Dear Panthers,
Declining health has ended my sheepdog trialing so I’m selling the Shooting Brake. Since it’s modified to take dogs and humans long distances to sheepdog trials I first offered it to sheepdoggers, one who replied: asked: “Is there any reason you can think of that it would be bad decision?”
To which I replied: “You asked why it might be a bad decision. If you're a gearhead there's no problem. If, like me, you're not I'd hook you up with my internet gurus. (It's a famous car in some circles.) But. This car has been extensively modified and if you take to the local Ford dealership they'll get in there and say WTF!”
I realized that without GMN (or mechanical expertise) if anything broke the Shooting Brake was too modified for the average driver to fix it or get it fixed.
So it's for sale to those who can. A savvy owner could put a little more work in it for a show car. Or could be a vacation car or a reliable daily driver.
Nineteen years ago, I bought this 1989 Colony Park to get me to sheepdog trials in the United States and Canada. It’d carry five humans in the cabin plus four Border Collies (three in airline crates) in the wayback or with the back seat folded a co-driver and six dogs. Hours and hours of Interstate (20/21 mpg at 75 mph) would end in some pasture in Endoftheworld Wyoming.
If there’s anything worse than breaking down on a West Texas ranch road at four in the morning, it’s breaking down with dogs. I didn’t want it fixed after it broke: I wanted it parts replaced before they might break. Aircraft maintainence. I can’t think of running gear that hasn’t been rebuilt or replaced.
The big wagon was posh but handled like a barge. It got big ceramic brakes, 16 inch wheels, police steering and suspension, limited slip (it reached the top at the 715!) Daniel Stern lighting system. and a brush guard to survive deer collisions. Rain sensing wipers, glare resistant mirrors, back up sensor - it has a programable cabin heat alarm. Category three hitch.
Since I spent hours/days in the car I installed better sound, custom instruments and walnut dashboard. The seats are reupholstered and the passenger seat folds flat into a full size bed. A codriver can nap or the car can be a minimal camper.
Details:
Reliability:
1984 Hearse Frame protected against a/c drip
130 amp 3G alternator
3 cell radiator
tranny cooler
Power steering cooler
Undershot pully
roller rockers
aluminum driveshaft
limited slip differential
less than 5000 miles on remanufacturer 302
less than 1000 milea on remanufactured tranny
Safety:
big ceramic disc brakes (stops quicker than a new Cadillac).
ABS
16 inch lincoln wheels with Yokohoma tires (less than 4000 miles) Nearly
new full sized spare
heavy duty sway bars
new body and engine mounts
high performance steering box
heated antiglare mirrors
Helas fogs
Daniel Stern headlights and wiring
driving lights as ditchlights and augmenting the backup lights
backup sensor
tailgate window wiper
rain sensing windshield wipers
tinted glass
Luxury
Pioneer dash and front door speakers
remote entry
Peugot bucket seats with a sleeper seat
custom genuine walnut dash w/ New Vintage speedo/tach/gas/oil
pressure/ammeter, Dakota Digital shift indicator, outside temp gauge,
programable interior temp gauge/thermostat w/ audible overheating alarm
electronics limiter
battery cutoff switch
What’s wrong with it?
During the engine rebuild the #1 cylinder wall got scuffed and it clicks
for the two minutes it takes to warm up. Expert mechanics stay not to
worry. I’d feel safe driving it anywhere.
The (solid) paint is 12 years old.
A pixel has died on the electronic gear indicator which shows the same
for P and R
The engine bay mat and dash cover are ratty.
It’s been off the frame, derusted and rust prevention. Welded metal, no
bondo. Two new rust points in rear quarter panels.
The temp gauge reads too high.
The remote unlocks the car but you must lock it with the inside switches.
The lid of the driver side rear seat ashtray won’t stay shut.
Price: Over the years I’ve put 50k in it, 8 for the rebuilt engine and remanned tranny alone. I’m offering it to panthers for $3500
It’s outside Staunton Virginia.
PM me for pics or more info
Donald McCaig
Declining health has ended my sheepdog trialing so I’m selling the Shooting Brake. Since it’s modified to take dogs and humans long distances to sheepdog trials I first offered it to sheepdoggers, one who replied: asked: “Is there any reason you can think of that it would be bad decision?”
To which I replied: “You asked why it might be a bad decision. If you're a gearhead there's no problem. If, like me, you're not I'd hook you up with my internet gurus. (It's a famous car in some circles.) But. This car has been extensively modified and if you take to the local Ford dealership they'll get in there and say WTF!”
I realized that without GMN (or mechanical expertise) if anything broke the Shooting Brake was too modified for the average driver to fix it or get it fixed.
So it's for sale to those who can. A savvy owner could put a little more work in it for a show car. Or could be a vacation car or a reliable daily driver.
Nineteen years ago, I bought this 1989 Colony Park to get me to sheepdog trials in the United States and Canada. It’d carry five humans in the cabin plus four Border Collies (three in airline crates) in the wayback or with the back seat folded a co-driver and six dogs. Hours and hours of Interstate (20/21 mpg at 75 mph) would end in some pasture in Endoftheworld Wyoming.
If there’s anything worse than breaking down on a West Texas ranch road at four in the morning, it’s breaking down with dogs. I didn’t want it fixed after it broke: I wanted it parts replaced before they might break. Aircraft maintainence. I can’t think of running gear that hasn’t been rebuilt or replaced.
The big wagon was posh but handled like a barge. It got big ceramic brakes, 16 inch wheels, police steering and suspension, limited slip (it reached the top at the 715!) Daniel Stern lighting system. and a brush guard to survive deer collisions. Rain sensing wipers, glare resistant mirrors, back up sensor - it has a programable cabin heat alarm. Category three hitch.
Since I spent hours/days in the car I installed better sound, custom instruments and walnut dashboard. The seats are reupholstered and the passenger seat folds flat into a full size bed. A codriver can nap or the car can be a minimal camper.
Details:
Reliability:
1984 Hearse Frame protected against a/c drip
130 amp 3G alternator
3 cell radiator
tranny cooler
Power steering cooler
Undershot pully
roller rockers
aluminum driveshaft
limited slip differential
less than 5000 miles on remanufacturer 302
less than 1000 milea on remanufactured tranny
Safety:
big ceramic disc brakes (stops quicker than a new Cadillac).
ABS
16 inch lincoln wheels with Yokohoma tires (less than 4000 miles) Nearly
new full sized spare
heavy duty sway bars
new body and engine mounts
high performance steering box
heated antiglare mirrors
Helas fogs
Daniel Stern headlights and wiring
driving lights as ditchlights and augmenting the backup lights
backup sensor
tailgate window wiper
rain sensing windshield wipers
tinted glass
Luxury
Pioneer dash and front door speakers
remote entry
Peugot bucket seats with a sleeper seat
custom genuine walnut dash w/ New Vintage speedo/tach/gas/oil
pressure/ammeter, Dakota Digital shift indicator, outside temp gauge,
programable interior temp gauge/thermostat w/ audible overheating alarm
electronics limiter
battery cutoff switch
What’s wrong with it?
During the engine rebuild the #1 cylinder wall got scuffed and it clicks
for the two minutes it takes to warm up. Expert mechanics stay not to
worry. I’d feel safe driving it anywhere.
The (solid) paint is 12 years old.
A pixel has died on the electronic gear indicator which shows the same
for P and R
The engine bay mat and dash cover are ratty.
It’s been off the frame, derusted and rust prevention. Welded metal, no
bondo. Two new rust points in rear quarter panels.
The temp gauge reads too high.
The remote unlocks the car but you must lock it with the inside switches.
The lid of the driver side rear seat ashtray won’t stay shut.
Price: Over the years I’ve put 50k in it, 8 for the rebuilt engine and remanned tranny alone. I’m offering it to panthers for $3500
It’s outside Staunton Virginia.
PM me for pics or more info
Donald McCaig
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