70s Surfwagon

Hello together

I´m thinking about building a Surf Wagon of my 1972 Mercury Colony Park.
I´m wondering if there are some 70s surf wagons around, because I´ve never seen one before?

Maybe you can post some pics of 70s Surfwagons or other build years as well, because I love the look of it

Here are some photoshop pics of my car.

Original



Just some red wheels



lowered and red wheels



my favorite with white walls (these are really expensive in germany )



just tried something else, but i dont like it

 

If you plan to keep it for a long time, build it the way you want. If you plan to sell in a year or two, its probably better to avoid radical changes.
Personally, I would prefer you keep the wood grain which is probably the only thing (in my opinion) that could really make a 70's wagon pass as a "surf wagon", but I would not put wide whites on anything built after 1961.
If I were to go with custom paint, I would choose something that incorporates the "woody" look even if it means removing the existing wood grain and painting a custom wood grain look on the sides and back. A painted wood grain would allow different grains patterns or colors for the wood paneling like maybe a light gray driftwood color for example. With a painted on "woody" look you could even create the illusion of the graphics you show in the last photo as "painted" scorched or burned out sections of the wood.

 

I pretty much agree with Jim. But I wouldn't add graphics to the wood sides.
I like this one. Maybe with "baby moon" hubcaps.

 

That looks like a pretty nice survivor! If it was me, I would either add the gutter mount roof bars and/ or add a factory roof rack. I personally feel a wagon should have a roof rack. The woodgrain looks pretty decent. Are those hubcaps original? If they are I wouldn't throw them out but there are different Merc hubcap options that would make it stand out better. My 68 Colony Park had pretty nice hubcaps and that style might look good. You could also add Magnum 500 rims. That way it would be easier to change out a flat tire and not worry about potentially losing hubcaps. If you do drop it, you may run the risk of bottoming out since these wagons have quite a bit of front and rear overhang. It's also easier to work underneath (oil change) if it is at stock height.

It might be advantageous to install customizations that can be easily swapped to stock. Some people may only want to purchase a fairly original wagon. It is getting harder to find wagons, let alone original '72 CP's. Even with a plan of holding onto a car for 20 years, life can change fast.

Wayne

 

This member has some great ideas about painting "wood" sides on his wagon:

http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15133

Lotsa pages, so just read the first few until you decide if it's what you want to do.

 

I will keep the wagon for a while, and if I will do something, then just decent changes. I keep the woodgrain.
I like the look of the white walls, but the car is to young I know.
I dont like the last pic I just wanted to try something else

Isn´t the car to young for mooncaps?

Yeah I´m allready looking for a roof rack from a LTD, but its not easy to find some. I´ve got already the GutterMount Roof Bars, I need to try how it looks like with it.
The hubcaps on the first pic are original. Do you maybe have a link where I could find some other hubcaps?
Could you post a pic of your station with the hubcaps, please?

I will just do changes which could be swapped to stock, because the car is really rare (i guess) and I dont want to ruin it.

I ve already seen the thread. Really interesting Maybe I will try his hubcaps on my.

 

You always go the site wall paint alternative !
I've used it on my 58 Coronet with pretty good
Results ,,
It's a-lot cheaper than the real thing !!!!

 

I like this one...



Seriously, you have a beautiful car and I would just restore it. But I am a confirmed Curmudgeon who really dislikes lowering (unless you are building something like Porsche 935 for road racing), absolutely detests surf boards especially on wagons that are not of the right vintage and I am generally not a fan of wild paint jobs with very few exceptions.

I notice the different colors on the woodgrain. It would be interesting to see what you could do by cleaning it up to see if you could get more uniformity. Otherwise if you have the cash to replace the woodgrain you could fix the front fender too.

If I were going to do some kind of theme with this car however, I would be inclined toward something period appropriate like Mercury NASCAR racing of the late 60's and early 70's. Something along this line...







Note: In such a case I could go along with slight lowering but not slamming.

Best of luck, you are starting with a really sweet wagon.

mike

 

I appreciate your honestly opinion.
I like it very much to here some different opinions from you.

 

It is better than my German.

mike

 

Me too! Brother's wife tried to teach me a little German. She'd write letters after they moved to Arizona in German. Then send another in English. The few words I learned I forgot soon.
I barely can speak or type in English. Now I'm larnin southern Redneck ya'al.

 

Hand painted woodgrain for a '70 Plymouth

I am sorry to butt in on this thread and I don't want to hijack it... but I had wanted to make my '70 into a surfer wagon, but abandoned that tack. I wanted a bagged suspension and there is no way I can afford that. Lowering is a 'must' and the body just needed too much help to stay solid for the long haul. However, I saw Jim's suggestion of hand painted woodgrain. I'd LOVE to do this... but any idea how much something like this costs? I have not a clue. I could do an internet search, but what is your experience with it? The car is in the midwest and body/paint work seems to be attainable way more cheaply in Ohio than where I lived on the west coast, and now in NYC.

Thank you!

Kristi

 

I would expect a shop that does custom painting like airbrush murals on the side of a van or on a motorcycle, could do wood grain just as easily. No idea about the cost or who to suggest. To start, painting the area that would be wood grained a suitable base color might help. Then the airbrush artist need only airbrush in the grain and highlights. But I would consult with a painter first.

 

KristiL butt in anytime. we are a very informal bunch. And basically you have the same ideas for your wagon. I know nothing about the cost of painted woodgrain but would guess it would not be cheap.
On the other hand removing the old vinyl is a straight forward job many people can do at home. Then a base coat of primer and another brown base coat. You or a friend can then use various size brushes and sponges to add contrasting colors to build up the grain effect. At first it will not look so great but as you let each layer dry and add more you will begin to be able to add more grain looks. Finish with good clear coat. I'd bet a handy person could do it all for $100-$200.
Many years ago I wood grained several dashes and the window garnish moulding, plus a lot of wooden chairs and desks. They used to sell wood grain kits at the Big Box and hardwares stores for small jobs
. A station wagon is put together in sections, like a door or a fender. All a bunch of small jobs. The trick is to continue the pattern from one door to another and the other body panels. Like those pros who do flames, stripes, etc. keep some thinner and rags handy to wipe off what you don't like and do it again.

 

CatModelT, that is an interesting idea. Before I have the confidence for that, I'm going to try to woodgrain a spare part that I have and practice like hell. Interesting idea. I do remember those woodgraining kits and I've also seen woodgrain free-hand painting and like the look quite a bit.

Thanks for the input, gentlepersons.