Paul McCalib

My ’59 Wagon. It has this different style chrome icon on each side, looks like rockets. I was told that it could be one of 12 wagons built known as “Harlequin Maverick”. It was modified before I got it. It was changed from a 4 cyl to a Buick 300 ci V8. Still had the original rear end. Also changed was from 2wd to 4wd. The spider gears in the rear end were chewed up and the wagon could only be driven using the front end. They had cut out the tool boxes under the seats on both sides and installed Captain chairs with 3 in shag carpet, which rotted most of the front floor boards.  The engine was dropped down for it to meet the frame so the engine was several inches away from the radiator. The radiator was held out by some 2x4s and brackets. The air was going over the radiator instead of thru it. The color was black with fake wood on the window partitions and front grill. There were many items I had to correct. Installed a pusher fan in front of the radiator and a puller fan on the back. Used temp relays to kick in as the temp rose. Put a Holley 500cfm on with different size needles. Made new supports for the seats (from a Ford Festiva) from Ford van seats with a locking door on each. Used some metal I had to make new floor boards then covered them with 1\4 thick telephone linemens 3×3 rubber insulation sheets. Used aluminum panels to make new floor boards to cover back inside section, and to cover the two rear corners that were torn. The aluminum also covers the top on each fender and the pesky part under each door. I painted everything using rattle cans, metallic copper that I got from Western Auto. I had to de-rust the cross pieces\rods and paint them before installing the new headliner.  Made new window channels for the two sliding windows. Used a garage door handle to the window part of the tailgate. Replaced the spring shocks and shackle sleeves. Made new interior side panels from paraply and material I found in a dumpster plus new sun visors. Pulled both doors to restore, paint, new window whiskers and new side panels. Painted both fenders black and installed extentions for larger wheel openings. Found wheels off a jeep Cherokee that fit the axle and wheel openings. Eventually rebuilt T90 3 spd, transfer case then engine. The engine now has a crack in the block which I will have to replace. Found a Buick 350 I can use. I have had great help from various suppliers throughout the country, which I truly appreciate.

Paul in Garland, Texas