UCSF student who loves big wagons!

Hi! I'm new to this site.

A little about myself: I am a student at UCSF, studying craniofacial development. I have always loved station wagons (especially 1960s-1970s).

Wagons that have been in my family:

1978 Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country wagon (green inside and out), from 1978-1988.

By the way, are any of the T&C wagons from 1977-1981 still around?

I also heard there will be a diecast version coming out soon (in both 1:24 and 1:60, by Motormax); I've preordered mine.

1976 Buick Century wagon (brown with tan vinyl interior), until 1984.

1986 Chevrolet Cavalier wagon (blue with black interior), 1989-1996. First car I ever drove.

SmithAlien747

 

Welcome aboard!

Any left? How about this one? It was listed on Ebay a short while ago.







The 1:24 scale Motormax wagons look nice. I've seen pics of them. I'll grab one when I see them out.

And yes, there are some 78-81s left. Not alot though. I own a 1980 LeBaron wagon. You can see pics of it in my gallery.

 

Welcome to the Retirement Villa...that we call home!
..any plans for finding a wagoon?
...surprised that Cavalier...didnt put you off wagons for ever!!

 

Hi MoparGuy from SmithAlien747!

WOW! That's exactly the same colour as mine was. The only differences I can see are that the one in the photos has the two-spoke steering wheel and leather upholstery.

Mine had the 3-spoke steering wheel and green vinyl upholstery.

Those photos bring back lots of fond memories!

If only I could find one in as good a condition!

SmithAlien747

 

There must be plenty of nice rust free wagons on the westcoast. The last time I was in San Fran I was drooling over all the vintage cars parked curbside that people used daily.

 

I think it would be neat to make a Cadillac Cimarron wagon from a loaded Cavalier wagon.

 

Welcome to the Forums. Being on the West Coast can you find a nice one fairly reasonable?

 

Welcome to club. When you find your ride, we'll be here to razz and help.

 

Welcome from Wheaton Illionois!!!!

Trucksters Forever!

Adam & Kirstin

 

MoparGuy:

I have some interesting stuff to tell you about my family's 1978 T&C wagon.

My parents bought it "nused"--in 1978--at a Fort Wayne, IN, dealership; it was both new and used--new because it was still 1978, and used because it had been with its previous owner a very short time. So it was just like new. I remember the day we bought it--I was 3 at the time--and it was the first time I remember seeing it, at this dealership somewhere in eastern Fort Wayne.

Shortly after we bought the T&C wagon, some of my older siblings (I have 9 siblings) were messing around with some cans of paint that Mom had just bought to paint some rooms in our ex-funeral home we had just bought. One of those cans was lavender paint. No one ever fessed up to spilling it! It got all over the back seat and down into the space between the seat and seatback. Dad was so furious he made them all clean it up by hand. For the rest of the time we had the wagon, there was some persistent lavender paint on part of a seatbelt here, a gap there. Lavender paint and green vinyl car upholstery do not mix!

In Indiana, where I've grown up since birth, cars rust away. Our Chrysler T&C met this sad fate in the mid-to-late 1980s, even though its engine ran well. The rust started sometime in the early to mid 1980s, around the faux wood paneling strips. Like a very malignant cancer, the rust ate away at our beautiful Chrysler until large holes were visible along the door bottoms, sills, and around the faux wood. In 1987 or 1988, she was laid to rest. Rust in peace!

SmithAlien747

 

Great story. Too bad the old wagon had a rusty fate. I'll bet it was a beauty.

Great to have another wagon fanatic.I'm sure you'll find a fine wagon for yourself.

 

I think I'm about to start my search for my dream car after all...the 1978 Chrysler LeBaron T&C wagon! I have given myself a challenge--to find one of these rare beauties!

For now, my goal (and challenge) is to find a surviving example in the Bay Area. Eventually I may just decide to take the plunge and get one!

How should I go about my search, here in the San Francisco area? Are there vintage car dealers, car shows, etc. around here? How and where should I look?

I appreciate your help in advance!

SmithAlien--the 1978 Chrysler LeBaron T&C wagon fanatic!

 

Ebay is a good place to watch. Do various internet searches too. Best of all, if you see one in your area, ask the owner to keep you in mind if they want to sell it.

 

Definitely, eBay is good. I have also seen great cars on a couple of other sites...

http://www.cars-on-line.com/index.html

http://ww2.collectorcartrader.com/

Another one is http://www.autotrader.com/ however, their search engine only goes back to '81. Good for those whose search includes '80s wagons, but unfortunately, won't help in your search for a '78.

You could even search on Craigs List, but I haven't used that in a while, I'm not sure how user-friendly that one is in locating a specific vehicle.

Hope this helps.