1966 Chevrolet Caprice Station Wagon: Before SUVs, We Had These | Wicked Big Car Show

Before crossovers and SUVs dominated American roads, the station wagon was the ultimate family vehicle. It hauled kids, groceries, luggage, camping gear, and just about everything else a family could throw at it.

At this year's Wicked Big Car Show, one wagon immediately stood out from the crowd—a beautiful 1966 Chevrolet Caprice Station Wagon that proves family transportation could still have plenty of personality.

A Family Wagon With a Hot Rod Twist

At first glance, this Caprice looks like the perfect example of a mid-1960s family wagon. But take a closer look and you'll quickly discover there's much more going on.

Under the hood sits a big-block Chevrolet engine, giving this full-size wagon performance that most family cars of the era could only dream about. Combined with a four-speed manual transmission, this isn't your typical grocery getter.

Bench Seats and Four Speeds

Open the door and you'll find something that's become almost extinct in modern vehicles—a full bench seat paired with a floor-mounted four-speed shifter.

It's a combination that perfectly captures a different era of American automobiles, when practicality and performance could exist in the same vehicle.

Before SUVs

Long before SUVs became the vehicle of choice, station wagons filled that role.

The folding rear seat created a massive cargo area for family vacations, home improvement projects, or hauling just about anything. And if you were lucky enough to ride in the rear-facing "way back" seat, chances are you still remember those family road trips today.

The Optional Woodgrain Look

One of the defining styling features of many full-size wagons was optional simulated woodgrain trim running down the sides of the body. It became one of the signature design elements of family wagons throughout the 1960s and 1970s and remains an instant reminder of that era.

Part of Our Wicked Big Car Show Coverage

This 1966 Chevrolet Caprice Station Wagon is just one of the incredible vehicles we discovered while covering the Wicked Big Car Show. Throughout this series, we're sharing the stories behind the cars, the owners, and the people who keep automotive history alive.

Explore all of our Wicked Big Car Show coverage here:

👉https://vtwinstov8s.com/blogs/news/wicked-big-weekend-2026

From feature cars and owner interviews to event highlights and behind-the-scenes stories, we'll continue adding new articles as they're published.