Letting the wagon go... :(

Well, I have postponed this and hate to do it like nothing else, but I think its time to say good-bye to what was my dream car. I simply dont have the know-how, time or money to deal with it any longer and want to find it a good home while it still worth saving. The body is still good, but needs rust work and engine work. Hoping a wagon fan will rescue it, because I dont want to see it go to a derby.

I guess I am really looking to trade it more than anything, another 70s wagon, but one thats already "ride and drive". I would like to find another clamshell wagon, or a 73-78 Country Squire or a 72-73 Torino Squire. I hope a trade-off would be this being a early model Chevy clamshell wagon with a big block may be up someones alley. I know I will never get back the $4000 CASH I paid for this car, not to mention the other $500 I put in the engine.

I am going to offer it here on the wagon classifieds. If anyone knows anyone interested in a 72 Caprice Kingswood Estate 3-seat wagon with a 402 BB needing TLC let me know. I have no idea on a cash price, I dont know what its worth. I was offered $3000 for it about 4 months ago, but declined. Now I kinda wish I had of taken it and accept the $1500 loss.

Thanks.

 

Oh man, I'm sorry to read this. I know you have loved this wagon and did'nt want to get ride of it, wish I were closer and could offer some help to your problems with it.

I hope she finds a good home, but also hope you may find the answers you are looking for and get to keep her

 

How bad's the rust, 72King? looks like that car would be great with an engine swap. But I wouldn't swap until I found the problem that has plagued you. It is driving me nuts and I want to know what that problem is...real bad!
I'm sorry to see you let go of your dream car but maybe you will find another that's a good runner. I hope you do....you have suffered with this car and it's a shame.

 

Thanks Ted.

Rust is not bad at all. Floors and frame are like new. Its the lower "dog legs", lower quarter panels and apparently even though you cant see it, it must be all around the windows under the chrome where you cant see because the windows all leak water in (front windshield and side cargo windows). I keep it covered because of that reason.

Dad talked to an old friend that is a mechanic that he had not talked to in awhile and he told dad he also think the exhaust is restricted even though it seems like alot of air is coming out. He said those old GM exhausts will sometimes collapse and stop up. Guess we will give it one more try and cut it off or whatever we need to do to see if thats the problem. Even if we get the engine up to par, not sure if I will be up to this body work... unless I can get my cousin to do it cheap for me. I know nothing about body work nor do I have a garage (which would make all of the difference), so we will see. At least if I get it running right I may be able to sell/trade it easier.

Oh yeah, I have suffered with it... if I had of paid, $1000 or even $2000, it would not have been as bad, but $4000?? I wanted it badly didnt I?

 

Tony,

I know I sound like a broken record, but my buddy would love to work on your car and he is very reasonable. Anyone have a trailer you can use to get it here? He can fix anything from a Lawn Tractor to a Road Tractor and as mentioned his specialty is Old Chevrolets. He's had plenty and currently has a '56 Bel-Air and a '64 C-10 4X4. Could be a small investment with the results that you are looking for.

I can ask to be sure, but there is normally no charge to look at it.

Bill

 

Yeah, Bill....I would love to get my hands on that car too! I wish SOMEBODY would. I have PM'd 72King several times but he is bummed from already getting ripped off so many times. Can't really blame him. I feel that the problem is probably simple. Even if it isn't...at least King would know what's up with it. I'm too far away but if he COULD get it here I would, at LEAST, diagnose it for free just because I feel bad for him AND I want to know why no one could find this problem! It's his dream car but he is so shell shocked now that it just sits.

 

Yeah, It sure has been a frustrating and mysterious problem. I would like to have a chance at checking it out myself, but my friend just down the road from me would be the best man for the job. He's got the garage, time, knowledge and a great disire to work on old Chevys to boot. He is an honest, straight talking country boy, has about 45 years of experience and is just about the best mechanic around (and we have many). I would volunteer meeting him there as well as keeping him informed on the progress. There's a good chance he could even fix it while he waits. Tony is about 3 to 3 1/2 hours away.

Bill

 

I could not have expressed myself any better. As a fellow Clamshell owner, I REALLY wish I could either help you or "adopt" your wagon.

Best wishes to you both!

 

Hi Bill. Nope, no trailer and I dont even have anything to pull it if I did. My 73 Pontiac Grand Ville would probably pull it, but would use $1000 in gas that far. lol. Not even sure though since the Kingswood is so heavy (both cars near 10,000 pounds together), I am not sure if the Grand Villes brakes would suffice or not w/o trailer brakes. I have a 1995 Lincoln Town Car, but not sure if the 4.6L would be up to it.

Yeah, I sure wish we had a mechanic like you mentioned closer... I even placed an ad... two guys were to come and check it out... they were no shows and never called back. Thanks for the offer though... we are going to try to cut off the exhaust system and see if thats the issue.

Yeah, its been frustrating and to the point where I want something different. I just think to be honest that the mechanic I paid $400 to put in the new cam shaft has dont something incorrectly and the engine will have to be torn down again. I do not want to deal with that if thats the case. I will probably sell the car at a huge loss if thats the case.

Yeah, we need some mechanics like that around here... with a population of about 400,000 in the metro area here, you would think there would be one that would come and check this car for me.

Thanks. Well, as soon as this heatwave breaks, we are going to pull it out and cut the exhaust system off of it at least 1/2 way back to see if its clogged. I have had so many people tell me they think its blocked up (despite a good deal of air being felt out of the tailpipe). We will see. Really thats my last hope, if that fails, I will sell it for whatever I can at a loss. Must not be much interest in these cars as there was when I was looking for one 5 years ago and before... they were commanding high prices and everyone was looking. Took me years to even purchase this one, then I did for $4000! I have posted it on the classifieds site here to see if perhaps any interest in a trade for another wagon that another wagon fan may have thats wanting one of these older Chevy clamshells, but not even one email or reply. If I could find a good running 73-78 Country Squire, 72-75 Gran Torino Squire, or another 71-76 clamshell wagon (as long as its not a big block Chevy!), or even a 71-73 Cadillac 4dr, to trade for, I probably would as long as its good running. There are probably many out there that would love to trade... just getting the word out and usually the distance away are the issues.

Guess they are not as desirable as they once were. Oh well.

 

Tony,

I would blame it on the economy. Things are still kind of rough out there. I'm sure the desire is still there. It is a nice car.

Another possible idea would be to find a local car hauler. A guy near me hauls cars for rental car companys. After checking with him, I was able to go ahead with buying a '70 Impala from Eastern VA. The car was about 3 or 4 hours from me. He only charged me $100. Does your car run and drive good enough to drive it up on a car trailer? (similar to the new car trailers out there). You might also find someone running empty on a back haul. There are a lot of rollbacks running up and down I-81. ...Just trying.

Bill

 

Thanks Bill... well I guess first we will try cutting off the exhaust and see if thats the problem. If it is, then the engine issue is solved and I have to start on the body ASAP. I dread having to remove the windows - they all leak... will probably end up crashing them up.

Another option is someone wants to trade me a really nice 1970 Buick Estate Wagon - 3-seater, woodgrain, loaded to the max and ready to drive... may go that route... well see I guess.

 

I would be hard pressed to turn down a swap at this point. You car has been nothing but a source of frustration.

 

You can say that again!

 

Went down to work on the car today, :floor_jack: it cranked about 30 seconds, then the battery went dead. I almost vomited when I opened the door and there was this unsightly mold all over the door panels, steering wheel and seats and the car was full of spiders and spider webs. The inside looked like brand new 3 months ago. I just dont know, I think its too far gone for me to deal with anymore. I dont have the time, know how, tools or enough money to pay someone to work on it. I may try to charge the battery and see if it will pull out of its tracks to at least get it up on the concrete. Now the back tire is flat and fix-a-flat didnt even phase it and we dont have an air tank and the hose on the compressor is not long enough to reach.

I may call the old lady back I bought it from and she if she wants to give me back my $4000 for it... thats enough to make me vomit... thinking of the day I handed her 40 $100 bills for this piece of crap. It was my dream car though... I had looked forever for a clamshell wagon and practically begged her to sell me this one for years. What a mistake that was. Some of Gods greatest gifts are unanswered prayers. I would really just love to trade it for another "RUNNING" clamshell wagon or Country Squire, but I dont see that happening. I have had absolutely no feedback on my ad here and this is a wagon site. I know money is tight, but no one even wants to consider a trade. Guess everyone has their dream wagons.

I hate to advertise it on the derby site, I dont want it to fall into the hands of a derbier, but that may be my only way to trade it for another running wagon or 71-73 Cadillac sedan. Maybe someone that will just fix this and use it as a tow car once another engine is installed will get it. I dont know.

Oh well, another lesson not learned... I make mistake after mistake.

(turns out that 70 Buick Estate is a 2-seater and no woodgrain and I cannot make myself like the dash on a 70 Buick. )