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Post by hotrodprimer on Apr 3, 2011 20:05:17 GMT -5
Some day in the future I hope to use this wagon to tow a nice old Shasta,, It's a 1954 Ford "Ranch Wagon" and has been a member of my wife's family since it was new. This car was purchased new by my wife's grandmother and used in her flower shop business until it was replaced by a VW van. Then my father-in-law used it as a camping/hunting/fishing car. Then we got our hands on it and it ended up sitting in the barn for over 20 years. I have been working on this car on and off for 8 years now and hopefully I can wrap it up by the end of this year. If your interested there is a comprehensive collection of deconstruction and repair photos along with some information on the repairs up to date. public.fotki.com/hotrodprimer/hotrodprimer-1/
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Post by mary1960 on Apr 3, 2011 20:12:37 GMT -5
OMG that is such a fabulous old car ... you've done such a superb job renovating it too ... I can see it towing a shasta with the accent color that same green ... that would be a show stopper at the rallys for sure! My grandparents had a cool old station wagon too but I don't think it was that cool ... it's long gone anyway so I'll just live vicariously through you. Just for fun, what's the tank size and MPG?
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Post by hotrodprimer on Apr 3, 2011 20:43:59 GMT -5
Thank you Mary,,I really don't have a clue as to what the MPG will be and the wagon has the original gas tank,,I believe it is 10 to 12 gallon.
The car originally had a inline six and 3 on the tree,but be being a rambunctious child of the 60's I had to have a little more power and better brakes,,so a mustang gave it's V8 and 5-speed transmission for the cause,,along with disc brakes.
I don't anticipate having any problems pulling a trailer and with disc brakes up front and the big station wagon drum brakes on the rear ,,stopping shouldn't be a problem at all! ;D
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Post by mary1960 on Apr 3, 2011 20:52:35 GMT -5
*lol* ... more power, more power! I used to know a guy who used nitrous in his camaro so I'm well versed in the the speed/power thing. Funny story, I got pulled over in the late 70s for "reckless driving" because supposedly I was burning rubber in the McDonald's parking lot (our hang out). Well ... the case was laughed out of court because I drove a 1979 V4 automatic Ford Pinto ... it barely had enough power to run the A/C and go forward at the same time.
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Post by 61shastacompact on Apr 3, 2011 21:16:09 GMT -5
Beautiful wagon and I love the family history that goes with it. Lots of future memories to be made.
Jim
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safetybruce
2K Post Member
Miss Alabama 1961
Posts: 2,547
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Post by safetybruce on Apr 3, 2011 21:20:26 GMT -5
Super tow car...I agree with Mary you almost have to paint your camper to match it!
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Post by hotrodprimer on Apr 3, 2011 21:25:57 GMT -5
Thank you Jim,,another part of the story is that when my wife and I were dating her grandmother let us drive it around some on the weekends,,I've always like that old car. I was a lot younger the last time I drove it!
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Post by hotrodprimer on Apr 3, 2011 21:29:14 GMT -5
Super tow car...I agree with Mary you almost have to paint your camper to match it! That Sir is exactly what I would like to do,,I just gotta find the right old Shasta.
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Post by Atomic Addiction on Apr 4, 2011 4:28:30 GMT -5
That is one damn fine car. Nice metal work. I love the color combo. Very classy. What is the plan for the interior? Repop seat covers? Custom vinyl or leather? Fabric? I am curious! The family history of the car is great. That is the real deal. I have a real thing for wagons if you couldn't tell. I will own one one day. My plan is to get one running with the purpose of yanking the Shasta around. Again, some day. Are you a HAMB guy? I have been on and off there for years. I found this really rough '53 on there in my trolling for cars I can't afford... www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=528594Again. She is a beut! Brian
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Post by hotrodprimer on Apr 4, 2011 6:54:42 GMT -5
That is one damn fine car. Nice metal work. I love the color combo. Very classy. What is the plan for the interior? Repop seat covers? Custom vinyl or leather? Fabric? I am curious! The family history of the car is great. That is the real deal. I have a real thing for wagons if you couldn't tell. I will own one one day. My plan is to get one running with the purpose of yanking the Shasta around. Again, some day. Are you a HAMB guy? I have been on and off there for years. I found this really rough '53 on there in my trolling for cars I can't afford... www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=528594Again. She is a beut! Brian Thank you Brian, this is not my first ground up build but probably the most involved considering all the patch panel work. The plan from the beginning is to keep the body basically stock looking and slightly modifying the dash area to accommodate gauges instead of idiot lights and heat and air vents but agian making it look almost stock to the untrained eye. The interior,hopefully will be more of a 50's retro style,,smooth green Pleather (artificial leather) around the border of the seat's and cream roll & pleat inserts,green carpet. My love for old cars runs deep,,my first car was an old '54 Ford sedan,so this car is just a continuation of that spark. And yes,,I'm a Hamber,same name there as here,,I think all the projects there finally inspired me to tackle the wagon,,I mean,how much could it cost,I started with a free project. I am also the lead moderator on the '54 Ford Club of America board. The '53 Ford wagon you are looking at is almost identical to the '54 with the exception of some grill pieces and emblems,,the dash is a little different and the front suspension is different,,and that was the last year for the Flathead.and the price is right on that wagon is right.
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Post by sparkle on Apr 4, 2011 11:50:18 GMT -5
What a gorgeous car! While I don't know of your wife's grandmother is still living, but I'm sure she is/would be tickled at the outcome of your labor@
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Post by hotrodprimer on Apr 4, 2011 14:34:00 GMT -5
What a gorgeous car! While I don't know of your wife's grandmother is still living, but I'm sure she is/would be tickled at the outcome of your labor@ Momma Jessie,the original owner,died many years ago and so has my wife's parents,,my father-in-law lived long enough to see the major progress completed but passed away just before it was painted,,,he liked it a lot! He kept trying to get me to paint it red,,he loved red cars and to my knowledge never owned one,,
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safetybruce
2K Post Member
Miss Alabama 1961
Posts: 2,547
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Post by safetybruce on Apr 4, 2011 15:08:22 GMT -5
You said you were a lot younger the last time you drove her...I believe the first time you take it out and put a few miles on her you are going to feel a lot younger all over again!! Love that wagon and the exceptional work you have done to her!!
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Post by hotrodprimer on Apr 4, 2011 18:03:48 GMT -5
You got that right,,I don't think a side grinder could remove the grin! ;D
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Post by Shutzee on Apr 8, 2011 21:14:29 GMT -5
I ran across this while browsing the Mash. Looks like the exact same wagon as yours with a matching camper/boat. sacramento.craigslist.org/rvs/2308734214.htmlI am attaching the photo of the ensemble. How cool is that? Attachments:
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Post by hotrodprimer on Apr 9, 2011 7:07:59 GMT -5
The photo that shows the Ford wagon and the Kom Pac trailer sold on Barrett Jackson not to long ago. I am very familiar with the Kom-Pac trailers and were popular with the camping/outdoors-men in the 50's and early 60's. Early on I was on the quest to find and old one and restore it but they are a lot smaller than what I need so I have past on a couple of them. They were patterned to resemble the aft end of the 52-54 Ford wagons/Courrier(Sedan Deliverys) and as for the sellers claim on Craig's list that only 14 were made is a great exaggeration. When the boat is removed there is a canvas top the keeps the occupants dry when the boat is in use. Incidentally,the Kom Pac style campers are being produced today under the name of car-twin-trailers.
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Post by diamondrelics on Apr 9, 2011 8:36:33 GMT -5
That trailer was positioned across from my booth at the Early Ford V8 swap meet last year. It was cool to look at but too claustriphobic for me. It would look great behing the old Ford wagon but a Shasta would still look better...
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safetybruce
2K Post Member
Miss Alabama 1961
Posts: 2,547
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Post by safetybruce on Apr 9, 2011 10:15:02 GMT -5
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Post by mary1960 on Apr 9, 2011 10:17:48 GMT -5
Whoa Bruce ... nice find!! Hodrodprimer ... it's fate!
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Post by roothawg on Apr 29, 2011 21:17:59 GMT -5
HRP is my hero. His stuff rules.
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safetybruce
2K Post Member
Miss Alabama 1961
Posts: 2,547
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Post by safetybruce on Apr 30, 2011 1:17:43 GMT -5
Ran across an ad yesterday that must have been from the same era as the Ford boat trailer. It was a Nomad that had a boat hull that a tent attached to so you could pull it and set it up to camp and still take the boat out on the lake. Unfortunately it appears I don't have the right Adobe Reader version to pull and post pics in my replies. I'll try and find the ad anyway and put in one of my photobucket albums for later when I get the right adobe version. Along with the TowRow camper that makes at least three manufactured combos I have seen so far..
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Post by hotrodprimer on May 1, 2011 13:00:35 GMT -5
HRP is my hero. His stuff rules. Thank you buddy,,but you done gone and made me blush! ;D
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Post by hotrodprimer on Oct 23, 2011 8:49:04 GMT -5
I haven't fallen off the face of the earth and I'm still looking for the right camper but I am still working on the wagon,,even if I do locate the camper of my dreams and I purchase it,,,,it will have to wait in line. I did roll the wagon out and load it up for a trip for the upholstery & glass.
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Post by hotrodprimer on Jan 3, 2012 9:32:38 GMT -5
All glass has been installed except the windshield and I finally got the material for the interior,, I also had some T-Shirts made for my wife for a Christmas Gift,,I used the wagon that originally belonged to her grandmother and was used with her flower shop and incorporated it as part of the logo for Brenda's flower shop.
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Post by hotrodprimer on Feb 7, 2012 22:50:57 GMT -5
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Post by hotrodprimer on Mar 9, 2012 9:27:20 GMT -5
I am starting to see light at the end of the tunnel,,I just pray it ain't another train coming! ;D Wrapping up the interior,,
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Post by dawgpound on Mar 9, 2012 16:43:25 GMT -5
WOW, What a beautiful ride! You have done an amazing job!
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Post by harrison429 on Mar 9, 2012 20:16:10 GMT -5
Oh My Goodness!!! How Awesome is That?!!! You've done an amazing job...I'd so love to tow my pink Compact with a beauty like that.
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Post by hotrodprimer on Mar 25, 2012 8:07:26 GMT -5
Well,I am happy to report that the "Ranch Wagon" is no longer static automotive art but is now a running driving car. I was able to take it for a spin yesterday andI am elated with the way it drives. Photo's?,,I thought you would never ask! ;D Now it's time to get serious about finding that right Shasta.
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Post by harrison429 on Mar 25, 2012 18:51:45 GMT -5
I am so in love with your wagon...how big/long is it? I may have to start hunting for one of my own...blissful sigh
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