Projects The Wagon Ford shoulda' built, so we did!

I just started the thread yesterday.

 

I have a perfect candidate to get started

 

That's Cool. A Parklane turned Ranchero

 

I myself would love to see the build pics, the quality of workmanship is outstanding. I study builds like this to try and improve my own skills and get ideas on how to tackle modifications, even if im not doing anything like it. I would have preferred to wait till the end, after all the build pictures to see the end result of all that work and I know that's what you were going for. I for one enjoy the process as much as the finshied project, sometimes the process more so. I hope you continue to post build pics, if for nothing else for those that were willing to be patient.

 

What the heck man! GO FASTER!!

Amazing build... just amazing. Please take all the time you want posting detailed descriptions and pictures, or just pictures, or whatever. I'll be waiting patiently.

 

I would assume that everyone just wants an over load of build photos. We all drooled over the shots from the show so now @Blue One has got blue balls for the nitty gritty build pix.

I’m grateful for whatever you want to share this thing is insane

 

I am a wagon guy & I have always thought the Parklane is a sweet wagon but you really did do what Ford should have done, you guys did some stellar work on that car. HRP

 

Have you done more than one of these? Because I saw one like it for sale about a month ago somewhere but as I recall it was 2 tone white and orange?
edit:
I found it: Cars on line..
But your black one looks better, smoother flow and more finished looking.

 

Holy metal work Rocket Man. That work and finish should get you lots of work and primo reputation . You are the man .Very talented . I need lots of pics so I can learn from you ,see how your mind thinks and conceptualize the technical intricacies of workable solutions . I applaud your talent , foresight and bringing the car from point A to point B .

 

Yes,,we need more pics of the build. Subscribed.

 

Not meaning to hijack, showed mine because of the repeat of the other ones. Since they were on other threads ....deleted.

Rocket Man. Thanks for the “like” on the my photos on the 55-56 Ford thread.

 

Pretty funny. Unfortunately only Western Canadians will thoroughly get the reference.

1 more car I promise, Rex Winter
Dry n windy Lubbock TX

 

Thanks, I've always liked your car & as you've seen we've paid allot of attention to the duel quad setup your running. No worries on the pictures & I do appreciate you deleting them. We've waited almost 7 years to show people this car so it can be hard when someone else plays spoiler. Thanks again

 

Back to our regularly scheduled programming....

Next up was fabricating a new roof structure. We discovered that the Crown Vic top actually began to start to arc down about midway through the door opening. The structure is all hand fabricated from there back. Also by getting the rear new C-pillars positioned where we liked them there was allot of work that needed to be done in the tail gate area.





This was loosely patterned off the early 60's full size Ford wagons



A wedge shape was made to lean the tailgate ahead to match the new C-pillar angle. We also took advantage of the structure being removed to make patches and remove the factory lead seams.

 

I'm just a small piece of the puzzle. I was lucky enough to have Michael Wildschut, Race Trevino, Rico Orea working here. The project took a small army.

 

I ran across this car when I was researching things one day (we where already done with the major fab on the car at that point). The 2nd owner I believe it was & I spoke for awhile on the phone about the cars one day. I like the car but we went a totally different direction on the design from the B-pillars back.

 

Yes, your design looks so much better. Looks like a factory built wagon..

 

I appreciate the finished photos being removed. I'll get there in time. If you really want to see the finished product & spoil the ending check out Tom Davison's GNRS coverage. Thanks again.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/live-from-pomona-2020-gnrs.1181633/

 

Next up was the roof skin. We recycled the original wagon drip rails & Crown Vic header. the first 2"-3" had to be fabricated to get the corners & contour correct.

The Crown Vic top & Wagon top. You can really see how "bubbly" the Wagon roof is.


Some rust repair was needed.



After the initial mock up it was decided that the Wagon skin & Crown Vic front half was not going to get us the shape we wanted. Also the weld seem through the middle of the large low crown panel was going to be an issue. We decided to make a template & hit the wrecking yard to find something that'd hopefully work.



The Falcon Wagon was a really close match

 

This car was awesome to study in person at the GNRS -- Too bad Ford didn't actually make one to compete with the Nomad. It's crazy how hard it can be to make a (custom) car look like it came from the factory, but you guys nailed it!

 

Post more pics of Race too, please!!!!! Dreamboat material

 

Rockets...PM sent

 

Nice work, keep the build pictures coming


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Continuing on the roof skin....


Mike attacking with the Sawzall!!!



We attacked it like you would a "4-corner chop"



After the welds where all hammered out and metal finished we removed the whole thing to primer the underside of the skin & structure. We also modified the original wagon braces and included them from the B-pillar back.

 

dig it, look forward to seeing more.

 

I love that you are building/built this using quite a bit of existing panels compared to it being 100% scratch made panels

 

This is a “why we come here” build.
Thanks and I’m jealous.

 

So true!!

 

First class work! Thanks for posting.
I've been involved in a couple of these "one off" builds...they are indeed a shit ton of work!