Artsy Fartsy

Well it is more of a Luxury version of the Fairmont same as the picture that Norman showed you.

 

Here's the original thread where we saw it:
http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1028

Yes, its the Fox-bodied Mercury Marquis with the Villager option (woodie) and yes it is a 1983.

 

SF here is one with a few mods

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2942951

 

Nice one too. No wood, but the trim is the same profile, just not curved up at the front corners and running to the back at the top.

 

OH...and what tranny is in those wagons? Will they take a 302 HO built? Or do I have to mess with a 9 inch and a C6?
What was the last year they were built?

 

Yeah - the Fox-bodied sedans started out with the Fairmont / Zephyr. Then, when the Ford Granada and Mercury Monarch were ready to be redone after the first generation, they put them on the Fox platform. I believe this was when the Monarch morphed into the Cougar sedan and wagon. Then, the Granada and Cougar evolved into the LTDII and Marquis. You can look at the vehicles side by side and see the similarities, particularly in the doors. The Granada and Cougar sedan roofs were usually covered by vinyl, but it was the same roof underneath. The sedan roof for the LTDII and Marquis was changed - a little more slope to it. The back end of the wagons virtually remained the same from start to finish, with the exception of trim, taillights, etc.

As to engine, I'm sure someone has put a big block in it, but with the low relative weight of the vehicle, you really don't need it. You can punch the 302 out to 351 easy.....

Here's a link to a guy in San Diego with a LTDII LX - the 'LX' version was kind of a 'sport' model - came standard with the V8, and some minor upgrades. But this guy has gone all out. It's basically a full-boat hi-po Mustang underneath....
He was at the Fab Fords Forever show a few weeks back. This car's been written up in quite a few mags.........
Keep in mind that what he did to the sedan, you can do to the wagon just as easily.......

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/324557

 

Yes they will take a 302 built no you don't need a 9 in rear a 8.8 is strong enough take a look at the one I posted

 

SF, it was made from 1983 to 1986. Fox Cougar wagon was a one year model (1982) and Fairmonts were replaced with the LTD-LX Fox sedans after 1982.

 

It has a C5 automatic, but you could change to a 4-speed stick on the floor, from a Mustang or Capri.

The 7.5" rear came with ratios from 2.73 to 3.47:1 with or without trac-lok.

 

I might have to go get that wagon since I am back to Ford.

 

You guys sure know you small Ford wagons!
The ONLY thing I don't like about these...always something with me...is the one piece tail gate. Never did like that on a wagon. I know...you don't need a slit gate with the roll down...but I LIKE those. Ride probably may not be as good as the big rigs either but shouldn't be too bad.
Here's a Chrysler I was looking at too. Smaller version of the 77 T&C. Don't know the weight of this either but it should go pretty well even with the 360 I would think. After it was built a little.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching&item=120407978333&viewitem=

What's the wheel base on those LTD II's and Marquis?

 

If you work it just right you can drop a 440 into it.

 

No sticks for me anymore. 7.5 rear?? Seems a little light. Whats the 8.8 out of?

 

That's what I had in mind for that little T&C, SS!
It's still available but ... OF COURSE ... it's in CA!

 

Mustang GT