Time to acknowledge the elephant that is not in the room. To paraphrase Monty Python’s “Cheese Shop” sketch, this originally wood-bodied 1948 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon is “certainly uncontaminated by wood.” Offered here on eBay, and located in Marana, Arizona, this former “Woodie” awaits an opening bid of $4500. But wait – it gets better. The astute among you may notice the “high boy” stance because, you guessed it, this post-war people hauler has no engine or transmission. That rear fender looks stitched together from two, but the front section is part of the rear door, thus the seam.
The Roadmaster trim line topped Buick’s lineup for 1948, above the Super and the entry-level Special. Buick contracted the Hercules Body Company of Evansville, Indiana to fit the fabulous maple and mahogany body to Buick’s driving chassis and front end. Later woodies used mostly steel with wood playing a cosmetic role, but the structure and panels you don’t see in these pictures were largely crafted from solid wood. I did a good bit of work on my Dad’s 1953 Roadmaster Riviera coupe, and I’ve made some furniture, but I wouldn’t touch this job with a ten-foot saw.
This car’s Royal Maroon paint would have continued onto the dashboard. The seller describes this car as having a “nice clean body and rockers,” with some rust, as evidenced by the Swiss-cheesy driver’s floor. Note the two-pedal arrangement; producing automatic transmissions for tanks during the war gave Buick the confidence to offer the Dynaflow automatic transmission in 1948, an option available only on Roadmasters that year. Some details courtesy of SteelHorseMag.com. The original motor would have been the 320 cid inline eight or “straight eight” making 140 HP and a stout 276 lb-ft of torque.
Some assembly required! A Roadmaster Estate expert will have no trouble building this and a truckload of hardwood into a beautiful car like the one shown below… Well you know that’s not true. I’m sure any automotive carpenter would pay a premium to have whatever was left of the rotten wood to use as a pattern to make the new pieces. One exception may be someone with an identical completed car. Of the original 344, perhaps three or four still exist. Even an experienced DIY expert will need more than the Woodie Restoration page on PopularRestoration.com before this Buick masters the road again.
SteelHorseMag.com featured this 1948 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon in the same color as our feature car. Notice how the front fenders flow all the way to the rears? Other GM brands got a new full-sized body for ’48 but Buick elected to carry on their popular 1947 offering with few changes. With so few made, so few existing, and so few restoration experts with the combination of wood and metalworking skills needed to perform a proper restoration, what number do you think will satisfy the reserve and buy this wood-free woody?
Source some wicker seating, add a canvas bikini top… Wahlaaa, you’ve got yourself the only ’48 Buick Roadmaster Jolly !!!
I came here to say exactly that, hat tip to you sir!
That Jolly idea would be great! Take it to Burning Man and pack the back with bikini clad Festival goers………………
Hi Mw, I’m sure it’s been done.
My sentiments exactly!
Todd, I know of one person who would take this on and he may even have a ten foot saw :) Have a look at this link…GB is truly a craftsman. Warning: It is a 38 page thread to date with a lot of great pictures :)
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1396536-jailbar-woody-wagon.html
DrinkinGasoline… I didn’t read all 38 pages but I saw the full wood body — that is impressive, and (like this one) a project requiring extreme commitment and patience.
Wow that is just unbelievable. The 40 Ford on the Explorer frame is amazing too.
You’ve got a better shot of seeing Rex Reed JUNIOR
Scan a complete one and print the missing pieces on a 3D printer. Would be awesome!
It would also be science fiction. ..
Yes, the title is correct. “Wood Free”.
Exactly how I feel when I look at this.
Now that’s funny!!
In this day and age, how about a Pergo wagon?
or Trex decking….
Hmm, so THAT’S what a woodie wagon looks like without the wood. It’s so easy taking it apart,,,,
If anyone buys this and wants the wood body built as it was designed practically indistinguishable from the original, and you are on the West Coast, I would contact Ron Heiden Woodworks in Vista California, formerly in Encinitas, Ca. He’s The Man. Bring A Bank Account.
90% complete, except for the engine,tranny
& the body wood work .
Ha, the infamous Buick Superleggera!
See what happens when you don’t have a termite policy.
I ought to print a picture of this and hang it where my Morris Minor Traveller can see it with the statement “See how much better off you are?” Yeah, one of my stalled projects and as someone above said it is easy to disassemble. At least mine has a source for all of the wood and most of the metal and several available engines and trannies. Anyone know where cans of ambition are available?