Surf’s Up! 1949 Ford Woody Wagon
This iconic 1949 Ford 2-door Woody wagon is claimed to be “barn fresh“ and, according to the seller, has been off the road since 1972. Bullet nosed and wood-sided, this Ford looks reasonably complete and sports a well patina’d body. The drivetrain is a Ford flathead with a 3-speed transmission. It’s currently offered for sale at $16,500. Find it here on craigslist in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
In 1949, Ford made 31,412 2-door wagons accounting for slightly less than 4% of total production. The construction was complex and the model was Ford’s most expensive offering in 1949. The wood construction was a laminate design as opposed to prior years which were made from solid maple. The wood is quite deteriorated in this side view and rust can be seen at the lower front fender and in the rockers. The seller claims solid floors. There is a dent in the lower rear spare cover. Exterior trim looks to be complete except for at least one obviously missing hubcap. There aren’t any interior pictures, but it’s safe to assume the interior will need attention.
The exterior appears to be originally Ford Colony Blue or Bayview Blue Metallic. I would guess the latter, after looking closely at the driver quarter wheel arch. The seller is including a used laminate kit with the Woody which will help immensely with any restoration. There are no pictures of the engine compartment, under-carriage, or frame. The motor is said to turn over but this old Woody isn’t running presently. The seller seems optimistic that the flathead will be running shortly. The Ford in 1949 could be had with a 226ci 95hp six or a 239ci 100hp eight and this Ford has the 8-cylinder.
The lack of pictures and details make this a bit of a mystery. But it’s a mystery of the best kind. After all, it’s a Woody. You can restore this car and preserve its value while satisfying your inner desire to be a rogue hot-rodder. The Woody has that vibe; a factory hot rod. “We’re loading up our Woody with our boards inside and heading out singing our song”- The Beach Boys Surfin’ Safari. Will you be loading up this Woody wagon on your trailer?
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Comments
Too bad the Beach Boys didn’t use one of these for the cover of “Surfin’ Safari” instead of what I remember as a ‘32 Ford pickup. I guess an “art director” set up the photo shoot – other than Dennis Wilson, the Beach Boys weren’t surfers!
Very cool car. No disrespect, but starting in ‘49, Fords were not true “woodies”. The laminated wood (aka plywood) was applied over the metal body- it was no longer structural in nature. Personally, I think that’s a good thing. You get the look of “real wood”, with a much more solid and durable vehicle. What’s not to like?!
It is interesting to me to see, this posted car right now, the reason being, I was able to attend Barrett/Jackson this past weekend, as one of the few spectators. At the last minute, they approached past bidders and offered spectator passe’s, I assume they decided, they needed, at least a minimum crowd. The access was limited to the tents and vendors, not the bidding stage.
I spent most of my time looking at sold cars. Thats always fun, because you always see, the sold dollar number and instantly, decide ,if it was a good deal and either wish you bought it ,or who the idiot was, that did ,buy it. Most years it seems to be the latter. Not so this past weekend, I rarely saw a sold car, that I thought the price ,was way too much.
As the day went on it got worse, and the reason your Barn Find, is so interestin to me. There were two Ford Woodie Shoe Boxes, that sold. Both WAY nicer than the B-F car, but both un-restored, driver cars. One lots of real pitina, but a running driver car ,that would be a fun car to own, drive and “fix” up. The other much nicer, but driver quality and needed little ,to be one of nicest un-restored driving woodie’s ,I have ever seen of this vintage. The first went for 10K and the second 20K, when I finally got off the floor and stopped crying, I sobbed all the way home ,asking myself, why I didn’t get a bidders pass. I had never had this reaction ever, in all my years at B/J.
I see some interesting goodies in that 2nd pic. in the background.
Lack of pictures maybe because flipper cant be bothered ?
This `49 is FAR more complete than some I’ve seen for sale. It appears to have all it’s glass, and even has the factory grill guard option! Mind you, we don’t know how the chassis looks, or if it has “peek-a-boo” floors from rust but from what I can see, it’s restorable. I’m surprised the wood trim is as complete as it is–perhaps a lot of it is savable?
Worthy