Which 1973 full-size station wagon would you choose? (SUV, fuel, tire)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I guess this poll is for the people who like and still appreciate the old American iron of the early 1970s...
Its late 1972 - the 1973s are out brand new.
Which ONE full-size wagon would you choose? All are loaded with every option. These are the top of the line models from each division...
(sorry some have more photos than others - some I only have one.
If someone has more photos of these cars, please post.
1973 Chevrolet Caprice Estate
-------------------------
1973 Pontiac Grand Safari wagon
Its hard choices for me, because I like them all, but the Caprice Estate would have to be first on my list. (I have a 72').
Then I would pick a 1973 Country Squire, 1973 Pontiac Grand Safari, 1973 Buick Estate, 1973 Mercury Colony Park, 1973 Plymouth Sport Fury, 1973 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser, 1973 Dodge Polara and then the 1973 Chrysler Town & Country.
I'd probably shoot for the Chrysler line, in the order of Chrysler, Plymouth or Dodge. The GM line never garnered much attention in the family so I'd probably leave those out completely. The Ford line, we'd had so much trouble with Ford products in the family that I personally wouldn't have taken one for free although they were dad's favorite.
Now, looking at those choices from today's standpoint, hindsight so to speak. The Chrysler products would have developed serious tuneup issues with all the new pollution devices, ours did with the miles of vacuum lines under the hood. Disconnecting all of them solved that problem. The GM product would have lasted until the nineties and met fate in the form of a demo derby. The Ford might have lived to see the bicentennial if tinworm didn't eat everything in two years like our four door did.
The Ford. Rode like a dream, and the A/C, while not as frigid as the cold air pumped out by a Chrysler RV-2, was more than adequate.
The model you show seems to not feature the troublesome vacuum operated headlamp covers, and that's a good thing.
I believe ours had the 429, which provided plenty of power while also being unable to pass up a gas station without a visit, as was normal for pre-oil embargo full sized American cars.
I chose the Chevy Caprice Estate Wagon, just for the 454 engine. I used to know a guy that had one with a 454. Awesome tire smoker. I would love to have one of them in brand new condition.
I am very fond of Station Wagons. I consider them a lower CG SUV. I have had a Chevy Caprice wagon with a 350 cid diesel. It lasted about 100 k miles until the tin worms and lifted cylinder heads and resulted in a one way trip to the recycle yard. Then I owned a Ford Wagon that was no end of trouble. Now I have a 1992 Buick Roadmaster (what a name) Wagon with 180 k that is just starting to get eaten. I expect another 2 to 4 years before it stops casting a shadow.
After this wagon dies I am seriously considering looking in the South West (I may be retired there by then) for another Buick wagon. This is a phenomenal road car. It has enough power to hole shot some of the rice rockets and enough mid range to pass on twisty roads. Top end appears to be just over 110 or so. The car also delivered over 25 mpg on a trip to Florida and back. It does a lot worse as a short distance commuter car. It can carry 4 people and too much luggage damn near anywhere in fine comfort for a car that would cost me less than five grand.
Like I said, I am fond of big (and not so big Subaru Legacy) Station Wagons.
To answer your question I would buy a 1973 Buick or Oldsmobile wagon in a heartbeat. Then I would fit the largest sway bars, install variable rate shocks and new suspension bushings as well as a good undercoating and wax. I would fit an aftermarket electronic fuel injection and free flow exhaust.
Then I would repeat the drive to Alaska and back my lady and I made 42 years ago.
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]
We had a 72 98 Salon hardtop sedan, so I'm going with the Olds wagon. I'm betting it'd out-handle and out accelerate everything else on the list. And that high nickel block will last forever.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
