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Keith’s Blog: Long and Slick

Keith Martin

Two new words have entered my automotive vocabulary since my son Bradley started to drive.

When he bought his 1998 Volvo V70 wagon, he wasn’t as excited by the factory mags as by the fact that it was a “long roof.”

I found out that’s what we used to call a “station wagon,” in ancient times.

My memories of wagons from the 1960s revolve around family vacations and a rear seat that faced backwards. And on nice days dangling our legs over the rear hatch.

But today, long roofs have developed a certain cachet, particularly those based on European sport sedans, perhaps because they have not been a commercial success in the U.S.

There are car clubs just for wagons, and the right models, properly optioned, even have a certain amount of collectability.

The other new descriptor is “slicktop.”

We were talking about the 1975 Porsche 911 S we are prepping for sale, and he mentioned how cool it was that it was a “slick top.”

That translates to “no sunroof.”

This caught my attention as I have long detested sunroofs of all kinds. My first experience with them was in a 1978 911 SC. It was forever having problems with poor-fitting cables, or leaks. Not only did it rob you of inches of headroom, but it also added weight to the car in a most unfortunate place — high over the center of the car.

Slicktops have become more desirable recently, at least if you read the comments by the trolls on BaT auctions.

I’d like to know what you think.

Given a choice, would you rather have a four-door sedan or a wagon? Which are the most desirable of these modern wagons?

Similarly, how do you feel about a car with a sunroof or without? Is a slicktop really more desirable?

I look forward to your comments below.

Bradley and his Volvo “Long Roof”

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Keith Martin Avatar
Keith Martin
Keith Martin has been involved with the collector car hobby for more than 40 years. As a writer, publisher, television commentator and enthusiast, he is constantly on the go, meeting collectors and getting involved in their activities throughout the world. He is the founder and publisher of the monthly Sports Car Market, now in its 37th year. Keith has written for the New York Times, Automobile, AutoWeek, Road & Track and other publications, has been an emcee for numerous concours, and had his own show, “What’s My Car Worth,” shown on Velocity. He has received many honors, including the Lee Iacocca Award, the Edward Herrmann Award, was inducted into the Concorso Italiano Hall of Fame, and more. He has served on the board of directors of The LeMay Museum and Oregon Ballet Theater, and was formerly the chair of the board of the Meguiar’s Award.

17 responses to “Keith’s Blog: Long and Slick”

  1. Glenn Krasner Avatar
    Glenn Krasner

    Keith,

    Interesting terminology!
    Unfortunately, America’s love affair with SUVs killed “long roofs” and even sedans.
    As far as those cars that aren’t “slick roofs”, I have known many friends and relatives that had sunroofs in their cars, but NOT ONCE did I ever see them use the sunroof while driving the car!!! So much for a wasted $1,200 option!
    Glenn in Brooklyn, NY.

    Reply
  2. Forrest Schuck Avatar
    Forrest Schuck

    ‘24-‘25 Audi RS6 Avant Performance. Ferrari FF. Volvo Amazon with tasteful IPD mods….

    Reply
  3. Victor Holtorf Avatar
    Victor Holtorf

    The sunroof paradox…
    I think it depends on many factors. For example, for years a 356 ‘sunroof coupe’ has been more valuable and desirable, but I think only because of its rarity. Same thing with the BMW E9. But for many others, like a Porsche 928, no sunroof, or slick top is more desirable and valuable, perhaps because most all 928 cars came with them and a slick top is more rare.
    For most cars, I think sunroofs are silly. Most never use them. In the old days, when everybody smoked, they were a nice way to expel the smoke for us non-smokers. My guess is that the market desirability of slick top (or not) probably depends on rarity more than anything else…?

    Reply
  4. Victor Holtorf Avatar
    Victor Holtorf

    I think it depends on many factors. For example, for years a 356 ‘sunroof coupe’ has been more valuable and desirable, but I think only because of its rarity. Same thing with the BMW E9. But for many others, like a Porsche 928, no sunroof, or slick top is more desirable and valuable, perhaps because most all 928 cars came with them and a slick top is more rare.
    For most cars, I think sunroofs are silly. Most never use them. In the old days, when everybody smoked, they were a nice way to expel the smoke for us non-smokers. My guess is that the market desirability of slick top (or not) probably depends on rarity more than anything else…?

    Reply
  5. Dave Boone Avatar
    Dave Boone

    I owned a BMW X2 for about a month… hated it! Sold to finance the build of a 2003 BMW 330iT (Touring) in Euro speak, Long Roof here! The builder converted the car to full ZHP package which was never built by BMW. Rear wheel drive, six speed manual, etc.
    It is not a “slick top” but, we agreed to disable the sunroof, due to it’s known failure reputation!
    It has all of the utility of a small suv but, drives like a proper sport sedan! I love it to death!
    Bradley has a gem of his own, too!
    Cheers,
    Dave Boone
    Farmington, CT

    Reply
  6. Joe Sweeney Avatar
    Joe Sweeney

    Interesting topic. Currently a number of manufacturers are offering panoramic moonroofs that do not open. I recently sold my X5 MSport that in over four years likely had the moonroof opened briefly only 2 or 3 times. Our new Toyota Crown Signia (long roof) has the fixed pano moonroof as did the BMW X3 we were also considering.

    Reply
  7. bubblecar Avatar
    bubblecar

    I was happy to have a long roof during the eight years in a row I had to drive my kids and their possessions 600 miles to college multiple times a year. The wagon still had the low center of gravity of a sedan, which made it more fun as a daily driver than an SUV would have been. There are so few wagons on the market now that it would be tough to choose a new one, sadly.

    As for sunroofs, I use mine all the time. Never had any issues with leaks. It’s great to get the fresh air without the buffeting you get when you open the windows at speed.
    .

    Reply
  8. Bob Banks Avatar
    Bob Banks

    I grew up with a 1958 Dodge wagon in a two tone color scheme called “Sand and Beige” with a rear facing third seat, 300 HP and a push button automatic–a big deal back then. Ah, the joy of inhaling un-catalyzed exhaust! I have long been a bit of a handyman have had a couple wagons, including an early ’80s Volvo 244 DL, and a 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 to serve as haulers for home projects along with sedans. Almost 70 years after the Dodge, I have had mostly BMW 3 and 5 series sedans, currently a 2019 540xi, but all had one thing in common: fold down rear seats. My ’98 M3 sedan could carry a dozen 8 foot 2x4s and other assorted goods with the trunk closed.. My 5 series have been even more commodious, able to carry many 10′ lengths of electrical conduit or copper water pipe as well as lumber. I am probably not in the market for a real wagon now but if I ever give up my sedan I might think about a used Cadillac CTS-V wagon or a used Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 or Track Hawk. Although maybe the 1000 HP-plus Track Hawk might be a little much since I recently sailed past my 80th birthday. But as you know, to car guys old habits–and desires–die hard. –Bob

    Reply
  9. Jeffrey Lewis Avatar
    Jeffrey Lewis

    I do love the practicality of a “long roof” sport wagon.. I’ve had 2 Audi S4’s (B6 and B7), and they were the epitome of “sleeper”.. i.e. great performing, European V8, manual transmission suburban station wagons.. also had a couple of mid 70’s GM wagons, which, in their own way, were pretty cool, but more like barges.

    Reply
  10. Frank Barrett Avatar
    Frank Barrett

    Sedan or wagon? Easy. A wagon totally beats a sedan in usefulness and versatility, and it’s a good way to avoid being spotted by our friends in blue. For 10 years I’ve owned the best wagon of all, a Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG: 0-60 in 4.something; 155-mph top end; very reliable engine; self-leveling rear suspension; third seat; comfortable; safe; and it’ll haul a ladder.

    Reply
  11. David Walker Avatar
    David Walker

    Keith, I’m a dyed-in-the-wool station wagon lover. Over the years—if you include the cars I grew up with—I’ve lived with an early-60s Ford Country Squire, a 1964 M-B 190D wagon built by Binz Carrosserie (one of 50. My dad had all the guys in the service department in the Los Angeles dealership swooning over it when we brought it in for service), a couple Subaru wagons that were pretty quirky and underpowered, a 1986 VW Quantum Syncro wagon based on the Audi 4000 Quattro drivetrain but with lesser suspension (I had an ‘84 4kQ also; best snow car I’ve ever driven), a 2003 Audi S6 Quattro wagon, and finally a 2010 Audi A6 3.0T Quattro with an APR Stage II supercharger kit to bring it up to ~400 hp. I don’t get it how most Americans, at least, don’t understand why wagons make sense. Many have succombed to the SUV propaganda out of Detroit. They’re still very popular here in Europe—I live in France now—and my lust is for an RS6 Avant…for obvious reasons. Speed safely!

    Reply
  12. Daniel Mainzer Avatar
    Daniel Mainzer

    Since 2015 we have had an Acura TSX sport wagon and have no plans to change. It has 174,000 mi. And has only needed new bushings, tie rods and ball joints other than routine maintenance. Now it attracts attention every week and we are asked where one can buy one. It gets 32 miles per gallon on the road at 78-80mph. The dog owns the back seat

    Reply
  13. Jim Hand Avatar
    Jim Hand

    I grew up with 60’s and 70’s American wagons. Almost every car my dad owned was one. Mostly Buicks. My sisters and I often rode in the “way back” on family vacations. I mostly remember all the different ways a tailgate could open, especially the gate that disappeared into the floor. I finally bought my first wagon, a 2012 BMW 328xi and love it. We especially love the panoramic sunroof and fortunately, have never had an issue with it or any other sunroof car before it.

    Reply
  14. Darin Roberge Avatar
    Darin Roberge

    I really enjoy zoomer car culture. Putting together Arizona Car Week events with these kids has been really eye opening and they make it really easy to see the passion they have and what they are passionate about. The Euro Night event we did in 2026 put this on full display and it was one of my favorite events this year as a result. These kids are excited and they really get it and we need to be as supportive of what they are doing as possible.

    PS If we had a better availibility of new wagons on our shores thats 100% what I would be driving. I would take that over just about anything else

    Reply
  15. Andrew Brent Avatar
    Andrew Brent

    Onto my second long roof Alfa 159, the best looking euro long roof in my opinion. As a daily driver this configuration gives you the ability to haul stuff and still go fast around corners without that giraffe feeling. First 159 had a sunroof – yes it had leaks, that needed to be fixed occasionally, but I personally prefer the ability to “crack open the roof” on any car.

    Reply
  16. Steve S Avatar
    Steve S

    Have always loved wagons from childhood. My favorite would be a six cylinder BMW long roof slick top. Not sure BMW made the 3 series wagon without a sun roof. Never seen one. Good luck with the long roof Bradley.

    Reply
  17. Jim Rosenthal Avatar
    Jim Rosenthal

    I’ve owned several cars with sunroofs, and I have to admit I seldom use them. If somehow all the sunroofs were magically deleted, it would take me a while to notice.

    I do love station wagons, my favorite being SAABs. Yah! What’s for supper, snookums???

    Reply

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