Ford Mustang station wagon concepts through the years

Station wagons aren't exactly in vogue these days, but there was a time that they were so popular that even the sporty Ford Mustang almost sired one. With an all-new 'Stang on the way soon, we take a look at what almost was, and what could be. (Ford)

After selling 1 million Mustangs in its first 18 months on the market, Ford was eager to capitalize on its success and began exploring many options for future variants, including a smaller two-seat version and this wagon based on a 1966 coupe. (Ford)

While the Mustang II of the mid-1970s was available as a hatchback, the idea of a two-door wagon, also known as a shooting brake, lived on in this design study for the third-generation car introduced in 1979. As fans of the "Fox Body" Mustangs are well aware, the hatchback style won out again. (Ford)

History tells that the Mustang was nearly transformed into a front-wheel-drive hatchback in the late 1980's, a car that would ultimately be sold as the Probe. But this sketch shows how persistent the wagon idea remained during development of the fourth-generation model that was finally introduced in 1994 as coupe and convertible only. (Ford)

While Ford hasn't revealed if it considered a wagon version of the retro-modern fifth generation Mustang of 2005, oddly enough a European yacht company called Strand Craft is now offering its own take on such a car, with an 850 hp engine under the hood to better haul whatever's in the back. (Strand Craft)

As for the next generation Mustang, speculated at here by <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/10/18/is-this-2015-ford-mustang/">Mustang6G.com</a>, its unlikely a wagon will be in the the lineup. But don't fret, functional sports car fans, you can always jump ship and pick up a custom Chevrolet Corvette Stingray <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/10/02/200-mph-chevy-corvette-aerowagon-ready-to-haul/">AeroWagon</a> from Connecticut's Callaway Cars. Or not. (Mustang6G.com)