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Cool Custom: 1964 Plymouth Valiant Station Wagon

When the seller located this 1964 Plymouth Valiant Station Wagon, it had been sitting in storage since 1970. With only six years of active service under its belt to that point, it proved to be structurally sound and essentially rust-free. He has revived it and transformed it into a New York City taxi clone. It turns heads in its current form, but the buyer may choose to perform a faithful cosmetic restoration. It is in excellent mechanical health and is ready to be enjoyed by a lucky new owner. Located in Farmingdale, New York, you will find the Valiant listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $14,995, which seems relatively affordable for a classic that is guaranteed to draw crowds wherever it goes.

It isn’t clear when the seller located this Valiant, but the impression is that it wasn’t that long ago. The vehicle had been sitting in storage since 1970, and a close inspection revealed that it was structurally sound. Its original Dark Blue paint now sports many chips, scratches, and other imperfections, and the Wagon would benefit from a repaint. However, the seller didn’t follow that path. Instead, he transformed it into the clone that you see today. It is not a look that will appeal to everyone, but it certainly rates as something different. Looking beyond the signwriting and decals, this classic is surprisingly straight and rust-free. The panels wear a few minor bruises but no significant dents or other problems. Apart from some surface corrosion where the scratches have exposed the metal, the exterior has no visible penetrating rust. The seller indicates that the floors are rock solid, so if the buyer chooses a faithful restoration, they will be starting from a sound base. The exterior trim is in good condition for its age, while the glass appears flawless. The chrome roof rack is a practical addition and adds further to the character of this classic.

Since this Wagon had been sitting for decades, the owner has treated it to a mechanical refresh. Its engine and three-speed TorqueFlite transmission have been rebuilt, while the car features a new tank and fuel system. He extended the list further by adding new shocks, rebuilding the steering, replacing the entire braking system, re-coring the radiator, and performing sundry other mechanical tasks. I believe that the motor is the 170ci slant-six that produces 101hp. However, I’m not 100% sure about this fact and will be prepared to be corrected if I am wrong. If I am right, this combination should allow the Valiant to cover the ¼ mile in 20.6 seconds. That makes it no ball of fire, but it is still a competent performer. However, pure straight-line performance is not this classic’s forte. The owner says it runs and drives extremely well and is happy to cruise all day on the highway at 75mph. This is less ¼ mile bruiser and more an open road cruiser. It seems that it is ready for any cross-country journey the buyer can throw at it.

While the owner has commenced the interior restoration work, he has left a few tasks for the buyer to tackle. It already features a new carpet set and seat upholstery, but a headliner will need to go on the shopping list. The door trims and armrests are discolored, and I’m unsure whether these could be restored. The dash and fascia look respectable, although the painted surfaces would benefit from a refresh. If the buyer is in no rush or is short of funds, the work required isn’t urgent and could be tackled as time and finances allow. The attraction of this aspect of the restoration is that most of the tasks are pretty straightforward. That makes them perfect for an enthusiast to tackle in a home workshop during the latter winter months so that this Wagon is ready to be enjoyed when the weather turns warm once again.

Classics like this 1964 Plymouth Valiant Station Wagon can win hearts by their very appearance. There’s no doubt that this Wagon could turn heads wherever it goes, but its appearance will not appeal to all enthusiasts. That leaves potential buyers with a choice to make. Do they retain the car unchanged, or do they return it to its original appearance? The answer will come down to a matter of personal preference, and this is a case where there is no right or wrong answer. With those thoughts in mind, which path would you follow?

Comments

  1. Avatar Mrtinwoodie

    Idlewild was renamed JFK Airport on 12/23/63

    Like 3
    • Avatar Lance

      Which begs the question of how did a 1964 Plymouth get an advertisement painted on that ended in 1963???

      Like 3
      • Avatar Milt

        Seller says:
        “pinstriped to look like an old nyc taxi for Idlewild airport (done by pal coast Eddie pinstriping)”

        He’s not trying to fool anyone.

        Like 2
  2. Avatar Joe

    Is this a repeat?

    Like 8
    • Avatar Ike Onick

      Yep, and it is as bogus as it was then. Faked uo to look “cool”

      Like 5
    • Avatar Steve Clinton

      Deja Vu all over again.

      Like 2
  3. Avatar Montana Danford Staff

    Wow, I think I’m in love…

    Like 0
  4. Avatar Claudio

    I can see myself drifting the onramp, desperately trying to turn , the hubcaps flying off , the brakes overheating , the poor slant crying
    This thing would be dead in a week
    I guess its not for me
    I race , i don’t drive

    Like 1
  5. Avatar Steve

    I beleave you posted this a couple months ago

    Like 1
    • Avatar Steve Clinton

      It didn’t sell then and it won’t sell now.

      Like 5
  6. Avatar JTHapp

    “…There’s a holdup in the Bronx,
    Brooklyn’s broken out in fights,
    There’s a traffic jam in Harlem, that’s backed up to Jackson Heights.
    There’s a scout troop short a child…
    …Khrushchev due at Idlewild…

    …Car 54, where are you..?”

    sorry… I’ll see myself out

    Like 13
    • Avatar Mrtinwoodie

      Toody and Muldoon!
      Loved that show

      Like 5
  7. Avatar Troy

    $4,000 for the car $10,000 for the paint to fool people into thinking it was a airport shuttle good luck but the fact that the owner claims to have had the engine rebuilt and transmission refreshed is enough for me to say no thanks

    Like 2
  8. Avatar Lothar... of the Hill People

    Why repeat this car on BarnFinds and consistently pass on all my new submissions? Where’s the logic in that? By Zena’s tit$ I swear the management at BarnFinds doesn’t like me. Maybe it’s because I’m not a member…

    Like 10
    • Avatar Shawn

      Ha! Zena’s t1t$! That part alone deserves a thumbs up. You’ve got a point though, they seem to pass on a lot of user submission. Maybe they just don’t have time to write ups on all of them? Maybe they should create listings that show pics with a link to the sale and just let us comment away, that would at least cut down on time it takes to write each post.

      Like 4
      • Avatar Lothar... of the Hill People

        Shawn-

        Far be it from me to criticize a free service but yeah, I have thought for a while now that some of the descriptions are a little long anyways. Are they paying these dudes by the word? I’d vote for a hybrid of your proposed system and what they have now on a trial basis Shawn. I know I’m not a member and I’m just a barbarian but hey, I am the Chieftan. Somebody should listen to me.

        Well, I can tell by the position of the sun in the sky, that is time for me to go. Until next time, I am Lothar … of the Hill People.

        Like 3
    • Avatar angliagt Member

      Exactly why I’ve given up submitting finds.

      Like 5
      • Avatar Claudio

        Good idea

        Like 1
  9. Avatar chrlsful

    I had a white one and started pop rivetin the collapsed chicken coop’s metal roof on for rust repair (‘achieve inspection’). I saw a beautiful ’66 (may B the blue this should be). On the 2.5 hr return trip south from Burlington VT (1972) the PA wagon’s piston slammed thru the block & starter clattered off behind me on I91. I saw followers swerve to avoid it. I swapped the 200K mi ’64 in (both 170/2.8, never hada 225) to the ’66. Put nother 100K on in a 2 yr trip around the parameter states loaded down w/all my gear (skis, cast iron pans, tools, etc) & a few yrs in grad school that requited state wide travel).

    Guy’s not throwin any $ away on this one. Solid around town or on open rd. They’ve called me wagon-man ever since (40 yrs of different makes’n models but several yrs after this ownership – coincidence would have me driving livery w/a fleet of Kcar waggies) as this was so reliable’n ‘of utility’..just bought a fox wagon as I’d been w/o 7 yrs…

    Like 0
  10. Avatar angliagt Member

    chrsful,

    Once again,PLEASE stop acting like your texting.
    I can’t decipher your posts.Use plain words.

    Thanks

    Like 6
    • Avatar 370zpp Member

      I’m not sure “chrlsful” is using “texting shorthand”. It may be another language altogether.

      Like 5
      • Avatar Stevieg

        It sometimes takes me a while, but I can usually figure out what he I’d tryin’ to say lol. It isn’t text, I do believe that some people are just not the best spellers. Buy I will say this, he is insiteful and very funny, once you can decode the language barrier.

        Like 0
  11. Avatar Gene M.

    The engine is right for that valent as the273 V8 was 1 of 2 optional the other is the 225ci slant six

    Like 0
  12. Avatar A.G.

    I’ve seen this before. I’m still unimpressed.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar trav66

    Solid little grocery-getter with all the mechanicals being new or rebuilt. A little high on price but this thing could look and drive like a new one with a paint job and new tires and probably get closer to his asking price.

    Like 0

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