The Griswold family car in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is identified as a 1989 Ford Taurus wagon. The screenplay describes it as a Taurus with simulated wood panels—a visual callback to the earlier Griswold wagon, but not the same car as the Wagon Queen Family Truckster.
What car is in Christmas Vacation?
The screenplay names the vehicle a Taurus family wagon and describes it as a “new, aerodynamically-styled Road Queen” with simulated wood panels. The Internet Movie Cars Database separately identifies the on-screen vehicle as a 1989 Ford Taurus wagon, making 1989 the supported model-year identification. [Screenplay] [Internet Movie Cars Database]
The screenplay is direct evidence for how the car was presented in the story. The vehicle database is a secondary identification, not a Ford build sheet or a production record. The available sources do not establish the exact trim, VIN, donor car, factory color, or number of wagons used.
Taurus wagon versus the Family Truckster
| Film car | Underlying vehicle | What the sources establish |
|---|---|---|
| National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Griswold wagon | Ford Taurus wagon, identified as a 1989 model | The screenplay calls it a Taurus and specifies simulated wood panels; a secondary car database identifies the model year. |
| National Lampoon’s Vacation Wagon Queen Family Truckster | 1979 Ford Country Squire | The Henry Ford says the custom Truckster was based on a Country Squire. |
The faux wood helps connect the two films, but the cars are distinct: the earlier Truckster was based on a Country Squire, while the Christmas Vacation screenplay identifies the later car as a Taurus wagon. [The Henry Ford]
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What is known about filming
The American Film Institute records the film’s release date as December 1, 1989, and notes that a production chart indicated principal photography began in Colorado on March 27, 1989. AFI also describes filming in Colorado and at studio locations in Burbank, California. These dates and locations provide context for the film, but they do not verify the Taurus’s trim, modifications, or how many vehicles appeared on set. [AFI Catalog] [AFI Movie Club]
What remains unverified
It is tempting to infer a trim level or reconstruct how the car was prepared for filming from its appearance. The available sources do not confirm those details, nor do they identify who applied the simulated wood panels. Treat specific claims about the car’s factory equipment, mechanical setup, production alterations, and vehicle count as unverified unless supported by new documentation.
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FAQ
What kind of car does Clark Griswold drive in Christmas Vacation?
It is identified as a Ford Taurus wagon, with a secondary vehicle reference specifying a 1989 model. The screenplay calls it a Taurus family wagon.
Was the Christmas Vacation car the Family Truckster?
No. The Christmas Vacation screenplay identifies its car as a Taurus wagon. The Henry Ford describes the earlier Wagon Queen Family Truckster as a custom car based on a 1979 Ford Country Squire.
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Did the Taurus wagon have wood trim?
The screenplay says it had simulated wood panels. That establishes the intended screen styling, but not who added the panels or whether they were a factory option.
What trim level was the movie Taurus?
The available sources do not establish its exact trim level. Claims naming a specific trim are not verified by the screenplay or the cited vehicle identification.
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