I would like to thank the members of the Academy, my co-star Unnamed Wagon, and all the endless dollars that it took to satisfy her looks. The only thing I have ever been selected for in my life until this honor was the draft in 1971. That honor led to 20 some years of a perfect relationship. I trust my wagon fares this well over time.
Reading over past LROM nominees writings for some direction and thread of commonality that I could capitalize on. I came to the realization that I am an anomaly, a pariah as an owner. My wagon, my only saving grace in the walk of the Longroof.
When I started to refurbish some of the Roadmaster, it was this forum's members posts that provided instruction and recommendations. As well, the minor modifications I made were made easy through this forums membership. I was always able to find accurate guidance.
My Unnamed Wagon came to me in August 2013 through a Minnesota used car dealer that receives autos wholesale from a partner in California. It is a 1994 model with 51,700 miles, two owner car from northern California. I paid $2425.00 for it, and trailed it home to Wisconsin. It has zero rust anywhere on the body as well as the under carriage. When I picked it up it had a transmission problem so I had the transmission rebuilt before it went in storage for the year.
The paint although original was faded on the bumper covers and the hood. I tried my hand at painting those areas and it turned out okay after much turmoil and falling off the learning curve. There also was a minor dent in one of the rear doors that I did some body work on. It too turned out acceptable.
Over the course of it's shop storage this past winter in addition to the repaint, I refurbished the interior door panels, replaced the drivers seat with a donor passenger seat and added a console from a Chevrolet Blazer. The front and rear speakers were replaced with some quality components, and I added blue leds for effect. Overboard maybe, but the grand kids think it is cool.
The headliner was sagging a tad in the rear so I replaced the fabric with a fawn suede. It contrasts nicely with the interior trim. Taking caution directions from the forum I managed not to break the huge headliner both on removal and re-installation.
The Pass Key light was constantly on and was fixed from information on the forum. No heat caused me to remove the heater core and run it through my ultrasonic tank, problem solved. As the coolant was brown, I also replaced the radiator. While there I replaced the oil cooler lines.
The exhaust system is original but I wanted a little burble in it's breath so I replaced the mufflers with a set of aftermarket mufflers. Much better. While it was on jack stands I replaced front brakes, front suspension bushings, and added a rear sway bar from Ford Crown Victoria. Shocks were replaced all around with KYB gas adjust shocks.
On the exterior I removed all the wood surround trim as it was peeling. After removing the vinyl on the trim I painted it a dark grey metallic color to contrast with the wood replacement vinyl I chose. The vinyl chosen was a 3M 1080 Brushed Titanium. I like the contrast with the dark cherry car color. Wheels and tires were added to complete the looks.
We drove the car for the first time this July when the grand kids came to visit. They were in heaven riding in the rear facing seat. Finally Grampa was somewhat cool to them. The Roadmaster is a pleasure to drive and I just can't get over the feel of floating down the highway. The grand kids are gone and the Roadmaster has amassed a whopping 209 more miles than it had a year ago when I got it. It hasn't been driven in the rain so it should be in the same condition underneath as it was when it left the shop in July. Now it is close to the time for it to go back in the garage. This wagon is only the second wagon I have ever owned. The first being a 1972 Torino Woody in a bronze color. That car has good memories for us as our brood was young and the wagon ample for them.
I am thankful I stumbled across this forum and decided to buy a Roadmaster wagon as my winter project. I was and am so impressed with this body/engine combination that I got a 96 Fleetwood for this coming winters project. I had to get the same dark cherry color so that it would match the wagon. Thanks to this forum for sparking the interest, providing good advice and support, and allowing me the opportunity to display my Unnamed Wagon. Following are a few pictures of my wagon.
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Sun Aug 31, 2014 8:55 pm
