My buddy and I took a road trip and picked up a 66 sporty. Body is fairly solid with a few rust areas of concern such as lower door and right rear lower quarter and perhaps some roof glass channel issues, but by and large the car is solid. The floors are flawless and the interior is in great shape. Has a 340 smog replacement block (was a California car) and an AFB 4 barrel with dual exhaust and an ST 300 trans. Rear tailgate power glass works good from the dash but the rear key switch actuator doesn't work. I'm thinking maybe a bad connection there. Everything works. All lights, interior and exterior, signals, wipers, horn, etc. The guy drove it a few hours where we met him and put it on a trailer and brought it back up north here. He included a new 66 Fisher Body manual which is cool. Receipts from as early as 1972 up till now included. It's really quite cool and is a driver just as it is. All brakes done in late 2010. It used to me white but someone did a cheapy light blue paint job which is starting to peel. I think any rust on the car probably began when the car came east from San Francisco years ago. I'll try to get some pics for you but just putting my feelers out to the 66 Sport Wagon experts. :beer
Welcome to your wagon! (Re: 66 Sport Wagon) Dear Ken and V-8 Buick wagon fans, Congratulations on your new acquisition!! Sounds like it is in reasonably good shape. On my wagon, the rear key actuator is a bit lose. If you don't get the key inserted exactly at the right angle, the window won't come down. So perhaps there is a weakness there. I've been told that these parts were also used on the Suburban's of the period and that they were used on the Suburban for decades. So it should be possible to get a replacement although doing the repair will be a pain. There are some resources for wagon parts that are unique. The one company that you should probably be aware of is: Einstyn.com. They make some weather-stripping and other parts you won't find anywhere else. Beyond that, there are some forums and email-lists that can be of help. However, finding parts for wagons is harder than sedans, coupes, and of course convertibles. Just got to pay your dues and search. Best of luck with your wagon!! :TU: Cheers, Edouard :beer
Edouard thanks for the info! I should clear one thing up though it's not mine it's my buddy's, I just went along for the road trip.
Hey Ken - Congrats to your buddy! Does he have other Buicks? I have had good luck trolling ebay when I needed something for the wagon. It is surprising how much stuff is still out there! Check the bottom of the spare tire pit for rust. If its solid, hit the outside with POR 15 or something. The exhaust runs close to it and likely the paint is burned off. - Bill
Chevelle wagon gas tank is interchangeable and can be purchased new. Edouard-Does your back window move as slow as molasses also?
welcome to the wonderful world of wagons!!!:TU: I have owned more than 10 skyroof cars and loved them all My current 65 Sporty is also from the frisco area it also had a 340 but a th350 in it ( knocked badly ) now the car has a 69 350SBB 2004R trans 3.31 posi rear, cruise and disc brakes. 1 1/4'F & 1" rear bar the best set up I have ever used:TU::TU: over the 4 yrs I have had it I have run 350/th350 with the stock 3.23 rear ok but lacked hiway manners then a 350/th350 2.56 rear great hiway bit sucked around town the current set up is best of both worlds and drives like my 2002 regal I LOVE IT I like it so much I am converting my 69 GS350 to the 2004R with the 3.23 rear just cause it works so well just my .02 but I have tried most combos and this does work
The Chevelle wagon gas tank does not interchange the a sport wagon. I am currently building a 67 sport wagon and purchased a Chevelle wagon tank as a replacement. The Chevelle wagon inlet is positioned above the rear frame rail as it does not have the sunken cargo area that the sport wagon has. The sport wagon fuel inlet is located below the rear frame rail, a Chevelle inlet is further forward and higher than a sportwagon. I had my Chevelle tank inlet relocated lowered and moved rearward to match the stock tank and appears it will fit. Relocation of the vent is not needed.
Cheers to your buddy. I hunted for quite awhile before I came across mine. I have owned literally hundred plus cars over my lifetime. My wagon has become one of my favorite cars that I have owned. Mine is not mint by any stretch but very happy with it. Please share pics if you can. :3gears:
AHH okay. I have a Special wagon, and it interchanged on mine. I thought the special tanks were the same as the sportwagons.. My mistake
Wow, lot of replies, thanks guys. Don't have a pic immediately available but I will definitely get some uploaded. I am pretty sue the bottom of the spare tire well might have some issues. Other possible rust is around the rear left roof glass. It's rusted on the inside of the car completely. I think he'd almost need to have a section of another roof grafted in. Does anyone have any roof sections or know of a yard or someone with parts cars? Everything works on this car though. Glass goes up but I think all the weatherstrips and seals around the tailgate door and power window channel need to be changed. Does anyone carry the channel fuzzies and rubber for that tailgate??If I think of anything else I'll let you know. Has a third seat too. The cool thing about these glass roofed cars is the passengers in the rear seat have sun visors too. I just think that is so cool. ---------- Post added at 10:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:57 PM ---------- Pat that's a nice ride. I think yours and his might be in about the same shape. Definite drivers, solid drivers, just in need of some TLC. I love the roof rack on yours. I'm not sure if his has one I don't remember seeing it. That would be something to look for in my opinion, I love the way they look.
Thanks. Yeah it definately is far from perfect but it is actually a very decent low owner car. I am close to 65k on the odometer. Shame that it sat so long but not nearly as bad as it could be and she has been very good to me. I towed it home not running and had it running in 45 min. I kind of gambled but I want a big block again so that really didn't matter that much. I pulled all my window trim to check rust damage around them. There are definately a few spots that will need a torch but not nearly as bad as I had anticipated. I wasn't looking to get into a done car so I KIND of knew what I was getting into. I am planning a full makeover for my car over time. I am keeping my eye out for a running driving 455 donor car right now. The 340 4bbl and trans are smooth still. The roof rack on my car is very cool and very involved. As with anything else GM at the time (See 73 screws just on the tailgate trim) there are plenty of parts. I bet they helped many a wagons rust out under them. It has actually been used s a rack with me. I would like to get a wind deflector for it if I run across one. Paint and body work will be close to last on the list. Then I will have to actually decide on a color... Picture pictures I want to see pictures ha ha.
Desert Valley parts in Phoenix has pics of a Sport wagon if you search the website. www.dvap.com/ , not sure if its still there as photos are not updated frequently. I have purchase sportwagon parts from them in the past and was happy with their service.
This is the combo that I want to use on my 68, but everyone says I need to have 3.73's to make it work right. It's great to hear of someone actually using this combo and being able to say it works for them.
Buicks have more torque than chev engines that's why they need more gear Buicks work good at low RPM 3.31/3.23/3.42 work fine with 2004R ODs
Finally got some pics. Needs TLC but it's low miles, original interior car. Front seat has been re-covered, everything else original. Car was originally white and someone shot micro thin baby blue over it. Starting to peel. Rust on tailgate window frame has been ground out and bondo'd for now. Anyone have a good rear bumper? Shame the chrome is nice but it's dented. This last pic is the carnage to the left rear interior roof rail between the skylight and the left side rear window. Guess the leaking water killed it. Anyone know of a parts car where this section can be cust from?
Just a quick word on the difference between the Special wagon and the Sportwagon. The frame was stretched five inches in the Sportwagon to accomodate the addition of glass in the roof. All the stretch in the body occurs in the rear doors so parts like the rear door windows, door panels, sill plates, etc. are unique to the Sportwagon and the Olds Vista Cruiser. It also affects the gas tank as noted above. Just my .02...............
Should be no problem with the A body tailgates - as a matter of fact, I replaced the torsion bar in my 67 Sportwagon 400 with one out of a 67 Chevelle wagon from a local boneyard.
I know that my wagons rear glass switch works in the up but not in the down all the time. I just use the inside switch to put it down. I know it is just a loose connection at the switch itself. Tim
I know of a 64 sportwagon in a yard here in Mexico,Me. I am not sure if the roof is the same. not a lot left,but the roof and glass in the roof are still there 207-364-7273, ask for Andy. ,, Wacko
