What Car Is in Christmas Vacation?

By Anna Duncan

If you’re a fan of Christmas movies, then you’re probably familiar with the classic holiday film, Christmas Vacation. The movie follows the Griswold family as they prepare for and celebrate Christmas, with hilarious and chaotic results.

One of the most memorable aspects of the movie is the family’s car, which has become an iconic symbol of the film. But what car is in Christmas Vacation?

The Car:
The car featured in Christmas Vacation is a 1989 Ford Taurus Station Wagon. This was a popular family car at the time, known for its spacious interior and comfortable ride. In the movie, the Griswold family uses this car to travel to their relatives’ house for a Christmas gathering.

The Exterior:
The exterior of the car is painted in a wood-panel design, which was a popular trend in American cars during the 1970s and 1980s. This design feature was meant to evoke a sense of nostalgia for earlier eras when cars were made with real wood paneling. However, by the time the Taurus came along, wood paneling had become more of a kitschy design element than a practical one.

The Interior:
Inside, the car is spacious enough to comfortably seat six people with plenty of legroom and headroom. The seats are upholstered in plush cloth material that was standard on most Ford models at that time. The dashboard features simple gauges and controls without any fancy digital displays or touchscreen interfaces.

The Role Of The Car In The Movie

In Christmas Vacation, the Griswold family’s Taurus plays an important role in several key scenes throughout the movie. For example:

  • During their trip to their relatives’ house, Clark (played by Chevy Chase) accidentally takes them on an unexpected detour down a closed road.
  • Later on in the movie, the family decides to go out and buy a Christmas tree. They tie the tree to the roof of the car, but it ends up causing all sorts of chaos on their drive back home.
  • In one particularly memorable scene, Clark becomes trapped inside the car while trying to fix a broken light bulb. He accidentally backs the car into a snowbank and spends several hours trying to free himself.

Conclusion

Overall, the 1989 Ford Taurus Station Wagon is an iconic symbol of Christmas Vacation and plays an important role in many of the movie’s most memorable scenes. Its wood panel design and spacious interior make it a classic example of American family cars from that era. Whether you’re a fan of the movie or just appreciate classic cars, there’s no denying that this Taurus is a true icon of American culture.