That 1970s-era station wagon that hauled families and neighborhood kids all across the U.S. was a design and style icon — especially those with faux wood paneling.
It was also was an engineering breakthrough, representing the first encapsulated windows put into production.
On Nov. 13, the Society of Plastics Engineers' auto division will honor the 1978 General Motors' Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Buick station wagons as its Automotive Innovation Awards Hall of Fame winner.
Encapsulated windows involve injection molding a complete system — the window, gaskets, seals and trim — that reduces noise, eliminates leaks and is far faster to install on the assembly line. For station wagons, this was also a very large fixed window on each side of the car near the back.
Developed by injection molders Donnelly Mirror — now part of Magna International — and Lamar Plastic, encapsulated windows are now the production standard worldwide in the auto industry.
The SPE Hall of Fame honors parts that have been in continuous production for at least 15 years, made a significant contribution to the use of plastics and have been widely adopted by the industry.
The station wagon windows will be honored Nov. 13 in Livonia, Mich., at the same event where Tom Russell will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award and SPE reveals top parts in production.
