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1980 Fairmont Wagon Build

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Old 12-15-2015, 09:21 AM
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Default 1980 Fairmont Wagon Build

I’ve always had a soft spot for wagons. I drove by this car for over a year as it was close to our children’s daycare. It never moved and I saw no one coming or going from the home it was parking beside. I thought the owner was arrested or worse, passed on. Until one day on our way home from daycare, I saw a man walking a dog in the front yard. I whipped my truck in the drive, introduced myself and asked if he was the owner. Saying yes, I asked if he ever thought about selling it. He said, "Nope." I said okay, thanked him for his time and started to back out. He said, "That doesn't mean I wouldn't." I gave him my number and told him to call when he was ready to talk. 5 days later we drove off with it.
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When we’d drive home my son would say, “Dad, we could make that thing fly.” I laughed and said, “Yep.” Every time we’d drive by it he’d say something about it. Of course this played right into affinity for wagons. And this was a foxbody wagon to boot. Little did he know we already had a fox at the house.
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I’ve all but lost interest in the 93. It’s become something I never wanted it to, a dedicated racecar. The 10pt cage was the borderline, but when I pulled the ac/heater that did it. So, I’m going to pull all the suspension and drivetrain from the coupe and shove it into the wagon. Figured I’d document the fun here.

Last edited by 1bad6t6; 04-01-2016 at 11:00 AM.
Old 12-15-2015, 09:41 AM
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cool. wagon looks like its in good shape.
Old 12-15-2015, 12:23 PM
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It's in very good shape. PO purchased it from a local dealer here in Nashville. Car only has 55k on it. The interior is mint. Paint is faded quite a bit, but that's easy enough to deal with.

Did a 5 lugs conversion first thing.
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Old 12-15-2015, 02:20 PM
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That thing could really be cool, already looks good with the wheels
Great learning experience for a kid
Old 12-15-2015, 02:34 PM
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Love these wagons too!
Old 12-15-2015, 02:42 PM
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Should be a fun car. Will you be going with a more streetable transmission than the TH400? A 4L80E would be much nicer on the freeway.
Old 12-15-2015, 09:05 PM
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I saw you got a warm FEP welcome, lol. Sorry to see that. I get the same thing with one of my cars. Have fun with it the way you want to. Glad to see your boy is as into it as you!
Old 12-15-2015, 09:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Bad Apache
I saw you got a warm FEP welcome, lol. Sorry to see that. I get the same thing with one of my cars. Have fun with it the way you want to. Glad to see your boy is as into it as you!
Thanks guys. Yeah, I wasn't going to say anything about FEP. I didn't realize how much of a purist site that was. Pathetic in my humble opinion.
Old 12-15-2015, 09:38 PM
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I try to look at the hobby from all angles. I was raised a Ford guy. But after working for GM for 13 years and as an independent for the last 16 years, my eyes were opened a bit. I love all kinds of cars. There is terrific workmanship and engineering in all kinds of cars out there. Unfortunately not everyone can see it. It's easy to hate and hard to appreciate. It's a Fairmont not a Cobra Daytona Coupe! Kick that turds *** and put it out to pasture when you're done!
Old 12-15-2015, 11:07 PM
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China turbos! Plzkthnks!
Old 12-16-2015, 08:02 AM
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Originally Posted by CameronVic
China turbos! Plzkthnks!
With super top-secret specs?
Old 12-16-2015, 01:21 PM
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I am subing so I can see where you and your son take this project . I have a real soft spot for wagons I don't know what it is about them , but I love'm lol .
Old 12-16-2015, 02:16 PM
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Got a little bit done last night. Surprised at the condition of the frame rails especially under the battery tray.

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Old 12-16-2015, 03:20 PM
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If i would be looking for a wagon like that, what years looks like that and haft the same chassis as the fox mustang?
I live in Sweden and they are not at all common here
Old 12-16-2015, 03:23 PM
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I want to say 79 through 81 for a Fairmont wagon. Not sure about the Zephyrs, LTDs, etc.
Old 12-16-2015, 04:03 PM
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Love these wagons. Can't wait to see what y'all end up with...
Old 12-17-2015, 03:11 PM
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I'm in a interesting position with this one. I have my end goal in stone, but there are several paths to get there. My current setup uses truck manifolds, but I'm considering using a set of headers instead. I may leave it alone and simply get it running with the current setup, untouched. With the new shop and tools to go with it I have a lot more options.
Old 12-23-2015, 09:09 PM
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Made some progress. Added Team Z k, Racecraft 12" a-arms, Flaming river rack, Racecraft bumpsteer kit, Strange SAs, UPR 12" coilovers, 95 Mustang spindles and 01 GT PRBs.

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Started stripping the interior to rewire things and add through floor subframes connectors. Where the floor pans toward to front appear dark and rusted they actually in really good shape. Oddly enough, the sound deadening material didn't take. It peeled right off. Some of it came out with the carpet.
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Old 12-23-2015, 10:52 PM
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Cool project!
Old 01-14-2016, 10:26 AM
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Got quite a bit done over the holiday stretch.

I stripped all of the nonessential wiring out of the front which left the side markers, turn signals and headlights. I hid the wiring under the top of the center support.
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I also got around to installing the subframe connectors. I had to cut quite a bit more into the channel than I did on my coupe. I've painted the floor with Rustoleum and still need to apply some seam sealer underneath.

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I also started to rewire the factory harness while adding in all the MS3/MS3x goodies.
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My son and I picked up a coupe Traxxas Stampede VXL 4x4s so that's kinda put the brakes on progress. I used to have a monster truck and an RC10 when I was a kid. I had no idea they've progressed into what they have. The LiPo batteries alone are so much better than the crap we had back in the 90's.

I'll the the wrining wrapped up this weekend. Once I get the dash back in I'll have to order new carpet and make a decision as to which seats to use. 86 GTs with the halos or the factory bench seat.


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