I have been eager to get began on the wagon for what looks like eternity however truly it is solely been 2 years and through that point I did work on it so I suppose it has been ongoing for fairly a while . Again in 2020 the shifter broke ,the reverse arm broke so I had no reverse.I drove it residence and took it aside.After fooling with it with no success I pulled the transmission ,then the clutch ,after which handled an actual dangerous bout of vertigo each time I obtained below the rattling automotive . This went on & on till lastly I had a man I do know rebuild the shifter and the spare one I even have. I put within the new clutch however the transmission fought me each step of the way in which.Engaged on damaged concrete is unimaginable so lastly I obtained assist from my good pal Steve. We towed the automotive to his home the place there’s a good flat floor for me to work on and I had the transmission within the automotive in lower than an hour.
The subsequent day I drove the automotive residence ! This was again in June of 2022. Had a number of different stuff to take action it sat. Now it is a week earlier than Christmas and we’re on the point of assault once more. What we’re going to do is figure on the alternative quarter panels whereas they’re off the automotive and repair any rust . It is simpler to weld new steel in on the workbench than the automotive so over this winter that is what we’re doing.I’ve 4 doorways that we’re additionally going to get set earlier than they go on and two entrance fenders as effectively . All these elements are just about rust free so this part will go straightforward. Final time I did this was 20 years in the past. I hung quarters on the automotive and placed on some respectable fenders and doorways ,primed it with white epoxy primer then when that obtained ratty trying I gave it a brush & curler paint job with mild blue Rustolium . I used this automotive as a truck to haul wooden and instruments for work . She served me effectively for 20 years as this and now it is time to deliver her again from the useless a second time . That is what my little wagon seemed like after I introduced her residence within the mid 90’s
She was in dangerous form,ought to have been crushed however I took pity and determined to repair her.
As time went on I modified the motor from the 225 slant six with an automated transmission to a 170 cu in slant six with a 4 pace guide transmission . Then I got here throughout a positive grip rear (posi) with 323 gears and she or he turned a number of enjoyable to drive in addition to good on fuel. Right here she is white in round 2005 after which blue in round 2011 .
Now she’s all rusty once more in spite of everything these years of fine service she gave me.This subsequent picture is of her on her final journey as much as my camp within the Adirondacks again in 2020. I liked to journey on this automotive.She gave me 24 MPG totally loaded with all my gear so the 400 mile experience as much as my place did not break the financial institution .I even used her to haul wooden from the mill up there after I was engaged on the place. So now it begins once more. It is not like I am a stranger to this type of work .I have been enjoying with outdated automobiles , vans and bikes all my grownup life.I did a floor up restoration on this 1965 Barracuda again within the early 90’s It was a 400 greenback rust bucket with a nasty 6 cylinder motor and a weak automated transmission after I obtained it in 1989 after crashing my first 65 Barracuda in a head on up within the Adirondacks on an icy street . I constructed this as a alternative.
I did all of the work myself . Physique , paint , and mechanical .It was a enjoyable challenge taking it from a rusty non working slant six to a present high quality automotive with a pleasant 8 cylinder and a 4 pace . I loved this automotive for effectively over 12 years and after I bought it the automotive seemed and ran nearly as good because the day I completed it. I’ve had some cool rides . Most of them have been simply drivers however a number of enjoyable . It began with this 1960 Ford Panel truck
This was my 1st 4 wheel automobile.Made a camper out of it and traveled everywhere in the US in her .Bought T boned and destroyed one evening . This occasion put me into this nice choose up truck. A 1950 Ford F1 with a flat head V8 .I liked this truck and drove it for round 10 years till round 1983.To today I remorse promoting her.
Then there was this actually cool 1948 Plymouth that I purchased within the mid 70’s .This automotive was so cool.I drove it into the late 80’s after I bought it for cash to construct my barn up on the camp in 1988.One other remorse however you’ll be able to’t maintain ’em all so I stored transferring ahead into the Barracudas and Valiants .
As time marched on I made many good buddies through this interest of outdated automobiles and bikes.Probably the greatest buddies I ever had and nonetheless have is Al.He and I constructed automobiles for nearly 20 years collectively,We each had 65 Barracudas and constructed and bought all types of automobiles in his driveway. These have been in all probability a number of the greatest years of my complete life. Sooner or later in January of 2003 I got here throughout this 1966 Valiant convertible.A pal informed me about it and likewise informed me I ought to actually go test it out. I used to be unemployed on the time ,just about broke however I went.It was this unbelievable deal. A bit outdated wealthy woman owned it.She purchased it new in 1966 and stored it in her summer time residence out within the Hamptons . She lived within the metropolis.The automotive solely obtained used regionally in the summertime and had 52,000 miles on it ! .Properly,she died and the lawyer settling her property knew nothing about automobiles so it was getting bought for 2500 bucks .I went residence and began considering as I paced again & forth .I had no cash .This went on for a couple of half hour so I made a decision to inform Al about it.He did not actually need it and informed me to go purchase it and he’d mortgage me the cash ! So,we went and introduced it residence. I nonetheless have all of it these years later.Now it has a shade below 60,000 miles on it. Most likely gonna promote it to get cash to purchase a home up in Northern New York so my spouse and I can retire and stay low cost.Hate to free it however at age 73 it is extra vital to get right into a home I personal up within the nation . So I’ve determined to only maintain the wagon ,repair all of it up and have enjoyable with it and promote the convertible .
So that is the beginning of a brand new starting for my wagon. It is sensible in my thoughts to maintain the wagon, She’s such a helpful automobile and ultimately I do not actually have to fret about driving her and placing on too many miles .The vert is a high-quality automotive however an excessive amount of use will destroy that .The wagon has round 300,000 miles on it . She’s effectively worm however all renewed mechanically . She’ll by no means be a present automotive however she shall be a extremely cool experience and for me that is what actually counts.
So,as we speak I begin repairing the transmission on my spouse’s 2002 Honda Accord.The rattling factor began to slide when chilly .Did some studying and got here to the conclusion it is an issue within the solenoids that management the fluid stress and shift the gears. Yesterday 3 of the 4 solenoids arrived so I can get began as we speak.Hopefully the final one will come as we speak or Monday and I can get previous this crap. I might fairly be engaged on my WAGON !
