New member from Central Florida

Hi Everyone,

I recently purchased a 1995 Roadmaster Wagon that was customized by the previous owners. I plan to finish the work that was started and use the car as a show/shop vehicle.

The car is already bagged and on 22's. The car need a few minor things taken care of but the big thing I really want is to get the wood back on the side of the car.

Anyhow here it it on the ride home the other day:

Welcome to the forum!!!! That is Klez'z old wagon. I know (or knew) it well.

Thanks for the response. I guess this is a small world. Shall I assume Klez is (was) a member here?

Correct.

... and welcome to the forum. we have several other Florida members here. hopefully they introduce themselves.

There is a spring meet coming up inthe spring. look for Wagonfest 2015 postings.

Before you get wood... have you considered a two tone paint job?

Yes,  I plan to attend the spring meet at Daytona.  I live just 70 miles away so I will commute.

I really like the wood sides.  Reminds me of riding around with Grandpa when I was a kid.

I don't plan on tracking down and reinstalling all of the trim.  Instead I will approach the border of the wood panel with vinyl like Nash did over in ISSF:





Hopefully he is of the mindset that imitation is the best form of flattery! I love the look of this wagon and being that we will use this as a beach cruiser it will fit in perfectly.

What I need to find is a front bumper cover and grille for the RMW that is in good shape and somewhat local to me so shipping isn't a killer.

Three here with no wood loving it,,,, Jeff

Welcome aboard and congrats on picking up that wagon. I've always liked it. If it still has the red plastic cover on the left side just in front of the tailgate, you're welcome, I gave it to the guy who bought the car from Klez (not the guy you got it from though, he's the 2nd owner from Klez (who built it). I know those two, both Latin guys from Miami.

When Alan bought it that cover was missing and I had just scored a nice one (now in Grimace up in Jax) and gave Alan the old one as it was scruffy. He was going to paint it and use it, but I never saw the result.

Anyway, glad to see it still making the rounds, and welcome aboard!

Thanks for the history on the car.

I didn't notice the red cover. Must have gotten it painted.

I've been having a blast riding around in it and already made use of the cargo carrying capabilities.

Now I need to play find the leaks in the air suspension system. Only had it a few days and that's already making me insane. Once that is figured out I will get some shock absorbers on it.

Welcome. Great looking ride look forward to see more updates.

Here it is at home.

I've called a couple of body shops in the area to get the fenders and the rusty spot above the windshield taken care of but can't even get return phone calls. Go figure. I guess business must be just that good.

Ken, It's not that "business is good", it's more that you are not an insurance job. With the insurance jobs, the body shops charge list for ALL of the possible parts (panels, nuts, bolts, clips, etc) that they get for wholesale, plus the cost for labor and paint supplies.

When you come in wanting just to "fix" the panel and paint, the profit margin just isn't there.

As an example, it is cheaper to you for me to repair a cracked bumper, but my profit margin is higher if I replace it. Guess which I will push?

I definitely understand the replace vs rework as I do the same in my business.

However, in my post I forgot to mention I want to paint the whole car not just do it piecemeal.

Just like everything else I get involved in, I will probably have to end up doing it myself even though I don't have the time.

Welcome Ken,thats still a good looking wagon.

Ken you may want to consider getting a fender off a caprice sedan, wagon, or Roadie wagon in the JY. As that one has had all the molding tits shaved off it, a Caprice one would be best (all are the same shape). Just not a Buick Sedan, those are a different shape.

As you are going to paint it...I've bought one for about 50 bucks before with the fender well in it.

Cool thanks for the input. I've also seen new ones as cheap as $130 delivered.

Been driving this thing quite a bit and it is turning out to be my car of choice. Even the wife and daughter are getting used to it.

So far trips to dinner, the mall and hauling stuff down to my offsite storage is about it but each trip is a small event.

I do need to address the lack of shock absorbers up front and deal with the air suspension leaks but have been too busy with work and my home based business to do anything other than clean the windows and reglue the rearview mirror onto the windshield.

Just take your time and enjoy the work. Fixing them up is half the fun!

Going in to the body shop on Feb 9 for repair of the rust spot and a complete repaint. Going to do a solid champagne gold first.

I'm meeting with the vinyl graphics guy next week to get him lined up on the woodgrain look I want.

If all goes well she will be fresh and ready for wagonfest.

I figured I'd send an update on my progress. Here's the short list of what the car has gotten in the last six months:

New Paint
New Wheels
New Tires
New Suspension Bags
New Brakes
New Shocks
New Front Suspension and Steering Components
New AC Compressor

Next is the interior...

Here she is after a bunch of work.

Nice!   I'll look forward to seeing it in person, although I saw your CL ad too, lol

Yes,  My daughter wants me to keep it so I pulled the ad.  I'm going to finish the interior and drive it some more.  Problem is I have my sights set another wicked long roof (CTS-V) but this is vehicle number six for me and wifey won't let me get anything else until something goes.

Posting updated pics?

Yes.

Ken Wolkens wrote:

Yes,  My daughter wants me to keep it so I pulled the ad.  I'm going to finish the interior and drive it some more.  Problem is I have my sights set another wicked long roof (CTS-V) but this is vehicle number six for me and wifey won't let me get anything else until something goes.

Drive this one for awhile and. Wait for the V to drop more in price ;-). I have not. Been able to find anything that comes close to these cars for capacity/comfort/performance/coolness factor.