spectacular Chrysler 300 New Yorker Town & Country Wagon, the American dream at its best or a unique Packard Model 22 Deluxe One that was converted into a station wagon. Among the European models there is a beautiful 1958 Ford Taunus P2 Baroc, more than probably the only one in Belgium. There are also some classics, such as a Citroën ID DS Familiale or a Volvo PV445 Duett. Breaks are usually worn to the core, and are therefore rare. The copies shown in Autoworld certainly are. A good example of this is a Belgian product: a Mercedes 230S Universal developed and built in Mechelen.
1974 Citroën ID 20 Familiale
Between 1955 and 1975 the ID / DS models underwent many comfort upgrades. The 2 liter estate version was offered in different variants, including a “Commerciale” and a “Familiale” version. A total of almost 94,000 copies were produced.
1967 Mercedes 230S Universal
This Belgian-made Mercedes was produced in Mechelen and had a load capacity of 750 kilos. The 230S was available with a four or six cylinder petrol or diesel engine between 1965 and 1968. In total, 2,754 copies were built.
1958 Ford Taunus P2 Barock
Until 1967, Taunus was used as the brand name for all German car models from Ford of Europe. P2 refers to the second generation. Introduced in 1952 and in production until 1960, this model was nicknamed Barocktaunus, or simply Barock, due to its clearly recognizable American design. Only one driving model remains of this copy.
1954 Peugeot 203 L Familiale
Six windows, a 20 centimeter longer wheelbase and leaf springs: that’s what distinguishes this 203 model variant from the series models. Built from 1950 to 1956, 61,853 units left the assembly line.
1953 Volvo PV 443 Duett
Volvo was one of the first car manufacturers to start thinking seriously about the design of a practical commercial vehicle. The model name “Duett” was synonymous with the versatile character of the 1,600cc four-cylinder. The Duett was produced from 1952 to 1969. From 210 the model type went through life as P210; easily recognizable appearance by the curved one-piece windscreen
1941 Packard Deluxe One-Twenty
At a time when the Belgian Minerva, together with the British Rolls-Royce, influenced the automobile buying behavior of the global haute Bourgeoisie, the very rich Americans bought this “Great Gatsby” -type car in particular. Packard only built saloons and coupes and for the station wagons, such as this woody, consulted the greatest specialists, such as Hercules from the American state of Indiana.
1958 Chevrolet Brookwood
Brookwood was a brand that began releasing V8 station wagons on the American market from 1958 onwards. It was a mid-range model, but after Chevrolet discontinued the Yeoman, it became the entry-level model of the Break range from 1959 to 1961. The Chevrolet Brookwood was available in two- and four-door versions and V8 engine configurations ranging from 4. 5 to 5.4 liter capacity.
1955 Chrysler 300 New Yorker Town & Country Wagon
At launch, this top Chrysler model was more expensive than a Rolls-Royce. For the first time, the New Yorker also got the famous Hemi power source built in. The model type combined the space of a station wagon with the style and comfort of the sedan. It is estimated that only 750 units were built.
1956 Ford Country Sedan
This mid-range estate borrowed the styling elements of the Ford Fairlane. In its largest version with three rows of seats, it could accommodate as many as nine passengers. There was also the Ranch Wagon and a luxury version – the Country Squire – recognizable by imitation wood paneling on the sides. The Ford Country Sedan was available with a straight-six or a V8 engine.
1948 Bentley Mark VI Radford Countryman Estate
First of 8 copies, personal car of the legendary ‘coachbuilder’ Harold Radford. Won the Cannes Concours d’Élégance in 1949. Estate Cars of this kind were of interest in Great Britain after the war because they avoided 30% luxury tax.
1952 Packard 200
The Packard 200 was in production for only two years (1951 and 1952). It was Packard’s entry-level model with the shortest wheelbase and least powerful engine in the model range. From 1953, the 200 was marketed as a Clipper. This station wagon is a unique model, based on a sedan whose striking rear window has been retained.
1971 Triumph Herald Estate
This Triumph was launched in 1959 as a small 2-door sedan, designed by Michelotti. It still had a chassis, although the self-supporting bodywork was well established by now. There was also a convertible and a station wagon, as well as a panel van: the Courier. The last sedan version came off the assembly line in 1970; the Estate remained in production until 1971.
1985 Lynx Eventer
British coachbuilder Lynx transformed the Jaguar XJS into an attractive shooting brake. Only 63 units were manually built between 1983 and 2002.
This and more can be seen at Autoworld until May 30. Whoever goes that way before April 15, can also enjoy the exhibition ‘125 years Skoda’, which has been extended until April 14.