October 2010 LROM

I am pleased to have the honor of LROM for October, which works out great being I bought both off my wagons around now! Heres the tale of my 2 wagons.
The earliest I can remember my first encounter with these awesome wagons was probably about 10 years ago when I saw one at the grocery store. I went with my parents grocery shopping and we pulled in next to a woody RMW. I commented on the name something like “Roadmaster?? More like RoadMONSTER!” I didn’t know it at the time but the seed had been planted in me to buy one of these beasts some day.

In July of 2007 I got the itch to own one of these cars. I don’t know what exactly sparked this, maybe being bored with my Sebring, but I needed to find one. I knew very little about them, but decided it had to be an LT1 wagon. I found one at a fly by night used car dealer the next town over and had to go see it. It was at a small dumpy dealer that appeared in what use to be a drakes cakes outlet store next to where I went for my computer training. It was a 95 DGGM Woody Roady with about 130k on it. They were asking $3k. I took it out for a ride and instantly fell in love with the car. The space, the power! I decided I wanted it, but had to find some money to buy it. A couple days went by, saw that car on ebay, and the auction closed for more than the sticker price. Missed out on that one.

A few months later I cam across a deal in the local classifieds for a 95 DCM Roady with red interior and 87k on it for $1500. All it needed was an AC compressor and a good washing as it had been sitting for 2 years. It was part of an estate of someone he know, so the paper work was a mess. The seller had bought the car to rip the engine and trans out of for another project, but decided he could not scrap “such a beautiful car”. I made a deal with him for the car, partial trade of my old laptop, and $1200 cash. Because he had it so long unregistered some papers from the probate court expired and it took a good month to get it registered. I finally got it registered after much waiting, and it was the greatest feeling. Drove her home, washed the windows and drove it to work the next day. I finally got my first B-body wagon, and loved it! This car became my DD due to my brother getting a job and using my sebring. All this wagon ever needed was an AC compressor and regular maintenance. To this day the RMW is the best car I ever owned.

My RMW as I found it in 2007


The Roady after a good cleaning in 2007



And the new tires on the Roady (this year, the wood trim needs work)

I had some newer pics of the car, but they did not come out too well.


Fast forward 2 years. I got the itch again for another wagon. After weeks of searching craigslist daily I found a 95 LDM Caprice parts car for $500. Some of you might remember me asking about It last year if you guys thought it was worth buying. 194k miles, 80k on its second engine, and a bad transmission. I took a look at it that day. I took my RMW and when I pulled into the seller’s driveway I parked behind my RMW’s twin, a 95 DCM woody. The guy just bought it to replace his broken Caprice. I looked the car over and immediately noticed the crank windows and vinyl seats.. Looked at the RPO and found it to be a 1A2! I was pretty much sold on it at that point. Car ran OK, had a miss, and reverse was gone. The body and frame were solid, not rusty. Put down a down payment and headed off to NJ for a swap meet I was going to that weekend. As luck would have it I found a transmission out of a wrecked 96 SS with only 6k on it for $100. Has been sitting in a basement for 13 years. I don’t even own the car yet and already got parts for it. I took the chance and bought it. That week I picked up the car, registered it and fixed the misfire (loose spark plug due to a lazy mechanic). I got some help from a friend installing the transmission and was in business.

The Caprice as I found it last year



A tow into the garage with some help


The Caprice receiving its "new" tranny


The Caprice before WF this year


At WF this year


And my "fleet" from above


That’s my long winded tale of my 2 wagons. Both of them have made It to wagonfest at least once. I can’t help but wonder whats next, you can NEVER have enough wagons!

Nice story,. decent cars for decent prices,.

Quote :

I can’t help but wonder whats next, you can NEVER have enough wagons!

well i think a nice flamed black car would be a great addition to your fleet,.nice lt1 shift kit, impala ss buckets and floor shifter,. ss rims, so much new stuff i forget,.

Nick

Nice write up. as you know I have a soft spot for 1A2s .....ah my first wagon, I miss her....

So how many balloons did you tie to the camera to get the aerial shot???

Sprocket wrote:

Nice write up. as you know I have a soft spot for 1A2s .....ah my first wagon, I miss her....

So how many balloons did you tie to the camera to get the aerial shot???

LOL, I was on the roof cleaning gutters and noticed the opportunity for an awesome photo.

Nice wagons. I am glad you posted that picture of the wide white wall.

I remember when you first got them and I was going to have to go looking for it to ask about them.

What make are they again? thanks Lorne.

Looks and sounds like you have the affliction known as "Wagon Fever".Interesting story too and that looks to be a pretty rare Caprice wagon because
I have never seen one with optional rear mounted lawn tractor.Just starting out and you already have 2 LT-1s so I am kinda jealous.
Take Care
Jim Gordon

I have noticed that the cheapest way to buy one of these LT1 wagons is to buy one with a broken transmission for $1000 or less, then buy a good used 4L60E separately for $500 or less, then combine them.

BTW, if you ever need to sell that DCM woody, just gimme a ring...

sherlock9c1 wrote:

I have noticed that the cheapest way to buy one of these LT1 wagons is to buy one with a broken transmission for $1000 or less, then buy a good used 4L60E separately for $500 or less, then combine them.

BTW, if you ever need to sell that DCM woody, just gimme a ring...

Sorry Joel, of all the cars I own the DCM woody is the very last car I would ever sell.

Very cool write-up and awesome cars. I love the pics!

Great story Dave! Like you, I like searching for the needle in the haystack. You found two of them, one for $1200 and an old computer and the $500 one. You can find the $3500 to $4500 one's all day long, but there are ones just as good for a lot less.

Tom C.

Ever since my car was parked near your LDM at WF I loved it, awesome color, nice interior, plus its a 1A2. Awesome story to boot.

Btw, if you ever want to get rid of the LDM... only half joking, thats a great/rare car.

Thanks for all the comments guys!

lornejay1 wrote:

Nice wagons. I am glad you posted that picture of the wide white wall.

I remember when you first got them and I was going to have to go looking for it to ask about them.

What make are they again? thanks Lorne.

They are Champiro GT I bought off ebay last year. Heres a link to the guy I bought them from. They ride great, I'm very happy with them.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180566907281&crlp=1_263602_304652&ff4=263602_304652&viewitem=&guid=538816b61290a0b452d2da12fff3edba&hlp=false&rvr_id=151465308982&ua=M*F%3F&itemid=180566907281

nice to see what you did with these cars and saved an other Cappy wagon from the scrap heap.

Great story...and you really brought that DCM Roady up to shape!

Chris