Got my wagon delivered today. The man who sold it to me put tires on it and loaded it up on his trailer to drop it off at my parent's house. That is where I will be working on the car until I can get it running. Then it will be moved to my apartment parking lot or my storage unit so I can work on it when I'm really bored.

This is going to be a long slow project, not much progress once it's running, since I have a daughter on the way. Once things settle down though, the fun will really begin!


Here are some pictures of it about 10 minutes after delivery.

I'm very surprised with the condition of the door metal, the fenders and quarter panels behind the wheels and the rocker panels. All in great shape!

Here is what I have in storage for it from stock piling parts...

Headliner
Popout window hinges
Side window gaskets
Cargo Area Light
E-Brake Cable
Seat Covers
Steering Wheel
Door Panels
Door Cranks
Outside Door handles
Windshield gasket (better than what's on the car)

The little wagon's last registration expired in July of 1989 and even still has the last 70s style license plates on the front and back. The previous registered owner of the wagon passed away, and I have the death certificate and power of attorney papers to prove the car was sold to the previous owner who sold it to me, and then sold to me. I have a "rectified title" for the car from 1985. I have not found any other information other than this so far though.

From what we know, the 90,000ish miles on the odometer are original and it has not rolled over yet. I will do a car fax report to be sure though.

Dave1987:  Nice 1973 wagon.  Looks like you got a real honey there.....  F.Y.I. if you're interested now or later, I restored a 1971 Ford Pinto trunk model this past summer, and came up with a few extra parts.  If you'd like them, I'll be glad to give them to you, for just the price of shipping.

#1.  I have a grille which should fit a 1971-1973 model, complete with turn signal lens.  The good part is it's a usuable grille, but bad part is it's got a small crack or break in one of the teeth.  That's why I replaced it.  I have it stowed in my attic, so I haven't seen it for awhile, but still I think a very usable grille.
#2.  I have several extra hubcaps, I think maybe 5 or 6, again, they're stowed in the attic and I haven't seen them for a while.  They all have a flaw in them, that's why I didn't use them.  I think I bought about 10 or so, just to get 4 really nice ones. Again, they are very usable.
#3.  I have the front seats out of a 1978 or 1979 Ford Pinto.  They are black vinyl with some sort of Indian type print cloth insets.  The seats are in very usable shape, but do need some attention.  The passenger seat is in very good shape, but the cloth insets even though intact, are still faded and could use replacements.  The driver's side is similar; however, there's some wearing in the far left side of the back rest, from folks getting in and out of the car all these years.  Again, the cloth insets should be replaced as they are faded.  They do not come with rails. 
#4.  A front bumper guard I think for a 1972 or 1973.  It's larger than what I really needed for my 1971, but it's in great shape.
In my travels to gain parts for my Pinto, I have found a couple of salvage yards in the area, which have some older Pintos, including wagons.  Thank heavens we have Fred Morgan which can probably help you with anything you need, but if you really need something and cannot find it, let me know...I'll check my yards here around Muncie, Indiana.  These parts I currently have are free to you, with only the cost of shipping.  If you would like me to email pictures to you I can do that with no problem; however, I recently packed for a move, but the sale of my house fell thru, and I may not be able to easily get to some of the items until spring.  Just let me know....thanks .....Larry :police:

Dave, congratulation s on both your deliveries... the impending one of your daughter (I was wondering when you'll hit Daddyville!) and your wagon. While I really can't vouch for your soon-to-arrive daughter I can say the wagon you have is a beauty! Yes, she needs some odds and ends but she does look as if she otherwise aged well. I'm happy for the riches you are coming into! 

Thanks for the offer Larry! I appreciate it more than you know! I have all the hub caps in the car, Darrel, the guy who sold it to me, just had time to put one on to make sure they fit the rims he put on the car. The ones I have are in immaculate shape, no dents, just need polished! I have spare seats in storage from the bobcat wagon I striped out in the spring. I haven't had time to yet, but I will take a look at the left bumper guard and see if I can bend it back into shape. If I don't win the grill I am bidding for on ebay, I will let you know!

smallfrye, I plan to do something fun with this motor, maybe a dual carb setup. We shall see!

Thanks blu! I'm excited about having a wagon (still can't believe it!), and even more for my daughter!!!

Kim, it needs a bit more than just that fender, the front valance is bent on the passenger side, but can be smoothed out to look right again. I knew you would love the name for it. You car names were a great influence on it!

I have spare seats in storage from the bobcat wagon I striped out in the spring.

Dave those seat the front or rear? if it s the rear wagon seats they wont fit. i have some Blue ones for the cost of shipping in good condition if you want them. rear seats from a 73 wagon that did not fit in my car

Pushed the wagon onto the cement driveway just in front of where it sits so I could vacuum it out and check the lighting. Here's some pictures from today!

I pulled the carpet back after vacuuming and checked out the spare tire well. Under the carpet is VERY clean!! No evidence of rust, which is a very good thing! All I could find was where the mat under the spare tire had stuck to the spare tire well and pulled up the paint (First Picture).

After inspection and vacuuming it all out, I put it back together, in order (second picture).

Pictures 2 and 3 show the cargo area after I vacuumed it all out. There are some tears in the carpet, but the rest of it is strong.

It seems like the carpet as shrunk. I can't button it down on the sides because it doesn't stretch far enough to do so. It does cover the floor well enough though.

sounds like a good start
phil

I'm thinking it is the bulbs, or the car must be running for the backup lights to work. I can't find anything relating to a back up lamp switch or reverse switch at any parts stores. My 78, which is manual, has a backup lamp switch/neutral safety switch, which would be the $30 one you purchased, Kim. I tried to find one of those switches cheaper, but $30 was the cheapest in town, and I needed it!

The wagon is automatic. When I shift it into reverse, the lights don't come on. I will have to pop the light assemblies and check the bulbs.

That is a resistor wire but I would check the ignition switch first, (earlier post said it wasn't working properly)
You should be getting about 9 volts to the + side of the coil in the run position and 12 in the crank position. You can also run a jumper from the battery to get it running.
As far as the back-up lights, put something behind the car so you can see if the lights come on, then move the shifter back and forth. sometimes the neutral switch will get out of adjustment and they won't light in R.

Can't wait to see some new pix of this wonderful piece of Ford history....hav e fun...Larry :police:

Could the bar that initiates the Starter motor be sticking ?

im going to give my guess, solenoid