My 53 Chevy Townsman Wagon ready for restore!

Discussion in 'General Station Wagon Discussions' started by johnny townsman, May 8, 2011.

  1. johnny townsman

    johnny townsman New Member

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    I'm in rural Mississippi as I write this working on project, when I started looking into the woods for a restoration project. Up in rural Tennessee, I found a 1953 Chevrolet 210 Townsman Wagon with Powerglide and Power Steering.

    This wagon is basically the same as the Handyman, but was on the 'luxury' side. It came with three seats and seated eight passengers. This one I have is missing the back seat and tailgate. (do you have one I can buy????) :yippee:
    I has had three owners, but the last owner (a man in his eighties) has owned it since 1966. I have the original DMV application from 1966. Was sold originally in Memphis. The car is basically complete and relatively straight. Its going to be a long project, but hope to turn it into a show car. My budget is about $10,000-$12,000.

    The original color is Surf Green with the Townsman signature 'wood grain' accent (not real wood) both outside and inside. Hence its nickname "Tin Woody".

    They made only about 8,000 Townsman wagons, but tons of sedans and Handyman wagons.

    I put it on a trailer next week to haul it back to California.

    BTW, I may have saved this car from the current floods in and around Memphis!!

    I'm going to try to upload a pic here in a sec....

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    WHAT I HOPE IT WILL LOOK LIKE AFTER RESTORATION:

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    Last edited: May 8, 2011
  2. mercedeswagon

    mercedeswagon New Member

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    That restored one is Georgous~! What a great looking car.
     
  3. tbirdsps

    tbirdsps New Member Charter Member

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    :Welcome:

    When I was a kid my parents had a 54 just like the green one pictured with the full wheel covers. Lots of rides to NH in that one.:thumbs2:
     
  4. Bigbarneycars

    Bigbarneycars Well-Known Member

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    AAAHHH! The missing radio woulda killed the deal for me:slap: Just kidding:rofl2: Sweet Old Chebby yeah got there J.T.:2_thumbs_up_-_anima. BTW, If yeah find that T-Gate in Dallas on yer way back tah the Left Coast, jes cut ah slightly different path comin' out of Little Rock on your way home. Look at all the shipping costz you'd save:tiphat: BTW X2,:Welcome: Tah the Party
     
  5. wagginwheel

    wagginwheel New Member

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    thats basically the same car as my 53 pontiac

    well from the firewall back it is
    ive been trying to get ahold of a parts car when i get one that has the parts you need ill let you know i have a few things that came with car that you might need list it all
    and ill keep you in mind as im looking
     
  6. Stormin' Norman

    Stormin' Norman Well-Known Member

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    One of the guys has painted his own woodgrain, here on forum, but you might want to take a look at some other techniques. Here's a thread with some videos:

    http://forums.aaca.org/f154/faux-woodgrain-paint-dash-trim-what-269258.html

    A specialty woodgraining site:
    http://www.woodgraining.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=11

    Old radio woodgraining tech:
    http://www.flatheadv8.org/dashgrain.htm

    And more of it with other techniques:
    http://pages.cthome.net/ptf/antiquelinks.html

    I used the vinyl applique on mine, but if I need to redo it, I'll handpaint it. With our extreme cold, it takes a real beating here.
     
  7. the Rev

    the Rev senior junior Charter Member

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    holy...thats sure looks solid !!!
    congrats
     
  8. fannie

    fannie Well-Known Member

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    This will be fun to follow...Nice! :yup:
     
  9. Fat Tedy

    Fat Tedy Island Red Neck

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    That looks awesome, congrats!!:dance:
     
  10. Glenn

    Glenn Active Member

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    Sweet Wagon !
    Travel Safe to California :cheers:
     
  11. Chevy Gal

    Chevy Gal New Member

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    Great Looking Townsman!

    I am currently working on my grandparents' 53 Townsman they purchased brand new. I have just finished all the handpainted woodgrain on the outside. You can save a lot of money ($400 )on the exterior woodgrain base color paint by just using the yellow & red K2 primer. They are the exact same base colors as the grain-it people recommend for the Bird's Eye Maple & Mahogany. I will try & post pixs soon.
     
  12. silverfox

    silverfox New Member

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    Post the pix up with an intro in the Welcome Wagon section, Chevy Gal. We like to get to know new members and sure would love to see your work in progress!:yup: An intro in the Welcome section will get you a lot more exposure, will allow us to meet you and will prevent your interesting intrusion into this thread by johnny townsman. Look forward to having you as a member and seeing your car.(y)
     
  13. Stormin' Norman

    Stormin' Norman Well-Known Member

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    What brand of paints and primers? AND, did you clear coat or not? Sure looks professional-grade. Well done!(y)
     
  14. fannie

    fannie Well-Known Member

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    Hey Johnny, have you said Hello to Denise yet? In the Welcome thread?
     
  15. johnny townsman

    johnny townsman New Member

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    PLEASE SEND PHOTOS!! I NEED ALL THE ONES I CAN SEE TO INSPIRE ME! THANKS! :banana:
     

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