New "guy" to Wagon Forum!

Actually, I'm a girl! Known as "Mopar Mary" in other circles, but I own my Grandmother's 1965 Chevy Bel Air SW, which I bought from her back in the early to mid 90's. My grandmother passed in 1997, and it sat in her garage waiting for me to do something...but life took me in different directions. My cousin asked if he could work on it and restore it, so I signed title over to him some 15 years ago, and was glad to see it being worked on! My only complaint is he took the original 283 out and put a 454 in...but he left other little details like the family trip stickers in the back window, so I eventually forgave him! He got married in November last year (2014), moved, and did not have room any longer. He asked me if I wanted "my car" back...and my answer was "H*ll Yeah, of course!"...short version to a long story, but I have my car back, and am showing it now!!
She's been dubbed "Bernadette" after my Grandmother - Berna Dean, and has been "tattooed" at the last show to make it official. I love my car, for many reasons, and very excited to be driving, showing and enjoying it!!! My Aunts think I'm crazy for wanting my Grandmother's "old car", but my family thinks I'm crazy anyway
As most of you know...it's an ever evolving "project" with any classic, so joining the forum to get some insight into parts, shows and further enjoyment of my love!!
Now for pix, and searching parts...

 

Welcome to the forum.
Post pics when you can because we like pictures.

 

Welcome aboard. Great car and great story. Very cool that the wagon has remained in the family all those years.

 

Learning...trying :banghead3: Here are a few...

 

That is a great introduction and a great looking wagon. Love the story and a vehicle with history is far more interesting than without. Also we don't really care if you are a girl-guy. In fact it gives us guy-guys another member to flirt with!
Looks like your cousin did some nice work even if he did rip out the nice little engine and toss in a big block. Some guys are like that.
PS You don't have to be crazy to be a member. But it helps and you'll fit right in better.

 

Thanks ModelT1, HEE
Yes, he did a wonderful job on restoring, and keeping her safe. _I_ had a kid and horses back when/then so all my $$ and time went there instead of to this project. Very thankful he did what he did, even if _I_ would have tried to keep it all "original". _I_ didn't have the time or $$, he did. The motor was seized so this was his choice! To be honest, I LOVE dogging it, so it's all good...(got challenged to a drag by two teenagers in a Dodge PU first time out with it...blew them away at first stop light, then next light they asked what was in it...HAHA, was right in front of the police station too, so let them "win" the second light..the cops wouldn't give a grey-headed old lady in a station wagon a ticket, would they??)

And yeah, something about you guys and wanting to go bigger... HAHA
We have a '68 Dodge Dart that someone keeps wanting to drop a Hemi into...I want it to stay original...we'll see who wins...
And I still have a kid (college now) and horses, BUT Bernadette is getting some loving too...I'll try to attach pix of new wheels and valve covers for some more proof of added TLC... My cousin put pizza cutters on front (yuk) and 502 covers...she needs more "realistic" looks and shoes...
Like I said, "evolving" never-ending projects...
Welp, won't let me attach...so will give up for now...figure out why and try later...
Thanks guys!

 

Post some pics of the Dart, Mary......

 

Sweet wagon Mary! I'm a huge fan of the Bel Air trim level on the 60s Chevy's. More a gussied up Biscayne than stripped down Impala. I have a '66 2 dr sedan with a mildly tweaked original 283. Welcome!!

 

For Xenon:
'68 Dodge Dart - "Daisy", future restore project...she drives, and is a good ole girl!
'66 Plymouth Satellite - "Stella" - HP2 Clone...another "sleeper" car... (sitting next to Bernadette at last Saturday's show)
'67 GTX, parts and project car (no pix)...won't mention all the engines laying around, Mopar, Mustang...and then the four daily drivers!
Can you say "CAR POOR"?? hee
Oh, and nearly forgot "Posey Pedro" as in POS...a Delorean...NOT my favorite...but it's still here for some reason...

 

Never had any horses but three kids and another we adopted all ate like horses. That kept my car plans at a minimum.
Around here the cops don't care whether you have grey air or none and they'd ticket a little old lady quicker than these local rednecks just for driving a station wagon.
At five years of age the adopted son inherited a furnished house and 1978 Malibu from our aunt Berna Dean. I always spelled it Bernadine. He wanted that car but we moved to Florida and he didn't have a license yet.

By the way you have some nice junk! Thanks for sharing.

 

Hey Ratfink65,
I think Bernadette had a trim strip down the side when my Grandmother had her, going by old pix...but cousin must have taken off. When we put the CalCustom valve covers on, will be rebadged 454, and not 502 (as is now). But doubt I'd add or change much else now...I like her pretty plain!
I LOVE the Biscayne's rear ends from the 59ish era...!!
There was a '65 Pontiac Catalina at one show past, same color as mine, but grill, dash and bottom lines were all different...and had air ride of course, which mine does not Was neat comparing them side by side.
Thanks again guys for the welcomes, it's gonna be fun learning and looking at all the metal on here!!

 

Welcome aboard, CudaNoChrome.
Great intro and great collections of toys!

 

aboard Mopar Mary,
The '65 Chevy is a sweet ride. I like the fact that "Bernadette" has a long family history. It's got a nice stance to it and I'm sure it motors down the road with the big block in it. It's nice to see that it ultimately went to a good home, and stayed in the family...good for you! I'm also glad to see that it had been sheltered and updated over the years.

Thank you for sharing your story and pics of your rides. The Dart looks like a cool ride as well. Delorean's...well, you can take 'em or leave 'em. They are unique in their own way, but never a great fan of them.

You'll fit right in with all the crazy wagon freaks.

Jack

 

Welcome aboard Mopar Mary! Nice story and intro!

 

Yes, the Bel Air should have a trim strip down the side. That and the emblems are the external difference with the Biscayne. Normally I don't care for Weld Drag Stars, but they look good on your wagon!