Replacing my 78 Impala Wagon with a Low Mileage 78 Catalina

[cammerjeff]

I know what you mean about the 307 Olds Powered Wagons, My Father had a 77 Caprice Estate with a 2bbl 305 SBC. That car was dangerous on freeway on ramps, and the speed limit was 55MPH Then!!!! One of the reasons I prefer the 77-79 versions as you could still get 350's and even 400 or 403's in them. They may not have alot of Power but they have enough torque to get the 4500lb cars moving to freeway speeds. The later 91-96 Whale's are alot faster with the TPI 305's and available LT1's, but I don't car for there looks, and what really ruins them for me is the fact that the rear window doesn't roll down, and the single action tailgate.
I never liked the boxy body style when they came out, but almost 40 years later I have warmed up to them, I think its because of how different they are from anything modern. Getting ready to bull out in a couple of hours to get it. Still have my fingers crossed that it is as good as it looks in the pictures.

[rpoz-29]

We had a '78 Cutlass with the 260cid,(Oldsmobile), V8. It was never fast, or economical but when the turbo 200 went south, I replaced it with a turbo 350. The performance and mileage got worse. I suppose there were gearing and rotating mass differences, but neither had overdrive, and it had a 2.29 rear. I always wondered why it's mileage was so bad.

[cammerjeff]

Well I don't know if I told every one here how my trip to get the Catlina Safari turned out. 13 hour drive one way to get the car, the car was almost exactly in the condition as the seller described it. Looked good in the late evening light mist, Started right up, I drove it around the block and tested all the accessories, every thing worked!!!!! And loaded it on my trailer. The plan was to get something to eatand then find a room for the night.
Things started going wrong just as Ipulled into a HotelParking Lot, I got a Frantic call from my Wife saying the house next door was ON FIRE!!!!!! Well I told her to grab the Dogs and get out of our house as the Garage is only about 10 yards from our house! Well I was no longer sleepy and decided to drive through the night and come home. She called me about 2 hours later sayingthe Neibors got out, but thier house was a total loss, and the FD arrived just as our house started to burn. And we have some damage but nother Major.
So slighty releived we continued on. Everthing was OK until just south of Finley Oh10 when the freezing rain started. I slowed down to around 30mph but the Semi's were not happy with that speed, finally one passed me and decided to do his best imitation of a NASCAR lane change in front of me, and when I took my foot off the gas my trailer tried to pass my truck, couldn't save it and the car and trailer went in the ditch, the 36000 mile survivor took quite a bit of damage to the Right Rear 1/4 and tore out the spare tire well. Plus a few scrapes small dents and the rear tail gate emblems were knocked off of it.
But both incedents could have been alot worse!!!!! No body was hurt, the car and our house are repairable. Haggerty has been great dealing with the claim, I onlyhad the car insured for 12 hours when I wrecked it, and they paid the claim with no hassels, they didn't even blink when we found a small dent in the rear bumper and it had to be repaired and rechromed. My home owners insurance is anouther matter, I have been fightingthem sense November and they have just recently paid 2/3's of what I would consider fair.
But the house is under repair finally, and I got the Safari back from the shop on Monday the 9th, our own Clyde helped track down NOS Tailgate emblems to finish it off (Thanks Again Clyde!!!!) I actually got to drive the Wagon for the 1st time Monday, it drives like a new car, very happy with it, but now I have to change all the Fluids, belts, and Hoses. And replace the Cheep Aftermarket AM Radio, add some rear speakers, and a power antenna, and swap out the Delux wheel covers for a set of 71 Dog Dish's and Trim Rings. And it will be ready to Cruise. Better days!!!!!

[cammerjeff]

Now some shots of what I did to the car and Trailer

[cammerjeff]

And how it looked in some poorly staged shots Monday evening after washing it off. Body work looks great! Paint Matches OK I had them touch up a few spots while they had it in the shop. Very happy with the way it drives. I don't know when the last time I drove a carb'd car that starts as nice as this one does. Just set the choke with 1 pump, and turn the key, amazing!!!!!

[hammerdown7]

What an ordeal Jeff, glad things are getting better. Car looks great after the repairs, it sure could have been worse. Hope your house gets back to normal. Too bad Haggerty doesn't insure houses!

Dick

[zeke]

WoW! Glad you were not damaged! Car looks like it recovered fine! Your house looks like it just needs re-siding? You deserve a run of good luck now.