Just joining up as a new owner of a 1989 Buick Estate Wagon. She is solid and needs plenty of TLC. Someone was nice enough to install a 403 Olds crate motor from Mondello racing in California along with a TCI streetfighter 200R4 trans and a 4.11 POSI. I have it less than 24 hours and I already turned a head or two as it chirps 2nd gear. I will be looking to clean her up, remove the woodgrain, and just drive the wheels off.
If you need any woodgrain trim redone or any decals, I will recommend T/A Truck Painting & Graphics Website: ta-graphics.com Brandon tagraphics@sbcglobal.net 262-691-1410 Brandon did a lot of work trying to match my 1963 Ford Country Squire wood grain -- both the dark vinyl and the light trim. It looks fantastic! Seeing this man work makes me think that he can do almost any kind of wood that you would like. Tell him John with the '63 Squire recommended him.
Welcome to the nuthouse we call home. You'll fit right in around here! I love the idea of the muscle wagon. Of course, to do it right, and really scare people, you need the white wall tires, wire wheel covers and wood grain! A 6 second woody wagon on whitewalls does get a certain amount of attention! Just make sure that the exhaust pipes come out the side, not out the back under the tailgate. Too many do that, and it can be a one way trip to the morgue for you and the wrecking yard for the wagon. The problem is the seals on the old tailgates, and the unavailability of new seals to keep the carbon monoxide out of the car. Good luck with the old girl and have lots of fun. Now, for the big one! Where are the pictures? We need our daily fix of station wagon porn around this joint!
update Well it started off like a ball of fire and I'm lucky it didn't burn to the ground. First the dual electric fan relay broke and she over heated. Next was shift point issues on the trans and it was also getiing hot - Now it is in the trans shop waiting for a 700R4 upgrade. seems the 200r4 couldn't take the power. Between the sludge and the pieces of torque converter in the pan - the decision was made. Luckily I had a 700R4 core in the yard. I have removed the woodgrain and replaced the front bumper. I started sanding away the brown backing paint that gm uses around the door handles and gas filler (see pix). When I get it back from the shop I will be puting the chrome back on. Regarding a previous reply - the exhaust comes out just behind each tire. Has a nice dual setup with flowmaster 50's. Not too loud but enough so you can tell she ain't no stocker.
All normal minor things. Keep at it and git-er-done. It takes a lot of effort to get MORE POWER neighbor. Just remember, Wilson is there lookin over the fence if you need advice.
