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Saviour Needed: 1947 Pontiac Streamliner Woody

It’s not often that a seller threatens with what they will do to their vehicle if it doesn’t sell, but in the case of this rare 1947 Pontiac Streamliner woody wagon, it will likely be chopped up to create a street rod. In 1947, a wagon would set you back $2,282, a considerable sum after World War II, but now it will cost you around $25,000 for this once-regal cruiser. Find it here on eBay in Natick, Massachusetts with one day left before the seller pulls out the saw.

The Streamliner captured the spirit of post-war America, with a mouth adorned in chrome and  sweeping fenders. The wood paneling reflected both limited wartime supplies of conventional materials and an affluent customer base that was shopping more for style more than economy. Despite the good looks, all that wood required additional upkeep. Nowadays, discovering a barn-find woody with the panels still preserved is near impossible. The seller says the wood only has a few soft spots and that the body is rot-free.

The Streamliners were Pontiac’s first new offering after the war, and were available as a coupe, convertible, and sedan in addition to the wagon. The wagon could seat eight with the third row seat. Unfortunately, this example’s rear seat has gone missing, which could mean a treasure hunt for the next owner or more cargo room for fishing tackle. The seller doesn’t include many photos of the interior, but the driver’s bench appears to be in good shape, as does the interior trim, steering wheel, and gauges.

To help pull a full load of passengers, opted for the eight-cylinder engine. In fact, most buyers did as the smaller six-cylinder proved anemic. The straight-eight had 103 horsepower, but this example for sale here could have a hard time putting out that much today. The seller says the engine turns freely, but won’t start due to low compression. Since the body is said to be in restorable condition, a pre-purchase inspection should be done to see just how much work is needed to bring her back to life.

Though this car is fairly straight, the asking price is high enough to warrant some skepticism. The seller mentions that holes in the front floor were repaired, but that new floor panels are included in the sale. This makes us wonder if there’s more rust repair to do than meets the eye. With all the interior trim included in the sale and only one repaint since 1947, this could be one of the few surviving Streamliner projects on the market today. So – is it worth saving this one from a hot rodder’s hacksaw?

Comments

  1. J. Pickett

    I hope someone has the money to buy it before some moron paints the whole thing satin black and drops a chevy crate and 350 trans in it.

    Like 0
  2. Charles

    I’m gonna hold my breath until my face turns blue if someone doesn’t buy my car.

    Like 0
  3. memikeyounot

    As a long time Pontiac fan, (still upset that they are gone) I so wish I could buy this car and then spend $20,000 to restore it just as it came from the factory. Stuff like this is why I’m a car geek!!

    Like 0
  4. stigshift

    Please don’t let any rodders near it. Please.

    Like 0
  5. Lemble

    I think the poncho is gonna end up chopped with a Hemi in it :(

    Like 0
  6. New Riders

    I grew up in wagons. This one is a beauty. I sure hope it goes to a good home. If I only lived closer and the price was more in line with my fiscal position….

    Like 0
  7. Steve A

    SOMEONE Buy This!

    We bought a 1950 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe Woodie Wagon version of this car 5 + years ago and are just now completing an off the frame restoration.

    The convincing factor for the party selling to us was our promise to not chop the car and instead restore as close to original as possible pending missing parts and accessories availability.

    A great utility type vehicle – this wagon should seat 8-9 people (if it has three seats) and, yes, it’ll take a a lot of due diligence and rigor to bring it back to life.

    Check out the National Woodie Club online or in print magazine form to see Woodie fair market values + how many of these cars still exist or are registered with the club.(URL below).

    National Woodie Club
    3000 member club for all woody enthusiasts and owners of wood bodied cars
    and trucks. News, events calendar, photos and contacts.

    http://www.nationalwoodieclub.com/

    Like 1
  8. Mist Green 50

    $20,000 to restore it? Wood alone will run $30,000 plus……..

    Like 1
  9. Terry Parkhurst

    There are street rods enough in America. But there aren’t nearly enough original woody wagons. Besides, now that Pontiac has joined that Sargasso Sea of old marques such as Hudson, Studebaker and Plymouth, it seems that this particular woody wagon should be restored and perhaps put into a musem – maybe that one named after the late Harold LeMay that’s opening in Tacoma, Washington, next month.

    While I’ve never owned a woody wagon, a friend of mine who works as a description reader for a northwest collector car auction company, Ed Bishop has. I can still recall his wonderful and rare 1954 International woody wagon that had been a Civil Defense vehicle. From what I learned from Ed about woodies, I’d figure the restoration on this Pontiac might take $60,000 just for the woodworkand its labor (to get right). But how can you put a price on something such as that?

    Oscar Wilde once defined a cynic as a man “who knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing.” A woody-wagon, especially a rare and interesting one, once restored has a value, you can’t determine with Federal Reserve Notes. Just drive such a vehicle by a group of children and watch their eyes; then you’ll understand.

    Like 0
  10. New Riders

    Any updates on what happened to this beauty?? Hopefully it went to a good home.

    Like 0
  11. BRAMWELL YOUNG

    GREETINGS,
    THE WOODIE IS SAFE IN SOUND IN MY SHOP! LOTS OF BLUE TAPE ON HER AS WE ARE CONSIDERING BUILDING A ONE OFF 2-DOOR OUT OF IT. THE GOAL IS TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE IT ROLLED OUT OF THE FACTORY THAT WAY BACK IN 1947. WHILE RESTORING THE ORIGINAL STRAIGHT 8 WITH A ALUMINUM HEAD ON TOP AND AN UPGRADED INTAKE TO ACCOMODATE A 4-BARREL WITH A 53 CADILLAC AIR CLEANER. THE BODY WILL BE DONE IN A RICH CREAMY WHITE WITH NEW ASH FRAME WITH MAHOGANY PANELS. THE ORIGINAL MAROON SEATS ARE IN PERFECT SHAPE AND WILL BE DISASSEMBLED AND RESTORED USING THE ORIGINAL VINYL. FLOOR HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND IS A ONE PIECE ASH & MAHOGANY STRIPPED BEAUTY REPLACING THE ORIGINAL 1/2″ PLYWOOD. FEEL FREE TO SEND ME YOUR IFFO SO I CAN EMAIL YOU SOME PIX. MY BEST, BRAM

    Like 0
  12. Phil tilghman

    I see where you have a couple of 1947 Pontiac wagons listed. I desperately need a close up photo of the emblem on the side of the hood and would ask if you could get one for me. I have a very nice wagon missing those emblems and am trying to get them custom made for me. Thanks

    Like 0

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