Keep it stock, or make some minor changes?

So I've got the 68 Sportwagon, and have been tossing around some ideas of what to do with it. The paint needs to be replaced its faded and a cracked on the hood, but still serviceable in a rat rod type of way, and there are a couple of rust spots / dings, but nothing major, so there really isn't that great of a need. With 7 and 4 yo kids, and some house projects, I don't have the funds to do any type of restoration on it right now.

I'm thinking maybe slap some new wheels (maybe some torque thrusts, something period correct, suggestions?) on it, lower it and put a couple of flowmasters on it and drive.

I won't be changing anything that can't be swapped back to stock, and I will keep the original wheels and springs.

I think a lowered big block Sportwagon would be pretty damn cool.

I'm not really into the big shiny blingish wheels..

What does the brain trust think?

Bill

 

No bling bling wheels Torge thrusts would look good but some fat rims, fat tread and the stock hub caps would look good also.

I'm not a fan of lowering cars slamed to the ground.....very linited to where you can drive it even if it is a "sunday criuser". Load your family and some stuff, you'll be sraping all over the place IMO.

A nice stance is another thing though, new front coils so it had a sliht drop and some new rear springs with front and rear sway bars.....wheres Stickman when you need him?

Duals, yes....flow masters, if your into it sure. I prefer a nice qiuter rumble from duals. ( my wagons are still single exhaust, only because it's brand freeken new but when it's time....)

Budget does'nt alow for new paint,,,COOL ( I really like a car with OLD paint, taken care of over new( You know whats there)..... Leave the imperfections but polish the old girl and then after every wash get the good old can of Lemon Fresh Pledge out, it's cheap, does wonders....and your car will smell lemoney fresh

I did the above to my Crewzer and I paint that had no shine perioud back to , it freeken shines!


just my

 

Im not a fan of lowering. It must be an age thing.
White lettered tires can make it sporty without buying rims.
I like the Buick rally wheels but the Torque Thrusts look good too.

 

Yeah, I meant more of just lowering the front, not talking dragging the
rails on the ground low.

Can you pick up some wider steelies? Hmmm, I hadn't really thought of that option....

Lemon Pledge, interesting.

 

Do what ever you like is what I say. Your priorities are certainly not the Sport Wagon. Do the wheels, do the exhaust and enjoy. When the kids are older you can restore to your hearts content.

I've had a list of things on my car to do for 7 and 1/2 years. The list has got shorter but the list is still there. Even if I never get around to paint I've still enjoyed the car and most car shows don't care if you're in to taking it to shows.

 

Yep, I'm with the other guys too. Keep the look as stock as you want, and do the 'Home Improvements' that make it endure.

I found this owner's Falcon site and noted that all his mods were to make the car safer, more reliable and more comfortable. He even built a firewall behind the back seat. Almost saved him from toasting.

http://www.redfalken.com/index.html

Firewall:
http://www.redfalken.com/pages/rearfirewall.html

Could have saved him in this rear-ender:
http://www.redfalken.com/pages/falconcrash.html

 

Leave it as standard (stock), as we say here in the UK.
People in this country used to convert V8 Land Rovers and Range Rovers to diesel power, which I could never forgive.

 

well what ever you do it with some taste! low rider look not for that car but it you car and do what you want!

 

Mine is dropped 2", and it rides and handles GREAT. Going a full-blown air-ride drop is another story, but a minimal drop, torque thrust (or similar) wheels I'd go 17", but that's just me), and flowmasters definitely gets 2 thumbs up from me...:2_thumbs_up_-_anima

Oh yeah, and PICS!!!

 

Here are some pictures of my car...

 

I'm a dogdish fan, so I'm biassed. Those look perfectly at home on your wagon. And I'll bet they're super rare, especially with the trim rings.

 

Holy crap, sloted buick rims

Trim rings can be found a dime a dozen but I'm not sure about those rims. You can get your rims widend and still keep the sloted center, if I had those rims thats what I would do. That would be drop dead stunning on your wagon with fat meats:2_thumbs_up_-_anima

 

I love bone stock rigs.
I am also a fan of tasteful modification.
I like period correct looking stuff.

For my wagon I put on a set of Mustang Bullitt wheels. Have the look of the 60's Torque Thrust D.

http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=79524#post79524

For the Ranchito I went with the New American Racing Torque Thrust II's. Again, it's a "vintage/period" wheel.

http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8318&page=6

And in this case, it will be very easy return the car to stock by just swapping wheels. I plan to fully restore the Plymouth someday, and when I do, the stock wheels and hub caps will go back on.

In both cases I ended up bumping the size of the wheel up two sizes. On the Fury, those are 17X8. the Stock wheel is 15. On the Ranchito the stock wheel is 13. The Torque II is a 15X7.

Ultimately it is up to you and what you want.

 

well ...apparently....im alone on this island

but as far as im concerned....
...darn near everything needs to be 'as one with the pavement'....

im 50 somethin.....and i think cars were meant to be long,low, and stylish...so theres another 2bits