Wood-bodied station wagons were quite the thing with the wealthy back in the 1930s and 1940s. But they were expensive to produce, and the wood added 200-300 pounds to each vehicle. In the case of Ford, the last true “Woodie” was made in 1948. For the next three years, they would have wood attached to steel bodies, and after that, the wagons were all steel. The seller offers two Woodie project wagons from Ford’s last year in that business, 1951. They will need a lot of work and are being sold as a pair here on craigslist. They were in Clinton, Pennsylvania, but maybe en route now to Florida. $26,000 is the asking price.
Ford was the leader in wooden-bodied station wagons back in their heyday. We understand that old Henry owned some forestry to use for sourcing production of these vehicles. Woodies were in demand by hotels, resorts, country clubs, stables, and movie studios for the prestige they added. But production numbers were low and the cost of assembly high, so after 1951 Ford went with all steel-bodied wagons. Country Squires, as they were called, had wood-like appliques on the doors and rear quarters after that.
This pair of ’51 Woodies was owned by the seller’s father-in-law, who has since passed on and left them to his daughter in his will. Titles for neither one can’t be located but the seller is willing to make arrangements for duplicates to be issued. Both wagons are projects that have been sitting for 30 years in a barn. We assume the seller and his wife have been liquidating assets before moving to Florida. So, the pair was offered for $15,000 before the move but will rise to $26,000 when relocated. We’re told that one has been valued at $18,000, the other $8,000, but the source of these values is not identified.
One of the twins, likely the higher valued one, had a new engine installed before going into storage. But that was three decades ago, and no mention is made of its running condition now. From the limited photos provided, it appears as though the wood paneling of both wagons was removed at some point but still around. If you were to buy the pair, would you shoot for making one good wagon out of two or would you restore both? Or do we not know enough to make that call?
Right now I wouldn’t touch what looks like junk to me and I don’t care where they are going. Anyone out there put that kind of asking money on these two?
Dreamin
You’ll sink a lot into these or one. I will watch this one from the sidelines.
With most of the wood rotted and removed,I don’t know how he’s coming up with the $26k value. Even the $15k he was asking is pricey in this poor condition. Maybe a project for someone whose got a few wooden under their belt and I’m sure they wouldn’t jump on either one of this sellers prices.
Not at all affected by the urgency in the tone of a seller who lists the day before he’s moving and puts stipulations on the sale. GFL with that, and your junk. I passed on one very similar to these for 1500 last year.
Two parts cars at best, for 26k? What’s he smokin’? No thanks.
The owner should just move to Florida and leave the junk behind. He’d come out ahead.
I don’t think there is any disagreement on what we think these are worth. The seller just needs to come to that same conclusion.
I am not sure if these sold at this auction recently but they were to be had for pennies on dollar but they appeared to be really far gone or more than the strongest of stomach and fattest of wallet could justify purchasing
https://bid.hostetterauctioneers.com/lot-details/index/catalog/30010/lot/4628342?url=%2Fauctions%2Fcatalog%2Fid%2F30010%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0DTZ9P4Bjp9fZ0eOktGKqWMitMPozdPNl0LwkGxoNWgKMHGX67XQ9DUJY&fbclid=IwAR2gGIfN3O9j3sFhDFcqdg9J4R18-rqX6Xa6OVIUWa4J7TMBjV6frNhSj5E
Looks to me like they are the same green and blue cars Erik. They look like scrap than and they look like scrap now for the price asked.
Let’s see. Title issues. Went to auction already, woodies that are missing the wood. One ran 30 years ago. I kind of feel bad for the woman that inherited them. Someone told her they are worth $26K. I hope she finds someone that will haul them away for her before she moves to Florida. The moving costs exceed their true value.
My first car in 1974 was a 1951 Ford 2 dr sedan, loved that car, drove it all over Southern California. I would NOT take these 2 1951 Fords for free, It must be April 1st, because the seller cannot be serious.
I want what ever the seller is smoking, lol! Do not see this kinda of money for these two piles….Anyone can ask anything but reality will come crashing down unless as PT Barnum said, A fool and his money will soon be parted!!!! And anyone spending this kida cash for what I see there is a Fool!
I’m sure these Woodies sans the wood have some value to someone whose restored a few of them with just the steel left to them.. It’d have to be someone with some serious woodworking skills,deep pockets and buying skills to get them for a more reasonable price. There is value there, just not what the seller is asking.
No value here. Just say no, no, no. If there was any value, they would all ready be gone.