Is the Car From Vacation Real?

By Alice Nichols

Have you ever wondered if the car from the classic comedy movie “National Lampoon’s Vacation” is real? You know, the Wagon Queen Family Truckster that the Griswold family drove cross-country to visit Walley World? Well, we’ve got some answers for you.

First things first, let’s talk about the car itself. The Wagon Queen Family Truckster was a fictional creation made specifically for the movie. It was designed to be an exaggerated version of the Ford LTD Country Squire station wagon, complete with wood paneling and a unique body style.

But just because it was fictional doesn’t mean it wasn’t real. In fact, several versions of the car were built for use in the movie. Some were fully functional while others were created solely for use in specific scenes.

One thing that is often overlooked when discussing the Wagon Queen Family Truckster is its color. The car was famously painted in a shade called “Metallic Pea”, which has become synonymous with the vehicle itself.

But did you know that this color was actually inspired by a real-life car? That’s right, director Harold Ramis saw a similar shade on a Porsche and thought it would be perfect for the Truckster.

Now let’s talk about some of the features of this iconic vehicle. One of its most notable attributes is its size – it’s absolutely massive! This made for some hilarious scenes in the movie where Clark Griswold struggled to navigate through tight spaces and small streets.

Another unique feature of the Wagon Queen Family Truckster is its “sporty” spoiler on the back. This was added as a nod to classic muscle cars like Mustangs and Camaros, but on a station wagon it looks completely out of place – which only adds to its comedic value.

So there you have it – while technically not a real car in terms of being mass-produced or commercially available, several versions of the Wagon Queen Family Truckster were indeed built for use in “National Lampoon’s Vacation”. And even though it’s not a real car, its impact on pop culture is undeniable.

Who knows, maybe one day we’ll see a limited-edition run of these beauties on the streets. Until then, we’ll just have to settle for watching Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo drive one across the country.