North Texas Newbie Tin Woody

Stumbled across this forum and it looks like a fun place.
My 1953 Chevrolet "Tin Woody" is both presentable and dependable.
Looking forward to meeting the group.

 

Welcome Tailwagon. Beautiful '53. Do you know its history?

 

Welcome tail, beautiful rig there, how old is the Shasta?

 

Luvin' yhat car .... welcome!!!

 

History

Beautiful '53. Do you know its history?

According to the seller, the Wag was originally a company safety vehicle at the Reynolds Aluminum Plant in Arkadelphia. There is a company inventory tag in the door jam. A few features include some dimples in the roof that I attribute to a gumball light, a second dimmer switch and some holes in the inner fender to accommodate a siren.
The car was eventually donated to some local government, where it was used as a standby vehicle to take injured football players from the field. It was purchased by the seller's dad at a surplus property auction, along with a '53 Sedan Delivery. The kids favored the Delivery, and used it up. The Wag ended up neglected in a shed.
Upon Dad's retirement, the Wag was brought to Dallas in order to try for the "big bucks." Saw the ad in the Morning News, I believe asking $2900. Met the owner at night in a lighted parking lot. Car looked pretty rough, with little paint left and a few "stump jumper" dents typical of its rural and youthful history. I told the kid that I might be interested, but I thought that maybe $1800 would be more realistic. With a new baby due in days, the seller told me that the car will be sold- He would run the ad three times and take the best offer. I watched the paper, and toward the end of the third ad I called and left an offer on his answering machine, $1200. He called me back a few days later and said that he had received another offer for the same amount, and since I was first to show interest, the car was mine.
Rounded up some buddies and a trailer. The car was able to drive up on the trailer, and we headed home to inspect our prize and begin the "$1200 tune-up" typical of trying to get a junker on the road. Brakes were nonexistent, tires were a must, but after a tune up, belts and hoses, and a radiator, we became convinced that the 17,XXX miles showing on the odometer was actual mileage. The car shifts and steers like a new car, a real treat.
Right after getting the Wag roadworthy, I was watching the fundraising auction on our local Public TV station and one of the offerings was an "automotive refinishing" offered by a body & paint shop. I won the offer with a $925 bid. I took the car to the shop and told the boss that I wasn't so out of my mind to expect him to restore a car for my bid, so I said, "let's talk." He suggested an additional $300 for prep and I agreed. Took off the chrome and trim before dropping it off. Although far from perfect, the resulting paint job was very acceptable considering the price and the fact that the car started out looking like it had been pulled from a field.
Trying to find affordable chrome work brought me to a country place that reminds one of a clandestine meth lab. Again, you get what you pay for. Plating is so thin that it won't last, but it's way better than taking the "Rat Rod" way out and painting the trim.
I've had "Tailwagon" on the road for around 10 years, now showing 27,000 miles. She's a joy to me and to everyone who sees it.

 

Shasta is 1963.
I also have a 14' Lone Star Aluminum Finned Runabout with a 1956 30 horse electric start Evenrude that I pull behind the Wag. Causes a sensation at the boat ramp. Bought that project due to the fact that the wagon had a trailer hitch.

 

Love the wagon. My parents had a 54 way back when. Looks the same but lighter green with the full wheel covers.

 

tailwaggin......


Tailwagon, from NS, Canada. Glad you found your way here. You must have a roomy garage to keep all of those babies in? How do you decide which one to drive in the morning?

 

Welcome aboard tailwagon!

 

to the wagon train, tail. I love those 53 & 54 Chevy tin woodies!
Is the Caddy a rumble seat model?

 

Another WOW! wagon. What a great combo, that woody wagon and the old Shasta. Have lots of fun with them both. Silly to even say that. We all know you will. Enjoy playing around on the wagon forum too.

 

Welcome and nice wagon.

 

TW
nice lookin set up with the trailer

 

What an interesting history tailwagon has had and how cool is that you were able to essentially trace it back to its reported original owner. Glad the kids left your wagon alone and opted to abuse the panel delivery. Probably preferred that since it had no windows and they could do whatever they wanted in it with no curious eyes peering in! Great find and great looking wagon. Thanks for posting.

 

Love the wagon, the trailer, the adventure in buying it, and the fact that you use it. Welcome, TW.