Vintage Tow Vehicles - Page 9

**Action** · 09-15-2005, 12:13 PM

Norcal B,

That 300CID six was a stout engine when in running shape. Lots of torque! Actually more torque than the 5.0. However the 5.0 will have more HP and will go faster.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

jordandvm · 10-23-2005, 07:04 PM

While we were attending a Western OR Unit WBCCI rally near Eugene, there was a great combo vintage trailer and bus parked nearby (not part of the rally). I suspect they traveled to Eugene to fly to AZ to watch the Ducks play because we never saw them during the weekend. Anyway the painted Bubble was quite an eyestopper, and I suspect these die-hard Duck fans went to great lengths (and $) to pull this off!

Here are a few pics of the "Duckmobile"!

How much is that "ducky" in the window?

Globie64 · 11-02-2005, 04:06 PM

Re: the Newport convertible and the urgings to go for it, my partner has caved, and at least we're looking for something cool to tow the Globetrotter. I'm wondering what, if any, experience anyone has towing with a compact. I've see a number of mid 60's Dart V8 convertibles for sale, and I wonder if they'd be stout enough. I've been towing the thing with a 160 hp V6 Ford Ranger 4wd without any drama, and we live just off highway 1 in Sonoma county, meaning twisty and hilly.

Thanks

Peter

**Action** · 11-02-2005, 04:35 PM

You can find the grunt to tow with something small. A V-8 Falcon will do the work.

The Q I would have is stopping it or keeping the whole load on a twisty road like up to Lake County. I would be nervous.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

**overlander63** · 11-02-2005, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Globie64

Re: the Newport convertible and the urgings to go for it, my partner has caved, and at least we're looking for something cool to tow the Globetrotter. I'm wondering what, if any, experience anyone has towing with a compact. I've see a number of mid 60's Dart V8 convertibles for sale, and I wonder if they'd be stout enough. I've been towing the thing with a 160 hp V6 Ford Ranger 4wd without any drama, and we live just off highway 1 in Sonoma county, meaning twisty and hilly.

Thanks

Peter

Is the wheelbase the same, or longer than the Ranger? Does the Dodge weigh the same, or more than the Ranger? If the answer to both questions is yes, than that is the answer to your question.

overlander64 · 11-02-2005, 05:33 PM

Greetings Peter!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Globie64

Re: the Newport convertible and the urgings to go for it, my partner has caved, and at least we're looking for something cool to tow the Globetrotter. I'm wondering what, if any, experience anyone has towing with a compact. I've see a number of mid 60's Dart V8 convertibles for sale, and I wonder if they'd be stout enough. I've been towing the thing with a 160 hp V6 Ford Ranger 4wd without any drama, and we live just off highway 1 in Sonoma county, meaning twisty and hilly.

Thanks

Peter

While the 273 cubic inch V8 that was available in the Dart GT (at least in 1965), would have adequate power and the Torqueflight Automatic would round out a capable team; my concern would be finding one with a solid unit-body structure. I have towed my Overlander with the next model up -- a 1965 Dodge Coronet 500 Convertible (383 cubic inch HO V8), and it took quite a bit of reinforcing by a competent Reese Hitch fabricator some 27 years ago to fabricate an adequate receiver hitch system -- the '65 Coronet 500s came standard with the 273 cubic inch with options including 361 cubic inch, 383 cubic inch, and the 426 Max Wedge (could also be special ordered with a 426 race hemi according to literature that I have run across). I suspect that you might find the Coronet/Belvidere series a little easier to adapt to towing as the unit-body was a more robust structure (at least judging by overall appearance of the chassis).

Good luck with your research!

Kevin

Globie64 · 12-31-2005, 02:18 PM

I'm searching a little more seriously for the Chrysler convertible, but I'll also check with the guys in San Leandro that did the hitch, to see if they have any thoughts... maybe a particlar model would be better. I also secretly hope that the convertible will be a good candidate because there are additional members, for a frame.

We have the Ridgeline now, and I'd love to tow with that. It is unibody AND a ladder frame, and'll tow 5000 pounds.

Peter

uwe · 12-31-2005, 05:11 PM

I was toying with the idea of getting something 1963 and potent to tow my 1963 Overlander ( up to 6000lb wet and loaded) with. Did GM make Suburbans in 1963? What was the hot setup for towing back then? Full size wagon?
Like I need another project.....

Steve Heywood · 12-31-2005, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uwe

I was toying with the idea of getting something 1963 and potent to tow my 1963 Overlander ( up to 6000lb wet and loaded) with. Did GM make Suburbans in 1963? What was the hot setup for towing back then? Full size wagon?
Like I need another project.....

GM has made Suburbans since sometime in the 40s. There is a 64 for sale on eBay if you want to know what they look like, item # 4601187444. Just for grins go to eBay motors and type in 1963 then click on passenger vehicles to see what's available.

safari57 · 12-31-2005, 05:41 PM

If I remember correctly at the Tin Can Tourists Deming, WA campout in August 2005 there was a early to mid sixties suburban there and I think it was with an Airstream, just don't remember exactly now. Perhaps that person reads the forums and will notice. I believe it was dark blue and may have had a V6 emblem on the front fender. I think the first suburban was 1936. They have been used to haul trailers for a long time, as were the international's (forget the name of their unit). Barry

uwe · 12-31-2005, 05:44 PM

Nice looking Suburban. I wouldn't like the panel truck, though. Need windows. But, i do recognize the body shape. They made pickups that looked just like this, didn't they?
Did Ford have a similar vehicle of that vintage? Sort of like an early Excursion? How about Chrysler?

**wahoonc** · 12-31-2005, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safari57

I think the first suburban was 1936. They have been used to haul trailers for a long time, as were the international's (forget the name of their unit). Barry

International Travelall we used to have one called the "Great White Hope" it was great big, white, and we hoped it would make it home without breaking down.

IIRC it was a 1968. One strange item was it had a gas tank that was filled from the front quarter panel....

Aaron

**Action** · 01-01-2006, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uwe

Did Ford have a similar vehicle of that vintage? Sort of like an early Excursion? How about Chrysler?

Ford's line up for 1963 would have had a smaller van called an Econoline. It was introducted a year or so earlier. Came with a straight six only and maybe a stick only. Not sure. Drum brakes, and it was very light in the rear of the vehicle. Towing capacity would not have been very high. Like 3500#'s at best for a class II hitch. The draw back would have been the power train and no power brakes. It was designed for delivery service.

Most of the trailer towing of that era would have been done by the full sized vehicles of the day. Especially the station wagons.

Ford - Custom and Custom 500, Galaxie 500 and XL, Country Sedan and Squire
Mercury - Monterey, Montclair, ParkLane, Commuter and Colony Park
Lincoln - Continental

Even though Lincoln was unibody (and the rest of Ford was full frame) it was stout. I have recently discovered a trailer towing publication for 1966 that lists the towing capacity for Lincoln as 5000 #'s with a no cost* axle ratio change and no other requirements. Fullsize Ford or Mercury would have had a list of required options.

*no extra cost at the time of vehicle ordering.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

uwe · 01-01-2006, 09:48 AM

Here's something interesting:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Custo...QQcmdZViewItem