Enjoy 5% OFF at VEVOR Canada! and Support Canadian Poncho at the Same Time!
Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: My 1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate Station Wagon turns 40. Happy 40th birthday.


Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Status: Offline
Posts: 5990
Date:
My 1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate Station Wagon turns 40. Happy 40th birthday.


In May 1974 my mom and dad bought a new 1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate station wagon from West York Chev/Olds in Toronto. My folks had seven kids by the time 1974 came around and our 1967 Buick Special sedan, just was not cutting it any more with such a large family of nine. My dad proclaimed in March of 1974 that he was buying a full size station wagon for our family troop. I was 16 at the time and my dad asked me to come with him to the dealer, i was thrilled of course. We sat down and my dad and i started filling out the order sheet, my dad checked off everything that he wanted in the wagon. I actually talked my dad into ordering the 454 V-8 option. We handed the order sheet over to the salesman and he told my dad that before he submitted the order, my dad should look at a car on the lot. That car on the lot my dad fell in love with because of the colour. I lost my big block but i gained a lot more options than my dad would have originally ordered. This car was sold to my dad for just under $7,000 loaded. The car has a 400 V-8 four barrel with all the usual options and accessories, the only toys it does not have is tilt wheel and 8 track player. My dad had the car rustproofed (Ziebart) right away. The car was only driven to church with the whole clan and vacations and trips. My dad had his 1967 Buick Special for work and shopping. The car was always garaged, always pampered, always fully maintained and always appreciated. My dad Anthony (1927-1993) sadly passed away July 1993, my dad left me the car and at that time the wagon had about 37,000 miles on it. As of 2014 the car has just over 50,000 miles on it. I have only done the usual stuff like tires, brakes, exhaust (dual) and in 1995 i did some detailing under the hood. I show this car in memory of my dad and take it to shows and cruises. The car in this condition today, looks as good as the day my dad bought it. I love driving this beautiful car and it rides like a dream but the fuel consumption is really scary. You only live once, so i am enjoying this sweet beautiful car. Happy 40th birthday. Cheers. George.

pontiac and wagon pics, naked Mary pics and regular Mary pics 031.JPG

pontiac and wagon pics, naked Mary pics and regular Mary pics 033.JPGpontiac and wagon pics, naked Mary pics and regular Mary pics 036.JPGpontiac and wagon pics, naked Mary pics and regular Mary pics 035.JPG

pontiac and wagon pics, naked Mary pics and regular Mary pics 050.JPG

pontiac and wagon pics, naked Mary pics and regular Mary pics 043.JPG

pontiac and wagon pics, naked Mary pics and regular Mary pics 045.JPG

pontiac and wagon pics, naked Mary pics and regular Mary pics 047.JPG

pontiac and wagon pics, naked Mary pics and regular Mary pics 041.JPG

 

pontiac and wagon pics, naked Mary pics and regular Mary pics 051.JPG

pontiac and wagon pics, naked Mary pics and regular Mary pics 052.JPG

pontiac and wagon pics, naked Mary pics and regular Mary pics 057.JPGpontiac and wagon pics, naked Mary pics and regular Mary pics 038.JPG



Attachments
__________________

1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan restored 261 six

1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8



A Poncho Legend!

Status: Offline
Posts: 35601
Date:

WOW     what a special story...  I love it and I love it    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



-- Edited by 427carl on Thursday 29th of May 2014 05:56:38 PM

__________________

 

Nov 18 to Dec 2 Black Friday UP TO 50% OFF Plus Huge Coupons
Nov 18 to Dec 2 Black Friday UP TO 50% OFF Plus Huge Coupons


Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Status: Offline
Posts: 5990
Date:

Thanks Carl.



__________________

1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan restored 261 six

1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 858
Date:

I love this model! Best looking wagons ever built if you ask me! Especially the glide-away tailgate.

First car I drove was my dad's 71 Bel-Air ... 2 doors away my Açoriano friend's dad had a 74 Caprice Classic, black, and 5 doors down my uncle a 76 Grand Safari.

I hope you enjoy this car as much as it sounds my the emotion in your writing ... and hope nobody in a Fiat 500 cuts you off and slams the brakes!

Cheers,

 

Leo



__________________

"Dad, which car are we taking?"                      "The Pontiac!"

"Which one?"                                                    "The red one!"

'67 Parisienne 2+2 - red

'01 Montana            - red

'06 Buick Allure

'12    Japanese minivan



A Poncho Legend!

Status: Offline
Posts: 20257
Date:

I've been lucky enough to see this family treasure in person and it is no wonder that you are so proud of her George. Congratulations and Happy Birthday.



__________________

Ray White, Toronto ON

Formerly - The one and only 1973 LeMans 454 "Astro-Jet"

Built March 9, 1973 - Oshawa ON

1993 Corvette Convertible LT 1

Built January 10, 1993 - Bowling Green Kentucky 

 




Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Status: Offline
Posts: 6749
Date:

Very nice George. Thanks for the story and the pictures. I can see the pleasure you would have driving and showing this car.

__________________
Jerel


Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Status: Offline
Posts: 6991
Date:

Always love a survivor. Great story to go with a really great car.

__________________
Nov 18 to Dec 2 Black Friday UP TO 50% OFF Plus Huge Coupons
Nov 18 to Dec 2 Black Friday UP TO 50% OFF Plus Huge Coupons


Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Status: Offline
Posts: 5990
Date:

Thanks for the kind words folks. As much as i love my 57 Pontiac, my 74 Chev means far more to me. I have left it to my younger brother Mike in my will and he knows that it is to remain in the family forever. That under no circumstances is this car to ever be sold to someone else. That i will come back from the dead, ball and chains and haunt him, if he ever sold this car to someone else. It is more than just a hunk of metal. Cheers. George.



__________________

1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan restored 261 six

1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8



Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Status: Offline
Posts: 6366
Date:

nice car !

 

I had a similar plate on my Dad's 67 Chev 1/2 ton



Attachments
__________________
MC


Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Status: Offline
Posts: 7690
Date:

Beautiful car!  Especially so with your personal history with it.

Thanks for sharing your story with us.  I can't imagine how special it must feel having that car still in mint shape after all these years.  I'm sure it brings back so many wonderful memories for you and your family.



__________________


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 924
Date:

I learned to drive (and take my drivers test) in just such a car. 

Needless to say, the parallel park step was tricky but I pulled it off.

I remember turning the breather lid over for awhile so the engine sounded better when cruising around town, but
was my dad ever mad when we finally figured out why the car was getting such lousy gas mileage.

Takes me back, Scott (LandShark ...)



__________________


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 25
Date:

It's an awesome car George and a great personal story to bring it to life.

 



__________________
Nov 18 to Dec 2 Black Friday UP TO 50% OFF Plus Huge Coupons
Nov 18 to Dec 2 Black Friday UP TO 50% OFF Plus Huge Coupons


Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Status: Offline
Posts: 6067
Date:

Great story, Great car . There are some things in life you cant put a price on. Happy " 40th "

__________________


Poncho Master!

Status: Offline
Posts: 1833
Date:

Love it...reminds me of my grandpa.

__________________

1968 Beaumont 2dr Custom

1968 Beaumont 4dr Custom (sold)

1968 Beaumont 4dr (Parts Car)

1949 GMC (Slow Project)

1986 Buick T-Type (Rosewood Car)

 



Addicted!

Status: Offline
Posts: 229
Date:

Great story, great car. I grew up with 7 brothers and sisters so I sure can relate to the need for a wagon. Chevy II, Ford Ranch Wagon, Pontiac Safari to name a few.

__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.

Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us
.
Support Canadian Poncho!
Select Amount:
<
.
.
.