57 Chevy Wagon - Californa Dreamin'

[sduckworth13]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

Thanks!

I put one of the panels in temporarily to see how it looked and I think it works pretty well. Today I'm prepping the panels for epoxy primer and matte silver paint. Weather is a bit cool, but I can spray outside then bring the panels back in to warm up. I have a heat gun setup to force dry them a bit. I'll post pics when I'm finished.

My buddy Chip called me this morning to let me know his dad, Vern, passed away yesterday evening sitting in his easy chair. Vern (or Boppa as many knew him on the forum) was a dyed in the wool truck guy. I talked to him just yesterday and we had plans to go for coffee and sandwiches after the first of the year. Ya never know what the day holds for you when you crawl out of bed. I realize it's a cliche, but we need to treat each day as a gift. I'm going to miss him.

I’m going to miss him as well Vic.

[Low Elco]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

Thanks!

I put one of the panels in temporarily to see how it looked and I think it works pretty well. Today I'm prepping the panels for epoxy primer and matte silver paint. Weather is a bit cool, but I can spray outside then bring the panels back in to warm up. I have a heat gun setup to force dry them a bit. I'll post pics when I'm finished.

My buddy Chip called me this morning to let me know his dad, Vern, passed away yesterday evening sitting in his easy chair. Vern (or Boppa as many knew him on the forum) was a dyed in the wool truck guy. I talked to him just yesterday and we had plans to go for coffee and sandwiches after the first of the year. Ya never know what the day holds for you when you crawl out of bed. I realize it's a cliche, but we need to treat each day as a gift. I'm going to miss him.

Thanks, Vic. We miss him too. Talk to ya soon.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Thanks, Vic. We miss him too. Talk to ya soon.

I'm ready for the mods to black truck, Chip. Moved the wagon upstairs to Kathy's garage which leaves an empty slot in the workshop. All that stands between us and a radiator cover / upper hose is fear and thin air. World of Wheels will be here before you know it.

[Ol Blue K20]

Panels look great Vic. Condolences to all BOPPA's family and friends.

[Low Elco]

Right on, I'll give you a call this week.

[57larry]

what about louvers in the hood?

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by 57larry

what about louvers in the hood?

Probably a last resort at this point. I'd have to find someone with a louver press deep enough to punch them, plus I'd have to repaint the hood. I'm really hoping the improved fan shroud and larger, more powerful fans do the trick. It's been too cold to really test the cooling system this time of year. First hot day we have should tell the story.

[Vic1947]

It's been a little over five months since my last post. Lots of water under the bridge since then. World of Wheels went off without a hitch and the wagon looked great in the booth with Hot Rod Express. We picked up an ISCA award for Outstanding Interior - Custom which was nice. Car has been parked ever since except for the other day when Kathy had a flat tire and I used it to transport the air bubble to the store where she was parked.

We have acquired two new "project" cars. One is a '65 Ford Fairlane we picked up in Fond du Lac, WI. The other is an '87 Buick Grand National. I hadn't planned on the Buick, but one of my oldest buddies called to ask if I would buy it from him. He's in very poor health and was diagnosed with dementia a few years ago. He remembers all the stuff we did together back in the 60's and 70's but can't recall what the doctors told him even a few hours ago. Anyway, we hauled an open trailer down to AL and picked it up along with the numbers matching engine that was originally in it. Also loaded up several boxes full of spare parts. He's still finding parts he squirreled away, and I received a big box full of stuff just today.

I'm pretty much out of space, so I'm contemplating running the wagon thru the Mecum auction at Dallas in September. Meanwhile, I'm tending to some much-needed repairs on the Buick. Feels good to get up in the morning and head down to the workshop with a cup of coffee in hand and a punch list to work on.

I plan to do a build thread on the Fairlane once I get lined out. I'll keep you posted.

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

It's been a little over five months since my last post. Lots of water under the bridge since then. World of Wheels went off without a hitch and the wagon looked great in the booth with Hot Rod Express. We picked up an ISCA award for Outstanding Interior - Custom which was nice. Car has been parked ever since except for the other day when Kathy had a flat tire and I used it to transport the air bubble to the store where she was parked.

We have acquired two new "project" cars. One is a '65 Ford Fairlane we picked up in Fond du Lac, WI. The other is an '87 Buick Grand National. I hadn't planned on the Buick, but one of my oldest buddies called to ask if I would buy it from him. He's in very poor health and was diagnosed with dementia a few years ago. He remembers all the stuff we did together back in the 60's and 70's but can't recall what the doctors told him even a few hours ago. Anyway, we hauled an open trailer down to AL and picked it up along with the numbers matching engine that was originally in it. Also loaded up several boxes full of spare parts. He's still finding parts he squirreled away, and I received a big box full of stuff just today.

I'm pretty much out of space, so I'm contemplating running the wagon thru the Mecum auction at Dallas in September. Meanwhile, I'm tending to some much-needed repairs on the Buick. Feels good to get up in the morning and head down to the workshop with a cup of coffee in hand and a punch list to work on.

I plan to do a build thread on the Fairlane once I get lined out. I'll keep you posted.

I hate to see the wagon go. But I do like the new projects!

[Russell Ashley]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

It's been a little over five months since my last post. Lots of water under the bridge since then. World of Wheels went off without a hitch and the wagon looked great in the booth with Hot Rod Express. We picked up an ISCA award for Outstanding Interior - Custom which was nice. Car has been parked ever since except for the other day when Kathy had a flat tire and I used it to transport the air bubble to the store where she was parked.

We have acquired two new "project" cars. One is a '65 Ford Fairlane we picked up in Fond du Lac, WI. The other is an '87 Buick Grand National. I hadn't planned on the Buick, but one of my oldest buddies called to ask if I would buy it from him. He's in very poor health and was diagnosed with dementia a few years ago. He remembers all the stuff we did together back in the 60's and 70's but can't recall what the doctors told him even a few hours ago. Anyway, we hauled an open trailer down to AL and picked it up along with the numbers matching engine that was originally in it. Also loaded up several boxes full of spare parts. He's still finding parts he squirreled away, and I received a big box full of stuff just today.

I'm pretty much out of space, so I'm contemplating running the wagon thru the Mecum auction at Dallas in September. Meanwhile, I'm tending to some much-needed repairs on the Buick. Feels good to get up in the morning and head down to the workshop with a cup of coffee in hand and a punch list to work on.

I plan to do a build thread on the Fairlane once I get lined out. I'll keep you posted.

I'm looking forward to your new builds but I'm sorry about your friend. I can identify. My wife has alzheimer's and I was forced to put her in a memory care home early this year. I'll say a prayer for him. He found a good home for the Buick and I know it will only be improved on. Like the others on here that have followed your Station wagon build, I hate to think about letting that one go, but Your builds are always interesting so I'll be following along.

[LT7A]

Vic, you've built another spectacular car. Be sure to post up any pictures that you have from getting it out and about, cruise-ins, whatever. Always cool to see a car in its natural habitat. I'm very intrigued with your new projects. That Fairlane looks cool as it sits, and that Grand National is in beautiful shape and looks sinister at the same time. I've always been enamored of those Buicks. Faster than the Corvette in 1987. Don't hesitate to do a thread on that, even if you are just putting it back together. I was thinking about those recently and how they pioneered turbos before the tunability of OBD2. Also, on the electric subject, here's a thread by one of our own members who is doing an electric powered truck. Good luck, and keep us posted!

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=826089

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Vic, you've built another spectacular car. Be sure to post up any pictures that you have from getting it out and about, cruise-ins, whatever. Always cool to see a car in its natural habitat. I'm very intrigued with your new projects. That Fairlane looks cool as it sits, and that Grand National is in beautiful shape and looks sinister at the same time. I've always been enamored of those Buicks. Faster than the Corvette in 1987. Don't hesitate to do a thread on that, even if you are just putting it back together. I was thinking about those recently and how they pioneered turbos before the tunability of OBD2. Also, on the electric subject, here's a thread by one of our own members who is doing an electric powered truck. Good luck, and keep us posted!

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=826089

Thanks! It's nice to have projects to work on. The GN has all new steering and rebuilt suspension under the front now. Drives like a new car. We took it to its first cruise-in last Saturday and parked next to Chip's 67 GMC. There was an all-Ford show on Sunday at a local dealership, but it was really hot and I have the Fairlane crammed all the way against the wall in the garage to give Kathy some extra room for her car, so we skipped the show. Maybe next year. I'll have to keep an eye on the electric conversion. Always interested to see what the early adopters run into.

[mongocanfly]

Tis a sad day in alternate tinkering land....
I dont think theres anyway I could part with it...

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

tis a sad day in alternate tinkering land....
I dont think theres anyway i could part with it...

x2!!!!

[Ironhorse]

Sometimes it's hard to make such a decision, especially after so much hard work and effort has gone into a project. I sold an all original '55 Chevy 2 dr. station wagon several years ago to further another project which was closer to completion. The wagon was needing SERIOUS amount of effort and $$$ tossed into it and a dose of reality set in. Reality does SUCK by the way, LOL.

Good luck with your decision and with the sale. Hope it brings the $$ you have in mind.

[CG]

I was flipping channels and saw this at auction ... announcer guy said rear doors suicide and fronts lambo ????

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by CG

I was flipping channels and saw this at auction ... announcer guy said rear doors suicide and fronts lambo ????

You can thank Mecum's marketing department for that. I had a bullet item that listed rear suicide doors by Scissor Doors, Inc. After I approved the text, they changed the wording which implied that it had both. Jon Kramen can be forgiven for saying that, as I'm sure he was reading off of the list. I can assure you Lambo doors weren't a consideration when I was doing the build.

[Vic1947]

They cut to a commercial just as the wagon crossed the block, but I was able to retrieve part of it off MotorTrend+. You can see it here.

[Vic1947]

Well, the book is now closed on the Townsman wagon so it's time to move onto a new project - a 65 Fairlane 2dr HT. I'll be posting here (and on fordmuscleforums.com) so if you'd like to watch me thrash around on yet another stepchild build, check it out. My new alternate tinkerings thread is here.

[mongocanfly]

Congrats on the sale Vic.. it just kept on and kept on climbing

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Congrats on the sale Vic.. it just kept on and kept on climbing

Thanks, Greg. I'd talked to about five people that said they planned to bid on the car. I reckon two of them were really serious. The folks that bought it were from the Dallas area. The wife said she told her husband they weren't leaving without that car.