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Projects My next project, 55 Pontiac wagon

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by casper50, Apr 1, 2018.

  1. casper50
    Joined: Aug 4, 2013
    Posts: 243

    casper50
    Member
    from alaska

    I have finished my 47 Dodge coupe and since the wife likes it when I'm in the garage and not the house she went out last summer and bought this wagon. She wants to keep me busy.
     
  2. pumpman
    Joined: Dec 6, 2010
    Posts: 2,674

    pumpman
    Member

    This is going to be very interesting. I'm in.
     
    Bowtie Coupe likes this.
  3. Look very complete and solid. Do you plan to keep it Pontiac power:D?
     
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  4. casper50
    Joined: Aug 4, 2013
    Posts: 243

    casper50
    Member
    from alaska

    She wants to keep it mostly original. Upgrade the brakes to disc and as long as the engine is rebuildable we'll keep the original 287. If not, I'll be looking for a 389 or 400.
     
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2018
    sko_ford and Bowtie Coupe like this.

  5. wvenfield
    Joined: Nov 23, 2006
    Posts: 5,580

    wvenfield
    Member

    Is that a magnifier in the passenger glass?
     
  6. casper50
    Joined: Aug 4, 2013
    Posts: 243

    casper50
    Member
    from alaska

    I believe it is a shade. Similar to sunglasses, it has a yellow tint. But is it yellow from age or made that way?
     
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  7. Boneyard51
    Joined: Dec 10, 2017
    Posts: 6,440

    Boneyard51
    Member

    Casper, nice find. While watching the video the car kept reminding me of a ‘55 Chevy wagon. Will anyparts for a Chevy wagon interchange with your Pontiac wagon? Bones
     
  8. casper50
    Joined: Aug 4, 2013
    Posts: 243

    casper50
    Member
    from alaska

    some body parts will. The extra roof that I'm going to put on to fix the tree damage is from a 55 chevy wagon.
     
  9. 56sedandelivery
    Joined: Nov 21, 2006
    Posts: 6,695

    56sedandelivery
    Member Emeritus

    Actually, the thing on the glass is used in colder climates, where glass freezes over/fogs over very quickly; it prevents that, and allows a "porthole" so-to-speak, that you can still see out of/through. Since most of the other glass is missing/broken out, so were the other "portholes". I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
     
  10. casper50
    Joined: Aug 4, 2013
    Posts: 243

    casper50
    Member
    from alaska

    that was the only one. The wagon was sold new in Anchorage so most likely it needed it.
     
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  11. Rusty O'Toole
    Joined: Sep 17, 2006
    Posts: 9,657

    Rusty O'Toole
    Member

    Ha ha ha that thing on the window is familiar to people from the north, who are old enough. Heaters and defrosters have improved since the fifties. In those days you could buy those things from any auto parts store, they were made of a sheet of clear plastic with a foam rubber weather strip around the edge. The weather strip had a peel and stick surface. Stick one on your window and it created a dry insulated air space, or a storm window effect, you would have a clear spot when the rest of the window was covered with frost or fog. Only on the inside of course. You still had to scrape the frost off the outside.
     
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  12. Rusty O'Toole
    Joined: Sep 17, 2006
    Posts: 9,657

    Rusty O'Toole
    Member

    The body is a version of the Chev's. Notice the tail lights, special station wagon only numbers made to fit the Chev fender opening but look like the rest of the Pontiac line. Doors, glass, many body parts interchange. Engine, trans, suspension, rear axle, brakes all different. Front clip ahead of the windshield different.
     
  13. Boneyard51
    Joined: Dec 10, 2017
    Posts: 6,440

    Boneyard51
    Member

    That’s kinda what I thought, thanks guys. Bones
     
  14. Congrats! Mine was painted in 70s AMC colors...had a Pontiac 301/350 turbo. Great cars. 55wagon2.jpg
     
  15. donno
    Joined: Feb 28, 2015
    Posts: 426

    donno
    Member

    Interesting, just saw a 55 Wagon on Boulder Highway the other day, all paint was removed but it was being DRIVEN!!
     
  16. If it turns out half as nice as you coupe it will be awesome.
     
  17. low budget
    Joined: Nov 15, 2006
    Posts: 5,566

    low budget
    Member
    from Central Ky

    I notice that door with that glass is actually from a different car but....... neat ole ride.
    Just a extra tid bit to say the canadian pontiacs had a chevy frame and have a shorter pontiac dog house than your US version in case you didnt already know.
     
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2018
  18. 56sedandelivery
    Joined: Nov 21, 2006
    Posts: 6,695

    56sedandelivery
    Member Emeritus

    The glass, doors, rear hatches, quarter panels, outside rockers are all the same as same year Chevrolet's. Everything from the firewall forward, and the floors are different, as is the power-train. Your's probably has an under-seat heater. IF it was a "Canadian" made Pontiac, then it would have the Chevrolet frame, power-train, etc. Pontiac had a couple different length wheelbases, depending on the model. I had a friend in high school (66-69) who was in a rock band; he had a 55 Pontiac Hearse as their band-wagon. It was silver with a black vinyl roof, and had the 5 slot, kidney hole shaped, Astros that were popular at the time. Your bumpers look to be in pretty good shape, especially compared to the rest of the car. Too bad about all that glass. You said your wife, "she wants to keep me busy"; you've got your work cut out for you. Going to send you a PM. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
     
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  19. nice start......
     
  20. 40Standard
    Joined: Jul 30, 2005
    Posts: 5,963

    40Standard
    Member
    from Indy

    neat old wagon, good luck
     
  21. scotts52
    Joined: Apr 7, 2008
    Posts: 2,725

    scotts52
    Member

    Looking forward to following along. I have a 55 9 passenger. Has vent wings in the qtr glass and a 3rd row seat. I don't know about a standard wagon but my gas tank is particular to the 9 passenger only. Mine was rusted out and it took me a good deal of time to find a replacement.

    Those taillights are made of unobtainium. I finally located a pair that didn't cost me mu first born. I have rusted out pans in mine. I was under the impression that they were the same as Chevy. Hadn't thought about the under seat heater making them different. Any idea who makes Pontiac pans?
     
  22. casper50
    Joined: Aug 4, 2013
    Posts: 243

    casper50
    Member
    from alaska

    So far I have only found C2C fabrication. I've heard mixed reviews on their products for other vehicles. I've got two decent taillight housings and one good and one cracked taillight lense along with two so so back up lenses. I've been looking for the spare tire well cover for a long time with no luck. Took quite a while to find a horn button too.
     
  23. Here's a possible source for parts, if you haven't tried them already. California Pontiac Restoration and Parts in Santa Ana, CA. Their website is www.pontiacparts.net and phones are 714-245-9800 and 1-877-504-8124. Email is [email protected]. At least, they are in your time zone and may have other leads for you if they don't have any of the parts you're looking for. I haven't used them, but had identified them as a possible source when I was building my '63 Catalina. That's a great wagon your wife bought. I'll be following your build for sure.
     
  24. ring gap
    Joined: Dec 29, 2017
    Posts: 45

    ring gap
    Member

    I tip my hat to you sir:)...that's gonna be a Sweettttttttttttttttttt ride...pretty awesome that it from Alaskan...
     
  25. 56sedandelivery
    Joined: Nov 21, 2006
    Posts: 6,695

    56sedandelivery
    Member Emeritus

    Just noticed today there's a couple of 55 2 door wagons in the car classifieds here on the HAMB.
    I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
     
  26. wvenfield
    Joined: Nov 23, 2006
    Posts: 5,580

    wvenfield
    Member

    I've bought quite a few things from them. Knowledgeable and good to work with.

    Get a catalog.
     
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  27. casper50
    Joined: Aug 4, 2013
    Posts: 243

    casper50
    Member
    from alaska

    I've been looking for the linoleum that covers the rear of the back seat and the floor of the cargo area for awhile now. Called SMS Upholstery and they will custom make it to your sample for $89 a yard. I didn't believe that I'd ever find it to be honest and have seen most restored wagons with carpet put back in place.
     
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  28. casper50
    Joined: Aug 4, 2013
    Posts: 243

    casper50
    Member
    from alaska

    Sorry I forgot to update this. I've got a few videos to post.
     
  29. casper50
    Joined: Aug 4, 2013
    Posts: 243

    casper50
    Member
    from alaska

  30. casper50
    Joined: Aug 4, 2013
    Posts: 243

    casper50
    Member
    from alaska

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