Posted on 10/02/2025 6:45:46 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
If you find yourself driving along the scenic New York State Thruway near Lake George, you might get a sudden urge to sing the song “Holiday Road.” The popular Northeast vacation destination is home to a small fleet of cars associated with another very popular vacation: the fictional Griswold family’s trek to Walley World in the 1983 classic National Lampoon’s Vacation.
The accidentally-purchased 1987 Ford Country Squire owned by Tom and Chrissey Dittus of Lake George. Over the past several years, he’s made the car look like the cross-country driving station wagon from the film. It’s has garnered thousands of views on Facebook and plenty of buzz in real life.
“Sometimes I wonder if it’s the most viewed car in the country,” Tom tells Popular Science. “People and businesses share on their Facebook pages and it gets a huge response.”
The pair now take their three Griswold cars to film festivals, conventions, and other events around the country, inviting fans and even celebrities (including Chevy Chase himself) to pose with what Clark Griswold lovingly called the “Family Truckster.” The cars are even given a seasonal twist in honor of the film’s third installment, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
Tom Dittus: In 2014, I wanted a cheap car to put lots of stuff in, and I like old cars so got an old wagon for $2,000, which I found online at a garage sale site. It was 15 minutes from our home in Lake George, New York.
TD: I, and others, associated the ‘80s wood-grain vinyl wagon with Vacation movies. Since the car made people happy, I decided to play the role by throwing old luggage on the roof and stuffed big coffee bean bags from a local café to look like Aunt Edna. People loved it!
TD: I searched for a custom plate, but “Griswold” was taken plus various abbreviations for “Family Truckster” were taken too. So, I thought about changing the “s” to a “z” since it would sound the same. So, it became “Grizwold.” I put old crappy luggage on top that we had hanging around the house along with a sleeping bag ready for the garbage can. I got a kid’s set of plastic golf clubs too. A Lake George café, Caffé Vero, gave me coffee bean bags which I stuffed for Aunt Edna. It was already nicely customized by 2 guys (Eric Wildman and John Larson) in their garage in DesMoines, Iowa. I found them on their Clark W. Griswold Facebook page and bought it sight unseen in 2020 during COVID. I give them a lot of credit for their efforts in building something so special. A couple of years ago, I did get the body renovated. We also got all 8 headlights and all 4 tail lights working (only 2 worked in the movie). Then we added a gas flap in the hood per the movie.
“Wallywld” seemed appropriate for the second wagon since people ask us if we’re headed to Walley World when they see the car. But, every six months, I switch the plate to “XmasVaca” and throw a tree on top with a ceramic squirrel, and put a cousin Eddie mannequin with a trapper hat and white bath robe in the back seat per the Christmas Vacation movie. We put a Santa face on the front grill, lots of garland, lots of solar lights, Santa and elves in the back seat, etc.
It’s a huge hit at Christmas events such as bars and the Palace Theatre in Albany, New York for a Chevy Chase appearance where they showed the Christmas Vacation movie!
TD: Driving the Family Truckster anywhere is an experience unlike any other car. Folks really admire my ’63 Triumph since there are very few around. I’ve had exotic cars like an ’86 Porsche 930 Turbo that gear heads certainly appreciated. It had the extra wide rear end and big meats (tires) on the back. The ’90 Ferrari Testarossa had the same wide stance. I loved those cars, but the Truckster is different. It triggers big smiles, laughs, and thumbs up everywhere.
Most people just glow when they see it. They stop what they’re doing, drop what they’re carrying, whatever. I can often read their lips – OH MY GOD!!! A few have actually said, “That’s the greatest thing I’ve seen in my life!” or “That just made my vacation!” Also, many relate to having a station wagon as a child. They sometimes get emotional remembering sitting way in the back while their parents (who sometimes have passed away) were in the front.
Nice ride.
I guess some people are hard to please. ;-) A matter of taste, I guess.
Well... I guess the girl is attractive.
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