Wow. My father had (and now my sister has) a 1972 Grande Ville convertible, 455/4bbl, Rallye IIs, brown metallic on brown interior with a tan top. As American land yachts go, that thing is tops.
Very nice score. I don't even want to ask what pittance you paid for it.
Thanks for the comments. No, I don't think it's rebellion. Figure everything we own and have ever owned is sporty. I just wanted something big and comfy--a rolling couch, if you will. I also wanted a little of style in that package, too.
Simply AWESOME. The Pontiac 400 is just the icing on the cake.
Wxdude10 wrote: If I was to buy one of the wagon barges.... Here is my pick: http://flint.craigslist.org/cto/3913262865.html Of course, I'd do it up in the requisite 442 style....
One of my all time favorites also.
That Vista Cruiser is nice. It's also about double what I paid for my wagon. Seems that the mid-sized wagons fetch more thanks to their muscle car DNA. I decided to go big or go home.
David S. Wallens wrote: That Vista Cruiser is nice. It's also about double what I paid for my wagon. Seems that the mid-sized wagons fetch more thanks to their muscle car DNA. I decided to go big or go home.
Vista Cruisers are worth money because of a tv show that was on a few years ago that was set in the 70's...
bravenrace wrote: This is the one I've had my eye on: http://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/3898141981.html
If that in fact is a factory four speed wagon and not a conversion, it's exceedingly rare. Too bad they cut up the dash to install an aftermarket radio.
novaderrik wrote:David S. Wallens wrote: That Vista Cruiser is nice. It's also about double what I paid for my wagon. Seems that the mid-sized wagons fetch more thanks to their muscle car DNA. I decided to go big or go home.Vista Cruisers are worth money because of a tv show that was on a few years ago that was set in the 70's...
Who would pay extra for a car that featured on TV or in a movie? That's crazy.
By the way, correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the mid-sized GM wagons from the '70s have a tail-gunner seat? Even so, I like my boat.
My buddy had a '70 Catalina 400 wagon with a factory manual on the column. I can't imagine it was a 3-speed, but maybe it was. After about the 6th time the cables gave up, they converted it to a floor shift.
David S. Wallens wrote: By the way, correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the mid-sized GM wagons from the '70s have a tail-gunner seat? Even so, I like my boat.
I don't know about the midsize wagons, but the large ones had them as an option. We took it out of my father's Bonnie wagon. If you have a low-option car, it's probably just got a well under the cargo floor. You can carry an ungodly amount of tools in there.
you need fender skirts, a bug shield for the front and bug screen over grille and a 120" whip ant mounted on the back with CB radio to make it a true 70's fla car
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1973-1976-Pontiac-Grandville-Bonneville-Catalina-Rear-Fender-Skirts-492964-/261247149740?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cd38b26ac&vxp=mtr#ht_273wt_1144
Tail gunner dropping chaff
David S. Wallens wrote: By the way, correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the mid-sized GM wagons from the '70s have a tail-gunner seat? Even so, I like my boat.
keeping in mind that the "mid sized" cars of the 70's became the "full size" cars of the 80's, yes- they did.. right up until they stopped making Caprice and Roadsmasher wagons at the end of the 1996 model year...
David S. Wallens wrote: By the way, correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the mid-sized GM wagons from the '70s have a tail-gunner seat? Even so, I like my boat.
Yep, my mom's wagon had that.
Nice score David! Might I suggest red line tires for period correctness and possible sleeperism?
I grew up in the third seat of a 1958 Mercury Voyager no-post wagon, been discreetly looking for 40 years. You can find 57s and 59s, but for some reason 58s are MIA.
Dan
David S. Wallens wrote: Thanks for the comments. No, I don't think it's rebellion. Figure everything we own and have ever owned is sporty. I just wanted something big and comfy--a rolling couch, if you will. I also wanted a little of style in that package, too.
I believe its totally GRM. Think about it. If you want an old American cruiser that can also be used for practical applications, the wagon is a pretty good way to do both, and look cool doing it.
Practical, fairly inexpensive, AND cool? Pretty much the grassroots ethos right there.
Thanks. Yeah, I paid used Civic money for it.
This one is a few bucks more--also not a wagon--but it was also tempting: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/3842807428.html
Fortunately (or not) we were fairly busy when in Athens two weeks ago. The take-home message is that there's still some great deals on these big, old cruisers.
OMG I love old barge wagons... I've always wanted one but never had the means or space for one. I have been eying this one for quite a bit:
1975 Buick Estate Wagon
Gas would kill me and I have nowhere to park it but damn, I want it!
One of the things that sealed the deal on this car was the fact that it had just one owner. I just started going through the stacks of paperwork that came with the car. In 1978, a complete oil change service cost about $10.78 total.
I assume this warbeast has A/C... I'm still jealous.
If you want to hop up the 400, I know a few tricks.
I'd start by reading this:
Oh look, there's a WAGON on the cover almost pulling the wheels!!! It runs 11's. There is a good bit of wagon content in the book. The author has had a few.
Great book. Goes through all the little pitfalls of building one of these that your average Chevy engine builder would overlook. 
Yep, still has a/c. Doesn't blow super-cold, though. I saw our mechanic last night. He said he can get the a/c back up and running.
I don't think it needs to go any quicker. So far it has gotten me to work two days in a row. That's really all the performance I need. I'd rather put that time, money and energy to the other cars. Somewhere there's a Nissan 240SX that needs a clutch....
stanger_missle wrote: OMG I love old barge wagons... I've always wanted one but never had the means or space for one. I have been eying this one for quite a bit: 1975 Buick Estate Wagon
And wow, glad I didn't see that one. That's basically the same as mine except a little fancier and with a 455. And it's very blue.
David S. Wallens wrote: Yep, still has a/c. Doesn't blow super-cold, though. I saw our mechanic last night. He said he can get the a/c back up and running. I don't think it needs to go any quicker. So far it has gotten me to work two days in a row. That's really all the performance I need. I'd rather put that time, money and energy to the other cars. Somewhere there's a Nissan 240SX that needs a clutch....
That's probably a good plan, especially if you are daily driving it. Also, with how original it is, it would be a shame to mess that up.
But one day, hopefully far into the future, it will need an engine rebuild. That's when you make it look all original but have enough power to pull the front wheels. 
Just saw this on Hemmings.... Buick Wagon Hotness 
More pics below:
http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/carsforsale/buick/sport_wagon/1581820.html
Too rich for my blood.... But I would love it.
I'll post the picks I took last summer of a Vista Cruiser I saw at a cruise night at an ice cream stand (Kimball Farms in Lancaster for the MA/NH crowd) later tonight.
And yes, it had the third row.. But it was front facing, not rear. I love me some mid-size GM wagons with the skylights.
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