Wood-bodied station wagons gained in popularity in the 1930s and 1940s but became cost-prohibitive to build in the 1950s and were replaced by all steel-bodied coaches. J.T. Cantrell & Co. was one of the more prolific builders and was in the carriage/coach business for more than 50 years. The 1950 Dodge “Woodie” here was based upon a B-108 truck platform and designed to seat a small army. Located in Long Island, New York, this old workhorse is available here on eBay for $13,900 (offers accepted).
Joseph Cantrell began building carriages in 1905 in Long Island, where the seller’s Woodie coincidentally still resides. The business migrated to building wood-bodied wagons by the 1930s and Cantrell preferred to call them Suburbans rather than station or depot wagons, which was the norm of the day. In the many years that Cantrell was in business, virtually every domestic auto manufacturer provided chassis to Cantrell to apply his trade to, including Dodge. The chassis were obtained from the factory or local brand dealerships and the eventual customer would go to the local dealer to order one.
In the shop, the new factory body would be removed aft of the front door posts although Cantrell would try to use most of the original bodywork, including the cowl, windshield, and sun visor area. From there, a mahogany structure was applied to the roof, side panels, doors, and tailgate. The company flourished until around 1950 when Cantrell died, and his brother took over. But changes in the marketplace and the movement to steel-bodied wagons would put the company out of business in 1958.
This ’50 Dodge may be one of the rarer Woodies that Cantrell built as it’s a 4-seat land yacht that could probably carry 12 people. It has been sitting for a long time and the wood on the body is in rough or missing condition. And yet, the wood inside, such as the lining of the roof, looks remarkably good. The odometer reading is 51,000 miles, but that likely doesn’t mean much as the wagon will require an extensive restoration.
We’re told the flathead-6 engine is not frozen and the seller believes with some work to the fuel delivery system and brakes, you could actually get it to run and drive. That sounds optimistic to me, but anything is possible. Considering the expansive nature of the passenger compartment, one neat feature is that the wagon still retains its rear heater to keep those riders comfy in the winter months. This would be an amazing transport once restored, but the woodwork alone might require a second mortgage.
I think this is the same one featured here on December 7th.
You’re right. And I did the write-up on that one, too. But completely forgot about it. We need to do a better job of avoiding duplicates. Thank you.
Russ… in your defense, the seller included some different pix in his later ad…
Add a Cummins , with an Allison tranny
Our family still has my grandfather’s 48Ford wagon 17000 original miles still has original tires
“Cantrell would try to use most of the original bodywork,” Most all other woodie makers in 1950 used more steel than Cantrell. A Dodge Coronet of that same year, has a fully steel roof.
After some looking around the internet, I see that the steel on that car was exactly the way that Dodge sold them, that year. You could get them: “B-2-Bs came in three chassis models (with flat cowl, cowl and windshield, or full cab) for aftermarket applications, as a pickup with a 6.5-foot cargo bed, or as a panel truck. Starting prices ran from $937 for a chassis/cowl unit to $1398 for the panel.”
A lot of interesting comments on the last post of this wooden behemoth including a link to the auction where it originally came from.
https://barnfinds.com/body-by-cantrell-1950-dodge-woodie/
This is probably one of the deepest money pits ever. The only reason to buy it is to put it into your barn and save it for the next generation of dreamers.
Buy this termite-infested woodie and rust will be the least of your worries.
I am just finishing the restoration of a 51 Mercury woody wagon.
The wood was custom made by an expert, Rick Mack for $18K!
I can only imagine the cost of professionally done wood for this Dodge. Is there any automotive wood worker who would take this project on?
John V. Boise, Idaho
You could do a fun YouTube video series like vice grip garage . go there get it running, driving and stopping and drive it 1000+/- miles home. I wouldn’t do it but I would watch the videos.
Granny grab your rockin chair!
We’s goin back to bugtussel in style.
I like this but I’m far from there and especially what it would take to get this fixed up and running. You’d need the skills of a cabinet-maker to bring this back to new again. I’m a little surprised to see a 3-speed manual with a 1-ton chassis. I would more expect to see a 4-speed. However, I would suspect that this is running a T-87 transmission which would have synchros on 2nd and 3rd. If it was a 4-speed it would likely be a T-9 crashbox which the average driver would be spending a lot of time honing his skills in double-clutching. These are popular. I would really like to attend Woodies on the Wharf at least once in my life. I understand that it is a fantastic show…
I have done two wood cars so far and learned a ton of bending and joinery stuff along the way.I would love to take this project on,but cant afford to buy it.A serious looker can call me and discuss me doing the work at a very resonable price.Im not to fast ,but I strive for a great looking end result. Would really like to take this on
What this project needs is a CNC machine. Can’t afford it
Ron,
I’m right there with you on this one. I’d love to take on a project like this. As a motor head born in the late 50’s who found carpentry/woodworking as a means of survival both my mechanical and woodworking skills would be put yo the test.
But like you I’d need someone who’d foot the bill.
I am within an hours drive of it’s location. Might have to go have a look!
Robt,
My shop used to restore wooden bodies on old cars. If one is an experienced woodworker who can make curved furniture pieces that fit together with mortise and tenon joints, create accurate assembly jigs, and steam press/bend wood, you can do this job. The biggest pieces of equipment that are a “must have” are a large band saw and shaper table.
All the proprietary hardware and seats, the hard stuff, seem to be there. The wood looks more straight forward than a lot of woodies of that period. The sheet metal and running gear can’t be too problematic. All in all a great, very low production, project…
i hope you are successful in finding purchaser. not sure if this is the one to salvage but it would be a great project.
This is the second time around for the seller posting this long bodied 1950 woodie. Better pics than first time too. That 6 cylinder 3 speed would sure struggle to move this lumber truck. Modernize it’s drivetrain and brakes and suspension and leave the rest original. IMO
Like most wood bodied American cars & trucks, the main body & door framing wood is White Ash, not Mahogany. The darker wood panels are indeed Mahogany, as it can be cut much thinner and bent without cracking. I’m familiar with these woods as my restoration shop took on repairs of wood framed cars, and had a 3rd generation Haitian woodworker who loved renovating wooden bodies.
‘always had a soft spot for wood bodied cars. At my age and condition it’s probably dry rot…
Unusual car
Not worth $13, thoùĝh