When the movie ‘National Lampoons Vacation’ hit theaters in 1983, the station wagon was still the vehicle of choice for families and those seeking practicality. However, their popularity of declined towards the end of the decade due to the rise of minivans and SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles). While the minivan was great for transporting the family around, the SUV was the family vehicle for the more adventurous family.
In the movie, the family travels across the country in this Metallic Pea Green station wagon called the Family Truckster. The Family Truckster was designed by George Barris and was based on a 1979 Ford LTD Country Squire station wagon.
The owner of this 1994 Ford Explorer really bought into the National Lampoons Vacation vibe when they painted the Explorer Metallic Pea Green, added woodgrain paneling, and all of the luggage to the roof.
Another definitive nod to the Family Truckster is the body bag meant to mimic the events of the movie, in which Aunt Edna passes away in her sleep and the Griswold family does the bare minimum necessary to take care of her remains. It appears the seller stuck a cloth mask where the face inside the bag would reside, so as to let everyone know that the picture was taken in the COVID-ridden 2020.
I don’t know why the owner named it ‘Cherokee Truckster’. That’s a bit weird. But then I guess making your Ford Explorer look like the Family Truckster is a bit weird to some people as well.
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