1959 Chevy Kingswood project

It's true. It's full of bikers and greasers and racers and craftsmen. Regular guys with loads of talent, specific knowledge and crazy metal skills - Not at all like the guys who hang out in upscale coffee shops.


The kind of place that a Manderthal can run free.

 

I saw their show in Asheville NC, they put on a really good show.

 

Lisa, I couldn't help but notice the Falcon in your signature. I had one with the same color combo that I sold to my brother. He sold it earlier this year.
Currently I have a '63 Conv., '61 2 Door Deluxe, and '63 Sedan Delivery. If you have more pictures I'd love to see them.

 

Sort of...
Another pic off the internet.

 

My almost two cents worth - as noted, you do need to make sure you are clear on how you intend to use the wagon, not just immediately, but as you start to really enjoy it and then perhaps expand the use to include trips and even camping.

I include a picture of our set up as this is how we mostly use our '57 wagon. It takes a good engine/transmission combo with sufficient power, and upgrading brakes makes safety sense and to me is also as critical as any other thing you to to your wagon.

If this were me I'd not limit my potential to really have fun with the wagon by going too small with engine power and a two speed automatic but that is just my thought. As CAT suggests a good small block Chevrolet and overdrive transmission would make the car far more functional for more than just driving to the local show and shine. There is tremendous fun hitting the highway and joining others with vintage cars, and in many cases, camping with vintage trailers if the mood suits.

http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18431

 

Lisa your plans will change often but eventually you will get far enough along things will hopefully fall together for both of you. Planning to pull a small Airstream will already steer you toward at least a small block V-8 or a tough straight 6. Considering the costs the V-8 will make more sense. However making sense is not what us car guys...and gals do!
Speaking of steering, you will also want power steering, disc brakes, and better suspension. Keep it simple until you are farther along and good luck.

As another who has been married over a few years to a wonderful woman who can cook and clean, but doesn't know diddly about working on cars. Still that has never stopped her from going to car shows, swap meets, and long vacations in them.
She thinks they are cool but doesn't know the difference from a hub cap and a main bearing cap. But she does know the difference in a pizza pan and an oil pan!

Wow Barry. That is a great set up. Love the wagon and the shiny trailer.

 

Thank you for helping me sort this out!

I am tending to compare this car to my '63 Falcon... it has no a/c so I always leave the top down and only drive it when weather permits - not too hot, not too cold, and I don't drive it when I have to take more than 3 people somewhere. For those reasons, it sits in the garage more often than I think the Kingswood would... if i had good a/c and room for 8 passengers, it might be driven nearly as much as my 7-passenger Pathfinder.

 

Wise words and good info. Thanks.

 

Nice collection of Falcons you have! All my life, I've liked classic cars... I used to build Revell models of them with my brother. A few years ago, I figured, we're not getting any younger, and the time seemed right to stop talking about getting an old car and just DO it. I had the idea of a car from the year I was born, I wanted a convertible, and I'd been looking at Falcons, Comets and Galaxies... when this one turned up on Craigslist, seven miles from my house, I knew it was meant to be. It's been a great little car.

 

I never get tired of seeing pics of that car. I didn't realize that it has A/C. I also see no belts on the compressor. What's the story with that? Has it ever worked since you've had it? If so how was it? I'd imagine Oklahoma would be A/C country.

 

It had dealer-installed a/c a long time ago, but it had long since been disconnected... I have no idea when it last worked. We removed that under-dash unit shortly after we bought it, and took everything out from under the hood to get some weight off.

We easily reach 100 degrees and more during July and August... but sometimes, after the sun goes down, we take the car out for ice cream!

 

Lisa, Thank you for posting the photos of the Falcon. I don't have any of the photos of mine that was that color. It didn't have a/c either. When we got ice cream it melted fast, so I learned to eat it fast.

 

You're very welcome! I'd love to see pics of yours, too. Those panel delivery wagons weren't very common, were they?

 

Yes, I kept my Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars on the backlight, playing with them while we drove along. Boy, are those days gone! Anyway, it's sort of sounding like you want to keep the Blue Flame, but AFAIK, the pickup sixes are basically the same engine family; that's why I suggested the '80s Varajet-equipped 250. I'm also sure you can find GM truck forums with guys that hopped up their 250s and 292s. The addition of the 200R4 would give you the option of running at cruise speed if you wanted to. For the time it was used in Chebby cars (and for any drag racers), the Powerslush worked well enough, but it's obsolescent technology and a boat anchor, since it had an iron case.

Oh, and the Falcon's a gorgeous car. On Fullsizebronco.com, we call that interior color "Porno Red."

 

Thanks! Ha - I'm not sure what Ford called that interior color, but the outside's "Corinthian White."

I do sort of want to keep the Blue Flame, but you guys have got me re-thinking some things. We really must have a/c and I want a reliable engine that's responsive when it needs to be. And hubby just read all the comments and he is really leaning toward a small block V8.