'67 Chevelle Concours wagon, bring it back to life

[67since67]

Not a Musclecar by any means, but some here have shown interest, and being a '67 Chevelle I'm all in!

I bought this wagon from the original owner's son in 1990 and drove it home from Palmdale CA, added a quart of oil and had a blown tire in Montrose CO.
Having spent its life in a rural high desert environment it was loaded with sand everywhere and had a tough as nails film of dirty scum. That film acted to protect some nice finishes once removed. What it doesn't have is any rust, anywhere, beyond minor surface rust. As you can see the paint is chalked out and the woodgrain is toast.

A top trim level Concours wagon, the first year woodgrain was applied to a Chevelle, options are L30 327/275 with Powerglide and CA smog. PS, PB, A/C, power tailgate window, AM/FM radio and front bumper guards. What it doesn't have, and seems odd for top trim level, is roof rack and no option dog dish caps.

I will post more on bringing this wagon back to life and making it the best it can be. - Bill W

[67since67]

A total of 6,299 Concours wagons were built, including six cylinder, 283, L30 327, and extremely rare L79 327.

I had not done anything with it since 1990, always bypassed by other Chevelle projects, but it's time! The plan is, thorough cleaning and degreasing, making it roadworthy and dealing with some eyesores while keeping any painting to a bare minimum.

[RPOLS3]

Awesome - thanks for sharing, looking forward to following along.

[69M22Z]

That is really cool.

[cook_dw]

I look forward to learning some of your tips and tricks.

[67since67]

Originally Posted by cook_dw

I look forward to learning some of your tips and tricks.

Compared to you Darryl, also James G, Tim S and Tim G and other true survivor preservation experts here I'm not sure there's anything to be learned from me!
But thank you for the confidence. And as Wilma suggested, the plan has been to keep it simple, and make the best of what it is while preserving as much as possible. - Bill W

[cook_dw]

Originally Posted by 67since67

Compared to you Darryl, also James G, Tim S and Tim G and other true survivor preservation experts here I'm not sure there's anything to be learned from me!
But thank you for the confidence. And as Wilma suggested, the plan has been to keep it simple, and make the best of what it is while preserving as much as possible. - Bill W

You shouldn't include me into that elite group of folks. I'm just a dumb ole TN redneck.

[nova67]

Bill.....very neat wagon love that all the smog is intact. Lots of L 30 Ca. cars

[67since67]

This Concours wagon is original metal in excellent condition except for the pass side fender, which is a used OEM from another car, painted to a fairly good match but no trim.

First priority was to get it up on stands and clean the underside. I didn't spend a huge amount of time under here, mostly just a good pressure wash. Fremont was very generous with overspray on the floors! Note the welded muffler on the original factory dual exhaust system still in place.

Next came dropping out the front suspension, here's where the cleaning became more difficult. The OO was religious about lubrication, the original ball joints and steering linkage are in great shape, but the build up of grease mixed with dirt was hard as concrete and had to be literally chiseled off followed by hot tanking control arms and steering linkage at the machine shop. Very nice original finishes were exposed from under that grime!

Upper-inner bushings were replaced, wheel cylinders rebuilt, and horseshoe spacers under the front springs to level ride hight up a bit. Multiple seals were replaced in the Powerglide to dry up leaks.

I opted for a 1 1/8" front sway bar and a GM rear bar in the interest of controlling body roll.

Up next, interior.

[L78_Nova]

Ha, Pretty Close to Milner's Deuce plate... THX 138
Love the Wagon !!

Gary