A 1973 willow green woody survivor. Introducing Big Betts.

Howdy folks,

I have been a member of this forum for many years, most of those inactive, but I am back again now that I have another Buick in my life. She has only recently crossed the border into Australia after months of waiting, travel and processing but now she's with me here in Sydney. It gives me great pleasure to introduce Big Betts, my 1973 Bui ck Estate Wagon. I have named her after Bette Jackson, the wife of the previous owner, Marshall Chervin.

She's an almost all original 54,000 mile car, the only mods being the poorly applied addition of a black vinyl roof by the previous owner (he forgot to do the C pillars) and the swap over to Buick chrome wheels from the factory steel wheels and deluxe wheel covers. The vinyl roof will be coming off and the original wheels will be going back on but I will have the chrome wheels restored and use them as the mood takes me as they were an option on this model.

The car is painted Code 44 Willow Green and has a Code 450 Forest Green interior. Complimenting that combination is the Code W8 Wood Grain Applique with wide rocker moldings. This is a 2 row seat wagon, there is no third row, but I prefer it that way. Along with the car came an impressive set of dealer/owner literature and other documentation that I have now properly preserved in heavy micron plastic sleeves inside a 3 ring binder. This car is a AACA Senior Gold Winner (2010) and that is testament to its condition and originality.

Now for some heavily abbreviated history! This car was ordered new through Scranton Buick, Pennsylvania in May 1973 by one Charles R. Moyer. The dealership is long gone but the car lives on. Charles kept the car until 2000, putting just 25,000 careful miles on her. It then had a handful of owners over the next 7 years before landing with the last owner in 2007 with 42,000 miles on the dial. I bought it off him after 3 years of haggling on and off. It's highly optioned with just about everything and I am slowly tracking down and adding missing accessories to this amazing wagon like the mini-console, litter pocket and tissue dispenser. Naturally some little things need attention and I am attending to those items to make this car 100% operational. I have already had the A/C converted to R134a and got it up and running again. The steel wheels are being stripped, repainted and balanced and new LR78-15 Firestone 721's will be going on them.

While I was doing some online research recently, I discovered that I tried to buy this same wagon way back in 2004 when it was for sale by its third owner, Jamie Steve. I found an old post of mine on a AACA forum. He didn't get back to me so it was not to be way back then but through the miracle of time and a little bit of luck, this wagon is now mine and receiving some well deserved pampering. I fell in love with this model while I was the owner of a 1973 Electra in my younger years. I still remember seeing this wagon online for the first time in about 2003 and falling in love with it. It seems I was destined to have a relationship with Buick after buying my first one at just 16, a heavily dilapidated 1958 Roadmaster 75. Since then, I have also owned and sold a 1973 Electra and a 1966 Skylark. I intend upon keeping this wagon for many years and making it one of the worlds best, if not the best. They are getting so hard to find now, especially in this condition. Incredibly, they are still being derbied in the USA!

Once I have cleaned the car up and have it looking the way I want it, I will write up another post with a comprehensive set of photos and specification. I'm sure it will be a treat for all to read.

Cheers,

Glen Camenzuli
Sydney, Australia

 

NICE LOOKING WAGON there Glen.

 

Damn! That's in great shape!

 

I learned to drive in one of those. Nice wagon!

 

Wagon Love .. Gotta Love it !!

 

Yes I suffer from that rare malady known as wagon fever! I can't help but love a well dressed wagon

 

I would love to have a super clean Estate to haul my car to the Nats at least just once b4 I die

 

Where are you located mate?

 

I have seen this wagon in person in the past, you have found yourself a really great example of the top of the line GM wagon.

 

South Carolina

 

“I like Big Betts and I cannot lie...”
Patrick

 

then, let me indulge you

 

Love that wagon.

Al

 

Ahh, I thought you might have meant Summernats... I’m in Australia so there’s no hope of me giving you the pleasure of that haul!

 

Thanks for reminding me that I’m on there! Must check in again.

 

Gorgeous!!!!

 

AWESOME!!!
-MIG

 

Nice wagon! My wife's folks had one like that when we were dating in the late 70's. Theirs was yellow paint and brown interior, but basically the same car. It rode great, had good power, and was comfortable. I personally like the looks of the road wheels and white stripe tires on those wagons. Father in law ran the 1-1/2" whitewalls on his.
Yours is in amazing condition! Congrats!

 

Yes I am starting to think that the road wheels are the best option. I’d better invest in an air compressor and rattle gun because I think I’ll be switching between two fairly regularly!

 

Nice ride. Welcome aboard.

 

Very nice! Welcome to the forum!