The AOD/302 swap went pretty smoothly. Nice thing is the ****** crossmember lined up with the pad so there was no fabrication needed there. It needed a longer driveshaft, too. I had a 223/Fordomatic in it originally. What a difference! Especially after rebuilding the rear end, too. She cruises at 75 on the freeway without even breaking a sweat. I put a mild shift kit in the AOD and can bark the tires in 1 and 2...but I'm trying to hold back on that a little until I get the engine fully broken in. For the drop, I bought 3" lowering springs for the front and cut an additional 1/2 coil out. It drives better than the old stock springs. The rear was already pretty low from the leaf springs being so old, so I just put a small lowering block on there. Piece o' cake.
You know, really anything after 34 or so that isn't a coupe or a truck would work fine. I have a 38 Tudor, and there is plenty of room in the back for 2 munchkins. Trunk isn't perfect but you won't need a stoller after they are 2 or so. I say this as you shouldn't feels like you need a particularly large car.
'54-'56 Buick. GREAT cars, ride very well, some custom stuff if out there, roomy, 2 and 4drs are fairly cheap. They were higher-end cars back then, so they have lots of options. They've got that great '50s vibe, and you don't see them everywhere. My second choice would be an early '60s Chevy (that should probably be the first choice). Parts are VERY readily available from a ton of restoration parts suppliers. This is important for weather stripping, floor pans, patch panels, suspension bits, etc. Upgrades are super common (meaning affordable). Initial purchase is dirt cheap. Interior parts are available. It'd be practical, and wouldn't cost an arm and a leg, and 90-percent of the population isn't going to differentiate between a '62 Bel Air and a '46 Ford--they'll all just see a cool old car. -Brad
I just picked up a '64 Coupe Deville for this reason. I needed something for The wife and I and the 2 kids. One is 6 and one is almost 2. I had a '67 2 door Belvedere but I needed something cooler than that. I almost went with a '56 Customline 4 door but the caddy is just 2 damn cool.
Here is mine, doesn't have paint on it now. She was our only car for a year, when I was unemployed. I've had her since '02. I've got 2 boys (7 and 1-1/2 year old) works great for car shows or just out for a drive. What she looked like when I brought her home... She started getting rusty so I painted her flat black... Now... Hopefully look like this by summer...
I plan to put seat belts in my 51 Merc and then convince my wife that we can take our 2 yr old and 8 month old out for some cruises.
You can't beat a late 50' to mid 60's wagon. They tow, haul everything, attract tons of attention, ride great, and with a little work, get 20+ mpg. I've had them for the last 20 years and will never be without one, even after the kids are grown and gone. I started with a 57 Ford Country Sedan, then a 57 Merc Commuter, then a 57 Country Squire, a 65 Falcon, and for the last 2 years, an awesome 63 Impala. I'm working on finishing a 57 Ranch Wagon, so when it is done, the 63 will get a new owner. Two things to consider, most of the cool things you find that you just HAVE to drag home, WON'T fit in a sedan! And...The future is uncertain, never buy a car you can't sleep in!
I've got a '63 Impala Wagon down in the field, And in an issue of TR&K there was a pretty sweet i think late 50's or early 60's Plymouth Wagon, that was g***erized. The Plymouth had some really cool fins and lights on it. I'll get you more info on it when I get home.
I've had a few that qualify as family trucksters. My copper 57 wagon was a easy driver, fit all our junk etc. And my 59 wagon did the same, but had a TBI sbc, and 4L60 and got crazy mpg. Mid to late 50's and 60's wagons rock for family trucksters, and can be plenty cool.
I take my 4 year old boy to daycare in this....All the girls think he is just the coolest........ If it's a nice day out, I pick him up in the afternoon with this....Not real practicle for normal transportation though....
I rolled my '65 Coupe DeVille to work today. Got the child seats in the back cuz I have to pick up my girls after work. More than enough room.
Nothing cooler for a family ride then a wagon. its the memories you kids will have that will be the best part of it. on the non wagon side, you have lot of options but if we knew your initial 'buy-in' price range and how much work you want to do, it might help us. I know there is a 35 4 door on the HAMB forsale that is a driver but needs interior and paint.. its early and family friendly (can get to the rear seat easy for removal of kid from baby seat... any of the 50's chevys are big and easy to work on and get parts for.. and there is always the 40-48's ford 4 doors.
drove a 55 Chevy from 79 til 86--very reliable, easy to fix and hauled the kids and stuff on many vacations--great car and wife loved it because of the large trunk--still have it--best transportation car we ever had back when we were scrimping along--very low cost to keep going-will never sell it
This is my family ride. I put a set of seatbelts in the back and I was good-2-go. Trunk space is great, plenty of room for strollers.
59 RAMBLER paid 650 and towed it home! All it needs is tires and brakes it runs great shifts but stops really quick because the brakes are locked up.
Either my 56 Buick wagon with an adapted 700r4 OD, Ford rearend, and power disc brakes. Or my sons 62 Chevy wagon with 700r4 OD, and power disc brakes would fit the bill as traditional family friendly vehicles.
My family has always had wagons...We had a 57 Ford Country Squire and a 59 Country Squire in the past few years and I can say they were great fun. I have 3 kids.. You can load the family and go. We cruised PCH (So.Cal) all the time and everyone that saw the wagons..especially loaded with the kids..loved them. A wagon is coolest with a family..cool and functional. I dont have a pic loaded of the 57 but heres a couple of the 59.
I raised two kid with this as the family car, or should I say Wagon.. I'm putting a T5 in it now....D
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