When we look around, we see the modern-day people and cargo movers are the popular minivan and the SUV. If you look back a few decades, you'll find the post-war years were boom years for another type of vehicle, namely the family station wagon. While some manufacturers still offer station wagon models, we're nowhere near the sheer volume that was available from the 1950s through the 1970s. Every manufacturer offered buyers a wide variety of station wagon models built on all of their compact mid-size and full-size vehicle platforms.
Several manufacturers found the station wagon had a luxury niche with the country club set and began selling specialty pillarless hardtop models called estate wagons. Most came fully loaded with the same power equipment and chrome trim as the top-of-the-line sedans. Dressed to the nines with room for the entire foursome, including ample space for golf clubs, it was an attractive way to arrive. Buick began marketing the upscale wagons in 1954 and in 1957 the totally new wider and lower body appeared, with an also new Caballero four-door hardtop estate wagon. Weighing in at 4,423 pounds and riding on a 122-inch wheelbase, the $3,831 Caballero was a comfortable car, powered by a 310 horsepower, 364-cubic-inch V8 engine with three-speed Dynaflow automatic transmission.
It was 2004 when Russ Paterson of Winnipeg spotted a '57 Caballero estate wagon sitting at his friend, Richard Anton's, home. It had sat for about a dozen years, but it was a complete, 28,000-mile original car from Saskatchewan with zero rust on the body or frame. "I wanted the car as soon as I saw it and it took two or three offers before I could convince Richard to part with it," says Paterson.
With the car in Paterson's shop, he and friends Bob Sterner and Gerry Barker began carefully dismantling the car for a full restoration. Paterson says, "Everything that came off of the car was catalogued and tagged." The car had no rust issues, so they turned to the powertrain. The 364 V8 was running but the engine block was cracked. Most likely caused by not having a sufficient anti-freeze and water mix in the coolant system during winter storage, it led to an unrepairable crack. Another engine block was located and machined by Sturgeon Creek Garage and Egge Obsolete Engine Parts supplied a complete rebuild kit. Assembled by Bob Sterner, the engine is now as strong as the day it was new. A rebuilt radiator and new dual exhaust system was installed, along with all-new hoses, brake, steering and suspension components.
The pristine body was turned over to Dan at MC Painting just east of Winnipeg for the application of the new Teal and white paint finish, while Otto Szalai of Otto's Custom Upholstering in Beausejour installed new matching upholstery and carpeting. All of the chrome and stainless steel trim, and there is a lot of it, was replated and polished by Bob Duncan at The House of Silver.
Loaded with convenience options like power steering, power brakes, power windows, tinted glass and Selectronic AM radio, it's an attractive car, especially with the enhanced curb appeal from the True-Spoke wheels from Vintage wheels and wide whitewall radial tires from Coker Tire.
With reproduction parts for the Buick scarce and some of the unique pieces for the wagon unobtainable, the restorer has to seek out N.O.S. (new old stock) parts or refurbish what he has. With a total production of 10,186 units, the Caballero estate wagon wasn't extremely plentiful and it's a very difficult vehicle to find today. Having been fully restored, with a full history, this example would be rated as a No. 1 car and carry a price tag well into the six-figure range. Golfing at the country club anyone?
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This Sunday, the South Whiteshell Motorsports Association presents the "All Roads Lead To Falcon" Show & Shine from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration opens at 10 a.m. and the entry fee is $10 per vehicle. Dash plaques for the first 100 vehicles participating and several awards are up for grabs with net proceeds going to the Canadian Cancer Society, Manitoba branch. It's part of the annual Falcon Fun Fest & Exhibition. Enjoy a great day at the beach with Wonder Shows Midway, pony rides for the kids, beach volleyball and a whole lot more. Check it out at www.falconlake.autoclubs.ca for more information. See you at the lake!
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