Hi from the Netherlands

Discussion in 'The Welcome Wagon' started by Vincent75, Nov 19, 2022.

  1. Vincent75

    Vincent75 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2022
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    The Netherlands
    Hi everyone! My name is Vincent and I live the Netherlands. I've loved American cars ever since my dad bought a Plymouth Volare wagon in the early 80's. I still remember sitting in the back seat, hearing that V8 and feeling the ride that was so different from all the european cars.
    A few weeks back I was able to buy my dream car... a 75 Chevy Malibu Classic wagon. It's a 76 model with the original 350 still in it, and it was dilivered new here in '75. The bodywork is pretty rough (rain, winters and lots of roadsalt) but the chassis is 100% solid. It's been converted to run on liquid propane gas about 10-15 years ago, which is a very common thing here. The engine and trans seem a bit tired but it still runs pretty good. I'm also very surprised by the handling which is a lot better than I expected.
    I plan on using it as an all year round daily driver, and do all the work on it myself. So this forum looked liked the right place to be. Looking forward to meeting other wagon enthousiasts!
     
  2. Vincent75

    Vincent75 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2022
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    The Netherlands
  3. fannie

    fannie Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2010
    Messages:
    11,934
    Likes Received:
    1,212
    Trophy Points:
    683
    Wagon Garage:
    3
    Location:
    Nova Scotia, Canada
    The body looks pretty good from this angle. Welcome to SWF, nice to meet you. :wave:
     
    OrthmannJ likes this.
  4. wagoninsane

    wagoninsane Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2015
    Messages:
    1,237
    Likes Received:
    549
    Trophy Points:
    322
    Wagon Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Friendship Ny.
    Welcome to the forums! That looks to be a sweet longroof! Do you plan on making any changes or are you just going to drive and enjoy it? A lot of great information and great people on here, hope you enjoy your stay.....Longroofs Rule!
     
  5. Vincent75

    Vincent75 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2022
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    The Netherlands
    Thanks, it's the roof that is the worst. I blame the vinyl.. Rustholes around every window and many crunchy bubbles. Water is coming in at multiple places. Lots of duct tape..
     
    fannie likes this.
  6. Vincent75

    Vincent75 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2022
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    The Netherlands
    Thanks! No big changes planned, I like the original and used look. I do want to do some minor upgrades to make it a practical and safe daily, like installing modern safety beltsfront and rear, and a tune up on the engine and transmission. My focus is using it as much as possible.
     
    wagoninsane likes this.
  7. HotRodRacer

    HotRodRacer Moderator Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2017
    Messages:
    1,038
    Likes Received:
    441
    Trophy Points:
    203
    Wagon Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Northeast Tennessee
    That's a great focus to have. Welcome to the forums. I look forward to hearing more about it as you go along.
     
  8. wagoninsane

    wagoninsane Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2015
    Messages:
    1,237
    Likes Received:
    549
    Trophy Points:
    322
    Wagon Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Friendship Ny.
    I like the original and used look also. Here's a picture of my longroof
     
    wylee and fannie like this.
  9. wagoninsane

    wagoninsane Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2015
    Messages:
    1,237
    Likes Received:
    549
    Trophy Points:
    322
    Wagon Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Friendship Ny.
    Sorry about the first picture. ???
     
  10. Vincent75

    Vincent75 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2022
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    The Netherlands
    Nice a Vista Cruiser! Those are a rare sight here.
     
    wagoninsane likes this.
  11. kevdupuis

    kevdupuis Membrane

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2010
    Messages:
    639
    Likes Received:
    344
    Trophy Points:
    175
    Location:
    Belleville On
    Welcome,
    My preference would be to remove the vinyl and any glass necessary to weld in some new tin then paint just the roof to match the car, North American manufacturers were notorious for not painting roofs when vinyl was ordered. If you could remove the old vinyl without damaging it then it could be re-glued on over the paint, if this could be done then it really wouldn't matter what colour paint is used to protect the metal.

    I replaced metal in a few spots around right rear quarter glass on my Mercedes wagon earlier in the year. It's nice to know you don't have water coming in and ruining the floors & carpet.
     
  12. OrthmannJ

    OrthmannJ Always looking for old ford crew cabs

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2009
    Messages:
    16,014
    Likes Received:
    4,406
    Trophy Points:
    833
    Location:
    Yakima Washington
    Welcome aboard. As Fannie mentioned, that looks pretty good from here! Good luck with the rust repairs. I hope this car brings you many years of enjoyment.
     
  13. Vincent75

    Vincent75 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2022
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    The Netherlands
    Thanks for the welcoming words and tips!
     
  14. fannie

    fannie Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2010
    Messages:
    11,934
    Likes Received:
    1,212
    Trophy Points:
    683
    Wagon Garage:
    3
    Location:
    Nova Scotia, Canada

    Don't be sorry, yours look like mine. Used and original.
     
    wagoninsane likes this.
  15. wagoninsane

    wagoninsane Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2015
    Messages:
    1,237
    Likes Received:
    549
    Trophy Points:
    322
    Wagon Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Friendship Ny.
    That's a picture of my parts car, it's DEFINITELY used and original!
     
    fannie likes this.

Share This Page