Hi, I'm John from Eastern Washington. Over on the restoration forum I've posted my first thread about the viability of a 90-91 Mercury Colony Park wagon that's for sale nearby. I don't have a wagon among my two-car "collection" (if two cars even constitutes a collection ) but I'd like one if I find a nice one. As a kid growing up in the 60s, I recall the heyday of American wagons....our family owned a new 1955 Pontiac wagon and later, a used 57 Ford Ranch wagon with a T-bird engine. I was very sad when we traded that car in for a new 1965 sedan. As an adult, I spent some time behind the wheel of my father-in-law's 78 Country Squire while visiting LA and later, I bought a new 89 Toyota Corolla "All Trac" SR5 AWD wagon and had that for 10 years and 120,000 miles. If I could have any wagon...what would it be? In no particular order: 39-40 Ford Woody (who wouldn't want one?) 57 Ford two door wagon 63 Rambler 770 with factory air 64 Ford Country Squire 64 Studebaker Wagonaire (sliding roof) 70 Chevrolet Kingswood or Ford Country Squire 70 or 72 Ford Torino Country Squire 72 Plymouth Satellite wagon 78 Chrysler Town & Country Volvo 1800ES Early 2000s Ford Taurus wagon (the oval model) with factory moonroof (IMHO the last car to come from Detroit that allowed form to overrule function (especially the sedan). Late model Volvo XC70 (AWD wagon) Late model Mercedes E Class (hard to find with low miles...owners love them and drive them forever). In custom cars, I'd love the '70 Cadillac Eldorado wagon George Barris made for Dean Martin...or one of the custom Pontiacs Barris made for John Wayne (what's more American than John Wayne AND a wagon? I'd HAVE to do Route 66 in that!)
again John. So how about the other wagon with the dented roof? Every wagon on your wish list is a great choice. I'd wish for the 39-40 Ford woodie first. I'd also want a 55-57 Chevy 2-door wagon.
To be honest, I never thought about the Colony Park until that one popped up. If it's in nice shape and inexpensive to fix, I'd like it, but to be honest it's not on my "must have" list. As far as tri-five Chevys...I've seen to many half-baked restomods that have ruined them for me...besides, IMHO they're waaaaay overpriced. I'd rather help save 4-5 others for the same price than pony-up the cost of a Nomad or even regular nice 55-57. My list is based on general affordability and practicality rather than looking for a $50-80,000 Nomad.
Welcome to the forum John! Some awesome wagons on your wish list, this one caught my eye: 72 Plymouth Satellite wagon
Regular Chevy wagons from the 50's up are often affordable and decent. Also there are several members here who would kill for a Colony Park or Plymouth Satellite. With such a diverse list finding something in your area and price range should not be difficult. To me the oddball wagons are the best but harder to find parts. The hunt is as fun as driving one.
CatModelT I agree, and it's not that I'm anti-Chevy, I just wouldn't want to play the money those bring. And I agree 100% on hard to find parts...that's why a nice interior is a MUST HAVE. Believe it or not, the correct vinyl in the load area is very important to me. It's what I recall the most about our family's 57 Ford. I'm not a fan of carpet back there..unless it was stock. Another great wagon would be a 57-59 MOPAR. Too bad they're all but extinct now. Also at a show a couple of weeks ago, a guy had a 55 Chrysler Windsor wagon..I love the front end of 55-56 MOPARS (the "million dollar look", IIRC.) Besides, I could paint it up like Sky King's car.
Welcome to the SWF, John. Nice list of wagons there - not a loser in the bunch. I'll have to stroll over to the project section to see that Colony Park you're talking about. Before buying my Safari, I was looking intently on getting one of those - even drove up to Olympia to check one out (turned out to be not-so-nice...). Marshall
Hey John, welcome to the wagon boards. I haven't been on myself for a few weeks due to extreme swamped conditions at work, but I too am an Eastern Washington resident, I still have to post pics of my wagon collection. I like your wagon wish list for sure.
...thats quite a list ! and strangley enuff...I'll go along with almost all of it from about 45 degrees North of ya
