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The engine compartment was intact. Note the disconnected heater core. There was a mouse nest between the distributor and the carburetor. The thoughtful critters built their home around the wiring harness and then used the harness as dental floss. There is also a wasp nest in the center of the generator pulley. At least all the hose clamps were the original style. | The driver's side rear quarter panel is solid, as is the tailgate. Also note that somebody installed the tailgate bumpers upside down. | It's interesting to see a vehicle with no radio and no lighter, sporting a clock. Then again, it's interesting to find a base line Suburban with Sportone trim and a 318. Note the dash-mounted "add-on ventilation system." The floor initially appeared to be solid, but sections of it lifted out with the floor mat when I started removing the interior. I also found a November 22, 1973 Dallas newspaper under the front seat. It featured an article commemorating the tenth anniversary of President Kennedy's assassination. | This view shows the rust in the lower rear quarter panel and the rocker panel. A dent in the upper section of the door skin is also evident. Note the Sportone trim. |
A previous owner apparently started body work by sanding off the paint, exposing the bare metal and then abandoning the project. The front fenders were rusted far worse than the rest of the vehicle. As it turned out, this wagon may have been in a collision. The front fenders were originally green and the rust around the headlights was poorly patched. When you take into consideration that this wagon was last registered in 1974, it seems surprising that a more solid set of used fenders couldn't have been located. | This is how the two door wagon appeared before leaving Texas for Nevada. Needless to say, it wasn't driven here under its own power. | About four years ago, our daughter's Brownie troop did a '50s theme "sock hop." Tracie wanted to pose Karla with the wagon. I initially protested, explaining that the "poodle skirt" era was pretty much over by the time the '59s hit the street. I have to admit, however, Karla does look rather cute posing with the blue beast. Too bad we didn't have a '57 or '58 Plymouth handy for this shot...(there I go again....) | Sort of looks like the wagon is inspecting its new living quarters. There is room to expand the garage and add shop space. This photo, along with the previous two, were taken in late January. Oh, the GMC belongs to Tracie's parents and the Toyota belongs to our realtor. |
As noted before, the original spare tire cover had been lying on the ground, within reach of the sprinkler system, for nearly a decade (before I bought the car.) I knew it would eventually have to be replaced. Roger Howard spotted a good one at Newburg Auto Salvage in Oregon. He sent me some photos and I called the yard and had them send it down, along with other odds and ends. I initially decided to set it aside until the wagon needed another repaint, but the old one rusted so quickly that I was afraid it would fall off and bounce off the pavement into the windshield of a vehicle following me. So I installed the replacement about a year ago. Seeing it gives me extra incentive to get some body work and a repainting done soon! | This is the house we bought during February, 2004. Over the years,the wagon has become something of a "neighborhood mascot" (in the area around our previous home.) Most people around there were used to seeing it plying the neighborhood streets. Once we moved into the "new" house, the gawking and questions started again. The most common questions are "Does it have a Hemi?" and "Can I see your push buttom transmission?" I have to disappoint admirers on both counts. | My '58 parts wagon. This photo was taken by the previous owner (Brandon Frame) before he finished removing the parts he wanted to keep or sell. That included, among other things, the luggage rack, side trim, power steering column and box. But it was worth it for the glass, rear axle and other components. | The recently acquired '59 parts wagon leaving for Las Vegas from Roger's place in Burien, Washington. |
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