--- title: "This Startup Is Sacrificing E46 BMWs to Make the Ultimate V8 Manual Wagon" description: "On paper, this BMW E46-based super wagon is everything enthusiasts say we want—so success will come down to execution." date: "2024-11-06" modified: "2024-11-06" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/this-startup-is-sacrificing-e46-bmws-to-make-the-ultimate-v8-manual-wagon" categories: - "Builds" - "Culture" - "News" tags: - "3 Series" - "BMW" - "sports car" - "Wagon" --- # This Startup Is Sacrificing E46 BMWs to Make the Ultimate V8 Manual Wagon ![Strickland Motor Co. SpeedWagon R rear three-quarter sketch.]() *\Strickland Motor Co.\* Heading to [SEMA]() this year will be one of the more refreshing small startup car companies we've seen in a long time. Strickland Motor Co. plans to eschew the modern trend of cyberpunk EV restomods for something far more traditional and enthusiast-minded: a V8-powered, rear-wheel-drive wagon with a manual transmission. The Strickland SpeedWagon R is, on paper at least, everything enthusiasts say we want. It's based on an [E46 BMW 3 Series]() wagon chassis with a custom body and packs a Chevy LS under its hood. The transmission's origin is unknown, but we know that it's a six-speed 'box. Strickland says the V8 makes 500 horsepower and gets from 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds. Sounds perfect, right? ![]() ![]() **Strickland Motor Co.** Unfortunately, Strickland doesn't have photos of the actual car [on its site]() at the moment. Instead, it's got a few sketches of what the final product could look like, which unsurprisingly give off some serious BMW wagon vibes. Strickland shared photos of the new body's build process with *[TopSpeed]()*; given their work-in-progress nature, they're hard to base an opinion on. But even setting aside the state of the development car we see there, when it comes to design, the SpeedWagon looks like it's shaping up to be a long-roof E46 with an uninspired body kit. If the result closely matches the illustrations, it could turn out decently. The quad headlights are cool, the rear diffuser is interesting on a five-door wagon, and the overall shape evokes BMW and Volvo wagons. The taillights are a tad boring, though. > [View this post on Instagram]() > [A post shared by Strickland Motor Co. - Silas Strickland (@stricklandmotorco)]() All that said, Strickland is fresh on the scene and has everything to prove. If it can manage to turn up to SEMA with a show-stopping prototype that looks better than we can envision, that might drum up the funds to refine that custom bodywork and turn its dream into a reality. Assuming Strickland *does* get its operation off the ground, it has a few other hot wagon ideas in the pipeline. Beyond this $150,000 build, there's the "bespoke" made-to-order VelociWagon, which has a twin-turbocharged V8 (doesn't say which, but I'm assuming the same LS V8) making 1,225 hp and keeping the manual transmission. Strickland claims it can hit 60 mph in 2.4 seconds and it will cost $405,000. It also has two cheaper "Enthusiast Editions" at "under $100,000." They'll have either V6 or V8 engines. It will be interesting to see the SpeedWagon at SEMA, to get a sense of how real and far along this project is, and if Strickland can actually kick off deliveries by 2025 or 2026 as it hopes. The idea is great, and I dig the skunkworks nature of it, but until we see more, it's just that—an idea. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()