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1962 Valiant Station Wagon
https://mail.slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=67103		 Page 13 of 14
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Sat Sep 14, 2024 8:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 9/14/24
hawt!
Author:  Greg Ondayko [ Mon Oct 21, 2024 11:35 am ]
Post subject:  10/21/24
10/21/24:

Thanks, Dan
I am glad you appreciate it.

A few weeks ago, I received a mysterious package from fellow board member Michael with some proper 1962 Valiant Radio Knobs in it.
I have been loosely searching for these elusive knobs. Plaudits to Michael for helping my incorrect radio and bezel look more apropos for the 1962 car. (my copy of this 1962 Valiant V-200 Wagon was never factory-equipped with a radio anyway.) so piecing together loose bits for a 62-year-old car can be a bit challenging.

New Radio Buttons Match the other dash control surfaces more uniformly.
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On Saturday, I took the family for an afternoon jaunt in the 'ol Valiant Wagon. We took a ~ 250-mile trip up into the mountains and high country of PA (which is not hard to do from my location if you travel anywhere vaguely to the east.) We aimed the Torsion Bar-equipped front end vaguely northeasterly.
Many of the views from Saturday's drive looked like this:

The view on US Route 22 Heading East and up in elevation:
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The view on PA State Route 53 North:
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Our First stop was for dinner at Black Moshannon State Park, not too far from Beaver Stadium (A geographical reference for those of you who pay attention to college football.)
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We packed a grille and some provisions for dinner:
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While there, I took the opportunity to gather some Glamour shots...
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After our dinner, the sun was hanging low in the sky for another hour or so.
This was the view out of the Park on PA State Route 504 South, back toward Phillipsburg, PA
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I found some curbside items to document along the way to our next State Park:
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We arrived at our next State Park, Prince Gallitzin, at the request of my Daughter who wanted some Ice Cream at the Pirates Cove Restaurant.
The Pirates Cove Restaurant in Patton PA, is a summertime favorite and we incorrectly assumed that they would be open until 9 PM like they are in May-August. That assumption was wrong, but we had some time for some fantastic "Golden Hour" pictures and Glamour Shots.
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Someone wanted to pose with the State Park Sign and the car:
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In all, we had a great family outing, covered some ground in the 62-year-old machine, and found some Ice Cream before the end of the nite.
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Author:  Rick Covalt [ Mon Oct 21, 2024 2:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1962 Valiant Station Wagon
Nice pics Greg! either the car is getting shorter or your daughter is growing up! :D Pretty sure I know which one is true!
Author:  Greg Ondayko [ Mon Oct 21, 2024 2:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1962 Valiant Station Wagon
Drop spindles. Minimal cranks on 1.20" torsion bars and lowering blocks out back!
:D :D :D
Author:  slantzilla [ Thu Oct 24, 2024 7:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1962 Valiant Station Wagon
Awesome stuff Greg! :D
Author:  Greg Ondayko [ Fri Oct 25, 2024 4:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1962 Valiant Station Wagon
Thanks Dennis!
Author:  Greg Ondayko [ Tue Mar 11, 2025 10:04 am ]
Post subject:  3/11/25
3/11/25:

The girls wanted to go to a reptile show in Johnstown, PA which was ~55 Miles from home on Sunday, the weather was fantastic! There was some dust remaining on the roads from the winter salt and gravel of doom treatments. However it was clean and clear enough from the salty demons for a nice trip in the '62 wagon.

We stopped for Ice Cream on the way home and took mostly the scenic routes there and back, for over 100 miles for the day.

The ridges still had snow showing on the forest floor but it was sunny and dry here in the low lands and on the asphalt jungle. We gained well over 1000' of elevation between my location crossing over the ridge before coming back down into the Conemaugh valley.

It was a fantastic day of slanted driving in a 63 year old Toad Wagon.
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Author:  Greg Ondayko [ Sun Mar 16, 2025 7:39 am ]
Post subject:  3/16/25
3/16/25:

First Bike Trail Trip this year ~ I was able to ride 18 Miles on the bike yesterday, and I would have to say it was hauled it to the trailhead in style. :D

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Author:  EC_CO [ Tue Apr 01, 2025 6:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1962 Valiant Station Wagon
Such a beautiful wagon, you've done a spectacular job with it. Glad to see it getting a lot of road time, I hope to do the same.
Author:  Greg Ondayko [ Wed Apr 02, 2025 4:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1962 Valiant Station Wagon
Quote:
Such a beautiful wagon, you've done a spectacular job with it. Glad to see it getting a lot of road time, I hope to do the same.
Thanks for the kind words.

It is fun and memorable.

Greg
Author:  Greg Ondayko [ Sun Aug 24, 2025 3:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1962 Valiant Station Wagon
8/24/25:

Used the '62's To Sell Some wares at a local swap meet.

Ebensburg, PA is over 1000' Higher in elevation than here at home. Did some mountain climbing and sold some stuff.

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It was a good day!
Author:  Greg Ondayko [ Mon Sep 01, 2025 7:41 am ]
Post subject:  9/1/25
9/1/25:

Ahh it is late August - the days are growing shorter here and the weather is still dry and warm.
The garden is beginning to wrap up: The Corn is done, and the sunflowers and pumpkins are in their prime as I planted them a month later this year.
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I just completed the first longish trip in the '62 Valiant Wagon, (over 700 miles, 3 days).
It Averaged 17 MPG with a 3.55 Rear Gear, 215-70-14 Tires and no overdrive, traveling mostly ~65-70 MPH.

We went to Blacksburg, Virginia to meet up with my friend Lou, and then also going to the Roanoke Valley MoPar show which was held at the Salem Civic Center about 30 miles away.

It was Labor day weekend and we took our time traveling, stopping at restaurants and sights along the way. The weather in the region was just sublime for a weekend open air road trip, Windows down, dash vent open and no A/C. Temps were in the High 70's to low 50's at night.
I took the bike along to explore the NRV Bike Trail as well. It was about ~30 miles South west of Blacksburg.

The Wagon is packed up ready to go for the trip. The Sunflowers love the Dry, sunny weather as the shadows begin to grow long again this time of year.
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We headed south on I-79, I know the route well. This time the sun was on our right side casting a nice shadow with the bike on the roof.
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Eventually Mountain ridges are seen in every direction on this trip as it cuts through mountain county of West Virginia.
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We stopped for a Bite to eat. For this trip, I had the family along which makes things go a bit slower, but that was okay.
This Cracker Barrel outside of Farimont, WV was still using the Original Logo on the outside.
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I was proud of my daughter for not having any screens at the meals or in the car for the entire trip.
We had played cards while waiting for this meal.
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It was late by the time we got to our hotel in the University Center Section of town. Pheww,!! no Home VT Hokies Game to worry about.
Does Valiant look out of place in this parking lot next to all the monochromatic suv shaped appliances?
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The next morning I went for a quiet walk before meeting up with friends at the Salem Civic center.
Price's Fork at Woodland just before sunrise.
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I met up with Mark and Lou at the show. They are also slant 6 and Early Valiant nuts!
Lou Brought his slant 6 equipped 1934 Dodge Coupe, and Mark brought his 1960 Valiant Sedan.
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There was a lot to see at the show.. My personal Favorites can be found here

After the show I went back to the hotel and met up with my family at the pool for a while before dinner.

For Dinner we went to Lou's house where He and Victoria served up a fantastic meal, and we shared some stories around the campfire, made S'mores while the kids enjoyed the tree swing and trampoline in the yard.

We loaded up the bikes on the wagon the next day.
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Lou and I headed to Draper, VA to get on the NRV Bike trail. It parallels the path (mostly) of the New River from Pulaski to Galax.
We made it about 7 miles past Allisonia, VA before wheel bearing troubles on Lou's bike forced us to turn back and retreat.
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After biking, I met up again with my family and we had lunch in town before leaving for the weekend.
We had a pretty relaxed drive back to PA, most of it looked like this:
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On the way home we stopped at the newest National Park - New River Gorge NP and Preserve.
I have Driven through this area so many times loaded with the Race car and rig, so that I opten do not have time to stop and appreciate the place.
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My Wife and Daughter wanted to visit the gift shop mostly, as they do not enjoy some activities with me like hiking or biking etc. (Plaudits to them as they will do a weekend trip in a 63 year old Valiant)
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Lastly on our way home I stopped at the scenic lookout About 20 Miles south of I79 on US 19. I probably have pictures of every vehicle that I own and have tripped through this region at this place. Now I have some more glamour shots of the '62 Wagon as well.
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As we forged ahead north on Sunday night, the sunset was on our right this time. Some fantastic shadows appeared again:
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It was a good trip with no major mechanical issues, as well as spending time with family and friends.
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There are some little things that I want to do with Carb tuning and jetting to hopefully increase the Highway MPG before embarking on a 5 speed swap.

'Til next time!
Author:  Andrew Shank [ Tue Sep 02, 2025 6:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1962 Valiant Station Wagon
Sounds and looks like it was a great weekend Greg. That was a fun and interesting post to read as usual. AND, I learned a new vocab word - Plaudits. Entertainment and learning all in one! Thanks!
Author:  Greg Ondayko [ Tue Sep 02, 2025 7:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1962 Valiant Station Wagon
Quote:
Sounds and looks like it was a great weekend Greg. That was a fun and interesting post to read as usual. AND, I learned a new vocab word - Plaudits. Entertainment and learning all in one! Thanks!
For sure. Thanks!

Now you can use fancy words like that when selling insurance to the Mont Alto High Roller Club! :lol:

BTW, Do you or Ryan or other friends want to meet up at the Vintage Restorations Open House this year?
I plan on going. Last year I skipped the event.

It is 10/25/25 in Union Bridge, MD
Author:  Rick Covalt [ Tue Sep 02, 2025 1:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1962 Valiant Station Wagon
No I want to go drag racing! :D I get no joy out of sitting around and talking about things unless I'm at the drag strip. :D :D
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