Hello. My name is Randy and I'm a car addict... I've had a wagon for a couple years and I had seen this forum probably long before that, but never joined probably bc I am on too many forums already... I recognize Erik with a K from the Buick V8 forums so anyway, I have an 83 Buick Estate Wagon I had been looking for since missing out on a steal years before. it's in pretty good condition save for the headliner, some dents and scratches and some tuning up to do. After fixing up the front suspension and brakes it rides really nice. I have been teetering on selling it for a while now, since I have way too many cars and projects to devote time to it. I don't want to, but might have to. some pics: to be continued...
And I have 2 Country Squires that I got by default. the first is a 1971 that is a whole 'nother story. The other is a 1968 and the reason I joined the forum. About a month ago I noticed a sad-looking wagon sitting in the far corner of someone's lot, and it had a for sale sign. a week later I checked it out just bc I have to and couldn't believe the sign. a 68 LTD Country Squire for $200. I didn't want another project but had to investigate. Turns out the guy was very close to scrapping the car and I just had to get it. I figured worst case it is worth more than that in parts.. It sat in that spot for something like 11 years and only has 76,xxx miles on it. it could be 176k but the owner claimed 76k and the overall condition looks like it. 2 weeks ago I signed the title and we towed it to the shop (luckily only several blocks away) and started wrenching. it was pretty nasty... the wood is to hold the door closed bc the latch spring broke as we left the old spot. that made the trip more interesting later the same day after replacing the vital fluids, filters and the rubber fuel hose from the frame rail under the d/s door to the engine bay, purging all the old fuel from the tank and lines, we crossed our fingers and the 390 fired up almost immediately! I replaced the trans filter and fluid. There was probably more than usual material in the pan but it seems OK. still kinda weak shifts and takes a second to engage on occasion but I might put some cleaner through and change the fluid again. the shifter is pretty loose and doesn't stay in gear solidly - any suggestions? maybe the linkage from the column to the trans has worked loose? the other major ongoing issue is brakes. after the initial drive around town it seemed to have increasing drag until it would hardly move without punching the throttle. I hurried back and by the time we pulled in the driveway the front brakes were smoking! we replaced the calipers and pads and the rotors are just within the minimum spec but arrow straight. tried to flush all old fluid and it seemed to roll perfectly. but after driving the other day it did the same thing! that was an isolated incident but something's still wrong.. I am thinking either we didn't get all air and old fluid out or the master cylinder is bad? then the cleaning begins... I even found this in the glove box.. I swear the owner said his dad bought it slightly used so it had 1 owner before him, but this is dated 68. or is that date of manufacture? it does say month B on the plate So it's cleaning up pretty nicely, but obviously it has rust issues. There is rot on the door bottoms, the trunk floor, under the drip rails and probably the front floor pans. There is a lot of surface rust pretty much everywhere and the paint is clearly gonzo, which I think looks pretty cool for now. Most people think I'm insane but I am just glad I saved this car from being destroyed. I really love it and hope to at least get it driving right and enjoy it. plate wagon 6 pass, medium metallic gold, parchment vinyl interior, Feb 05?, 2.75:1 standard axle, C6 trans.. and it has the 390 4V. I never can understand why people always skimped on the rear end... they order a great drivetrain like that and get the weakest rear? the best part is the owners cared a lot about it and saved all the literature including the manual, warranty, safety info/signs, the maintenance and lube manual, the service manual and the build sheet! how's that for a saga??
, thats a sharp looing Buick, love the red interiour. Yery clean looking, well cared for by the looks. Your headliner is a eazy fix... http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4477&highlight=headliner I see a Ford woody in one pic, is that yours also?
haha.. that's a 71 that I wish were running right now. I tried to post the long story of the 68, but I think it has too many photos and said a moderator needs to approve it. hey Erik that's exactly why I got in to the Estate Wagons.. really bc when I saw Brian's GN converted I thought it was the coolest thing ever! thanks for the welcome! I really like this forum
Randy, You are fine if you "only" use 20 photos or smileys in one single post. If you want to use more images, continue your story in the next post
vandall looks pretty clean...might be a keeper....not all of us are man enuff to have a crap load of wagons.......JUST JOKIN !!!!..... whats the story on the Ford??
Thanks for the welcome everyone! I did a follow up post on the 68 but it said it needed to be approved by a moderator. it was pretty long but I kept the images to the 20 limit. I haven't received any messages, though
Hey Van, welcome to the forum and thanx for the pictures. That Regal looks to be in nice shape. I hope the story on your '68 gets on; I wonder what the hold up is. Hey, that's not EagleFreek's Metro in the back ground of one of your pics, is it?
