Crookston’s Allan Dragseth had the vision to turn a vehicle into a red wagon, and as of this spring, that vision is a reality. The initial vehicle was a 1993 Red Pontiac Sunbird Convertible that Dragseth bought this last fall. He spent a few hours here and there remodeling it over the past few months, and now it finally hit the street during Crazy Days in Crookston on July 15.
Dragseth said he had had a love for wagons since he was little and always thought it would be a fun project to tackle someday. “I got my first red wagon when I was five years old,” said Dragseth. “I came out to the Sugerbeet museum from time to time after I bought it and started restored it, put decals on it and everything. My wife actually wanted a wagon 10 years ago to use for a hospital fundraiser where they would bake food and raise money for the hospital, and then after I restored the wagon for that event, I saw a picture where someone had made a wagon out of a car, and that’s where the inspiration came from.”
Dragseth kept the idea in his back pocket for the last few years, and when he saw the Pontiac, he knew it would work perfectly for the project. The Pontiac itself is still inside the wagon portion of the vehicle; Dragseth took pieces of metal, plastic, and aluminum and made the outer frame of the vehicle look exactly like a red wagon as it goes down the street.
It may be the coolest car in Crookston, but don’t expect to see it on the road much, as Dragseth mainly uses it as a collector’s item. He admitted until the project was finished, people weren’t exactly sure what he was constructing. “Until I finished putting the decals on this last week, people would ask if it was a boat because it kind of looks like a duck boat,” said Dragseth.
He also mentioned he wouldn’t drive it much moving forward. “I mainly just drove it around during Crazy Days, and just the other day, I got the collectors license plate for it,” said Dragseth. “I’ll put that on it, but it’s just going to be a parade car mainly.”
Dragseth hopes his project and endeavor will give motivation to others who want to accomplish something. He recommends anyone who has a dream or ambition to do something they’re passionate about “do it.” He also works on other vehicles in his spare time and is currently restoring a ‘28 International truck at his farm.
Dragseth said the project went a lot quicker than anticipated and made good progress over the last couple of months. “This red wagon, it went a lot quicker than I thought,” said Dragseth. “I think it turned out pretty good personally, and I’m proud of it.”
You’ll know if you see the vehicle from the black plastic handle hanging over the front of the hood. It truly is a one-of-a-kind vehicle that Dragseth will cherish for the rest of his life.
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