My VN Wagon, 1991

[Insomniacs Dream]

OK so here's the story:

I've had My P's for about 2-3 months and do not have my own car yet. As my Dad has a shameful amount of cars I was driving one of his (VL Exec). We share the VL Exec now and until recently had a VN Wagon which was his daily before the VL, sitting in the yard.

So after sharing the VL for a while, I decided to ask for the Keys for the VN wagon as a project car.

So at the moment its been vacuumed and washed (2 years of sitting) and has come up pretty good, straight body and barely any rust.

A Few things in the future:

- Continue Cleaning
- He says may have Axle problem but doesn't know if he fixed it or not before parking it.
- Engine has not had a proper run in 2 years and may have a few issues.
- A bit of other obligatory shit like door jam seals, battery, tires and a bit more crap like that.
- R/H headlight has blown..
- Tires - Maybe Rims too...
- New carpet in back
- Venetians :P
- SL Springs cause it looks like a 4WD
- CD/DVD player or double din Carputer install.

Car is in good nick, only done 197,000.

[doyab]

Sounds like a plan.

[Insomniacs Dream]

Oh it is mate, as soon as i get my money together I'm going to start some work on this thing, Hopefully get a bit more involved with JC and come on a few cruises with you guys and your beautiful cars.

[Peter89]

post some pics up. will allow us to see the whole build up.

[Insomniacs Dream]

OK so over the last week or so the wagon has been in the shed getting a bit of work done.

So far I've done:

- A rough clean all over
- All door cards pulled off and window winders fixed, lubricated and door hinges lubricated. Also fixed door opening latch which was not opening the door
- Rust in tailgate chipped off, treated, bogged and then sprayed (still needs window in)
- Replaced storage areas wooden floor, washed carpet
- Had a look at how badly the battery support is rusted and the best way to fix it.
- Cleaned some surface rust off bonnet from stone chips and from door jams.
- Fixed fuel pump which was not working, turns out it had a gummed up impeller

That's about it for now, some of the next things to do will be to put the rear window back in and seal it, put all of the door cards back in properly, fix the battery support, replace head unit garnish as Dad broke the last one (all is forgiven as he is invaluable on a project like this being a spray painter/panel beater) , check out brakes/engine/gearbox and then polish and wax for a roadie.

Here's a few pics.



The Paint is blended very well and will be even better after a proper polish.

[Insomniacs Dream]

Some more Pics:

Now with 'ceptors and Chrome caps and nuts

[NEDWOB]

getting there and good to meet you today.
with the small parts id say wreckers is your best bet if you need any more things let me know i may have them lying around somewhere.
im doing a huge clean out atm, so i could have some more things your after

[Insomniacs Dream]

Thanks mate, nice to meet you too and sorry we couldn't hang around to chat a little bit longer. I really appreciate the headlights, they will come up good and thanks again for the wheels. and yeah for sure, let me know if your going to be throwing some VN wagon parts out cause I'm always interested.

[NEDWOB]

i habe 2 spare front gaurds here in my nice blue and so on, free of charge to you

[Insomniacs Dream]

Thanks heaps for the offer mate, appreciate it but at the moment i have pretty decent guards and don't really have any room for spares. Thanks for the offer but i reckon some of the other guys would benefit more from them

[NEDWOB]

thats no prob. i might make up a for sale thread with all my spare vn-vs parts i have
whats next on the list to do?

[Insomniacs Dream]

Theres some rust in the battery support which needs to be cut out and replaced with new steel and then it will be time to put my wheels on after there painted and then roadworthy + Reg.

[Insomniacs Dream]

Ok the rear window has been sealed up now, good as new :P

[Insomniacs Dream]

Been slowly picking up some bits, I have a rear taillight assembly, bought 2 level 2 tacho gauges. Looking to get rid of one... Should be putting them in soon, also looking for a wags with a gas system on it to wreck or for sale.

[neet_wagon]

Don't put it on Gas, its only good for Taxis and BBQ's.
Even forklifts don't like it.

Good luck with the build mate. Nothing like a good-looking wagon.
Should look good with the venetians and so forth.

Have to fix the lean on those seats!
And just paint the rear carpet (unless its totally knackered)

Stereo surround will be a dime a dozen at the wreckers, just make sure the next person to take it out un-does the screws in the bottom of it!

Keep us updated!


****Btw: They didn't make a VL in 1989.

[Insomniacs Dream]

Nah mate gas will be good while I'm still a student, i don't want heaps of power or to do lots of tuning. I just want a car that runs well and doesn't cost me an arm and a leg while I'm still tying to save some cash.

I'm thinking about painting the carpet but id really like new carpet or near new cause im putting a mattress in there Will look slick with venetians

*** Thanks mate, just a typo. I signed up for this forum in the early hours of the morning if i remember correctly.

[NEDWOB]

getting there, the goodies your sourcing will look great once on the wag. its getting there mate

[Insomniacs Dream]

Yeah man, there is a Green VP wagon on Calais Turbo that i was thinking about its dual fuel for 350 bucks...

[Insomniacs Dream]

Hey guys, bit of an update.

Theres some new pics with my wheels and chrome center caps on :P

[NEDWOB]

saw they look excellent on the wag.

[Insomniacs Dream]

Hey guys, long time no update, just been gathering funds still.. not working full time is a bitch with a project.. but anyway,

My plans for my wagon are:

- VQ Statesman Grille
- VQ Statesman front bumper
- VQ Statesman rear wheel arches (will modify)
- VQ Statesman Interior (incl. door trims, map and passenger grab handle lights etc, Not incl dash/cluster yet)
- VN Berlina/Calais/VQ Statsman Electric windows
- Central Locking
- New boot carpet
- 6" Splits in doors
- Install 6x9's in cargo area to sit flush in wall

Tell me how it sounds and if you have any of the bits just laying around that i may find useful.

[NEDWOB]

what do u mean rear wheel arches. you mean spats for a wagon that look like statesman ones

[Insomniacs Dream]

Nah man, ive heard that the statesman ones will fit onto the wagon arches if you make a bracket to attach them to the guard or w/e. There is a wagon called STATOHH that has them on it, heres a link if it will let me post it: Stato Wagon

[Insomniacs Dream]

So the other day I got a Stato interior off Ebay for 150 out the other side of the city. Its in really good nick and the stains that are on it are only from me in the last 2 days :S

Took me about an hour to adapt the executive steering wheel brackets to the statesman one and it looks so much nicer afterward!








Old Shitty front seats, torn and stained and GAY!


Now to just fiddle with the back seats and brackets.. Any info offered on how its done appreciated! (Nedwob ;D)

[Insomniacs Dream]

Well guys, getting a big update now!

I've just purchased a VQ Front end conversion for the wagon and this will be happening in the next month or so once TAFE is done and dusted.

If you hunt around you can find stato fronts for cheap, mine only set me back $150.

Will be updating pictures once the fronts done. Also Battery support and everything is fixed and has all new paneling in there with better water drainage.

Till next time,

Jake.