We cover woodie station wagons regularly on Barn Finds and one of the questions that I keep asking is how does one handle the necessary woodwork? Considering the age of the average woodie, a body style gone from our domestic auto scene for at least 70 years now, it’s the type of car that requires a restorer, a mechanic, and a carpenter. Well, if you have wondered about the more arduous aspects of auto shop and carpentry class combined, here’s your chance to review a project woodie in the form of a 1949 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight “Futuramic” station wagon. This under-construction Olds is located in San Diego, California and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $2,550, reserve not yet met, or a BIN price of $43,000. Thanks to Gunter K for this fine discovery!
While “Futuramic” was the way forward for the modernization of Oldsmobile design, and usually references the all-new 1949 models, it actually came into being in 1948 with the redesigned Ninety-Eight. In ’49, the new design spread to the Eighty-Eight and the Seventy-Six models too. As for woodies, the listing claims this example to be a one-year-only offering but Oldsmobile offered a woodie look-alike wagon in ’50 though it appears to be more of a wood veneer/DiNoc arrangement.
No doubt about it, a tremendous amount of work, electrical, mechanical, and aesthetics have been performed on this wagon, but it still has a ways to go. The seller states, “The body is in original condition and original paint. There is a small amount of rust at the inside C pillar inner fender. Woodwork is substantially complete. Still needs work to finish. No glass. You will have to make patterns after you build the wood, that is the correct way to do it. I have all the pieces either made or have good templates“. Just look at that woodwork! The finger joints and gentle bends, its a thing of beauty! As for the metallurgical parts of this Eighty-Eight, they look to be stout without crash damage or rot. Visually missing components like the grille are included with the sale and will accentuate the re-chromed front bumper.
The 135 HP, 303 CI, first-year, overhead valve V8 engine has been rebuilt to stock specs and has experienced zero miles. It joins a rebuilt radiator and brake system. Helping to jolt this Old’s motivational ability is a new wiring system. Rocket Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a Hydramatic, automatic transmission.
Inside we find, “The seats are re-upholstered to original style and stitching. The steering wheel was restored by Koch. All the gauges are rebuilt and work like the original“. Speaking of the steering wheel, note that V-shaped horn ring – spectacular! Interesting to note is how much woodwork the interior will require, especially with the curves necessary for the window frames. Of concern is the seller’s comment about having to have all of the glass cut from patterns that still need to be made – that will be a challenge.
This project will be a “changing horses in the middle of the stream” undertaking for the new owner. Besides the knowledge necessary, the yet-to-be-completed tasks can be difficult when segregated from the existential aspect of the entire restoration – there are always nuances that the current owner knows and the new owner will have to figure out. The current bid and BIN price are a Grand Canyon apart and with two days of bidding to go, it seems doubtful that this wagon will find a new owner on this go-around. Hope springs eternal, however, and a new caretaker will eventually surface. So, tell me, has anyone ever attempted to pick up on a project like this right from where the previous owner left off?
Owner sucked up too much wood dust with that BIN price. One of the best engines and transmissions ever made until the modern era. Never did figure out why GM didn’t use the transmissions in all their cars. Much better than any of the 2 speed, slushamatics of the following years.
GM used the Hydramatic in many of their cars for several years, up through 1960. Only Chevy never got it. All the other makes did, at some point.
Buick never used the hydramatic
Terrry; 1960 was not the final year – Hydramatic was installed in Pontiac Bonneville+Star Chief as late as the ’64 model year. However the Hydramatic was severely redesigned from ’56 onwards .
As for why the Hydramatic wasn’t installed in all GM cars in it’s time is because it was an extremely costly and complex unit to produce, both for GM and – consequently -the customers
PFC (pretty cool). I agree with Bob, BIN might seem a bit optimistic. But as a word of caution to those who are rolling their eyes at this price: depending on purchase price and shop rates, that may represent a loss for the seller at that price.
Bender approves.
Worth every dime it will take to complete the restoration. These are far too scarce today to ignore. I’m hoping an Old club member gets this and completes it. There can’t be many of these left. If I had the skills for the woodwork needed, I’d be tempted. GLWTA!
I have been buying and selling cars since I was 16 years old, and I think I learned allot. But just recently ,I have seen somethings that I didn’t know. This Old’s woody for instance is now $83,000 ,because the seller owes the IRS that amount. A few months ago a buyer told me that my selling price seemed fair. But because he was from Canada, his dollar was not as strong as ours. Therefore I would need to sell it for Canadian dollars not US, that would make it fair. I think I am getting to old for these new rules.
Those are some bizarre rules Joe lol. Another sign that society is getting to be more & more narcissistic. “It is all about me and my needs, screw the other person”. I can’t stand that mentality!
On a different note…I wonder if the original color keyed floor mats are included in the sale of this vehicle lol. Just kidding!
Unfortunately the price of real nice woody wagons took a dive when Nick Alexander dumped his collection at Pebble Beach a few years ago. They ain’t ever gonna come back. Beautiful woody’s sell all the time now for $50k plus or minus a bùck or two. Trully a shame!
Currently bid to $18,600, of course still RNM.
This really will be spectacular when finished…
A new owner might choose to leave the paint “patina’d” and just finish out the wood and glass, and the interior.
In any case, there is still a TON of work to accomplish. Pretty much another decade’s worth for a home hobbyist who doesn’t already have a lot of experience, skill, equipment, and parts sources.
This is not a true woodie out our way. It is a tin woodie and worth less with steel doors and roof. It’s no fun trying to put one of these together. Chevy had the same body. My brother had a mint one that was stored in a Barn, he sold it as soon a he could. He said if squeaks could drive you crazy this was the one. .
A “tin woody” is all metal where the real wood is now. A friend of mine has both versions only Chevy models, one all metal and one partial wood. Chevy stopped producing wood versions part way thru one year and replaced with metal version. I think the Chevy version may be later.
Gosh you could buy one that’s finished for that price. The wood and glass skills are far beyond my ability to finish such a project. Maybe like someone suggested, have a Woody collector’s group complete it. Although much has been done, it needs someone whose got a few of these under his belt.
Around 2002 I had a similar green one of these in extremely rough shape – I drove up to Green Bay WI and towed it home – parked it out on a friends farm in Kenosha and eventually resold it – way too big a project and very few shops want to build Buick wood IME. Wood etc. was shot but it had all the parts. This is an uber-rare model (last of the Olds wood body -not a tin woodie) – I believe in mid-year they switched to metal like the Chevy’s.
Stevieg, Thanks for the comment , I thought maybe I was the only one that thought that. Joe
No problem Joe.
I am envious of you being in the metro Phoenix area, but give it a couple years & I will be there too. When I get there, I will be asking about the local car shows. I hope I can count on you to point the way!
Stevieg, No Problem I can do that. I have been here almost 5 years, after being in Colo. all my life. The car culture here is just about everywhere. You just have to acclimate and understand , the very best times for cars and events is the winter. It is non stop, starting this month with all the auctions.
But is super easy to inject yourself in the car culture here and feel a part of it.And I have to think how great it could have been for me ,if we hadn’t gotten here , just in time to slow down ,from the pandemic. I think you will like it here, and I will be glad to help you.
Well thank you Joe! I appreciate that.
I have a lot of friends and family down there already, that and the weather are why I will be relocating there. But the people I have down there are not car people, with one exception…but he lives in Tucson. Getting in with someone who has the same interests as I have does not hurt.
It helps that I have seen your posts, and I also believe I can learn a thing or 2 from you. I love cars, and I love to learn. I am man enough to admit I don’t know everything.
In Orange, CA we have a restoration house that can recreate from scratch any wood parts that need replacing even to an entire woody.
I am the seller of this car and it has been a long project so far. If you are thinking that this is an investment you should not buy this car. You restore these because you love the car and the build. And the thought of driving it some day. But time has a way of changing your life. I have 20k in the car, and that is with all the labor being free. If someone in the future is wanting to see it or buy, my email is docrock100@hotmail.com