Hi from Rhode Island... no wagon yet

Hi! I joined a couple weeks ago but haven't formally introduced myself yet. I don't have a wagon (unless you count a Caravan -- didn't think so) but grew up with my parent's '78 Volaré and grandmother's '69 Ford Country Sedan. I'm currently looking for a replacement for my '69 Thunderbird (severe frame issues) and I'm looking at wagons among the replacement candidates. (Related post)

 

Welcome, mp.
Good that you don't consider minivans as wagons. We're of the same mindset. Technically, it was primarily the minivan that pretty much killed the wagon.

Good luck with your search.
Don't know if you have anything else you're looking at, other than the '69 Country Sedan mentioned. There's lots of interest here in the following types of wagons:
- '70's big Fords of all types
- Clamshell GM wagons, '71 - '76
- 'Box' GM wagons, '77 - '90
- B-body GM wagons, '91 - '96 (replaced the 'box' wagons)
- 'Fox body Ford / Mercury wagons - Fairmont/Zephyr; Granada/Cougar; LTD/Marquis (these have a lot of interchangeability with Mustang mechanicals)

There are, of course, a lot of other types of wagons here. If you've got some questions, ask away. Join in our discussions.

BTW, how bad is that '69 T-Bird? If the frame is shot, you might be able to find a good used frame on the west coast or southwest somewhere. I had a '69 4-door 'bird back in 1975. Loved the car. Couldn't afford the gas though for that big 429. First gas crunch hit right then........

 

Welcome fellow New-Englander

Check out my ride in the Classifieds.

I'll be at the Dedham Endicott Show this weekend.

 

welcome aboard mp.

 

Krash - the T-Bird's bad. Basically, I came to hard stop when someone ran a stop sign in front of me, and the body went one way and the frame another. Add rust around the windows and rear quarters that are a combination of rot and bondo. But there's less than 10k miles on the 429 since it was rebuilt. I had a taker for $300 who was going to attempt a restoration, but he backed out after a closer look.

I'm definitely interested in wagons in general, not just late '60s Fords. I'm also considering a '93 Roadmaster for sale locally (plus a few convertibles), and my wife and I have been talking about acquiring a 1980s Mercedes Benz 300TD for some time. I have a 57-mile commute and could use the added fuel economy.

Frank - that looks nice! Way out of my price range, but really nice! Unfortunately, we'll be out in the Berkshires this weekend (and otherwise I'd be on Long Island checking out that '69). I even swung by Endicott last weekend because I didn't remember exactly when it was. Considering I go through Waltham every day, I'll probably see you around at some point.

 

mmp775...glad you finally signed on. Sorry to hear about your accident with the tbird but if that's what it takes to get you into a wagon so be it

 

to the wagon train, mp. Wagons among the candidates? A wagon is the ONLY candidate to replace that T-Bird!

 

MP

too bad about the Bird....nice cars

good luck with the hunt

 

I think I found one - 1994 Caprice, non-tow pack, 105k miles. It's not in perfect shape. There's a dent in the tailgate, rear wiper is broken off, and one of the rear vent windows is duct-taped shut. There's a little water getting into the spare tire compartment, but the well has already been replaced with fiberglass. Some surface rust on the gas tank straps; other than that, no really obvious rust problems. Dashboard squeaks like crazy. Everything else seems to work fine. Asking price is $2552. I also found a 3.23 posi rear from a '93 Roadmaster for $300 that I might pick up to swap in. Sound like a good deal?

 

Welcome, from a fellow "newbie"....

 

If you stick with Ford (full size) you can plop that 429 in. Lots of interchangability. No sense wasting a rebuilt engine.

 

It does seem a shame to waste a rebuilt 429. You never can sell them for much but they sure are nice under the hood. They ARE thirsty critters, though.

 

The 'bird is already sold. I'd love to get a '69/'70 with a 429 (even better, 460), but I'm not in the mood to deal with an engine swap right now.

 

Well...there's nothing wong with the selection you are looking at. We'd like to see it, of course. The wing windows are a common problem and, for the most part, should be left alone. They break easy and parts are hard to find and to replace. If it leaked the car may have roof leak problems and that's no fun either. Although, Cyber-Wizard has a thread that shows great photos of removing the roof rack that should be a big help. You need to check the rear floors as well as the front since you know there is a leak. I would suggest you pull up the carpet a little for a look before buying. The leak will cause the floor to rust from the inside out rather than the usual outside in. I'd like to see more and hear more about that car, mp.

 

I didn't get any photos, and this one from the ad doesn't show much. Floors seemed solid all around. It was 9:00 at night when I looked at it, and I'm hoping to go back today or tomorrow to see it in the daylight. I saw the thread on diagnosing roof rack leaks, and it seemed doable. I'll probably just go to a glass shop to fix the vent window. My wife isn't going to want the duct tape to stay on forever .