We’ve been lucky enough to see quite a few classics with a long-term ownership history at Barn Finds, but this 1938 Ford Deluxe Woodie Wagon takes that concept to the extreme. This eighty-eight-year-old gem has been part of the same family since Day One, but the time has come for it to find a new home. Its presentation is first-rate and is truly astounding considering it is an unrestored survivor. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Zappenduster for spotting the Woodie listed here on Craigslist in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The seller’s price of $52,000 isn’t cheap, but, then again, this is a pretty special Wagon.
I was impressed by the presentation of this Woodie when I saw the listing, but that feeling has since turned into awe. If the seller’s listing is correct, this Ford is an unmolested survivor that has never been restored. If true, its condition is astounding. The vehicle spent most of its life in California and has been stored indoors since arriving in its current location. Therefore, its rust-free status is unsurprising. The seller describes the paint shade as Olive Green, but it looks very close to the Dove Gray found on that year’s Ford color charts. The paint shines beautifully, and the panels are as straight as an arrow. The timber isn’t cracked or rotten, and is 100% original. The trim looks exceptional for its age, and the glass hasn’t developed cloudiness.
Powering this Woodie is its original 221ci flathead V8. It feeds 85hp to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual transmission, offering impressive performance for its age. The originality of this Ford extends to its entire drivetrain. Even peripheral items like the carburetor, intake, and ignition are original. The Woodie has led a sheltered existence during the past year, leaving the garage once for show duties. However, the seller meticulously maintains this gem. They suggest that the buyer works through a recommissioning process to ensure the vehicle is roadworthy before planning any adventures. However, it sounds like that process might be relatively straightforward.
It seems fair to say that the only aspect of this Woodie showing genuine age is its interior. It isn’t horrendous, and the buyer shouldn’t need to consider a complete restoration. However, the paint on the dashboard has begun to deteriorate and may need to be refreshed in the future. The upholstered surfaces are free from significant wear, and apart from light marks in the cargo area, the timber looks excellent. The gauge lenses are clear, the markings are crisp, and the switches are in good order. There is visible wheel wear, but the buyer could either address this or add a wrap to prevent further deterioration. However, I would probably leave this interior untouched if I were the new owner. It tells the Woodie’s story, proving that while it looks amazing, it has never been a trailer queen.
I can’t imagine how difficult the decision must have been for the seller to part with this 1938 Ford Deluxe Woodie. It has been a cherished family member for so long that you must believe that the garage will feel empty when it leaves. Its story would undoubtedly be a conversation starter at a Cars & Coffee, and I hope that its next chapter involves many years with its next owner. Will they keep the Woodie for eighty-eight years? You never know.
Well it ain’t got a back seat or a rear window, but it still gets me where I wanna go,,,,can anyone from Surf City ( some say Malibu, some say Huntington Beach) was it really 2 girls for every guy? And did winking your eye really get you action? Oh, we lived a sheltered life in Beer City, and there really is an “Oskaloosa?” These really are a masterpiece, wooden cars,,,go figure. I think all woodies were beautiful, just by nature.
Daggone it, Howard, now I’m going to have Jan and Dean playing through my mind all day!!!
Yes, this is a real gem! An untouched woodie in this kind of shape, is like finding the winning Powerball ticket. Just load it onto a trailer and head it over to my place. I used to admire the former collection of Nick Alexander but his were RESTORED!
IMO, the price is right. I will say that, considering its age, there might be some maintenance items, such as old leather seals, that will need attention, because they will simply check out. I have a ’49 Chevy that’s original, and it’s needing new everything because the leather is giving way…
I think the price is reasonable. A few years ago it would have been more.
This is a beautiful Woody. For me, any wood car, or boat for that matter is a work of art. The fact that this has been in the same family since day one is amazing. And in this beautiful condition as well. I’m not 100 percent sure, but I think a Woody wagon like this typically cost more than even a convertible, so these are the top of the line, no matter what Make it was. I really hope this goes to a good new home.
Great write up Adam, thank you very much. And of course also a thanks to Zappenduster for finding this gem.
Good looking car, better yet, it doesn’t have surf decals or a roof rack.
Steve R
Well, you of all people are perceptive enough to know, people today like glitz, and I happen to think a surfboard AND window decals would help the sale. To be honest, if I got this car, the 1st thing I’d add is a surf board on top. It just looks right.
Gotta love it, this one was last stationed at an Air Force base in Arizona in 1984..
Fort Huachuga..1978
If I recall correctly, the “surfer wagons”, at least on album covers back in the day. were usually Model A variants. But I sure would’t turn this beauty away. I love the louvers on the hood-German Fords of the period had a similar theme, so the dawn of “international” design!
Wow! Makes me wanna make a
print of it before the ad goes away. But it’s gonna have to wait
until the ’53 Caddy is done. Don’t
think I’ll ever understand why anyone in their right mind would
ever even consider selling a family heirloom like this. Probably some young kid out there that has no sense of family
history or wants nothing to do with a car that doesn’t have all the modern convenience features
they have today. Ever have a car
that tells you it’s time for a coffee ☕ break? My K 5 does. After so
many miles of driving, a little symbol and a chime let’s you know it’s time to pull over and grab a cup before going on your
merry way. That’s what young people are after today. A car that
does everything but wipe your ass for you. How lazy and unengaged can you get? Here is
driving at it’s finest! A car that actually gives you something to do! And that’s what I’d wind up doing with this one. Having Sis or my niece drive me around town in it to enjoy the car and the
$52K he’s asking for it. And since
I only live 20 minutes from the beach ⛱️, yes folks, it would have a surfboard on the roof as
Ron John’s surf shop is in downtown Melbourne. And yes
Howard, I have heard of Oskaloosa, Iowa. It’s a nice little town of maybe 1500 people. I seem to recall playing music 🎵
there in 1976 at some kind of festival 🎎 there. Ah, those country girls in those halter tops!
What memories that brings me!
Such are the memories of an old man now.
Wow! A car that will wipe your butt? Just stay away from the ATR…
Last time I saw one of these was over 50 years ago. It was a street rod powered by a GM 350 and a
TH350 tranny. It had 4-wheel independent suspension, A/C, stereo, and all the other niceties of the day, but it was never as charming and honest as this car.
Oops, gotta go to the hardware
store for some wooden clothespins as Fords like this will
vapor lock a lot in a Florida summer.
they are only original once. a person should just buy it, sit in it, and giggle that they own a completely original time machine!
Don’t take this to “Deadman’s Curve”. Jan and Dean
Correct me if I’m wrong but the surf board was stowed in the back and hung out the “no window”. No roof rack. That’s one of the reasons why these woody wagons were the choice of the surfers back in the day when these vehicles were relatively cheap and still available. Whatever. This one sho’ be nice. The originality factor is a huge factor in its desirability. GLWTS.
stunning wagon in remarkable shape. price seems fair for the condition. hard to find with long term ownership
Beautiful car! I’d be afraid to drive it. You never know when a Nevada wind will come up and do some light sand blasting.
There is one of these not far from me, some shade of maroonish-brown that looks black from a distance. 1938 (the Deluxe, that is) is my utterly favourite 1930s Ford. The one where I am has a Columbia Overdrive decal in the rear window, and it is prettier. But I wish that I had the $52,000 for this one!
It’s interesting that so many of us are dedicated woodie fans. My father was born in the 20s and grew up in the 30s when woodies were fairly common. He had a much different opinion.
To him, woodies were noisy, dusty and cold. In the summertime, they were noisy, dusty and sweltering hot. When he was in the Boy Scouts, his Scout Leader, plus a couple of volunteers would load up the troop that Dad was in and take them to the mountains about 70 miles away, for a Scout camp. Dad said that one had a tonner pickup with a canvas top over the bed, and the other two drivers drove woodies. The kids piled into them and endured the 70 miles until they were up in the mountains.
Dad said he always seemed to get stuck in one of the woodies and constantly worrying about some kid getting carsick and not telling the driver to stop.
I can only imagine…
It seems like the rust formed around the decorative wood or maybe it was when they started using metal to look like wood. I get more nostalgic over the flathead engine. The stick shift in these is nice too.
Im having a hard time believing that this is O.E. to be that old AND all original is hard to believe .
Fort Huachuga in Arizona..last plated 1978
Dang, missed it by one year. I had a 1939 Ford standard woodie that came with hydraulic brakes. The 38 still had cable connected brakes which were problematic. Cables would stretch unequally causing brakes to hunt around while stopping. Mine looked just like the one in the picture. I believe it went to Nick Alexnder at a Scottsdale Auction.
Was this your car? To the best of my knowledge, this was part of Nick Alexander’s collection. He displayed his cars in various shows such as “Woodies on the Wharf,” a show that has been on my bucket list for a number of years now.
Late to the party but some of that hardware underneath looks suspiciously newer than the car.
You got me to check, and yes there is a hydraulic master cylinder underneath, so brakes were upgraded.
Something wrong with this listing. He keeps talking about unrestored original but it looks repainted, revarnished, reupholstered, replced top. He calls it olive green but it’s gray. He calls the upholstery “tan broadcloth” – not tan, not broadcloth. One family owned is quite a claim – based on all other claims I’d want to see the paperwork. A nice car but jut an older amateur restoration, not some great original…
Unfortunately geo, that’s what the
young people in America want today. Kids today have ABSOLUTELY no idea of what driving a car is all about. Few of them today can’t even drive a stick shift let alone change a tire.
Back in our day, you learned how to drive both types of cars both stick and automatic. And I’ll cut them some slack on tire changing as most of today’s cars
now have computerized lug nuts
that must be scanned with a scanner that gives you the correct code to remove the rim
and change the tire. I know it’s so because I saw them doing that
same thing while getting new tires for my K 5. When I asked the young man about it, he explained to me that it was a feature mandated by the insurance companies to keep thefts down and premiums low.
Okay, where are the lower rates he was talking about?!! We were
paying double premiums for awhile because we own a KIA due to all the thefts of these cars
on Tick Tok. Had to prove to the
agent that our car had something
called an engine immobilizer to make it theft proof. That’s why I
like older cars. You slide in, turn the key, and you’re on your way with no muss, fuss, or bother. And God forbid you have a flat, you can change it yourself WITHOUT having to be towed in
to a repair shop where they rob you blind any chance they get. I
tell Ya’ guys, there are a lot of times I wish I could see well enough to drive! I”d have something like this or the ’53 Chevy 210 I saw this morning or
maybe another Cadillac. Something practical and sensible
that won’t break the bank
Hi Ken! Computerized lug nuts? That’s a new one on me. Although you do have to reprogram for the TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system)system when removing the tires/wheels. That way the system can tell you which tire is low on pressure. My daughter learned manual transmission on my 1971 FJ40 at age 9. My son learned on my turbo Mustang. When he was 15. When I took my license test itcwas in my Mom’s ’63 Impala 327 and 3 on the tree. We got about a block away from the DMV and there was a slow corner to navigate. After going around the corner. The officer wanted to know what I was doing with the clutch. I explained that I was double clutching in order to get back into 1st gear since 1st gear was not synchronized. You have to match the engine speed to the transmission speed so the gears don’t grind. He said, go back, you passed. Sp my drivers test was only 1 block long.
Regarding the inability of most young people not being able to drive a stick, a great anti theft device currently, I took my driving test on a stick with my father, who was a police officer, and not a patient one, with the registry officer and my father in the car. I had to hold the car on a hill with the clutch, and parallel park with a stick during my drivers test. I feel that a standard shift is a safer car to drive because you can’t text because you’re busy with the clutch and the stick. I used to repair and tune up my cars when younger, something that doesn’t exist anymore because of the intricacies of modern cars.