FOX: It’s summer! Time for a family road trip! Just imagine all the fun you’re going to have… tourist traps, car-sick kids, “Are we there yet?” and “Honey, did you remember to pack the tent?”
OK, scratch that. Instead, go to your happy place and think about cars. We asked our Facebook followers, “What’s the best classic for a family road trip?” As usual, you answered faster than Siri can locate a bathroom. We sifted through your nominations and picked the top 10:
- Wagon Queen Family Truckster – Yes, we know it isn’t “real.” It’s a one-off built for the 1983 film National Lampoon’s Vacation. Just go with it. (Another word out of you and we’re turning this car around and heading home.) Nothing – nothing – screams Forced Family Fun like Clark Griswold’s pea green, faux wood-paneled crap can. The Truckster embarked on a hellacious cross-country road trip to California’s Walley World and survived vandalism, a breakdown in the desert and two unfortunate deaths, neither of which were the car itself. While we still mourn the loss of Dinky (poor dog) and Aunt Edna (great seat, eh?), we applaud the sturdy Truckster. The 2015 Tartan Prancer in last summer’s remake doesn’t come close.
2. Volkswagen Westfalia Camper – VW’s Type 2 conversion vans, modified by Westfalia, had about a 50-year run beginning in the early 1950s. The popular camper vans offer a variety of amenities for families on the go – as long as you don’t need to get there fast – things like a sink, water storage and pump, ice box/refrigerator, cabinets, electrical hookups, folding table and seats that fold out to make a sleeping area. The holy grail of Westfalias is the 1985-92 Syncro, which is basically a 4-wheel-drive version of the T-3 Vanagon. The vans had a substantially higher MSRP than basic models, along with the added bonus of being heavier and slower. No wonder only 5,000 or so were officially imported to the U.S. In today’s ever-changing world of automotive taste, however, they are now considered super cool, and there are far more “Syncronauts” than actual Syncros. We spotted a couple for sale recently, a 1987 model priced at $39,750 and a 1989 model for $47,500. As always, cool carries a hefty price tag. MORE
Pack the tent?
Why would you need a tent?
Camping is a non starter to me.
Staying in a 3 star hotel is my idea of camping, non camping is a 5 star resort.
I don’t camp
Where’s the photos of the cars in the article? That’s the only thing that would make it worth reading.
Were doing a two week motor cycle cross country trip. East coast to West Coast. Must be active or retired LEO. If you get tired of riding we have an 18 wheeler with room for break down and extra bikes and supplies.
This year is spoken for. Sorry.
hey sally.
won’t we all be “camping out” whether we like to or not if we don’t do something about our elected professional politicians selling us out for money.
living and working in a country inhabited by third world people is just like camping out.
I have worked in those places and know the difference.
if you don’t like camping out you won’t like what’s coming.
may God continue to bless the USA.
Back in the 70s I bought a 1968 Olds Vista Cruiser for $75 from a friend’s brother who had ran up on a curb and bent a lower control arm. Bought a junk yard control arm for about $15, put it on and drove it to work to align the front end. One of the best car purchases I ever made.
Those were great road trip cars, you could lay the back seats down, make a bed back there, and stare at the stars through the roof windows.
sally, the best place to pitch a tent is in the lake
Proud owner of a Syncro Vanagon.
A remarkable vehicle.
HI