By way of introduction, I'm Mark, I'm an artist from Neligh Nebraska. I grew up in Omaha, got married and moved to L.A with my bride. We lived in SoCal for several years and witnessed their four unique seasons; floods, fires, riots and earthquakes. I currently work as a storyboard artist and animation Lay-out artist on the Simpsons and have since 1990. I also illustrate and cartoon cars, trucks hot rods, etc. My dad, whose completely responsible for my talent and my strange appreciation for long roofs, along with my mom, raised their 10 kids with strong values and to success, owed in large part, to God and country along with the service of several large family automobiles; i.e. wagons. The move back to Nebraska was hastened by my dad's failing health and a desire for our children to meet the people who formed the ones they, themselves, call mom and dad. Why rural Nebraska? So the kids would know what it's like to walk to the park, at night, without Police escorts and to sleep fairly securely even if we forget to lock the doors. (The dog outside helps.) That, and the school affords nearly 1 on 1 education. It also give us a reason to follow another passion of mine, driving, as we road trip on a regular basis through beautiful, tho, sometimes smelly, God-kissed country sides filled with farm land, rolling hills and curving highways. I'll post my art from time to time but also hope your community can help me find the resources I need to piece my 1990 Buick together so I can keep it around a while. Here's my history with wagons, just for qualification... Mom's 1960 Ford;gave me 'the bug' and made me an automotive design enthusiast at the age of 4. 1966 Ford country Squire 1967 ford Country Squire; these 2 cars took most of my 6 brothers through adolescence and into college and delivered all 12 of us on the vacation to remember, in 1969. The lakes of Minnesota, late summer where, on a small black and white TV with a foil antenna, we watched the Lunar landing and heard that famous phrase... 1976 Buick Estate; Dad's clam shell, yellow & woody over saddle, dream boat. (My friends christened it "The Queen Mary." and the 8-track & AC worked great) (1966 Chevy; my brother bought from my aunt, white over blue,the car that was most thoroughly abused, eventually succumbing to the torture.) 1984 Chrysler Town & Country (K-car) A sturdy little bugger and my father's very first "NEW" car. Up 'til then all our cars were at least 2 years old when purchased. 1966 Chevy Impala; My eldest brother bough this cream puff for a song later selling it to me for $400.00 when my first car, a '62 Corvair Monza 700 was totaled by a distracted mother. It was Tan over Light Desert Tan Metallic, had deluxe tinted windows a strong 327/power glide combo and everything but power windows, AC even worked. It road on 7"x15" Chevy Rally wheels and was much loved. At 126K, this car delivered me and my stuff to L.A. in '89 while Jennifer lead the way in a fully ladened 1982 Plymouth Champ. Did I mention the wagon, shocks bottomed out, made the trip with a broken but patched frame that had rusted out a week before the trip? Right where the driver side swing arm bracket attached to the frame! Prior to marriage I worked for a cash register sales company where wagons were the workhorses, While there I got familiar with several of them as I delivered parts, paper and cars from place to place. Among 'em were; 1974 LTD Country Squire (p.o.s.), 1977 LTD II (smooth dark blue cruiser, also a mechanical nightmare), (2)1979 Ford Pinto Sedan Deliverys,(1 beat down P.O.S. the other a real 5-speed sports car! Why the difference I'll never know.) 1978 Plymouth Volare´, With a 318, this car handled great and had nise power tho, clearly choked off reserves. (It's Valiant roots were clearly there.) 1976 Buick Estate(Dubbed "The Qween Mary II, I tried to buy this over taxed beast with, seemingly 500K on the engine. It got GPM not MPG as well as QPM: i.e. oil: quarts per mile), 1980 LTD (2) Tan oved light brown, these cars wer light footed and swift for their size. Underpowered but great handling and comfortable all day long. 1984 Chevy Caprice, replaced the '80 Fords and rivaled those cars in comfort and ride tho one had it's "Monday car" issues. They were Pale Iris like GMs of the 50s and 60s. Then there wer the sales men's 1984 Buick Estates, (3) I let the '66 Impala get away and went dry on Wagons for a few years tho always kept a look out for one. In 1992 I bought my first new car, a Dodge Dakota, but traded it for a new Dodge Caravan 2 short years later as the kids began to fill our home. In 1999 the van had to go. After a very fair offer was made, I brought home a brand new, storm grey 1999 GMC Suburban. I have 160K on it and it's in great shape. I consider it a wadgon in the truest sense, tho on a bigger scale. 2 Years ago, while walking my dog, I spied a 1990 Buick Estate for sale along the highway. 3 hours later and $800 dollars fewer, the car, showing 92,000 on the 'O', was in my front yard, keys in hand. HELP me, it's a sickness!!!
"Silverfox is pleased" when new members simply fill out the 5 "About Me" questions. to the wagon train, Mark. I'm also pleased that you have a Buick Box wagon!
Great intro, Mark. I grew up on the LA west side, and lived in Orange County from 1981 until last year, when we packed up and moved to Oregon. Just got back a couple hours ago from a short 2-day 'road trip' to Pendleton, Oregon. Saw some nice scenery..... Welcome to the forum...... Marshall
Thanks guys. Missed the 5 questions deal... I am still problem solving on the wagon, I think the trans-a-mission is loosing it's teeth. It's great around town and on short trips. My newly 16 year old son is angling on the wagon, says the chics dig it. I'll post my pictures, but where? Probably start a thread in the gallery. Here's a few sketches and a couple of the Queen Mary III just as teasers. (by the way, this is not my mom.) And here's the '90:
By the way, anyone with an extra Center hub cap for one of these would become one of my best friends.
UH-RAH and Mark. Sorry Pal but their iz no cure for sickness and it must be passed on to the next generation WAGONS-HO, Jer
Actually....you DID fill in the five "about me" questions, Mark. Nicely. Good luck with the center cap. They are getting more rare all the time. I believe Fat Tedy is looking for one or two of those as well. Nevertheless, I will keep my eyes open for some.
Not trying to be one of your best friends, Mark, but I may have found you a center cap. My bet is this guy will send you the 2 that are left on this rust bucket. He is selling the car with an honest description and he won't get much for it. SOMEone may want to buy it for a parts car......... Here ya go......... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1988...STATION-WAGON-/140437723436?pt=US_Cars_Trucks Call him up and make an offer on those center caps!
Well....I do have 1, but it's not in the best condition. Heres the catch though, My wife and Daughter are on vacation with the camera soooo it's going to be 2 weeks before I can take a pic. etc, etc
He must've got the 20 questions versions for artists and waonitis sufferers. Most of us took our time filling in the other 15. Welcome Mark. Glad to have you. Watch out for your son. Girls will think they found a catch if he's drivin' the suburban icon. He'll need a good motor and quicker gears to run faster!
