So i would like to stand up and confess that 'I LOVE WOOD PANELED STATION WAGONS FROM THE 70's and 80's' Living in Vancouver, Canada but I am originally frm the UK where we don't have these legendary classics. As soon as I moved here I started seeing the air craft carrier sized monsters cruising around and declared 'I want one' to which my girlfriend said 'I honestly dont get what you see in them'. But I love them, and am desperate to find a resonable priced reliable one to strart road tripping in. Ever since the Chevy Chase films, ive been hooked, so if anyone out there can help me to find a nice reliable 70's 80's woodie in or around BC, I would be greatful for the heads up. In Oct Im planning a mamoth trip Vancouver - Halifax in 5 weeks, stopping off in as many places as I can, and want to do it in style, big, slick lines, space, bench seats, I dont even mind finding one that isnt the prettiest and has some scratches, but want one. Everybody I tell says 'why dont you get a nice economical reliable car' 'your going to spend a fortune on gas' and I already know that, I want the experience not just a car for transport. So here on the stationwagonforums ive found people on the same wavelength. Anyway, Hi everybody, have a nice day. Simon:2_thumbs_up_-_anima
Hello Simon: There is a huge American car scene in Blighty with big shows and events every weekend during the season (March-October)
Well Simon, you're probably in one of the best spots to find one. The West Coast has many of our 'Wagon Fleet members' with lots of contacts and often, a few wagons they might part with. Use the Private Message system to send them enquiries. I can think of 'the Rev' in Whiterock, Ford Nut in Prince George, Fat Tedy is well embedded in what's on Vancouver Island, Safari knows his way around the wagon scene out there. Watch your local Kijiji site, from Vancouver to Abbotsford, as well as Craiglist. Hope you know you're way around the toolbox, because you may need to resolve some bugs before your trip from the West to Halifax (gorgeous drive, by the way.) and bring snow tires, if you're driving back in November or later. Glad to have you here.
Hello and good luck with the search. Vancouver - Halifax. You gotta like road trips to do that one. About 6000km one way.
Once he gets into Northern Ontario and closer to the Ottawa valley, he'll see how gorgeous the autumn leaves are. Makes flower gardens look sad. Perfect timing for the fall colours.
Welcome to the forum Simon and I'm sure you're greatly relieved to find you are not alone. We're all as nutty for wagons as you seem to be. Good luck finding one; we'll all help.
Simon. You're in the right place...have a seat, kick back and relax. I, too, love the 70's and 80's wagons more than most others. And the idea of taking a long roadtrip in one is awesome. So get your thoughts together on what kind of wagon you want...the guys around here find them under rocks on a regular basis. There are times when you only have to say "I want a ---" and viola!...they're finding those wagons for sale right and left. OK, so maybe I exaggerate (but not much)...however, they are very helpful in finding what you're looking for...except money ...you're on your own for that. Glad to have you here.
Here's one posted by yellerspirit. Although I would get it started and drive it first. I believe 77 was the last year for the 460 in these so it may have the less desirable 400. Nevertheless...looks like a good price if it's a runner and can be fixed up cheap. http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9936 EDIT: If this one is still available you could have 442 check it out further for you and if it checks out the way it looks have it shipped. Sure looks good! http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9665
Welcome to the forum, Simon. As the guys have said, if there's a wagon for you out there, somewhere, we'll find it. Check our 'auctions, Craig's List, etc.....' section regularly. (This is where we post 'for sales' that members have found out there in web land - not our own cars for sale...) http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=16 With the trip you are planning, you'll need the new wagon to be as reliable as possible, so be sure to get it completely checked out, and take along a few extra parts, like belts, dist. cap (?), and maybe even a water pump (if it's mechanical type) Personally, in your situation, the 'Family Truckster' from the Vacation movies is exactly what you need. Either a Ford Country Squire or Mercury Grand Marquis Colony Park. Try to get one with low miles. and stick to the fuel-injected ones, built starting in '85 I believe. These were built through the '91 model year. ('91 was the very last Country Squire) '87 in Southern California http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/1813949176.html (I may be able to help deliver this one...used to live down there) Nice low-mile '76 Colony Park in New Hampshire.. http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/1789408968.html This 'Search All of Craig's List engine is handy... http://www.allofcraigs.com/ Good Luck with your Quest! (NO!!! DO NOT BUY A NISSAN QUEST) I mean good luck with your search..... Marshall
KK, I agree, but I think that the system you're talking about started in 86 or 87. I had an 85 Town Car (5.0L). I loved that car, but hated the fuel system. My 85 had the fuel injected into the carburetor (or something along those lines...somewhat of a cross between a traditional carb setup and fuel injection). It was a little problematic and some places didn't want to tinker with it. The later models (86 or 87 through 91) were much better. My mother's 91 LTD Crown Victoria was flawless, even after 14 years when she traded it in on a new Grand Marquis. Never gave her a bit of trouble at all. PS. I would avoid the older cars with the Variable Venturi carburetor. I had an 81 LTD Crown Victoria that had the 5.0L with that carb. It was a royal PITA...never worked right and NOBODY, including Tune-Up Masters and the repair shops I called, would touch it. I even tried to simply get a replacement carb and I could not find a scholar who could interpret exactly which model was the right one for my car. I believe that 82 was the last year for that setup, but I'm not positive about that.
Didn't realize that about the 'early' F.I.. Must have been throttle-body injection. Probably the type I had in my '84 Colony Park - the one I had (bought used in early '89), which burned up on me a week later.
, I think our member 90Merc bout exactly what your looking for. He came to Victoria and drove his drop dead 90 Colony 3000 miles home, trouble free! Your trip plans sound great, do it rite..you need a full size. , again
Simon. I like your taste in wagons. Tedy's right. I flew to Canada, imported my Colony from Victoria at Port Angeles, WA (after a beautiful ferry ride), picked up my buddy at Sea-Tac and drove it East to NJ in five days with not a single issue. What a comfortable, pleasing vehicle. I sometimes feel like I'm driving a leather-appointed living room on wheels. Don't worry about anyone who doesn't "get it" about woody wagons - they never will - just enjoy.
