Wednesday’s Wood

I talk a lot about Ford’s Wooden Wagons from 1932-51 as I have always liked them. My father had a 1949 wagon that we used to go fishing and pull his boat. I was real young but the car stayed with me all those years. The wagon was placed in the remote side of my brain until moving to California in 1984. We lived a mile from the Pacific Ocean in Laguna Niguel.

Living so close to the ocean, I often would drive my delivery down to Doheny and watch the surfers ride the waves. I often saw this 46 Woodie with an Endless Summer license plate and decided that would be the year I would like to own. I offered him a trade and some cash, but he wanted money only. My children persuaded me to keep the delivery so I waited until I retired to buy my first Woodie Wagon.

The purchase of a wagon is a big decision if the wood needs refinished and replaced. Our best source is Chris Messano in San Pedro, CA. He is the best and charges around $50K for a complete new wood body fitted and installed. Too rich for my pocketbook so I look for good wood when I buy a Woodie. I don’t mind patina wood as they look like a true surf wagon. I will probably never own a Woodie Wagon again but I sure do love them and the events that are Woodie Only.

Stay Tooned!

A very talented Wood working man!

Lynn

Bikinis and Woodies are naturals at the Beach.
Don builds some really eye appealing woodies like this 46 shown at Santa Cruz.
The 39 is a favorite of mine due to the slimmer roof line.
Original woodies are everywhere at the shows. Many have added a SBC for power.
The 46-8 Fords are the most popular at the shows.
Driving to the beach in your wagon is plain California.
If you want the best of both worlds, then a Sportsman is what you need.
Here is a modified 39 with 40 regular rear doors.
My old 46 with mostly original wood restored by Chris Messano. Seller’s remorse on this one.
My first Woodie project. No motor or trans but a complete woodie for $20K
When you move away from the Beach, this is what you have to look forward to.
I am very tempted to purchase this project but it is still a long way from finished.
Walt let me be the caretaker of Ruby for a couple of years. Loads of fun.
Walt’s tudor phaeton is progressing nicely and the paint is going to look wonderful against the Messano woodwork.
Walt is having HR&H do the phaeton woodie for him.
My friends George and Karen stopped by on their way to Wavecrest. Brizio Woodie.
Jim has his Ryan Red built woodie in the paint jail and should be realized real soon. A spectacular build just like Walt’s 47.
The process is not an easy taks but very reward when you reach this stage. Change done and painted with body back on chassis. My dream right there!!
Woodies were used in all types of applications and my father loved them.
Scotty drove his Country squire to Lake Piru outing. What a beautiful restoration. Perfeciton !!
Another beautiful 46 Ford in a dark blue.