OK guys, after months of looking I am so, so close to biting on a car. Tomorrow morning I am taking a 200 mile drive to go look at a '74 wagon that is complete, solid and running. It is factory brown/gold with the "dark yellow" interior. Details:
1) 2.3L motor, 96k miles
2) Auto
3) Has A/C (but not working, that's fine I will rebuild)
4) Original AM radio
5) One crack in dash
6) Solid body, passenger side quarter is faded
7) Black carpet, and yucky seat covers (to be replaced)
8) Lowered 2" all around
9) Mag wheels (actually, chromed - don't know make)
10) 5 lug conversion front and rear alredy done - has disc brakes up front
11) 8" rear end
12) Everything else works
I have wanted a wagon for some time (I SO miss my '79 converted panel), and this looks like a keeper at $1600, especially since it has current tags and inspection. This is gonna be a daily driver, and grocery hauler (my Expedition is gonna get a LOT less driving since it sucks gas).
Ultimate plans include reupholstering, repaint, and I am going to build a nice 2.3 on the side to pop in later - not sure if I will go carbuerated or EFI, but it will have a nice CAM, headers, intake, head work, you know, to boost performance.
Can't wait to be an "official" member of this group. More after tomorrow's visit, I will post pics.
Chris
It's about time!!! Good Luck.
FrankBoss
Hope it works out for you!
PINTO WAGONS ARE COOL ! ;D
Round #1 - NO sale.
Guys, this car was a solid builder, no doubt. All the metal was good (incl floor pans), though both doors were rusty (and dropped when you opened them). I took it for a quick drive and the passenger door actually flew open while turning around, with my eight year old boy in the passenger seat (not good, but no harm done). Still, the seller in a set of spare doors that were stripped but rust free.
Car ran fine, shifted smoothly (auto), had a BB hole in the windshield, various scrapes/dents/scratches, hood was flat black and pinned down, car rattled quite a bit, needed a lot of interior work ("a lot" is a relative term - it was not trashed, but needed TLC).
Looking at $1650, + transport costs (trailer and gas on return trip), + getting the A/C fixed, + title fees, + swapping out a pair of doors so I would have a nice color mismatched car sitting in the driveway, I was looking at a "North of 2k" car that was more or less of an eyesore until I spent some more time and $$ on it.
Not the car for me, but again, under different circumstances, an excellent builder. The hunt continues. Maybe that's too picky for some, but while I'm not spending money on a beat example, I continue to save it for something better.
Chris