Minivans, shminivans. Insty is tracking the conversation sparked by Steve Chapman's bit at Reason Magazine about the sociology of minivans and SUVs. Chapman says:
"The world is divided into two kinds of people: those who, when they have kids, worry they are no longer cool, and those who, when they have kids, think being a parent is cooler than anything they've ever done. The latter group will consider a minivan. The former won't, even if you paint a skull and crossbones on it."
Thus the child-rearing motorist is faced with a dilemma: practical-but-dorky minivan, or face-saving-but-stupid SUV? A false choice in my book, because those wise parents of yesteryear knew the real answer -- the venerable midcentury Detroit station wagon. All the practicality of the bland minivan, and with more panache than any pseudo-"cool" SUV could dream of. Those of us of a certain age can attest to the childhood thrill of riding in these handsome barges, and the violent fights that would ensue over the privilege of riding in the rear-facing 4th row seat.
And if you're too young to remember that golden age, here's a photo collection of some of my favorites. Wagons Ho!
