What are the clam shell station wagons?
The ‘clamshell’ tailgate has a rear window that retracts up into the roof, and a lower section that retracts into the body. It is probably a high point in tailgate design (and complexity). It was introduced on, and unique to, the 1971-1976 GM full-size models (it was standard all the way through the 1976 model year). Interestingly enough, in 1971 GM had three different tailgates – the liftback in the Vega, the conventional swinging version in the Chevelle, and the clam shell in the full size. Talk about variety! Go to the Zymme’s Oldmobile site to see how the clamshell tailgate works on a 1973 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser.
