In the mid-1970s, with sport-utility vehicles and vans still operating on the fringes of the market, the station wagon was the vehicle of choice for motoring through great swaths of this great land. And, as far as size was concerned, 1976 was the high-water mark for the biggest domestic-brand wagons—cars like this Plymouth Gran Fury.
Come 1977, GM’s big wagons would be downsized; Ford and Mercury wagons would follow two years later. The Mopar trio of Plymouth, Dodge, and Chrysler entries wouldn’t survive to see 1978. But in 1976, one could still stride into a Chrysler-Plymouth showroom and drive off in a grandly proportioned Plymouth station wagon, one sitting astride a proper 124-inch wheelbase.
Although it’s a product of the Pentastar’s most humble division, there’s nothing parsimonious about this Plymouth. Not only is it the brand’s largest offering, but it’s the mack-daddy Sport Suburban, the top-of-the-line wagon entry. Its flanks displaying vinyl wood-grain denote it as a chariot of the stolid middle class, unlike its denuded and more utilitarian siblings. Furthermore, it’s optioned with groovy patterned-cloth upholstery, a 400-cubic-inch V-8, A/C, a tilting-and-telescoping steering column, a roof rack (naturally), and the must-have third-row seat.
It’s on offer from Gesswein Motors, of Milbank, South Dakota. With an indicated 33,355 miles, the ask is a not unreasonable $17,450. Rather than have it shipped, we suggest you pick it up in person and then point it toward Mount Rushmore, which is about 450 miles due west. What better way to get in tune with bicentennial America than cruising across the Great Plains in a giant station wagon on a road trip to visit Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln? They don’t make ’em like that anymore—cars or presidents.
“The Spirit of ’76” is C/D’s Fourth of July holiday-weekend series highlighting some of the most awesome cars for sale from our nation’s bicentennial year.
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