Found this 47 on eBay back in 2002 up on N. Dakota. A complete but abandoned vehicle sitting for many decades.. rust? You bet but that didn’t bother me, I had a vision! This station wagon was once part of the University of Minnesota motor-pool. Both front doors still have remnants of painted lettering University of Minnesota faintly visible and the #56 on the glove box.
Ditched the rusted 47 frame for a beefier late 49 frame. Chevy small block 307 from a 68 Camaro, the 350 auto trans with a Hurst floor shifter. GM steering column hooked to a TCI mustang II and a Ford Granada 8 bolt rear scoot this ol girl down the road nicely. 3” stainless exhaust, Radir tri rib wheels, Firestone wide whites up front and wide white cheater slicks in the rear. 65 T-bird front seats and a custom gauge cluster and the rest is basically as I found her except for 40+ vintage surfing water transfer decals in the rear windows.
I sold the car in 2005 to move to Hawaii. 2015 found us in Texas and I thought ‘hey, I wonder if the buyer of the 47 still has it?’ Tracked him down and yes he had it and yes I could buy it back!! We struck a deal and now baby is back home and I couldn’t be happier!
Thank you Kaiser Willys for the great parts and service!??