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lwebb · 08-04-2011, 08:58 AM

Well Rats you guys.
Rain on my parade.
OK all good points, I'm disgruntled but convinced. I spent untold hours revamping rather than replacing parts on my Holiday just so it would be true vintage. Then again when I started the first one, I owned the only one anybody had ever heard of and felt obligated to keep it original. Even Airstream didn't claim it. Since then, however, it has been accepted as yes very rare BUT qualifies as an Airstream.
Sorry I digress, So I just wanted to do the same on the tow car.
Just wishful thinking. So now I'm looking for an early model Cadilac, Buick or Olds as they had the bigger V8s between 50and 54.
Thanks for all the advice, some excellent points.

lanny

"I'm gonna be rich no matter what it costs"
Dolly Parton

slowmover · 08-04-2011, 11:42 AM

Make it a Hemi

Melody Ranch · 08-04-2011, 12:17 PM

I use a 1958 Buick Super. Its BIG, its CHROME, its got FINS. Its got a trailer hitch. oh...its PINK.

lwebb · 08-04-2011, 01:22 PM

What have you done to the 58 her ready to do the job? I assume the disk brakes. Does it have the 364 ci V8? "FashionAire Dynasty Grille" and dual "Vista-Vision" headlamps?

lanny

Melody Ranch · 08-04-2011, 02:15 PM

It hurts to recount the prep.
rebuilt the 364 motor. New aluminum radiator and transmission cooler with dual electric fans. Rebuilt entire brake system and put large discs on front. Air conditioning. Large Optima battery. Rebuilt the entire suspension system. New radial tires. Rebuilt the transmission. Radio update for the Ipod..rock and roll. Electric brake controller and a good modern hitch assembly. Two pink fuzzy dice.

lwebb · 08-04-2011, 02:29 PM

Yikes I'm finally getting the picture. I called Walmart to see if they were hiring part time for the night shift.

OK I'm dumb as a brick on this topic. Realistically, what am I looking at ball park if I took a vintage vehicle like the 49 Plymouth I started this about and refitted it to pull a 1948 Airstream Liner? Skip the Ipod connection and the frills like the pink dice? I know this is probably just way to open ended a question as there are hundreds of variables. I have a friend who has worked on cars all his life and he says he would only help if I went with a box engine. He's figuring on the conservative side $8-$10 grand.
I could likely do much of the work myself. Lt me tack on another question. I want to drive this daily. Is that just a really naive idea?
Lanny

Road Ruler · 08-04-2011, 03:12 PM

Not a TV but this Volvo is a daily driver and has 2.8 million miles on it. So one would think your idea has possibilities.

Story.... World's record high miles car: How a classic Volvo changed a life - National Classic Autos | Examiner.com

ROBERT CROSS · 08-04-2011, 03:54 PM

Can you say FLASHBACK>>>

Sold it 2ys ago....

Saw that red one at the Eastern Volvo Meet years ago when it only had 1.2 million on it!!!!

Road Ruler · 08-04-2011, 04:30 PM

That's a nice one Bob. I guy I know here in the city has the wagon version of the same vintage. Very rare.

ROBERT CROSS · 08-04-2011, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road Ruler

That's a nice one Bob. I guy I know here in the city has the wagon version of the same vintage. Very rare.

Ah yes the 1800ES, was working at a Volvo dealership when they were introduced, thought they were pretty ugly at the time, now it's an antique....and I'm just old

wkerfoot · 08-04-2011, 04:42 PM

I always liked them, but then I owned an AMX.

Bill

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Ah yes the 1800ES, was working at a Volvo dealership when they were introduced, thought they were pretty ugly at the time, now we're both antiques.

Gene · 08-04-2011, 05:19 PM

Why not a Saab Sonnet? I thought they looked a lot better than the P1800. Might be a little slow.

Gene

wkerfoot · 08-04-2011, 05:24 PM

I remember a quote from Car and Driver when the Sonnet came out: If you told your neighbors that you made the car in your garage, they would believe you. If you told them you paid $3500 for it, they would say that you always were a sucker for a right cross.

Bill

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

Why not a Saab Sonnet? I thought they looked a lot better than the P1800. Might be a little slow.

Gene

Road Ruler · 08-04-2011, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

, but then I owned an AMX.

Bill

Me too Bill, a 70!

wkerfoot · 08-04-2011, 07:02 PM

1970 also, Bittersweet Orange, black hood, 360 CI and go package. Fun car. As I remember serial number about 25,000.

Bill

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road Ruler

Me too Bill, a 70!

Road Ruler · 08-04-2011, 07:30 PM

Wow, what a coincidence Bill

Mine was navy with a 360/4 speed with go pkg. Low 14's in pure stock at the drags. Wish I still had that one!

wkerfoot · 08-04-2011, 08:00 PM

Forgot to mention, I had the 4 speed also, manual steering. Loved that Hurst shifter.

Bill

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road Ruler

Wow, what a coincidence Bill

Mine was navy with a 360/4 speed with go pkg. Low 14's in pure stock at the drags. Wish I still had that one!

ROBERT CROSS · 08-04-2011, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

Why not a Saab Sonnet? I thought they looked a lot better than the P1800. Might be a little slow.

Gene

Bruce Ryder at Alternative Automotive on Cottage St had two, one for each foot.

You might have been there Gene.

Gene · 08-05-2011, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Bruce Ryder at Alternative Automotive on Cottage St had two, one for each foot.

You might have been there Gene.

I was. Alt. Auto replaced a starter in a Saab V4 station wagon I had in the early '70's. That was before I started doing everything myself. I believe you were working there then and we may have met then—I was the incredibly handsome, muscular, brilliant guy.

Gene

Sonnet: