Why yes, a Caprice wagon is faster than a Volvo 245.

Just had our second autocross of the season this past weekend. This time it was held at Lake Erie Speedway, and I'll be honest, I was pretty nervous about running the Caprice on such a big track. Didn't do as bad as I thought I might, but was a good 10 seconds off the pace of the quicker cars. I did however come close to taking first in FS, as the guy in first was only 2 seconds quicker than I was. My friend was driving my old 240 wagon, and I bet him by a couple of tenths. In my car, I'll take it.

This past weekend taught me a good lesson in tire temperature. My run group did six runs in a row, and my poor tires just were not up to the job. Time to find some Impala SS wheels.

holy carp.

next time you run there give me a heads up i'll bring the SS.

Very cool.

Nice. My first car was a top-of-the-line Caprice sedan of the same vintage. My friend had a woody wagon in the same blue as yours. A very fine ride.

If presented with a choice between the 245 and a Caprice, I'd have a difficult choice on my hands.

Nice autocross shots!

I like it!

patgizz wrote: holy carp. next time you run there give me a heads up i'll bring the SS.

Will do! Our next event in June might be at LES if the lot they are trying for is unavailable.

Also, good sir, do you know of anyone selling Impala SS or Roadmaster wagon alloys?

edit: LES is an awesome track. Driving on the bank in the wagon with the pedal mashed to the floor is an experience I won't soon forget.

at first glance I thought this might be a Miami Valley Sports Car Club event

plance1 wrote: at first glance I thought this might be a Miami Valley Sports Car Club event

Except Kil-kare doesn't have those barrier things in the middle, just grass.

what, no video?

if you don't have your heart set on the 17" wheels, you can get some 15X8 steel wheels from an 80's or 90's 2wd pickup and put some big meaty tires on those..

Or if you are cheap, get some Crager Soft 8s in 17x9 size to go with some R-comps, then you will have some real fun.

novaderrik wrote: what, no video? if you don't have your heart set on the 17" wheels, you can get some 15X8 steel wheels from an 80's or 90's 2wd pickup and put some big meaty tires on those..

I have been looking at the older Rallye wheels. I'm not too picky, I would also take Roadmaster wagon wheels.

the only extra b body wheels i have are from a 94 cop car. 15x7 steelies. i do have a set of 15x6 van rally rims, those are kinda cool too, but narrower than i prefer.

i sold my extra impala wheels to a buddy for his roady wagon.

patgizz wrote: holy carp. next time you run there give me a heads up i'll bring the SS.

Count me in also

These are the stories I love to read. All do respect to the very talented drivers who compete nationally with the class favorite car, it is the guy who bings out what he has or who brings out a car that he likes, that makes autocrossing fun. Now if I could only find an affordable Dart.

This is awesome!! A bet that thing is a hoot drive . .

Thanks guys. It's actually pretty challenging to drive. It's pretty easy to get ahead of the power steering, and the huge amount of force from shifting 4500lbs through a slalom is absolutely wild to experience. Honestly though, it's bloody addictive!

Pat, these cop wheels, how much do you want for them? I think they would fit the bill nicely for me. Also, what would be a good size to run on them?

$50? might have some center caps. theyre in relatively nice shape and not all rusty. i used to run 245/60 on 15x7 on my 91 caprice and it worked pretty nice.

I'll take them! If it's not a problem, just give me a few weeks. I put a spending freeze on myself until my summer teaching checks start rolling in.

I think GRM should host a Wagons Only autocross event.

yeah they're on a roller 9c1 chassis slated to go under the 53 belair. a few weeks will give me time to get something else that holds air to bolt on.

Next time you need to roll in with the back of the wagon filled with paper grocery bags and fake groceries looking like you just came from the supermarket.