Hot Rods Bought a wagon, let's drive it home

A little history: I've always been a lover of long roofs, but I especially am now that I have a wife and 2.5 year old daughter.

A few years back a bought a supposedly nice '57 Townsman on eBay sight unseen and got royally hosed. The car was ok, but I paid way too much for what it turned out to be. I sold it as soon as I could get the paperwork fixed (that a whole other story!) and into my name. It left a really bad taste in my mouth and I vowed to never again by a finished car I don't see firsthand or have inspected by someone I trust.

 

A few months went by and I picked up another '57 just few miles down the road. It was a basket case that just got shoved under the carport of my shop.

A few more months p***ed without any progress and I also picked up a really clean, rust free '55 wagon project and had Rick with Showtime Transportation from here on the HAMB deliver it. Well, Rick ended up buying the '57 basket case from me (which was stolen along with his trailer just a short time later) when he dropped off my '55.

 

So, for the last year or two I've been saving money, planning my build, gathering a few parts, bench racing, and dreaming of the day I finally find time to get to my wagon. But the wagon sits untouched in my shop.

I've always kept an eye on various cl***ifieds just to see if I came across a wagon that was already done. Well, a couple of weeks ago UPSRodder (Dennis) throws up a cl***ified here on the HAMB for a '54 Townsman that he just finished. Originally a car for the University of California Berkley, it's pretty dang clean and has that patina that is so loved/hated. Dennis just finished updating the car to a modern family cruiser. 350/350, rewired, lowered, new interior, etc, etc.

Awesome. I've always loved tin woody wagons. Even more that tri-five wagons.

I call him up and the nice guy that he is, he agrees to hold the car on deposit until I get back from taking my family to Disney World and then immediately fly up to Ohio from Dallas, TX to take a look. He tells me the car should have no problem driving back to TX, so I bought a one way ticket to Akron, Ohio.

Oh boy, what have I done.

We got home from Disney late Thursday night and I jumped on a plane at 7 this morning. Dennis picked me up at the airport and a deal was made. Now I'm headed back to Dallas in the wagon. I've got to get home before my wife leaves for work on Monday morning so I can resume my bad *** job of full time dad.

I'll be posting updates as I go and I'll keep my fingers crossed this doesn't become one of those "HAMBER Down!" threads. Thanks for following along.

 

Currently waiting out the rain near Columbus, OH. Only 15.5 hours to go...

 

Very cool, it takes a lot of balls to do a road trip in an unfamiliar 60 year old car. I would call a head and set up a baby sitter so you can enjoy the ride back. Your adding too much drama to what could be an awesome adventure. You know, like *** monkey garage..... "we have 5 days to build this car or the deals off".
Wish you the best of luck.

 

I here ya, but our babysitter just left for college and we haven't had time to replace her! Plus, mama will wring my neck if I don't at least try to make it home.

I've already dubbed the wagon "Tink" for Tinkerbell, given she's green and we just got home from Disney. She cruises really nice around 65 mph (speedo doesn't work so I downloaded an app).

 

Good luck man! Thats a bold adventure, but Im sure it will be one you will never forget
I still want the 55.........

 

Car looks stout, have a safe cruise home.

 

It's going to be for sale very, very soon!

 

Love the wagons; Have fun!

 

Mmmmm...the monotony of speed... No noises, I take it... listen... Hear that???

Recalling a "New" old car, headed home. I bought a nice '57 Chevy from a guy in Paso Robles in '60, really cherry black Bel Air two door hardtop. CHEAP!!!
He had pulled the whole dash out, tore it all apart. Had the entire dash chromed. Yes.
Started to fit it back, wiring was torn out from loom, looked a real mess.
He told me if I'd give him some $$ I could have this darned thing and all that went with it!
But I had to take it before Sunday.
Wired my Mom for the money, she sent it Western Union. Paid him, then used his shop to put it back together. Hastily wired it to run, headlights, turn sigs.
He had signed the pink, I had it. I could see he regretted the deal when I backed out onto the street...
Went to the corner station, filled up.
Got on 101 North, headed home 240 miles to San Jose. (all the way home, I'm imagining little things happening...but nothing did. Car was only 3 years old!)
Made serious profit on that one after installing the chromed dash, plus the Bell 3 spoke wheel, Hurst 3 speed linkage, Moon gas pedal.
Only Chevy I ever kept was the one under my F100's hood. (44 years and counting...)

 

Congrats - great adventure

 

Man, ain't that the truth! Brought back some memories of old adventures. Drove for a few miles thinking the motor was going to go. Just when the panic started taking over a helicopter zoomed on ahead.

 

Sunset...

 

Good stuff. I bought a Dart wagon in San Diego 6? years ago. Flew down, and drove it back to Alberta Canada, 1200 odd miles. Memories forever.

Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

I did a similar trip from Sacramento, Cal to Sioux City, Iowa in a '50 F1 289, C4, 9". An Ebay deal that nobody wanted but me. Sent me tons of pics and description. Made a deal.
Flew out, met the owner went to his bank while he cashed my bank check. Signed the pink, he and his wife drove away.
Hit the road for home.
Rained 40 miles out from Orange, Ca (it never rains in California) turned the wipers on swipe, swipe, stop!
Off the highway found a garage who pointed me to another garage that was better suited to fix the problem.....
The mechanic dropped what he was doing and was up under my dash in 5 minutes. Had the wiper out showed me the chewed up gears and said it was toast.
Called the previous owner told me he got it from Sacramento Vintage Ford. Called them told me they got it from C W Moss. Called them, yes, they had one had my sister buy it and bring it out. Few hours later installed and back on the road. Not another drop of rain the rest of the way back (of course)!
Smooth sailing from then on............
Great deal and great road trip............

Good luck and enjoy!

 

Good luck!

 

I would love to have it but that would be a long shot.

I drove a short bed 65 GMC for my daily, for a couple years with only RainX but I admitedly didnt take any major trips in it,.mainly only short trips to work and back. I have used it on other old cars too.

 

from the pics, looks like an easy ride home. why do you want to sell it?

 

Talking about the 55 at home

 

he's selling the 55, not the 54.

 

Just stopped for fuel after going through Cincinnati, which was very pretty at night. Finally got through the the rain and am enjoying the cool, clean, post-evening shower air.

And you guys are correct, not selling the '54. I'll be selling the '55 after I get back home.

 

ride em, cowboy

 

This is too cool of a thread! Love road trips, and Tri - five chevys. Good luck going home.

 

Are you taking I-71 to Louisville and then south to Nashville? I should have checked out this thread earlier because you'll be half a mile from my house when you p*** exit 17 (Buckner). If you have a problem in this area let me know....

 

Have a safe trip !
Wagons Rule !

 

I have never been to Texas but I always heard a trip to or from Texas was a two part trip.
Texas and the rest of trip.

 

may the road angles be with you......let's see it at Piston's n Paint ?

 

I did something similarly silly a few years ago, and flew to Los Angeles to shop for antique cars, hoping to buy one and drive home to Wyoming. I drove home in a 55 Studebaker Coupe. Well, in the interest of full disclosure, I drove PART way home in the Studebaker, and drove the rest of the way pulling the Stude on a trailer, after it threw a rod spectacularly.

It was a fantastic trip anyway.

Best of luck on your trip home, from one crazy Cowboy to another.

 

you know this is a great way to get to know your car I would do the same thing. I built my 41 ford pu but have been on may roadtrips it just take me back to a special place in time. hope you have a great trip Tom