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This is the house we bought during February, 2004. Over the years,the wagon has become something of a "neighborhood mascot" (in the area around our previous home.) Most people around there were used to seeing it plying the neighborhood streets. Once we moved into the "new" house, the gawking and questions started again. The most common questions are "Does it have a Hemi?" and "Can I see your push button transmission?" I have to disappoint admirers on both counts. | As noted before, the original spare tire cover had been lying on the ground, within reach of the sprinkler system, for nearly a decade (before I bought the car.) I knew it would eventually have to be replaced. Roger Howard spotted a good one at Newburg Auto Salvage in Oregon. He sent me some photos and I called the yard and had them send it down, along with other odds and ends. I initially decided to set it aside until the wagon needed another repaint, but the old one rusted so quickly that I was afraid it would fall off and bounce off the pavement into the windshield of a vehicle following me. So I installed the replacement about a year ago. Seeing it gives me extra incentive to get some body work and a repainting done soon! | Sort of looks like the wagon is inspecting its new living quarters. There is room to expand the garage and add shop space. This photo, along with the previous two, were taken in late January. Oh, the GMC belongs to Tracie's parents and the Toyota belongs to our realtor. | About four years ago, our daughter's Brownie troop did a '50s theme "sock hop." Tracie wanted to pose Karla with the wagon. I initially protested, explaining that the "poodle skirt" era was pretty much over by the time the '59s hit the street. I have to admit, however, Karla does look rather cute posing with the blue beast. Too bad we didn't have a '57 or '58 Plymouth handy for this shot...(there I go again....) |
This is how the two door wagon appeared before leaving Texas for Nevada. Needless to say, it wasn't driven here under its own power. | A previous owner apparently started body work by sanding off the paint, exposing the bare metal and then abandoning the project. The front fenders were rusted far worse than the rest of the vehicle. As it turned out, this wagon may have been in a collision. The front fenders were originally green and the rust around the headlights was poorly patched. When you take into consideration that this wagon was last registered in 1974, it seems surprising that a more solid set of used fenders couldn't have been located. | This view shows the rust in the lower rear quarter panel and the rocker panel. A dent in the upper section of the door skin is also evident. Note the Sportone trim. | It's interesting to see a vehicle with no radio and no lighter, sporting a clock. Then again, it's interesting to find a base line Suburban with Sportone trim and a 318. Note the dash-mounted "add-on ventilation system." The floor initially appeared to be solid, but sections of it lifted out with the floor mat when I started removing the interior. I also found a November 22, 1973 Dallas newspaper under the front seat. It featured an article commemorating the tenth anniversary of President Kennedy's assassination. |
The driver's side rear quarter panel is solid, as is the tailgate. Also note that somebody installed the tailgate bumpers upside down. | The engine compartment was intact. Note the disconnected heater core. There was a mouse nest between the distributor and the carburetor. The thoughtful critters built their home around the wiring harness and then used the harness as dental floss. There is also a wasp nest in the center of the generator pulley. At least all the hose clamps were the original style. | I have just about all I need to add overdrive to the blue wagon. But I need one of these cables and handles. If you have one you don't need or see one in a salvage yard, please let me know.... | (2 Comments) Since some people have asked, I decided to post a photo showing my other driver. Yes, it's a "Brand C", but it has both V-8 power and A/C, two items that are almost a necessity, given the aggressive Las Vegas traffic and our intense, brutal summer heat. Tinted glass is certainly in the future for the wagon, but there isn't enough power in that flat head six to drive uphill, against the wind with A/C on full blast. I have lost fifty six pounds over the last year (by order of my physician), but even that reduction off my fat bod still hasn't lightened the load enough to keep up with the maniacs in this town. And if you can't accelerate fast enough to suit them, they will pass you and cut right in front of you, even if you are slowing for a red light with just a couple car lengths of space in front of you. They apparently don't know nor care that they have just invaded your stopping distance and that they just might find your front bumper in their back seat! The AAJ brakes have helped immensely, but attaining the flow speed of traffic in short order usually keeps the impatient from trying the risky moves to get around this beast. I need to see how long it actually takes to get up to 45 mph, but even Neons and Tercels blow me into the weeds without trying very hard. |
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