My first meadowbrook

[NorthernMainer]

Hey everyone, I just picked up my first meadowbrook. I had actually just bought a 54 coronet, and a buddy of mine said hey I have this 54 meadowbrook that you need.. and he was right. It's never seen a winter on the road, and it's from California. 

 

Now according to the vin, it's the last Meadowbrook ever produced at the San Leandro assembly plant before it's closing. Does that add any value? If it's worth something then I don't want to customize it. I'll add pictures when I can figure out how to. 

 

Edited November 29, 2023 by NorthernMainer
Added pictures

[Sniper]

If you are looking to get into these cars for money, well I hope it's losing money you are wishing for because making money isn't going to happen.

 

No, it doesn't add anything to it's value.  Maybe if it was in pristine, unrestored condition it might make for something interesting for the auctioneer to claim.

[NorthernMainer]

1 minute ago, Sniper said:

If you are looking to get into these cars for money, well I hope it's losing money you are wishing for because making money isn't going to happen.

 

No, it doesn't add anything to it's value.  Maybe if it was in pristine, unrestored condition it might make for something interesting for the auctioneer to claim.

 

I didn't buy it to try, and make money. I'm actually a Chevy guy, but I like the look of the early to mid 50s Mopar a lot more than the chevy cars. I just didn't want to modify it in any way if it were actually worth something. I paid a pretty penny for it simply because it's so clean, and that doesn't bother me one bit because I hate dealing with rot. 

 

My plans are a paint job, interior, engine swap, and air suspension. This is going to be my road trip car. 

[Los_Control]

I think your plans sound fine. Last Meadobrook at the plant??? I dunno, sounds interesting though ....

 

I say fix it the way you want it.

 

I have a 1949 Dodge 1/2 ton truck that identify as a 1950.

What I mean is that at the end of 1949 they made about 2k trucks that had all the 1950 upgrades ... moving the 3 spd floor shifter to the column is the big one.

Then they shipped them out to the dealers to put on the show room floor in 1949 to advertise the 1950 trucks. You can identify these trucks with a X on the end of the serial number.

 

I think it is interesting, but I do not think the value is increased any.  Is basically a 1950 truck with a 1949 title ... I will repair and modify as I see fit to make the truck work for me.

[NorthernMainer]

1 hour ago, Los_Control said:

I think your plans sound fine. Last Meadobrook at the plant??? I dunno, sounds interesting though ....

 

I say fix it the way you want it.

 

I have a 1949 Dodge 1/2 ton truck that identify as a 1950.

What I mean is that at the end of 1949 they made about 2k trucks that had all the 1950 upgrades ... moving the 3 spd floor shifter to the column is the big one.

Then they shipped them out to the dealers to put on the show room floor in 1949 to advertise the 1950 trucks. You can identify these trucks with a X on the end of the serial number.

 

I think it is interesting, but I do not think the value is increased any.  Is basically a 1950 truck with a 1949 title ... I will repair and modify as I see fit to make the truck work for me.

I think that's pretty cool too! I have an article showing the vins produced for 1954, and I'd share it, but my vin number is on there. 

[Ivan_B]

2 hours ago, NorthernMainer said:

...and I'd share it, but my vin number is on there. 

Big deal... On most modern cars the VIN number is right at the corner of the windshield, for everyone to see. Ever looked at those at the parking lot? ?

[Dan Hiebert]

Welcome to the Forum.  You've probably already figured out this is a good place to get help, information, opinions, etc.  Nice to see another member in Maine, and in the County, too!  

[NorthernMainer]

12 hours ago, Dan Hiebert said:

Welcome to the Forum.  You've probably already figured out this is a good place to get help, information, opinions, etc.  Nice to see another member in Maine, and in the County, too!  

Thanks! Way up by Caribou. 

[Dan Hiebert]

"Way up" is relative, I'm "only" an hour south of you.  I get upta Caribou a few times a year, perhaps we'll clink heads in the future.  I see some stuff in your photos I wouldn't mind taking a closer look at, not many old cars just sitting around up here to peruse.    

[greg g]

Hey, don't you guys need a permit when proposing two folks from away plan a get together?  I'm sure the village clerk is supposed to keep a record of stuff like that.

[Ivan_B]

Is that some kind of rural Maine joke? Please elaborate ?

[greg g]

From away refers to non native Maine folks.  A gathering of folks from away can make locals nervous. 

[Rodney_Hamon]

Well, tell that group of strangers to remove their dodgers caps and make sure plenty of flannel shirts are visible in my opinion. That chrome looks pretty good under that frosting of snow btw.  I bought a ‘51 cranbrook parts car from a field a few years back and the owner said his dad 20 years earlier got it from another field.  He poured gas in the carb and the engine turned over and that was good enough for him. Jeez, I guess that was good enough for me.  Since then...mice and rust have taken it down. lol 

[Dan Hiebert]

Well, I'm from "away" here, but I don't know about NorthernMainer.  There's no permit required if there is at least one Mainer present with flatlanders, then it depends on local Town ordinance whether or not the Mainer has to report any suspicious musings of the person(s) from away, since they would usually be found out anyway.  People in town knew where I lived almost before I did when we moved here.  Aroostook County had an influx of folks from the big population centers during the height of the pandemic, but that didn't temper the locals "standoffishness" much since most didn't make it past their first winter. 

[NorthernMainer]

1 hour ago, Dan Hiebert said:

Well, I'm from "away" here, but I don't know about NorthernMainer.  There's no permit required if there is at least one Mainer present with flatlanders, then it depends on local Town ordinance whether or not the Mainer has to report any suspicious musings of the person(s) from away, since they would usually be found out anyway.  People in town knew where I lived almost before I did when we moved here.  Aroostook County had an influx of folks from the big population centers during the height of the pandemic, but that didn't temper the locals "standoffishness" much since most didn't make it past their first winter. 

I'm originally from Connecticut ? but I've been here since I was 16, and been coming here all my life. 

[NorthernMainer]

So I actually posted the car up for sale yesterday, but I'm already taking the ad back down Lol. The only reason I had posted it is because I'm trying to get my own trailer truck on the road, and registration is not cheap! (Roughly $5,000)

 

However as I look the car over I can't help, but fall in love with it. So I guess I'll have to wait a little longer to register my truck, no biggie I have 5 months before I need it on the road anyway. 

 

Here's a few pics after I got it to my buddies, and installed the new wheels ? and a pic with my coronet parked next to it.

 

Some of you guys won't quite care for what I'm going to do with the meadowbrook, but I think it should be ok within the community because I think I've rescued it from it's 40 year grave. It's getting an engine swap, rear end swap, front disc brake swap (From rusty hope), and maybe air bag suspension. What will probably tick some of you off is that it won't be a Dodge power train. 

 

 

[NorthernMainer]

Here's a pic I snapped of both my 54's ?

[oldodge41]

Your car. You do you! No one else has to like what you do. I say build it your way.

[Sam Buchanan]

Man...what's with all that white stuff on everything??  ?

[NorthernMainer]

8 hours ago, oldodge41 said:

Your car. You do you! No one else has to like what you do. I say build it your way.

Agreed!

[NorthernMainer]

6 hours ago, Sam Buchanan said:

Man...what's with all that white stuff on everything??  ?

We call that depression up in these parts ?

[Dan Hiebert]

I tell people that you can't do winter stuff if it aint winter!  Of course, if you don't like winter stuff, that's a different story.

[SteveR]

On 12/3/2023 at 6:07 PM, Sam Buchanan said:

Man...what's with all that white stuff on everything??  

Where I am in England we get very little to no snow. Me coming from Minnesota, and I miss it! ?

[NorthernMainer]

So I don't know if I'm getting older, and don't care for engine swaps, or just can't see cutting up a nice car to hot rod. I put both the coronet, and the meadowbrook up for sale. 

 

I just don't have it in me to cut up the meadowbrook, it's such a sweet car as is.. and could be a cool ride as it sits if someone took the time to get it running. 

[Booger]

My thoughts..its not something a serious rodder would choose as a project. This is a Grandpa car. From the looks of it it has some decent body parts. Drive it to Sunday go to meetings