Shooting brake??

[twazerk]

Why did estate cars used to be refered to as 'shooting brakes'?
And, why do we call them station wagons?

[pawwaw17]

i think its because of the americans love of hunting and there trips needing all there gear, so the estate to transport guns, but also a brake or break was an old style of horse drawn cart.
but station wagon i can only think of the wagon part beacause its good transpoting goods and people.
not 100% on any of these points but dont think there far off.

[Toureman]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_brake

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Station_wagon

[twazerk]

Thanx zacsmaster
now you have opened up a whole new can of worms at work
I'll ask the question.