Let's see some Wagons!

commando1 · Dec 17, 2012

Mr C said:
My 77 Town & Country

See how drop-dead gorgeous green can be, Dave?

cm23uoc · Dec 17, 2012

Don't care a lot about the post 1973 models but this station wagon could make me weak.

commando1 · Dec 17, 2012

cm23uoc said:
Don't care a lot about the post 1973 models but this station wagon could make me weak.

There are a few 74+ T&C's out there that have had the Imp/76+ NYB front clips put on. Quite impressive!

cm23uoc · Dec 17, 2012

Hidden headlamps are great on any of these cars. Not a big fan of fender skirts though, but they way the sculpured the quarters they also look odd without them.

1978 NYB · Dec 17, 2012

So the Formal T&C's didn't have hidden headlights? No option except swap it out?

Mr C · Dec 17, 2012

1978 NYB said:
So the Formal T&C's didn't have hidden headlights? No option except swap it out?

Remember, the T&C was very much a New Yorker wagon..they for the most part had New Yorker trim level styling touches to them ( Grilles/ front ends from 69-75 were NY). In 74/75 the T&C was NY trim level and the style cues from the NY were built into the T&C (like the wide tail lights). Once the Imperial was dropped and the badge engineering done, the T&C was not "upgraded" to the Imperial pieces for cost reasons.
The pic below shows off the tail light theme well between the NY and the T&C.

commando1 · Dec 17, 2012

Mr C said:
...the style cues from the NY were built into the T&C (like the wide tail lights)

I had completely forgotten about the tail light treatment. Good point.

Mr. C: What are the odds of my finding an excellent set of all the chrome trim surrounding the Di-noc?
I know i could call Murray Park but....

Mr C · Dec 17, 2012

That's a tall order... I had to piece together the best bits from three cars for mine. All I can say is keep an eye out on Craiglist/ Kijiji or ask the Murray Parks/ Moparts of the world.

commando1 · Dec 17, 2012

Yah. I agree. I was wondering if in your resto efforts you had heard or seen a set.
If I could find a set I'd outline my black flanks with it. Just a passing thought that passes through my A.D.D. brain every once in a while.

thrashingcows · Dec 17, 2012

Mr. C...that is one fine looking wagon you have there!!

And Stan...thanks for posting the pic of the Imp front end on that Formal wagon...that looks AMAZING!!

commando1 · Dec 17, 2012

Unfortunately, as much as the guy did an outstanding job on the exterior, he did a rather kind of tacky interior.
You know, the carpeted plywood console, AutoZone gauges, etc. thingie.
I believe it last traded hands around 12k plus or minus a grand.

Speaking of Di-noc, btw, yours looks FoMoCo-ish, Mr. C. No? Regardless, it's a gorgeous Mahogany (?) that is perfect with your green.

Mr C · Dec 18, 2012

It's not Di-Noc. I painted the woodgrain on and clear coated over it. The Di Noc always fades and wrinkles eventually and after going through all the work of a complete rebuild, I wanted it to last, so I figured out how to do wood grain. The original stuff was darker, but I don't know if that was part of the fading/ aging process. I had some original brochures and the Mahogany finish matched best, so that's what went on.

I feel these cars must have the woodgrain to break them up visually and look "right"...if that makes sense.

kmccabe56 · Dec 18, 2012

commando1 said:
Unfortunately, as much as the guy did an outstanding job on the exterior, he did a rather kind of tacky interior.
You know, the carpeted plywood console, AutoZone gauges, etc. thingie.
I believe it last traded hands around 12k plus or minus a grand.

Speaking of Di-noc, btw, yours looks FoMoCo-ish, Mr. C. No? Regardless, it's a gorgeous Mahogany (?) that is perfect with your green.

"kind of" tacky interior? Man, when I saw what that car looked like inside, I just about cried. Talk about screwing it up!

As good as the Imp/NYB front end looks on one of those wagons, the '74/'75 NY tail light treatment at the back just doesn't work. I keep thinking that if somebody could find a good '74 Sport Suburban, the Imp/NYB front end not only would fit on that car, but then you'd at least have mostly vertical taillights to go with the vertical front clip. AND you could have a factory oil pressure gauge!

commando1 · Dec 18, 2012

Mr C said:
It's not Di-Noc. I painted the wood grain on and clear coated over it.

Mr. C: That is incredible attention to detail and planning. I love it!

Mr C · Dec 18, 2012

As good as the Imp/NYB front end looks on one of those wagons, the '74/'75 NY tail light treatment at the back just doesn't work. I keep thinking that if somebody could find a good '74 Sport Suburban, the Imp/NYB front end not only would fit on that car, but then you'd at least have mostly vertical taillights to go with the vertical front clip. AND you could have a factory oil pressure gauge![/QUOTE]

I must respectfully disagree, it's one of the styling cues I love the most about it. That and the fact that the lenses all light up and aren't reflectors, even into the tailgate. Then again, I'm a sucker for the all-the-way-acrross-the-back tail light theme that Chrysler corp. used from 67-78, so maybe that's it.

commando1 · Dec 18, 2012

Mr C said:
I keep thinking that if somebody could find a good '74 Sport Suburban, the Imp/NYB front end not only would fit on that car, but then you'd at least have mostly vertical taillights to go with the vertical front clip. AND you could have a factory oil pressure gauge!

Gawdam, you have vision.
You and I ARE going to colabarate on a joint project some day. We have to. It will be the ultimate Formal.

You also piqued my curiosity so I did some further digging. It also appears the the
Monaco Custom and the Monaco Brougham each had their own tail lamp design. Odd.

So what do you think. The Monoco Custom tail light to mimic the Imp front?