Good Wagon for a Newbie?

If you've happened across my intro thread, I am exploring the idea of selling off my VW camper and investing the money into a 50s or early 60s wagon. I really rather like the 58-61 era Rambler Cross Country (not to mention my grandparents had a '60 back in the day), but I also dig the early 60s Falcon wagons.

I'll readily admit, I'm a newbie when it comes to the ins and outs of American cars. I can turn a wrench well and learn quickly, but I'm talking more about the practicality aspect. Can you still find Rambler brake parts, for example? Would a Ford or Chevy be a better candidate because there are just more of them?

I'm searching through the HAMB and reading up on what I can find. But I also want to solicit the input of everyone out there in hopes of finding a fun project that can also haul the family around.

Thanks, guys!

 

Truthfully you might do better with a Ford or Chevy,,the Rambler will be harder to find parts for and due to the number of them built parts will be cheaper.

Whatever you decide,,good luck. HRP

 

I appreciate that, HRP! And I saw pictures of your Ranch Wagon...my gawd, that's gorgeous!

Your suggestion does bring up a question, though...how far away from the big names (Dodge, Plymouth, etc.) is it safe to get before the real concerns about parts availability and such pop up? Not that I have anything against Ford and Chevy, but I do tend to like slightly more oddball models.

 

They would probably OK but remember Plymouth and Dodge parts have always cost considerably more than Ford or Chevy parts. HRP

 

Falcon wagons are always cool. Easy to work on, parts are plentiful and shared with other Ford products.

The Rambler wagons had those trunnion front ends and I agree they are harder to get parts for. The OHV 6-cylinders share tune up parts with Ford and the brake parts were common with Fords from about 1964 on.

Bob

 

It's always cool to own/drive a different/odd car. I own an OT Rambler and its a fun car to drive and people always ask what it is. I'm OK with falcons too.

 

All good input, guys. Thank you for that!

And the crossover parts are also a curiosity for me. In my head, I just assume each manufacturer has their own specs and only their stuff will fit the bill.

 

Many cars like the Ford Falcon for instance, was offered with 6 cylinders and V8's,,if the car had a 4 lug rear axle several axles from different fords can be used to get a 5 lug pattern.

Mustang,Maverick and Granada just to name a few,,you can update to bigger drums or disc brakes,,engines and transmissions are just as wide and varied,,Ford,Chevy,Dodge or Pymouth.. not to mention many other brands. HRP

 

I have a '59 Rambler custom, and they are simple to work on. Some of the parts are hard to find. The key is to start with a car that is as complete as possible. Watch for rust, which is a serious problem for Ramblers. There are Rambler clubs and parts houses that are very helpful.

I had a '64 Comet wagon for awhile, and I really enjoyed that. It's basically a Falcon wagon but with the upgraded Mercury trim and interior.

Good luck on whatever you decide on.

 

I LOVE my Falcon wagon! It's '62 that I screwed together for the girlfriend to drive around, but it's become increasingly apparent that she won't - so now it's mine. I do drive the living hell out of it! Now, with that said, as the owner of a vintage VW bus I'm sure you aware that semi-early cars such as this have their limitations. That's a good thing about going with something like a Facon.

My car I put together with an already somewhat updated automatic trans called a C4 from a later Falcon or Maverick. It all bolted together without too much hassle, but lacks an overdrive for modern freeway driving. No big deal really, 'cause soon with just a bit of adaptation and some inexpensive aftermarket goodies it'll get a five speed overdrive trans. I guess what I'm saying is that if it doesn't innitially meet your needs, with the Flacon or something like say a Chevy II or Nova, you can quickly and relatively inexpensively change it to do what you want to do. Things like Ramblers, although cool, don't have the support of folks messing with them enough to do that. Another quick example - I set the front end of my car up with disc brakes less expensively than I would have gone through the stock drums... Man what a difference!

Just some thoughts.

 

I love my comet wagon. It's a 1963 two door that I drive every day. My pinion nut backed off on the freeway last week and the rear grenaded. A week later I had a ford 8" from a mustang II installed. I found all of the parts locally, and the entire project was less than $500.00. If you are ok with updating parts as you need to, they are great cars.

 

It helps if you find one that is based on a popular car. I found a 61 ranch wagon and most galaxie parts fit it. They reproduce alot of galaxie stuff and this helps keep the cost down. Gas tanks, sending units etc. are a different story and are hard to find. Stay away from one year only body styles if the tail gate is rotted as they are hard to come by. Ask me how I know this.

 

Ha! I bet I can guess why you know this.

I have some friends feeding this desire right now while I'm at work and sending me stuff they're finding on the web and in the area. '54 Chevy wagon? Yeah, looks good.

Heck, even a '54 Buick 4-door (yeah, not a wagon, but it's a neat looking car regardless).

They're relentless. So much for focusing on work today.

 

Plenty of mechanical parts for MoPar wagons....... Started a wagon project last August.... Easily found disc brakes and even a pre-formed stainless line set. Had it on the road in a month + 8 days after sitting for 21 years....

 

There is a 60 2dr Falcon Wagon for sell at Falconearlybirds.Com for 3,200 OBO.I hope you find what you are hunting for.Reds little Wagon has the 144cid doesn't get much easier to work on than that.Anyway hope this helped

 

Oh, it's definitely been a help so far, guys! I really appreciate it.

I'm sure I'll have more questions as things go along and I've had a couple buddies sending me CL links all day long here. It's been a trip! My mind will be swimming with ideas the whole way home today!

 

If you get a Rambler get a 65 or newer, big changes in engines power train body and suspension at that time. Same parts continued after that for years, up to the 90s in the case of the 6 cyl motor (used in Jeeps).

 

go with a 55-57 Chevy wagon. lot of parts are still out there

 

How about a 62-65 Nova/Chevy2/Acadian wagon? I've had my Acadian for about 5 yrs and I couldn't be happier with it! Easy to work on, and parts are not expensive or that hard to get.

 

I bought my first American wagon last year , I got a 63 country sedan and its fantastic. I have only built and tuned lambretta's up to now but so far I have replaced floorpans and carpets, stripped ,repaired and refitted all exterior trim and power steering parts. Had a total respray inc all windows removed and refitted. Fitted air suspension .Plenty more to do but it's a jaw dropper over here. Go ford or Chevy its easy to get parts

 

buy something you can get your money out of if you don't like it...

 

Go with something you like, but find a fairly complete, solid, starting point. With the members here, parts will not be impossible to find for most anything!

---John

 

I saw a beautiful 1960 Studebaker 2 Dr Lark Wagon in Panama City. Chevy drive train with air.

 

ill be honest, the 1954 chevy wagon is the best wagon ever. ive been looking for one in my price range..not easy. want it so bad

 

elba beat me to it. Studebaker Lark wagon. They are short and kool.They are around, still parts to be found. You could be lucky to stir one up complete at a estate sale.

 

YES! and if you smack your buddy on the back while his eyes are crossed they'll stay like that forever!

If you pick up one of Mopars long roofs it only gets "real" expensive listening to all the doom and gloom bullshit from the GM people.

 

My old Checker wagon and I have been together for 34 years. Wow, hard to believe it yet it is true. We've been through .. raising a family, four dogs, five houses, countless horses, heads of cattle and cats. We have journeyed through poverty, adventure, prosperity, love, adventure, hard times, (did I mention adventure?) security, terror and peace.

I was a body man/painter back in the 70s. I repaired a Checker that had been involved in a wreck. I was so impressed with the strength of the Checker that I kept an eye open for a clean, rust free candidate for a daily driver.

What I appreciate about Checker Motor Co. cars was the ability to build what you wanted. Meaning, the original owner of my wagon requested a 350 Chevy engine, Borg Warner Dual range automatic transmission, Dana rear axle, GM alternator yet Ford regulator and AMC wiper motor. The front suspension is basically 58 Ford. Every mechanical component is available at most auto parts stores. With minor exceptions, every body part interchanges from 1958 to 1981.

I happened across my car while I was living in Arizona. It is as rust free and as solid as new. I don't drive it in Ohio's winter because of salt. I'm guessing that I put around 300,000 miles on it but I haven't been driving it as much as I used to.

I can't tell you how many cars that I have owned in 34 years. I can say that I have had cars worthy of envy. Yet, this is the one that I will not turn loose.

Here is what I find interesting; throughout the past 34 years, every car guy that I have known has only been interested in a 2 door whatever. Yet when it was time to pile into a car for a road trip, long or short, the Checker was the top choice.

I suppose there are a couple of morals to this story,
Drive what you want to drive.
Drive what you can maintain, mechanically.
Drive something that makes sense to you and your family.


All the best,
Dale
Cleveland OH

 

Hay Newbie, Just found you a 4dr 54 Chevy wagon. You will have to research though. Go to my forum thread "Billetproof Florida Today" Scroll to post #53 by Choptop. In The last half of all his photos, He caught a few photos of the 54 and it was For Sale. There was some other nice wagons also. The turn out was 300 cars and he shot most if not all of them. Have fun.

 

Hay pride63, Quick Highjack. I got a Lambretta!

 

those lark wagons are cool...