LOT 233 •
1942 Ford Super Deluxe Station Wagon Chassis no. 18-6833369
Estimate: US$110,000 - US$130,000
Lot 233•
1942 Ford Super Deluxe Station Wagon Chassis no. 18-6833369
The Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia|7 June 2009, 12:00 EDT|Connecticut, Greenwich
1942 Ford Super Deluxe Station Wagon
Chassis no. 18-6833369
Chassis no. 18-6833369
Once the domain of surfer dudes and only the most eccentric collectors, woodies have hit the collecting mainstream big time. The reason? They are Americana at its absolute coolest... true iconic pieces of American culture and history. Woodies never fail to attract a lot of attention, eliciting big smiles from all who see them on the road.
The ’42 we offer dates from the heyday of their production just before World War II curtailed production, but the origins of the concept dated back to the Twenties, when the Ford Motor Company cataloged such a body style in the second year of the Model A (1929). Initially sold as a commercial vehicle, the station wagon soon became a favorite of well-to-do customers with large estates, and at posh hotels and resorts.
Wood for the woodies came from Henry Ford’s forests in northern Michigan. The bodies were originally assembled by Murray Corporation of America in Detroit, and fitted to chassis at various Ford assembly plants. In the early years they were very basic, with side curtains for weather protection and few convenience items. In time the wagons became better-appointed, with glass all around, optional radios and heaters, and in some models leather upholstery. Although several engine choices were available, the vast majority, like this one, had Ford’s venerable “flathead” V8, itself an icon of the industry.
From the 1940 model year, complete bodies were constructed and trimmed at Ford’s facility at Iron Mountain. Framing was cut from fine maple, panels from birch or gumwood. The roof consisted of basswood slats, covered with coarse-grained artificial leather. Ford bodies were all redesigned for 1941, then freshened for 1942. Although the cars still had running boards, they were concealed by a flare at the bottom of the doors. The wood station wagon bodies incorporated this modern touch.
Of the few that are seen at events these days, the seller reports that this one stops people in their tracks owing to its rarity and condition. The Woodie spent virtually its entire life in Southern California where it led a charmed life: one former owner was composer and slide guitar virtuoso Ry Cooder; another was Warner Bros. Studios, and well known southern California woodie guru Dave Holmes had this car in his private collection for over 20 years. The car arrived on the East Coast in recent years and has previously been a participant in the 2006 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance.
The most critical evidence of its pampered life is that the wood is all original… an incredible rarity. Importantly, the car retains many of its period features including its original accessory radio and heater, and fog lights – a difficult piece to find if lost. At some point in its career a postwar V8 has been fitted, this being almost identical to the original unit, is of little consequence and it also has the great benefit of a Columbia two-speed rear axle, effectively giving the car an overdrive and ‘longer legs’. Nearly entirely original, it was repainted in 1990 in the original Newcastle Gray color. The seats are upholstered in brown vinyl.
Mechanically this great woodie is as good as it gets. The owner has lavished maintenance on it with no expense spared to guarantee a perfect running car. Indeed he has driven this car many carefree miles, long distance and local, over the years of his ownership.
Beautifully presented and extremely charismatic we invite your careful inspection of this great car, an American classic that is fully sorted and ready today to drive anywhere with confidence.
The ’42 we offer dates from the heyday of their production just before World War II curtailed production, but the origins of the concept dated back to the Twenties, when the Ford Motor Company cataloged such a body style in the second year of the Model A (1929). Initially sold as a commercial vehicle, the station wagon soon became a favorite of well-to-do customers with large estates, and at posh hotels and resorts.
Wood for the woodies came from Henry Ford’s forests in northern Michigan. The bodies were originally assembled by Murray Corporation of America in Detroit, and fitted to chassis at various Ford assembly plants. In the early years they were very basic, with side curtains for weather protection and few convenience items. In time the wagons became better-appointed, with glass all around, optional radios and heaters, and in some models leather upholstery. Although several engine choices were available, the vast majority, like this one, had Ford’s venerable “flathead” V8, itself an icon of the industry.
From the 1940 model year, complete bodies were constructed and trimmed at Ford’s facility at Iron Mountain. Framing was cut from fine maple, panels from birch or gumwood. The roof consisted of basswood slats, covered with coarse-grained artificial leather. Ford bodies were all redesigned for 1941, then freshened for 1942. Although the cars still had running boards, they were concealed by a flare at the bottom of the doors. The wood station wagon bodies incorporated this modern touch.
Of the few that are seen at events these days, the seller reports that this one stops people in their tracks owing to its rarity and condition. The Woodie spent virtually its entire life in Southern California where it led a charmed life: one former owner was composer and slide guitar virtuoso Ry Cooder; another was Warner Bros. Studios, and well known southern California woodie guru Dave Holmes had this car in his private collection for over 20 years. The car arrived on the East Coast in recent years and has previously been a participant in the 2006 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance.
The most critical evidence of its pampered life is that the wood is all original… an incredible rarity. Importantly, the car retains many of its period features including its original accessory radio and heater, and fog lights – a difficult piece to find if lost. At some point in its career a postwar V8 has been fitted, this being almost identical to the original unit, is of little consequence and it also has the great benefit of a Columbia two-speed rear axle, effectively giving the car an overdrive and ‘longer legs’. Nearly entirely original, it was repainted in 1990 in the original Newcastle Gray color. The seats are upholstered in brown vinyl.
Mechanically this great woodie is as good as it gets. The owner has lavished maintenance on it with no expense spared to guarantee a perfect running car. Indeed he has driven this car many carefree miles, long distance and local, over the years of his ownership.
Beautifully presented and extremely charismatic we invite your careful inspection of this great car, an American classic that is fully sorted and ready today to drive anywhere with confidence.
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| • | Exempt from tax |
| Zero rated for tax, no tax will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium. |