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busterwivell
10-03-2022, 08:20 AM
I went to the Good Guys Del Mar, Ca car show with my son-in-law, and my friend Al in his 55 Handyman/sedan delivery. We left Tucson Thursday morning, and got there about 2 in the afternoon. My friend Philip was going to go with us, but woke up sick Thursday and stayed home. I texted him Friday morning and he said he was feeling good.
So, Friday morning we get in to the show, and walk the small swap meet. I glanced at a 57 Handyman on a trailer, it looked rough, and didn't give it another thought.
That afternoon, a guy comes by our cars and starts a conversation about tri-fives. Then, he asks if we would give him some advice about selling one. Turns out it's the one on the trailer. It's a long story, but When I asked him what he thought about pricing it at, I couldn't believe it was that cheap. I made an offer of even less (and I usually don't low ball like that) and he accepted my offer.
I called Philip, sent him some pics of it, and he hooked his trailer to his pickup and drove over to Del Mar Saturday. We loaded it on his trailer, along with extra parts, and he towed it back yesterday. BTW, we're partnering on this car (we've done this before), and I didn't have all the cash with me, so he brought that with him.
Now the fun begins. The car has been parked in a storage garage for over 10 years, still has California black plates on it. It's a 6 cyl, 3 speed car. We'll see what we do with this thing.

55 Rescue Dog
10-03-2022, 02:32 PM
A picture of what you have done would tell most of the story.

BamaNomad
10-03-2022, 04:32 PM
Yep, we would like to see pix.. :)

Gary

busterwivell
10-04-2022, 04:52 AM
Gary, I have them on my phone. Where can I send them to you, and will you share them here?

BamaNomad
10-04-2022, 05:05 AM
Check your PM's... :)

WagonCrazy
10-04-2022, 11:24 AM
Woo hoo! Another tri 5 coming back to life!
Definately post the progress pics and story on the build please.

BamaNomad
10-05-2022, 07:40 AM
Here are some photos of Buster's recent acquisition (57 Handyman wagon)..
12828
12829
12830
12831

BamaNomad
10-05-2022, 07:41 AM
Apparently a California car, and it appears pretty solid... :)

Did all those hoods and fenders come in the deal?? Is it missing any significant parts?

busterwivell
10-05-2022, 07:56 AM
Thanks for posting these pictures, Gary.
In addition to the car as you see it, It came with two more hoods, 2 left front fenders and inner fenders, and a bunch of extra trim parts. The window that's not in it came with the car and we reinstalled it yesterday. I'll need a windshield. (I know 55 150's don't have windshield moldings, do 57's?). It has a weird issue with the floor, on the driver's side. The back seat floor is rotted out all the way thru the rocker panel????? The passenger side floors are solid. It came with replacement floor panels. I don't know what is up with that. The car is a 235/3 speed with overdrive. The engine turns freely, no spark. Gonna check the points and see if we can't get it to fire up. The car was parked in a garage since 1986, or so we were told.
Not sure I needed another project, but i got one.

WagonCrazy
10-06-2022, 03:06 PM
That's a project for sure, but a good one to bring back. Get at it brutha!

schovil69
10-14-2022, 02:06 PM
Not sure I needed another project, but i got one.

It's just impossible to pass up a great deal sometimes. Congrats on the acquisition.

Dualfours
10-17-2022, 07:18 PM
Love those two door wagons. I had a '55 two door Handyman wagon, all original, never been touched. IL6, under dash overdrive unit, complete interior with both seat and all the door panel trim. Sadly life handed me a situation that involved selling the wagon. Was not what I wanted to do but sometimes life works that way. Looks like a really nice project and the extra parts is icing.

busterwivell
11-12-2022, 03:10 PM
and just like that.............it's gone. I know not to start work on a car until you "own" it, as in having it titled in your name. All we've done was inventory the parts we had, got a key made so we could open the tailgate, and ordered a bonded title. I ordered a bonded title when we got home. I paid the title service Thursday, have a title number, and the state is mailing the title, should have it Monday or Tuesday.
Anyway, I told a friend about it. He told a friend about it. That friend called and wanted to see it. He asked what it would take for him to own it. I told him and he paid it. Oh, well..........I wasn't that excited about a full fledged project anyway. He's planning a frame off on the car, so it's going to a good home.

WagonCrazy
11-14-2022, 08:30 AM
ha ha! busterwivellflipper!

busterwivell
11-14-2022, 03:34 PM
A proud flipper, I might add. I'm glad it's going to a young guy, that he will do a frame off, and put another one back on the street. I was just a middle man. The title came today.