Tales from the Way-Back

Here are a few pics of our 1962 Mercury wagon, all loaded up, for our “Out West” trip during the summer of ’62. We were a family of five: myself, my parents, and my older brother and younger sister. We left Dearborn Heights, Michigan, in July and made our way to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons before heading southwest to Inglewood, California, where my dad’s aunt lived. After seeing the Los Angeles area (and, of course, Disneyland), we made our way east across the desert and back to Michigan.

I do remember one car-related story. We were someplace in the mountains going up a long, steep grade. I recall my dad telling us that he had the gas pedal to the floor. I thought that was so cool, going “flat out” over the mountains. My dad was a Ford engineer (engine design), so he took great delight in seeing what the 390 V-8 could do. After three weeks and 6,000-plus miles, we returned home with the Mercury wagon in as good as shape as the day we left. Great memories!

Jim Bielecki Gaylord, Michigan

Just got the latest issue of Motor News, and the article on wagons caught my eye. One vehicle that I think should have been included is the 1956 Ford Parklane. It had all the Fairlane goodies, same paint scheme, but two doors, A friend of mine had one, with a 292 four-barrel and a three on the tree with overdrive. One production year only, 15,186 built, rare car.

Charles Campbell Culleoka, Tennessee

today, and was delighted with your cover feature of station wagons. However, I am