Thinking of selling my wagon body

As I have mentioned I am hunting a wagon I don't have to put a engine in, after I sell off some of my stuff. Mainly my boat I just haven't got to use in a few months. I am pretty set on this plan so much so I have already sold a running engine I had last week and some suspension parts I had for a truck today so I have a little nest egg going but the boat would fund a wagon for me. The other monies was I am planning on a few hundred mile trip to get one as they are not plentiful here but anyway I was wondering what a good price would be to ask for my wagon? Let me just say it was very clean here a 1 1/2 ago when that picture was taken, which I am planning on cleaning it up good if I decide to sell it. The only rust thru (which was patched up) was on the passenger side fender where the battery busted which also means the battery tray and that area. I am not opposed to keeping it and maybe trying to do one more engine swap but I am just getting to the point it is getting really tough on me with my leg and back. I also thought of paying someone to do it for me and I will help as much as I can but really want a good comfortable bubble wagon to take my dad and uncle on Hot Rod Power Tour next year (kinda a bucket list thing for them and myself) I really would like to sell it to someone that would do something with it unlike what I did but as stated if not I may eventually get something done with it. So what would be a decent asking price?

Almost forgot it has a 200 4R transmission what looked to be recently rebuilt with a new torque converter and I also found a reciept for $600 dollars or so for the new dual exhaust that was done 400 miles before they blew the engine. That is just a bonus but thought I would throw that info in.

 

I really think you and me would get along if we met, we just wouldn't have it in us for a , but we would ..........."Pry-ora-Ties"

 

I believe we would get along just fine!

 

Ball park figure? Just a idea?

 

It's a great looking wagon, but not having an engine in it will really impact what you can get. I would guess that whatever it's worth running - cut that amount in half and that's what I'd start the asking price. I know that stings but the market for buyers wanting non-running station wagons is probably pretty narrow.

Balance that against how quickly you want to sell as well - if you just want it gone, price it accordingly. The look of the wagon itself should draw in buyers. Good luck!

 

Try trading for a bubble wagon.
The LO5 350 equipped 92-93 TBI models would be a straight trade IMO, maybe you'd have to add a little cash to make the deal if the car is extra nice or a later model.
Be a lot less than what getting an engine and having it installed would cost.
The prices on them are pretty good right now, they fluctuate up and down with gas costs and gas is up there.

 

Given that these things will get mid 20s for MPG, (the round bodies) it amazes me that people will dump them because of gas prices and replace them with SUVs of all things. Wehn you figure that a tiny Ford Escape barely does much better, or an Edge or Equinox for that matter, or a (perish the thought) minivan like a Sienna or Odyssey. I guess I am the weirdo, because I can not fathom driving one of those turds over a wagon. My wife is like that. We have a Suburban because she wouldn't drive a wagon. So I converted it to diesel to get upper 20s highway. That's why I want to dieselize the 92. I might get mid 30s! Sorry for the rant. :rant:

To the OP: I love the square bodies though. If I lived closer I'd make you an offer on that. While I don't like the cowl hood, it would be easy enough to replace, along with the wheels (I could probably sell them and use the money to buy some steelies and wire wheel covers). I even have a Goodwrench 350 diesel that would drop right in where the Olds 307 lives (lived?) The aerodynamics isn't as good as my 92, so it might only get 30 MPG if built correctly. I'd do a 350 Diesel version of my fuel economy special 6.2L that I built for my Suburban. It is a sweet ride. That bodystyle is my favorite of all wagons, period. Well actually the Olds Custom Cruiser version was, but the Caprice is first runner up.

 

What happened to the engine you were building for it? Would it take much to finish assembling it and get it in the car?

 

I still have the 350 for it, just need to put the intake, carb and oilpan on it. The problem I have run into is just health wise I am unable to work on it or anything lately. I need my knee operated on (six surgeries wasn't enough) and it has made it bad on my back and hips also. I changed the gas tank in my C-10, it took me 4 hours and couldn't move for 2 days afterwards so a engine swap is out the question right know. What scares me is it has been for over a year now.



As for the value...I am not insulted by opinions of it, I genuinely not sure of their value. I have a ball park what my '55 is worth since they have a more popular market, my C10 is easier to put a price tag on...the wagon not so much...I am not expecting making enough money for a new wagon off it but maybe enough to get new wheels and tires for what I buy or any little things it may need. If I run a local add I was just looking for a ball park figure and I can tell you I paid $500 for the car and I would most likely sell to any member for that no matter what I ask. I would really like it to go to a person who would carry through with their plans for the wagon. I am a little embarrassed with not being able to carry on with my intentions but as mentioned I have been going back and forth to the Doctor trying to get my knee straightened out. Hell I even took 1/2 the pay I made as a mechanic to stay working once I could no longer work on cars (I have enough credits and documentation from Dr's to collect disability but refuse to as long as I can still do something because one day I will get to a point where I will need it) but I would ask enough for it locally to keep it from being parted or derbied...funny a car no one wanted and we here want to find them good homes!

And I also may keep it but I haven't done anything with it in 2 years and would really like to see someone wanting it or wanting to get in the car hobby with it. I get 2 week vacation and only allowed to take 1 week at a time. I take 1 week for crusin' the coast every October and the other week I just must take so maybe after crusin' the coast I get a little adrenaline rush and want to complete and "collect" cars so maybe I will take that week to put engine in. 1 day job should be able to do in a week Boat is definitely gonna be sold sooner or later but with school starting in less than a week nobody is spending money for a few more weeks.

 

Kevin, it comes down to...........

 

I really do feel the pain of not being able to DO. My right shoulder has already had 3 surgeries, the first being 37 years ago. Back then, to stabilize it, they put in 4 staples, 2 front and 2 back. All these years later, one of them has done the predictable, and been pushed through the bone and into the joint cavity. I move the wrong way and just about pass out as the metal digs into the top of the humorous. That's why I had to give up on the engine swap on Bertha, the 78 Grand Marquis. Fortunately, the person I gave her to is going to save the old girl. If she had been a wagon, I would have kept her, and had someone do the swap for me.

That is my idea for you. You have a wagon with a great body, that you love but with little market value. Since you plan on a wagon anyway, why not take some of the money buying a nice whale would cost and pay a mechanic you trust to install a good engine into the old girl. That way, you keep the wagon you love, and the out of pocket cost is likely to be lower than buying a whale in comparable shape. For that matter, you might find a wrecked whale, have the engine and transmission pulled and put into the Caprice you have, and then part out the whale. The money from the whale may just pay for the purchase of that car, meaning the total cost to you is very low at the end of the day.

 

I see. Are you not working at the dealership anymore? My wife had her second ACL replacement surgery on her left knee last spring. She had it scoped last December and it still isn't right. Then she had to have ankle surgery on her right foot this past spring. Non load bearing for 8 weeks so she was basically immobile for 8 weeks. Not much fun.

Can your dad help with getting the engine together? It seems like it is so close. Is the engine bay already set up for a SBC or is there more swap work to do?

I just worry that nobody is going to want to give you anything for what amounts to a 30 year old station wagon with no engine. If you could get it up and running I think you could get decent money for it. Do you have any good pics of the exterior and interior?

 

I'm still working, just not on cars...doing different little jobs (filing, helping guys with their certifications and keeping them lined up with different classes they need) My boss has been great and I always tell him when there is no more room for me I can go with no hard feelings because he really did keep me longer than most people would and I know when he does have to let me go it is from his boss.

I know it will be hard to get a whole lot out of it so maybe I will just try to get a motor set in it.

 

As Kevin has asked, can you get the engine together? It looks like you're a little over 400 miles from me. Round trip that's a little more than two tanks of gas in my Festiva. If you were able to get it ready to drop in and had a place and the equipment to do it, I would be willing to help. Maybe there is another member or two that could help also. Unless, you've made up your mind. I'm not a huge fan of the square bodies, but if I had the space for it, I buy it and stick a 5.3l in it. Back in the 80's there was a engine shop across the alley from where I worked. They built offshore racing engines. They had a shop wagon like yours that looked totally stock, but had a bad ass engine installed.

 

I can finish up the engine on the stand, then I just do a little at a time to get it in...I wanted to do the 5.3 originally but none of my plans have worked for me on this, what was going to be "easy" car to get on the road. My dad will help me get the motor in it but thanks for the offer and the reason I come here is because of great people like y'all.
Think I will try to get my wagon out the woods and clean her up a bit this weekend but this is the time of year we get the cars ready for Crusin' the Coast....