Newbie from South Carolina

Newbie from South Carolina,,with photos.

This is my second attempt at posting a introduction,,the first one disappeared into cyberspace never to be seen or heard from again.

I was raised ridding around in the back seats of my dads wagons,probably like many of you,during the mid 50's through the mid 60's and have fond memories of the summer vacations in the sweltering heat of the Sunny South in July headed for the beach.

I have been building Hot Rod's since my teen years and have never stopped,,I have always had a project or two and today my garage is still full.

My very first car that was licensed and drivable was a '54 Ford sedan and Ironically the "Ranch Wagon" I am working on is also a '54 Ford.

The Wagon was originally purchased from the local Ford Dealer by my wife's Grandmother Jessie and was used to deliver flowers for her shop.many abusive years passed and the car was given to my father-in-law and used primarily as a hunting and fishing car,,and if he needed to haul concrete blocks he threw them in the back.

He announced that he had talked to a gentleman on the phone that he worked with and he was going to sell the wagon,,my wife overheard the conversation and said I'll buy the car,,he said no,,then gave her the keys.

She drove the car for several months and then the front spindle self destructed and the car was parked in the barn and the internet wasn't thought of yet so parts were scarce.

My wife learned how to drive in this old wagon,,we dated in the wagon a few times,,her grandmother loaned it to me to haul band equipment when my dad's wagon was in the shop,,we even took our twin girls for their first outing in that car,,, a ton of sentimental value in that wagon.

So after build a host of hot rods I decided on 2-20-2003 I was going to pull it out of the barn do a quick clean up and get it running,,I just couldn't believe how bad the car was after all those years of neglect,,but the top was in excellent shape!

Below is a sampling of photos during the rebuild process.










,,now almost 9 years later,,103 patch panels,3,300 lbs of sand blasting sand and untold hours and stacks of hard earn cash and I'm nearing the finish line.



That's about it,if you are interested I have the build photos on the site below. HRP

http://public.fotki.com/hotrodprimer/hotrodprimer-1/

 

Hidey ho good neighbor to the near east of me! Welcome to the madness! I am in awe of your dedication to saving that old wagon, truly a labor of love it seems. and and for opening post pic rating.

 

Beautiful wagon!!! REally nice job on the resto. Welcome.

 

Well Jim,,it's really not restored.

The wagon originally had a inline six and 3 on the tree,,it now has a 302 and a 5-speed transmission. HRP

 

And he kept it all Ford! (Say that in your best Otis Campbell voice for best effect)

 

Wow, 103 patch panels. Did you make them yourself? Your wagon looks great!

 

Great story, great car!
Thanks for sharing and welcome aboard!

 

They were all made in the shop,,at the time I started this car there was very little being offered for the 52-54 Fords,,

My pal Dave and I did most everything but the paint work,,we are working on the interior now.

 

Yeah, but its got that stock appearance, yet it's performance will surprise alot of people. That the exact same plan I have for the long range goal for my 67 Plymouth wagon. I plan to replace the 318 v-8 with a modern 5.7 Hemi. It'll be plenty powerful, yet it'll get decent mileage around town. But on the outside it will look stock down to whitewall tires and wheel covers.

 

Looks great hot rod, welcome aboard!

 

Great story and the car may even be greater!

 

Welcome to the madness ! YouLL FIT IN HERE JUST FINE , Can't wait to see more pics! REally nice job on the resto

 

Thank you guys for the compliments,,

The photo below was taken around 1956,the lady was my wife's mother,,the little girl is my wife and the wagon is behind them.HRP

 

Welcome aboard, Glad to have another Ford here!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Oh Wow Nice Dude3 A work of Love and it shows in the attention to detail