Amazingly, I have been given the chance to put my crayon box on the pedestal. I'm not one for long posts, but will do my best.
While I have always like Wagons, I have only had 1 so far. My auto journey started with F bodies. 1st (1995) was a 69 Camaro (sorry no digital pics) followed (1996)by an 89 Trans Am (no pics).
I then progressed (2000) to a 1992 Trans Am, WS6, 5 speed, blah blah.
Found out that while the car was in Jersey the original engine was killed and replaced by a TBI long block. So out it came and I built an overbored 350 for it with a bunch of go fast goodies. In this pic you can glimpse the 69's stripped down shell sitting in the garage.. It was sold so I could buy a set of SLP headers for the bird. Still hate myself.
Sold the Trans Am (2004) and started driving an F250. Slapped some flat black on it and went a little crazy putting an engine into it.
Eventually the rear blew out (2007) so I sold the truck so that I could buy a mid 90's Monte Carlo. While looking at the Monte, I noticed a big red car sitting in the back. A 1992 Caprice sedan, I remember liking these big beasts when they debuted. Changed my mind on the Monte and stayed true to my RWD V8 roots.
Burnouts in the street and driveway, that truck was fun
The sedan was a zero optioned base model with a 305......I still loved it. Eventually, it became flat black and I did a ton of work to it. Complete suspension/brake build. The flat paint cam about after I bought a 95 sedan with no title. Bought the car to part out and was amazed to find it completely rust free when it arrived ( got it from CL without ever looking at it)
Swapped some parts onto my 92 and put the rest in the garage.
Then came the flat black, my friends give me hell because my last few cars have not kept their factory finish. Also swapped in an LTZ dash to eliminate the generic base unit.
The car got fixed up because I felt bad for what I did to it in summer 2009.
The new car deal fell through and I got my clunker back. Eventually I sold the car to my brother when I lost my job. He beat on it, then sold it.
While I was driving home from work ion the sedan one day (2008) I saw the front of a Caprice sitting on a car lot. I got excited when I realized it was a wagon. Ever since I bought the sedan I wished it was a wagon. So, I went back and asked about it and we struck a deal. A few days later I brought my toy home. Driving the LT1 was amazing compared to the anemic TBI sedan. I however wasn't keen on the wood stickers and the wavy bumper.
In typical neglected used car fashion, she needed lots of TLC. Oil leaks, rough running, etc. After an extensive tune and repair work I was able to drive her. I really tried to like the stickers, hearing comments from co workers didn't help. So off they came, along with the wire hubcaps. I also tossed the flimsy after market front cover. The wagon was in a front end collision sometime before I got it.
Having never like the 94 mirrors and wishing my wagon was a 95, I turned my attention towards my pile of parts from the junked sedan. That also sealed the fate of the factory white paint. I also tossed the rusty Chinese hood and added yet another cover.
Later I swapped out the junk fenders and the car was on its way to becoming FB.
While I had the front clip apart, I did the dual horn swap and installed some Afterburner Headers and started my 2 1/2 inch exhaust system.
While doing the exhaust I installed a Trans Go shift kit and rebuilt the front end. I had big plans for the wagon since I had the sedan for a DD. Sadly, I lost my job and the sedan was sold. The wagon became a DD and the dreams were shelved.
Later when things got better, I brought the dreams back and started on the interior. Did an overhead console install. With plans to do the headliner later.
Then I got a very good deal on a complete floorshift/console setup from a 96 Impala. To good to refuse. While that was being installed, I decided to install new carpet.
When I pulled the old carpet, I made a bad discovery.
I was aware the car had some rust issues but had never fully investigated them. When I got the car jacked up and removed the back wheels my heart sank. The wheel wells were swiss cheese and letting water get in. I also finally found the entry point of the water into the driver quarter.
Sadly, it was discovered years to late. There is a one gallon can of Bondo Hair in the wheel wells and driver quarter combined. Eventually, I finished the console install.
Bummed by the rot, once again shelved the dreams, but wanted to maintain my DD. Eventually we moved back into the city limits and I realized that turndowns were not gonna fly. So I decided to finish my exhaust system. Bought a set of XL3 Magnaflows through work and the mythical sedan OTA pipes that I was warned require "extensive" mods to fit. Put her on the lift at work to take on the project.
Turns out the only mods required are to cut the pipes where they run behind the fuel tank. We then took some pipe and bent them 90 degrees to clear the fuel tank. Ran them to the bumper. I went against the grain and bent the driver side to make them run true.
Once finished, I fired it up and my heart sank. These mufflers SUCK at full throttle. They are basically 90 dollar glasspacks. Thankfully I got a good discount on them. They will be coming off once the funds allow it. Therefore the exhaust isn't finished while I decide whether to keep full tails or turn out at the wheels.
Because of the wagons rot issues, bubbly d pillars, wheel wells, etc, it will never be more than a Daily Driver. While I continue maintenance, she gets used as GM intended and it shows. I have enjoyed every scratch, tear and ding she gets and it is the best car I have owned. Hauls the family, lumber and ASS.
This picture, after installation of cargo coils, is the most up to date photo I have.
Thanks for reading my boring attempt at a story
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