Whether I’m shopping for furniture or a new floor, finding functional or decorative items still made of real wood seems to be a rarity nowadays. Even in the heyday of the woodsy-trimmed station wagons from the sixties and seventies, most of the components that resembled wood were nothing more than just decals, although they effectively provided the appearance that many buyers were looking for during that period. However, if you go further back in time, many auto companies actually used real trees to craft some of a car’s components, such as this 1928 Chevrolet Woody Wagon. Barn Finds reader BCB42 recently spotted this one here on Facebook Marketplace in Arlington, Texas, and we’d like to thank them for sending in the tip! Although some TLC will be required here, the asking price of $6,500 seems fairly reasonable.
The seller calls this one a barn find, but the surroundings almost resemble a warehouse or very large garage. This Chevrolet is said to have been stored for eight years, and it’s part of a collection for sale that features over 20 older vehicles. This wagon is described as an absolute stunner, and it would be even more beautiful with a proper restoration. The exterior wood is said to be good, straight, and clean, although the seller suspects it may be a newer wood kit, with the hinges and latches also stated as non-original. The metal is noted to be in good condition, and is said to wear newer black paint.
Although the dash appears correct, the owner believes some of the interior may be from an older bus, with the Thomas logo on the back seat being a good indication that he’s probably right. At least half of the steering wheel rim is broken, so this will certainly need to be addressed, but the glass is reported to be perfect. The running boards are also given a clean bill of health, and additionally, the wire rims are claimed to be in nice shape.
Unfortunately, the engine isn’t currently running, and there’s no word on when it was last operational. I love the split hood here, as it’s a great reminder of simpler times when parts were so easily accessible. This seems like a worthwhile restoration candidate for those who enjoy truly vintage automobiles, and I hope someone will take an interest in this 1928 Chevrolet Woody Wagon and get it back on the road soon. Is this a pre-war Chevy you’d consider taking on as a project?
Here’s a car that if someone did an LS swap, it would blow its own doors off.
Terry…….. That was really funny!!! Thanks for the laugh.
Very well put! I’d almost have to say you could get that kind of a result if you dropped in a 265…
notice bubbling on left side of winshield glass, good thing is it appears to be laminated “safety plate” glass, bad thing if is bubbling the glass isn’t perfect. And for power—well it’s a 4 cylinder, 1928 Chevret brag was “a six for the price of a four”. Guess not every Chev buyer ft the need for “more power”. These cars should be preserved as examples of how things progressively change. Nice example.
The Chevy stovebolt 6 did not come out until 1929. They originally planned to offer it for 1928 but it wasn’t ready. That is why the 1928’s have the fan shroud, the frame and engine compartment were designed for the longer 6, but they had to carry over the 4 cylinder for one more year.
Look like Model A wheels to me. I thought they had solid disc and wood spoke wheels in 28/29
My first glance said it was a Model A, then I looked at the engine and still didn’t clue in. The wheels have six-studs so that pretty much confirms that it isn’t Ford. But I was still in a fog until you pointed out that it should’ve had disc or wood spokes that I finally realized that this really was a Chevy…
As a kid in Ossining, NY, our next door neighbors, the Dugans, had a 1928 Chevrolet wagon exactly like this one, with green trim as I recall. Every once in a long while, Pat, the dad, would fire it up and take his 5 kids (6 later) and we 3 brothers for a ride up and down our road. It sat idle and I would play in it often.
I believe that Jane’s (the mom) brother, Mike, took it and restored it at some point. All gone now, but my youngest brother stays in touch with most of the Dugan kids via Facebook. He and one of the boys were only a month apart in age. We all sort of matched up with one of theirs in age. Playmates for years throughout childhood. I did love that truck!
It looks like the termites ate the steering wheel and left the body alone.
I’m with Manny on the wheels. A lot can happen in 97+ years.
Get it going, then get a personalized plate that says GR8 CR8.
Most likely it was broken in a move of the car….someone thought it was plastic and pulled to hard…
Had to dig out some reference books for this one. Chevrolet did not sell a complete wooden wagon in 1928 but chassis with front sheet metal, cowl, running boards and rear fenders were available for customers to have specialty body builders to upfit. Martin-Perry Co., Mifflinberg Co., Springfield Body Co. we’re some of the upfitters.
The first picture with the wire wheels threw me too. Ford first offered wires in 1927 and 1928-1929 Model As look similar to those in the picture. From what I found, 1929 was the year for wires as a Chevrolet as an option and they look similar to what is on this 1928.
Chevrolet first offered the 6 cylinder in 1929 but increased the wheel base and hood length in 1928 in anticipation of the longer engine. Also notice the fan shroud that was needed for proper cooling.
I love the idea of a woodie wagon, but the extra upkeep necessary (especially in harsher climates) keep me from even thinking about owning one. I recently replaced the blown straight 8 in a 1947 Buick wagon for the widow of a good friend/neighbor. She would have given me a good deal on buying it, but driving it around for a few days when it was done satisfied me – I’m ok not owning one.
I’ve heard that Chevy didn’t offer a 28 woodie before. All I can say is that my neighbor said it was a 28. It did have wooden spokes (not the wires shown in the instance vehicle) and a 4 cylinder flat-head engine as I recall.
I don’t think it’s a Ford either, in ’28 they had a spare tire on the driver’s side with a curve in the door so it didn’t hit the tire, neither of which this has. The body also has Birds Eye Maple panels which is what Ford used on his, I imagine because he owned a Maple forest and it was a beautiful and long lasting hardwood. I can’t tell the frame in this for sure but it looks like it’s Oak, which I don’t think Ford used either.
All Chevrolet engines were OHV, no flatheads that I am aware of. Certainly not in 1928. I own a 1928 Chevy 2 door sedan so I know of what I speak.
I stand corrected, z1rider. Thanks for the information.
I just did some more research and the problem is that the engine we’re looking at isn’t a flathead, it’s a ’28 overhead valve Chevy. Do a search for a 1928 Chevy engine and you’ll see that’s exactly what’s in this Woodie.
I have a question for the staff.
One some days it won’t post a picture. On those days it seems like no pictures get posted on a particular vehicle, or sometimes on all the vehicles that day. Does this get shut off somehow? I tried several times to post illustrations of Chevrolet’s catalog offerings of chassis available for upfitters, but the post goes nowhere. Third World problem I know, but makes me wonder 🤔.
Saw this posting before on FB…almost tempted as it’s close and pretty cheap considering what a Ford Woody in like condition would cost. I can see putting in a later model Iron duke from the 1975 up vintage…a like GM 4cyl is still a favorite of the boat makers….
On another note for the confused – the seller does have a Ford T for sale as well….
I have a fetish for old wheels and have 13 racks that hold about 60 wheels each, plus many more laying around not in racks. I’m no expert, but those wheels and caps really do look like Model T wheels. I have a lot of old Chevy wheels from the 20’s and I don’t think any look like that. It wouldn’t have been hard to redrill and make Ford wheels fit on this.