What is it about wagons that people seem to love? Perhaps it’s the utilitarian hauler aspect to it, a domain that’s more in line with trucks and vans. That, merged with the looks of a car, make these types of vehicles true hybrids of form and function.
And while this ’53 Pontiac Chieftain wagon certainly has aged, the fact that it can still stand on all fours and look like this can only mean good things for its next owner, as the car recently sold privately after being advertised on eBay (item no. 321463626847). That, if anything, counts for a car having aged well.
Located in Colorado, this Chieftain was one of those quasi-woodie cars of the 1950s, sporting a curvy steel body but no authentic wooden paneling. Instead, the suits at Pontiac opted to have a woodgrain look painted onto the car, which not only saved them some simoleons, but also saves the future restorer the cost as well.
What will wind up turning this car into a labor of love (or money pit), however, is the sheer amount of work it’ll take to get the thing looking pretty again. The interior is trashed, with no carpeting left, signs of advanced oxidation to the floorpan, and seats in dire need of attention. The only part that appears somewhat decent is the dashboard, but even that’s a stretch.
Under the hood, the prospects aren’t exactly sunny, either. The vintage straight-eight motor has nostalgia to spare, but hasn’t been started in a number of years, although the seller’s description mentioned that it did turn over. New accessories and brightwork are definitely needed here.
Were you to see a car like this, what would be your reaction? Take a pass? Keep the rugged patina? Or commit to a total restoration? Leave a comment below.