The story with my '61 Pioneer Wagon and me started in 2009 already. To that time I went to southern California for holidays. The basic plan was to buy one of the nice sixty Pony's or a muscle car. I finally ended up with a '68 Camaro RS which I bought at a classic car dealer in Escondido, northern of San Diego. The same dealer also offered a '61 Polara Wagon with the Max Wedge-Package (non-matching as far as I remember). The car was out of my budget to that time but it always came back to my mind since then. I wasn't able to forget about that nice style with the backward fins etc. So end of 2011 I decided to look out and see what is offered. It roughly took a year until I discovered a hard to beat-offer" which was a '61 Dart Pioneer D-500 Wagon. I was able to identify the car as a true D-500 (361BB single 4BBL)!!! It was clearly a project car with a lot of work but I quickly recognized that the decission was already done subconsciously and after some negotiations and the arrangement of the transport etc. she finally arrived at my home town in Germany in June 2013!
the need for a new home Since she arrived I had to search for a new home for her as I also had to move the Camaro (as well as a '73 Continental Mark IV which i also own) because the barn where they were parked was planned to be broken down. Second problem there was that working on the cars was not allowed and I alwas had to get them to another place to do some work. So finally I discovered a nice new home for the three with a hall to park the Camaro and the Lincoln as well as a workshop like garage to work on the Dodge. Since then the "adventure" started! Thanks to all of you (specially to Jerry and Dan) who supported me with advice and/or the sale of needed parts! :2_thumbs_up_-_anima
Welcome aboard Backhead. That classic Mopar is going to be one beauty when you get er done. Good luck and keep us in the loop.
backhead, I see you actually joined in Nov. 2011 so glad you found your wagon and you thought to share that with us. We are having are cheering in the New Year on Sunday, hope your able to join us... http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22992
Welcome. Nice introduction and some great cars to play with. Glad you now have a place to do the work. This is getting more difficult many places in the world. We finally have a better place to play but sady no more energy left to do it. Where we lived the new laws were making working on cars difficult. I see this a bigger problem for many no matter where you live. So much for freedom. Stop in Sunday and give us your best toast to a new and better year.
Parts It,s tough here finding parts ,so I know it is really tough in your part of the world. So good luck on the project and keep the pics coming.
Welcome to the Nuthouse we call home! Great wagon, and fantastic story. Have you thought of starting a build thread about that wonderful wagon? Be sure to join in the fun around here, especially on Sunday, for the mass sign in New Year's Day Levee. LOL That would be 8 p.m. your time.
That's a cool looking wagon. I like the body style. Not your typical square box wagon. I noticed an MGA and a Mercedes 230-SL? on the transporter. Both cool cars. Where were they going?
Unfortunately I have no idea where the cars went as it was a consolidated transport but I agree...nice cars indeed!
Welcome to the forum, Backhead! Glad you're saving that Dodge.... Your wagon seems vaguely familiar to me. Perhaps I spotted it in a Craig's List ad way back when (San Diego was one area I looked at a lot.) Also glad you were able to get some assistance from Jerry and Dan - great guys both. Marshall
