BlueJeep

Having had my truck done for a little while now, I knew that I would need a new project. After a few Power Tours I have learned that living out of a standard cab truck for a week with twin boys who aren't getting any smaller...room was in short supply, I decided that my next project needed to be a 1950's 4 door station wagon.

Chance would have me at my pinstriper's shop this past spring helping unload a couple of 40 Fords that didn't have any suspensions. His brother was telling me how much he liked my truck and wondered what my next project would be. After telling him I wanted to find a 50's 4 door wagon (Ford, Chevy, Dodge....didn't matter), he said I needed to stop over at his house. He had a 54 Chevy wagon that he had purchased most of a decade earlier, and decided he wasn't going to get to it and wanted to see what I could do with it. After telling me what his vision was for it, my vision for it had similar elements. A deal was made and a couple months later I was back to load it up.

BlueJeep

So here is how I found it. The story is that it was an eBay purchase from Utah, didn't have a suspension under it and was towed to the midwest on a boat trailer. The guy I bought it from purchased a 54 4 door parts car, which would donate some temporary suspension pieces and a color-matched front clip that has more paint on it than the one that's on the wagon now.

BlueJeep

After getting home from the Power Tour in June, it was time to go retrieve my purchase and haul it to my parents acreage where it would sit until I had time to bring it to my place. A few hours of sliding the car out of it's resting place and bolting up some suspension pieces, I had a roller.

I'm also trying to navigate my way through using this site to host the pictures, so pardon the formatting until I get this figured out.

BlueJeep

So yes, it was in much need of a good cleaning. I took it to my dad's shop and used the hotsy on it first, and then gave it a good CLR bath. This did wonders for the appearance of the car, which is good because the plan for it is to leave it's original Antarctic Blue (or as GM called it, Horizon Blue) and white paint.

BlueJeep

Over the summer I started collecting parts, as well as chipping away at a few things while I visited the folks. I replaced the plywood window with a quality pre-owned piece, cleaned out the interior somewhat, procured seats, and the more modern front suspension. Parts delivery was done with the 49.

BlueJeep

By December I had things put away for winter and had a space in the garage for a project, time to start in on it! Another trip up north had the wagon loaded up and ready to bring home.

Here it is in the garage, ready for the optional rally fun pack to be added!

BlueJeep

New stuff! Had to see how the seat would fit in the back, kids approved! I actually sat in the back with a friend of mine (I'm 6' and he's probably 6'2") and we fit with lots of headroom. I think it's going to be a great road trip car! Another friend found the luggage at an auction and thought they were a perfect fit for the wagon, I agree. Can't wait to load them up in the back!

BlueJeep

So the Rally fun pack on this one will be a Scott's IFS, 4 link rear with 8.8 or 9" rear, 18" smoothies, and a 6.0 with 4L80E. Engine compartment will get painted, interior will get freshened up, floors will lose the ventilation that they currently have, and whatever other comfort mods required to make this a reliable, comfortable car to drive anywhere.

Disclaimer: the motor in the pics is a mock-up 5.3 and 4L60, for any one keen enough to call me out on that.

BlueJeep

With the holidays, I've had a little time off work. I've managed to put in a few hours on this project. Disassembly is pretty straightforward. Old is out, and getting ready for the new.

BlueJeep

Prepping the front frame rails.

BlueJeep

So with the front of the frame stripped, it was time to do some initial mocking up of the front suspension.

BlueJeep

I picked up some tires that would approximate the diameter of the new ones to use during the build.

Not low enough....

BlueJeep

A friend came over to help lift the front clip back on the car, and I borrowed one of his rear tires to see if 275 wide was an attainable goal. It'll involve cutting, but it is do-able!

Bonus points if you can identify via the paint scheme what car this wheel was borrowed from!

BlueJeep

Here is the stance I settled on! Now I wait for drop spindles to show up before I can continue with the front suspension. I plan on running a space saver spare tire and a "normal" gas tank, so the original tire well had to go. This would also give me additional access and light to work on the rear suspension!

To catch me up to current, I also installed my Walton Fab transmission crossmember. I saw this piece and really liked it. The K-member is integral to the front body mounts, and with this car I'm taking a different approach than I did with my truck and not custom fabbing everything. After installing this I have 2 learnings. 1) This is a quality piece, and it actually fits (unlike so many other aftermarket parts. 2) Cutting out factory rivets sucks, period. I had approximately 30 lbs of dirt fall on and around me as I was doing this. Since I was filthy, I committed myself to removing the rest of the rivets I wouldn't be needing before going in the house that night.

mantycarguy

Wheel looks like it came from a Hurst Scrambler.

ls1nova71

iTrader: (4)

Haha! I was expecting about a 3 decade newer car.... You didn't order the Metallic Pea? Because if you're planning on taking the tribe across country, this is your automobile.....

I do love station wagons though! Looks like you're off to a good start!

G Atsma

Whoever put the car together for "Vacation" must have had a total blast figuring out how to make it the absolute tackiest wagon on the planet! What a feast for the eyes.... NOT! LOL

BlueJeep

And you sir win the bonus round! Should have known it would come from someone in Wisconsin!

Haha, nope, this one would have been old by 1983. ....You think you hate it now, wait 'til you drive it.....

Yours is an inspiration!

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

Gerome

That is going to make the ultimate family hauler ! You and your boys will be doing the next power tour in style .

CattleAc

iTrader: (7)

Another bitchin' wagon build...can't wait...subscribed.