A closer look
Opening the back of a vintage family hauler was a heavily theatrical experience. Unlike modern hatches that simply hinge aggressively upwards, the iconic classic wagons utilized a complex dual-action tailgate. You could crank down the heavy glass into the door, and then violently fold the lower steel section completely flat to create an impromptu bench. It was heavily over-engineered, incredibly prone to rattling, and completely vital for giving kids a highly dangerous place to sit while facing backward in traffic.
