I finally got my '63 LeSabre wagon back from the shop. It started out as a rust-free wagon that had a pretty decent paint job, bad running engine, and really ugly wheels. The odo shows 89,000 miles and I think that might be correct. It had factory tilt wheel and a/c, both of which were a plus. While it was in the shop, the following was done: Rebuild engine and transmission Install FiTech fuel injection Add disc brakes Rebuild a/c compressor Install late model 12-bolt rear end Install cruise control Install aluminum radiator The previous owner had already installed dual exhaust on the car, so we left it alone. I had the windshield and tailgate glass replaced, since both were badly scratched. The interior is a Heinz 57 mixture of old and new. The door panels were worn, but good, so we decided to keep them. The dash cleaned up very nicely and we left everything in place. The carpet had been replaced by the previous owner. We did the following: Replaced steering column with Ididit tilt column Repaired steering wheel (had a couple of small cracks) Installed '66 Impala bucket seats Installed used Wildcat console I found on eBay Installed seat belts Recovered reat seat to match front seat Installed new carpet in cargo area Installed Riviera seat back panels on front seats It's not a trailer queen and I don't want it to be. I don't care about winning trophies. I want to be able to drive it and enjoy it and not worry if it gets a rock chip in the paint. We have a few more things to iron out, and I want to get some new floor mats. Maybe I'll see you on the road somewhere!
VERY NICE !!!!!!!!!! Love the color , the mags , the buckets etc ! You should be proud of that one ! Bill
I have front & rear sway bars for that car along with Bilstein shocks, fast ratio steering box (almost makes it fell like rack & pinion steering) poly strut rod bushing & rear track bar bushings +++++ MANY other things when you want to upgrade to a better handling/riding car.
I understand why you did most of the other things, but tell me about the steering column. Was it just to get tilt?
The car came with factory tilt wheel. I'm not sure I understand what all my guy was talking about, but the turn signals were not working properly. There is apparently some wire that runs down thru the column that has something to do with the turn signals. He tried to fix it, but in the end said it would be better to just sway in an aftermarket column. That way there wouldn't be any problems going forward.
The color combination along with those wheels looks awesome. Great start on a wagon. I get replacing the column. Just rebuilt a 70 tilt column . The cost of finding the 3 switches , my time to rebuild and paint far exceeded buying a replacement. We jumped into the wagon game a few years back for a driver and couldn’t be more fun. Still retains their vacation stickers from years back. People really dig the old wagons
The Riviera is set up the same way with the cable. A full size Chev is the same except for one end that needs to be changed. Google it & a few sites that carry parts for Chevs will come up.
Love your wagon!! You are so right about people loving old wagons. Every single day I am in mine multiple people talk to us.
