poconos_power
Active Member
Yesterday I just wrapped up a 10 day roadtrip that started in Nashville and ended in the Poconos back at my home base. The vehicle of choice, my new (to me) 1968 Coronet wagon. Managed to combine 3 desires on this one. A) do the bourbon trail and bring a bunch home B) buy a new car C) have a wagon.
Got it from a place and had it shipped down to meet me in Nashville. Of course they told me it'd be good for the roadtrip I had planned, but they lied. All good though, still made it by patching it together every morning. The good news is the car is a good starting point for something fun. Bought it without seeing it in person, and they showed me just the right pics of what I was asking about that everything looked fine.
I've got a clean rust free body, did a lot of examining and can't find any significant filler. There was rust underneath and it has been somewhat addressed. The spare tire well had been fiberglass over long ago as it rusted out likely before repro panels were a thing. One small issue though, the driver side front frame rail has significant serious rust in the typical spot, but I didn't bother to check until well into the journey. So I'm going to need to have that addressed. The 4 wheel manual drums and failing master cylnder was fun going over the Appalachian range with, but slow and steady did it. The stock 318 is tired, and the auto trans is probably scrap metal, likely along with the steering box that was loose as hell. At least I replaced the dry rotted tires.
Meanwhile, the aftermarket stereo worked fine, and the tailgate works! What else do you need for a trip? Now that I'm back, I think my next move is to replace the engine and trans, check out the rear. I live up a mountain so I need to go up a 7% grade at faster than 15mph in first (though 1000lbs less bourbon may help). Basically it's un-drivable until address brakes, frame rail rust, and drivetrain overall. So a fun new project ahead.
I understand that the 68/69 wagons share some weird overlap with 66/67 coronets. Does anyone have a simple breakdown of what I need to know to begin looking for the right parts (weather strip, cat whisker, door parts, etc)?
Got it from a place and had it shipped down to meet me in Nashville. Of course they told me it'd be good for the roadtrip I had planned, but they lied. All good though, still made it by patching it together every morning. The good news is the car is a good starting point for something fun. Bought it without seeing it in person, and they showed me just the right pics of what I was asking about that everything looked fine.
I've got a clean rust free body, did a lot of examining and can't find any significant filler. There was rust underneath and it has been somewhat addressed. The spare tire well had been fiberglass over long ago as it rusted out likely before repro panels were a thing. One small issue though, the driver side front frame rail has significant serious rust in the typical spot, but I didn't bother to check until well into the journey. So I'm going to need to have that addressed. The 4 wheel manual drums and failing master cylnder was fun going over the Appalachian range with, but slow and steady did it. The stock 318 is tired, and the auto trans is probably scrap metal, likely along with the steering box that was loose as hell. At least I replaced the dry rotted tires.
Meanwhile, the aftermarket stereo worked fine, and the tailgate works! What else do you need for a trip? Now that I'm back, I think my next move is to replace the engine and trans, check out the rear. I live up a mountain so I need to go up a 7% grade at faster than 15mph in first (though 1000lbs less bourbon may help). Basically it's un-drivable until address brakes, frame rail rust, and drivetrain overall. So a fun new project ahead.
I understand that the 68/69 wagons share some weird overlap with 66/67 coronets. Does anyone have a simple breakdown of what I need to know to begin looking for the right parts (weather strip, cat whisker, door parts, etc)?
