New guy w/ 71' Chevelle wagon

Hey guys, Nice website!! I'm new to the station wagon forum. I have always wanted a wagon for the familyand finally had a chance to put my hands on one. Built in Baltimore md and lived it's whole life in Connecticut w/ 52k original miles and no rust. I know, I was sceptical myself when I purchased the wagon, but it had a pristine interior and exterior with 20 or so dents. I found a 3rd row seat on craigslist 30 miles away from the guy selling the wagon for $50 in brown, it's now re-upholstered but don't have a clue on the install?




I had Ben Hermance Designs do a few renderings.



I just got the wagon back from paint and body this week.


Future plans are suspension, LS motor, trans, brakes, vintage air, wheels and tires. I'm in to pro-touring cars and have a few and would like to autocross the wagon a few times...lol I only have to beat one person...hehe
What's your thought's on seats and should I keep the dash original with a few new guages in the glovebox?

 

Very nice car. Congrats, and you've done a nice job on it. It is always a treat to find a car that is as good as the seller actually implies.

From a fellow Chevelle owner (hdtp) I can tell you how hard it was to find an unmolested car, and the to find parts that actually fit to replace the stuff the former owners changed was a huge hassle.

You've got a great wagon for a family. As for that rear seat, find yourself an assembly manual, amazon.com or from the various chevelle parts sellers, and it should provide you with the correct installation info. I know mine was a god-send when we were putting the car back together from unmarked pieces in little bags, cans, and boxes full of "stuff".

 

Very cool wagon. Welcome aboard.

 

mg:THAT'S BEAUTIFUL


aboard!

 

nice

kool ride

 

Outstanding ride!

 

congrats on the new toy...very nice

to our humble abode

 

to the wagon train, yancy. Nice job on a good wagon.

 

Welcome. I like the older Chevy's - like my 71 Chevelle. Nice paint too thanks for all the pictures. So many parts already being made for yours too!

 

That is one sweet ride!!

 

This deserves my special award.

 

Love it !!

 

This Wagon is Bad-Ass nicest one on this site

 

Welcome to the forum. I like the second rendering best. What are the rest of you plans for it?

 

I agree that the factory assembly manual is a must-have for a resto but the seat/interior assembly except for dash and console stuff was done by Fisher Body so it isn't covered in the GM plant assembly manual.
The Fisher Body service manual shows how the third seat bolts in and shows the various parts.
My Vista Cruiser is a two seater but the rear sheet metal is the same as any A-body wagon and there are dimples in the sheet metal where the seat brackets nuts are welded in for a rear facing third seat if it has one. The Vistas all have forward facing third seats but the dimples are still there for the wagons with the rear facing seat.
I think you have to weld in the nuts that the side brackets attach to and a few brackets, seat belt anchors?
The easiest thing to do would be to find another Chevelle wagon with the third seat to look at and check it out.

Very nice car BTW.