There is something very romantic and nostalgic about vehicles associated with national parks. When the National Park Service was founded in 1916 national park designations increased rapidly. As the automobile became more popular, parks transitioned their access away from horse trails to car-friendly roads. I’m lucky enough to live just outside of Glacier National Park where the Red “Jammer” busses of the 1930’s still shuttle visitors today. Although this 1939 International Woody wagon wasn’t used as a tour bus, it was used to transport visitors from the train station to hotels in Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks. It is currently located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and can be found here on eBay with a current bid of just over $20,000 USD. According to the ad, this is one of only about ten that were produced. If that is accurate, this may be the rarest woody in the world! Take a look.
The interior has beautiful woodwork. The ceiling, door panels, and window trim is all wood and although the seller says some have been cracked and repaired, overall, they don’t look bad. Besides the seats, the dash is the only major piece in the interior that isn’t wood. The first thing that jumps out when looking at the dash, is the late-model steering wheel and column. Unfortunately, this takes away a bit from the nostalgic feel of the car, but if the buyer wants to return it to stock, it shouldn’t be too difficult.
The original engine is long gone and in its place lies a 350 Chevrolet V8 with an automatic transmission. The car also features air conditioning and power steering and brakes, which probably make this one a good driver. The ad says the fuel system has been addressed and the car “drives and stops as it should.”
Overall, the exterior of the original car has been maintained pretty well. Although it features an updated drive train underneath, the exterior probably looks very similar to what the guests in Yosemite and Yellowstone experienced 80 years ago. What do you think of this rare woody? Would you try and take it back to stock or enjoy it as-is?
I’ve got to say that this was done quite well. Would I do it? Not a chance but that’s me. IMHO, something this rare needs to be kept stock and enjoyed that way. I appreciate the original; let someone else do to their truck what they want…
1 of 10? Not anymore. Maybe the body would count, but that is just one component. If you want to retain the unique nature of a vehicle then those features that make it unique ought to be retained. As it is now, it’s another heavily modified/street rod type car. Not that there is necessarily anything wrong with that; just don’t try to tell me it’s something very significant.
Home made goodies usually feature the dead straight lumber on the sides and rear like this car so I wonder who built it.
This appears to be a Moller “station wagon” because of the steel rockers under the doors, rounded door bottoms and body side spare tire. Moller closed in early 1940. Most 1939 bodies were re titled as1938’s . They are extremely low production. . . probably not to hard to install stock.
I agree. Pic is of a ’37. I don’t buy the “1 of 10” story…three-door configuration seems to be the norm for these. There were a couple other coach builders which supplied similar bodies after Moller folded.
I wrote home made “Woodies” not goodies. Darn phone!
Looks like the proverbial “good news/bad news” situation to me.
I agree this is likely not factory woodwork. While it appears to have been done well, it lacks the characteristics of typical woodies, even the more spartan IH; no compound curves or subtle sweeping curves usually seen. That and the lack of original drivetrain parts makes this, at least to me, simply a driver with some personality. Good for a surf wagon, but not a particularly historic vehicle at this point.
Nice !
I think this might be from Curiosity Incorporated antique store , he (Alex)has a cool YouTube channel about the store and his searches for items for it. Has cool cars too 😎
Yes it is his.
I follow the guy who currently owns this car on YouTube. He talks a lot about what shape it was in when he got it and what he’s done to it on his channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgclKg8oaVlkuCurCxo2hOw
The link takes you to an auction site.
Has a front steer GM subframe, not putting that back to stock without another chassis, or parts vehicle.
Decent quality woodwork, but not done by International IMHO. What a pleasure to not see complaints about numbers matching or original miles.
I like it with the modern changes; I can envision it as a driver cross country with all the creature comforts. Too bad about the members who wish it were totally original, sometimes having a traditional vehicle which one can actually use routinely must give way to numbers matching.
GIMME, GIMME! Another type of wagon I always wanted since I could drive (1963)! Living in Ca., near the ocean, wagons were very desirable to carry our surfboards! I see a burned out Nomad and now a Woody I know I cannot afford!! CRAP!!
WOW and I thought a late ‘30’s Packard Woody was rare back in high school in 1963!!
i am very interested buying it right now … plz call me 206-595-5845
You’ll have to go to the eBay ad to do that.
Might finish the black paint job but other than that wouldn’t change a thing except the odometer numbers going down the road. Just plain cool!
I’d rather buy this than a stock woodie. At least you can enjoy the car without worrying about people looking at with their hands!
Well, it has the potential of being really cool, if it looked nice. Beautiful 30’s styling, updated properly, not some fire breathing motor, dependable as a washing machine, AND IT LOOKS LIKE CRAP!!! Again, they had me and they lost me here.
Guys, I would hazard a guess thats a factory IH wooden body. There are a few IH’s in the San Diego Woodie Club, mostly from the forties. Maybe appers o be a1938. Its already been bastardized, along with modern glass and at this price with the modern drivetrain perfect for someone who doesnt want the experience of driving a 1930’s drivetrain. The price is way low as they arent making anymore of them. Should be easy enough to verify the 3 door Yellowstone connection.
In doing some basic research, I was not able to find an exact match to this woody. It appears that each year International wood bodied wagons were made, they were slightly different in the body construction. Some had slanted rear panels or rear lift gate. The biggest difference was in the number of recessed panels on the sides. This one has FOUR recessed and equal panels, the only one like it on the internet. Most 1938-49 International wood body wagons had 2 panels, with the top recessed panel only about 6 to 8 inches wide.
If original to the vehicle, I suggest this was probably a local body built to order on a chassis/cab purchased from International, not built thru a subcontractor to the International factory.
There was a comment about this body being too square, but in checking other versions I found that they too were of a squarish design. Without the ability to see this body in person, I can’t say with any certainty, but I’m comfortable in saying I think this is probably original to the vehicle.
Hi guys this is my vehicle, contrary to what the article says it’s a tin woody, so the sides are steel stamped with wooden roof and interior. It really is a one off vehicle and drives very well! I will definitely miss it when it’s gone.