Hello from new member

Hi everyone ! My name is Hervé Cailler, I'm french and live 50 miles west from Paris on Normandy road.I own a 1953 Chevrolet Handyman since november 2002.This station wagon has a "story".It has been bought new in Morocco by the first owner who was a school teacher.As he had many children,he choosen this car.He drove it there until 1965 when he came back in France.He stopped the car in 1968 and stored in a barn for 21 years when one his son got the car for him.His son drove the car until 1995 when the engine refused to start. He didn't know anything about old cars and parked it near his house unable to run.He GAVE it to me in 2002 with my promiss to not sell the car and leave his father's owner plate name on the dashboard.I started the engine which just had ignition condenser out of service and the starter solenoîd whish was burned.Since 2003, I drove it first and decide at the end of 2006 to restore the car.That's what I'm doing as much as possible with my free time.I hope finish the car next year or 2011.It's the first station wagon I own,before I got two 52 styleline chevys in 1982,a 1960 Cadillac Eldorado Seville and a 1972 Plymouth Grand Fury, for sure my station wagon is my favorite.

 

Bienvenue! It seems like Europe will become the global automuseum of North American wagons. Nice story, good luck with your project, and remember that this is a visual hobby, we want pictures.

 

do you still have all the cars?...if so...nice collection...love to see them

and from over here

 

Its always nice to hear the story behind the car. Pictures, please.

 

Hi ! I just got the 53 station wagon,I sold or exchange the others,it might have been a nice collection indeed.A friend of mine still owns the 52 Chevy Styleline.

 

félicitations

Bienvenue et félicitations pour votre automobile. Keep us up to date on the restoration story!

 

You're just full of surprises, Jax! Accents and and everything! Well done.

 

to the wagon train...

 

at least the 52 stayed in the family ..so to speak

 

I just picked up a 53 Townsman (same as Handyman, but upgraded trim/interior) with Powerglide and wood grain. Dubbed the Tin Woody. Needs complete restore, so I'm starting now.

I need a tailgate, anyone know of one? 53-54 will fit.

 

There's a couple 1953 Tailgates here:
http://www.ctcautoranch.com/Cars/Car Sub-Pages/Cars Chevrolet Cars.html

Even Heat/AC parts:
http://www.ctcautoranch.com/Misc. Parts/Misc Parts.html

Other parts in these two links:
http://www.callingallcars.ca/General_Motors/GM Parts.htm

http://www.callingallcars.ca/General_Motors/GM 50s.htm

 

Thanks!! I might have to give that Texas yard a call. I can swing down to Dallas on my way back to Cali if they might have a tailgate.

Thanks for the info!! I'll let all know what I find.

Johnny

 

Good stuff, hope it works out.

 

A great story to go with a fine station wagon.