Project M - 1968 Bel Air Wagon

[Wicked]

Hey guys. I've been lerking for a while and now have my own new project.

A little background on the purpose of the new ride...

I have recently remarried. My wife had three of her own(7 yr old boy, 6 year old boy, and 4 year old girl) and I had a 4 yr old little girl. We could not all fit in either of our cars. She has a 2005 Mazda 6 and I have a 2001 Cobra Convertible.

So we are both car(old and new) lovers in general and I have wanted to build a pro-touring hotrod for some time. We decided an updated 60's wagon would be a far better family car for us then a modern minivan....it would be more fun and more affordable.

In December, my daughter Adaleigh tragically passed away but we wanted a wagons. We wanted there to always be anough room in the family car for Adaleigh.

I was favoring the Chevy, Pontiac, Buick, Olds wagons since the plan is to put in a LSX and 6-speed and build a twin turbo setup. The ultimate goal is a wagon that will be a daily driver capable of making 1000hp when needed...limited to 500hp for normal use.
The other advantage to the 60's GM models is the coil spring suspension on all four corners...make bagging it easier.

Anyway, I've frequented the site for a few months now and just now have something to add.

The car....

I found it on Facebook in Douglasville.

Its a 1968 Bel Air 6 passenger Wagon.
Overall in pretty good condition. I had to replace a oil pressure switch only two miles away from the previous owners house, but then drove 90 miles home.

There is a little rust but nothing to really be too concerned about.
Its a 327 4bbl, TH350, rally wheels. The engine was built 10,000 miles ago according to the seller. He had owned it for 7 years and it only had about 2 tanks of gas through it. Used it to drive the kids around the neighborhood. Unfortunately the last year of its life was sitting outside(previous 6 were in his garage). So, with the leaking weatherstripping, the floorpans will need to be addressed but I don't think they will necessarily need to be replaces...maybe just patched or POR'd.

My plan...and not necessarily in this order.

LS1(at some point this will be built to handle serious power).
T56
Air Ride
Big wheels(preferrably staggered diameters) and tires, possibly a minitub.
Custom twin turbo setup.

The ultimate goal is a 1000hp twin turbo streetcar. That goal, of course, will be achieved a few years down the road. But I'd like to have it twin'd within the next year or two.

I wanted a driver project so I wouldn't get burned out with constantly working on something I'd never even enjoyed. The idea is to only have the car down occasionally with time to enjoy it in between. This, I think, will turn out to be the perfect ride for me.
Its already enjoyable to drive, just needs a little sprucing up.

I've already cleaned up the interior a little and assessed the car.
I've installed door weatherstripping, have carpet on order, received my front end rebuild kit(BJ's, tierods, bushings), and have done a basic tune up.

I don't want to spend a lot of money on the current engine but want it to run as efficiently and reliably as possible.

Brad

Here are a few pics...including a photoshop of what it should basically look like when I'm done.

[Wicked]

...

[WILWAXU]

They're huge cars, but have a great look. Should be fun!

[twosaturns]

nice project. very sorry about your daughter.

[1360]

nice project. very sorry about your daughter.
(x2)

[Wicked]

Started to work on the front suspension this weekend only to find the looseness I felt was only wheel bearings. So I left the suspension alone and just repacked the bearings. I'll swap the suspension components when I pull the engine or when I do the airride....sometime further down the road.

I did receive my carpet in the mail, so I'm anxious to install it.
What I need ASAP is floor pans...at least the passenger side front.

I think I can save the drivers side, its still plenty solid. Kinda will depend on how expensive replacement pans are for this car.

Rear seat floor pans look great.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/04/CIMG7380-1.jpg (http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/stang5479/1968%20Bel%20Air%20Wagon/CIMG7380.jpg)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/04/CIMG7379-1.jpg (http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/stang5479/1968%20Bel%20Air%20Wagon/CIMG7379.jpg)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/04/CIMG7378-1.jpg (http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/stang5479/1968%20Bel%20Air%20Wagon/CIMG7378.jpg)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/04/CIMG7377-1.jpg (http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/stang5479/1968%20Bel%20Air%20Wagon/CIMG7377.jpg)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/04/CIMG7375-1.jpg (http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/stang5479/1968%20Bel%20Air%20Wagon/CIMG7375.jpg)

[pro-touringAK]

I'm really sorry for the loss of your daughter. I have two girls and a wife and have always thought a wagon would be a cool cruiser for the family. Good luck.

[Wicked]

Thanks man, I miss her everyday.

[Wicked]

Not a lot of pro-touring going on yet, but here's an update as to the restification.

New rear axle bears
New rear shoes, springs, wheel cylinders
New passenger front floor pan.
POR interior pans
NVH material installed
New Carpet
Seats Vinyl Dyed(painted) Black(more like charcoal).

Its looking good to me.
I'm hoping to order some Boss 338's and tires soon. Also looking for a motor and trans to swap in soon.

Enjoy.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/04/SANY3753-1.jpg (http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/stang5479/1968%20Bel%20Air%20Wagon/SANY3753.jpg)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/04/SANY3756-1.jpg (http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/stang5479/1968%20Bel%20Air%20Wagon/SANY3756.jpg)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/04/SANY3773-1.jpg (http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/stang5479/1968%20Bel%20Air%20Wagon/SANY3773.jpg)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/04/SANY3808-1.jpg (http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/stang5479/1968%20Bel%20Air%20Wagon/SANY3808.jpg)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/04/SANY3813-1.jpg (http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/stang5479/1968%20Bel%20Air%20Wagon/SANY3813.jpg)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/04/SANY3804-1.jpg (http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/stang5479/1968%20Bel%20Air%20Wagon/SANY3804.jpg)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/04/SANY3820-1.jpg (http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/stang5479/1968%20Bel%20Air%20Wagon/SANY3820.jpg)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/04/SANY3872-1.jpg (http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/stang5479/1968%20Bel%20Air%20Wagon/SANY3872.jpg)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/04/SANY3875-1.jpg (http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad351/stang5479/1968%20Bel%20Air%20Wagon/SANY3875.jpg)

[Wicked]

Photoshop with the Boss 338's.

[Scott Parkhurst]

The photoshop looks killer!

Cool wagon! It'll be great to see another one at the events. I'm considering starting up a 'wagonmasters' club for silly folks like us who actually race station wagons. Would you be into that?

My good friend just picked up a mid-'70s Malibu wagon that'll be getting an LS7/T56 swap as well. Maybe this PT Wagon thing is catching on..?

[Wicked]

The photoshop looks killer!

Cool wagon! It'll be great to see another one at the events. I'm considering starting up a 'wagonmasters' club for silly folks like us who actually race station wagons. Would you be into that?

My good friend just picked up a mid-'70s Malibu wagon that'll be getting an LS7/T56 swap as well. Maybe this PT Wagon thing is catching on..?

Would I be interested? Hah. Of course.
I'm also a member of the http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/ (http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/)
Its mostly station wagons geeks more than hotrodders, but still a good resource.

[Wicked]

The photoshop looks killer!

Cool wagon! It'll be great to see another one at the events. I'm considering starting up a 'wagonmasters' club for silly folks like us who actually race station wagons. Would you be into that?

My good friend just picked up a mid-'70s Malibu wagon that'll be getting an LS7/T56 swap as well. Maybe this PT Wagon thing is catching on..?

I'll check out your wagon from home....censors here at work.

Did you see my other pics? I can't see those either and can't tell if they posted correctly.

[68firebird]

Those wagons look badass, great choice, plus you just don't see many of them on the road, never mind seeing one pro-toured out!! sorry to hear about your daughter, I have a 4 year old girl and a 2 year old boy and I can't imagine anything like that.

[Wicked]

Thanks Rene.

[Scott Parkhurst]

I'll check out your wagon from home....censors here at work.

Did you see my other pics? I can't see those either and can't tell if they posted correctly.


Yes they look great!

[Wicked]

The car's been sitting for a little while. We've had two kids in and out of the hospital. One(Kevin, 6) had his tonsil and adnoids taken out and tube in his ears and the other(Colby 7) was in for two weeks for a tune up(he has Cystic Fybrosis).

Anyway, I sold the Buell and bought Coy C5's.

20x10 5.5bspc in the rear with a 295/35/20 Nitto Invo.
18x8 4.5bspc in the front with a 245/40/18 Nitto Invo.

The rears fit but I do need to gain some clearance and control of the rear end. I ordered an adjustable panhard bar and will be centering the body on the frame to make sure the rear end is centered in the wheel well and frame.

Front end was already high but with a slightly smaller tire overall diameter in the front the gap in the fender is quite unsightly.
I will soon be ordering a drop spindle which may also advance my plans for disc brakes....I was gonna live with the drums since they seem to work just fine now.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/CIMG7415-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/CIMG7413-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/CIMG7417-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/CIMG7418-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/CIMG7410-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/CIMG7411-1.jpg

[Wicked]

And once I fix the ride height it should look like this...minus the drums I think.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/wagonwithcoysandlowered1280x800-1.jpg

[68firebird]

looks great!!! those rims look great on there.

[79_GBody]

A little motivation
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://public.fotki.com/wackydave/car_shows/car-shows-2010/4th-annual-goodguys/051510-goodguys-554.html)Hosted on Fotki (http://www.fotki.com)

[CruizinKev]

looking good! love the lowered pic!!

[Gitter Dun]

I love wagons!! Basically old school suburbans. I hope to have the opportunity to build one some day. keep up the good work!!

[cobragt]

now you just need to get rid of the drums and get some discs on it.

[Moabdude]

Like this one. 66 Impala.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/USA2008810-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/USA2008809-1.jpg

[Wicked]

Like this one. 66 Impala.



Do you know what he had done to his suspension?
Is it drop spindles and springs or bags?

[Moabdude]

I did talk to the guy but I don't remember what he did to lower the car.
It was at the annual Riverside show and go in 2008.
The wheels are IROC 20's all around.

[The Stickman]

Great to see more wagons on here. Makes me wish I had gone to 20's in the back.

[67Impala]

Nice ride! My '67 impala rusted out in the exact same place. Sweet rims BTW, I've been looking at similar ones

[Wicked]

Hey guys,
A little update...
I upgraded my front bar.
Stock is 0.8 inches solid. I upgraded to an Addco 1-1/8 inch solid bar. The bar barely fit through the hole in the frame.
When I do a frame off, I'll have to open up the hole and repowdercoated the bar to prevent damaging it.

On the rear, I am using the UMI bar. My car did not come with a rear bar, so I had to make some modifications. I had to drill my arms, make tapered spacers and collar inserts for the arms. Both are made out of 6061 T6 aluminum. Otherwise, the bar bolted on nicely.

Over the last week(I was on vacation), I also got the windows tinted. I used normal legal 35% tint.

I can tell a huge difference from the bars. The car just doesn't feel so heavy.
I still need to lower the front end. I tried last week and couldn't get the BJ's separated. Plan to try again this weekend.

I think once I get the front end lowered where it should be the ride and handling should be improved.

[Wicked]

What's up guys.
Not a lot going on with Emmy(Project M). Just waiting for available fundage.
Good news is, I'm putting quite a few miles on her and she's gets plenty of attention.
But I am anxious to get to the good stuff, new engine, trans, some power, etc.

Here's some recent pics...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/wagon-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/1722-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/1755-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/FirstFriday102010017-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/FirstFriday102010022-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/FirstFriday102010015-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/FirstFridaysGasedenOct10003-1.jpg

[Scott Parkhurst]

Looking killer man! Keep on it...

Can you get an Impala SS hood for it? That'd look killer...
http://www.impalass427.com/72res/1968SS427_hood2.jpg

[Wicked]

Can you get an Impala SS hood for it? That'd look killer...


Thanks man,
I can get the hood I think. I did find a 3" fiberglass cowl hood that should fit.
It might be down the road a little ways, but definitely in the plans.

[shockrod]

Bitchin wagon. Someday I would love to have an old station wagon, for the wife to run the kids around in. I am mostly a Ford guy, but if I ran into one of those, I would snatch it up in a minute.

[Wicked]

Bitchin wagon. Someday I would love to have an old station wagon, for the wife to run the kids around in. I am mostly a Ford guy, but if I ran into one of those, I would snatch it up in a minute.

Yeah, I've always loved wagons too...and I like having something a little different.

I looked at wagons from all of the big 3, but the 60's Chevy's(Mid size and Full Size) have the advantage of coil spring susp at all 4 corners.
It all boiled down to finding the right starting point.

[Wicked]

Realized I never posted pics after my LS3 swap.

Been running and driving for 2 full years now without so much as a hiccup.

Still lots to do...next step is moving to a house with a basement/garage at minimum but looking for/planning a big shop. So far, all has been done in the carport.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/SANY4647-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/FirstFriday102011079-1.jpg (http://s951.photobucket.com/user/stang5479/media/1968%20Bel%20Air%20Wagon/FirstFriday10-2011079.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/FirstFriday102011086-1.jpg (http://s951.photobucket.com/user/stang5479/media/1968%20Bel%20Air%20Wagon/FirstFriday10-2011086.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/SANY537021024x768-1.jpg (http://s951.photobucket.com/user/stang5479/media/1968%20Bel%20Air%20Wagon/SANY537021024x768.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/SANY5148-1.jpg (http://s951.photobucket.com/user/stang5479/media/1968%20Bel%20Air%20Wagon/SANY5148.jpg.html)

[Wicked]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/SANY4664-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/SANY4714-1.jpg

[Wicked]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/SANY537421024x768-1.jpg (http://s951.photobucket.com/user/stang5479/media/1968%20Bel%20Air%20Wagon/SANY537421024x768.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/SANY537221024x768-1.jpg (http://s951.photobucket.com/user/stang5479/media/1968%20Bel%20Air%20Wagon/SANY537221024x768.jpg.html)