A rather unusual find, this 1941 Ford Woody is a right-hand drive variant that is claimed to have been found in a barn in Argentina. Woody’s, in general, tend to stand out at car events, but an export model right-hand drive car would be sure to get an overwhelming amount of attention. This uncommon find can be yours for the asking price of $19,000. Take a look at this woody here on craigslist out of Los Angeles, California. Thanks to Roger for sharing this interesting and unique find!
A rough around the edges, this Ford appears to be relatively complete even featuring the past owner’s bones! No photos or information was given on the drivetrain, but I would assume that it is in place? There is a bench seat inside, but I can’t make out if there is anything else. The steering wheel shadow is visible in the photos giving the hint that this is a right-hand drive vehicle.
Obviously, the elements have gotten to the iconic wood body, but much of the wood remains and could be used as templates for new wood pieces. The underbody and frame are unknown, but the general exterior sheet metal parts look reasonably rot free. The old green paint is quite faded, and there is surface rust to be found all over. Certainly a project, this Ford seems that it could be a justifiable project for the right person. Have you seen a right-hand drive, Ford Woody, before?
Don’t expect to see this on the road any time soon. There is an enormous amount of work to do. As a capable DIY guy I can assure that there are hunderds of hour of work in the wood alone, and hunderds more in the rest of this car. This would be an interesting project to do but years will go by before your done and lots of money will have been spent. For that reason I think the price is to high, I think no more then $8k would be all that is here and as most of you know our wives will think us crazy at that price. I like woody’s and I think it’s worth saving but The seller has to realize that there has to be some meat on the bones for the buyer. This is currently not a car rather it is a pile of worn out parts and rotten wood, it can be made into a car again but at what cost. Lastly I’d actually prefer this more if it were left hand drive your Veiw of on coming traffic is compromised greatly on our roads.
I agree that there is a huge amount of work to do here, so a total restoration is obviously needed.
But if you accept that premise, it doesn´t make much difference if you pay $Asking price or your valuation of $8K, to build the car will end up a multiple of the buying price.
As for RHD, that´s were the value is. The backstory and RHD add value (a lot of monied collectors in RHD countries). If you want one, make an offer on this one or wait for a better offer, which could take a while.
Martin:
Having been in the business of selling vintage cars all over the world for 40 years, I have attempted to sell American cars with RHD to countries with RHD. It’s a VERY hard sell, as most people overseas want an American car with LHD, as it’s part of the mystique of vintage “Yank Tanks”.
The situation as it is with this car; a RHD vintage Ford now back in the good ‘ol USA, means it’s worth about HALF of what the same car, in the same condition, would be worth in LHD.
I had a 1938 Ford Deluxe 4-door convertible in fully restored condition, also came out of Argentina, and of course with RHD. Thought I would sell it to the UK, Australia, or perhaps Japan. After 3 years of offering the car, with zero interest, I finally bought the parts to change it to LHD. Sold it weeks after the conversion.
It’s got some good bones though. There, I had to say it.
I think they sold some to the Australian RAAF during the war, maybe this is one of them?
Sometimes I wish I was younger and had some money behind me. I’d take on a project like this one just to have done one. I love old woodies and sure wouldn’t kick one of my place. Of course my (late) dad could never see the significance. I’ve quoted him many times before: ‘They’re dusty, cold and the noise from the wind drives you crazy.’ But when he was a kid some of his friends had a woodie for a family car. Riding to scout camps was always in the back of a woodie.
I was 12 years old in 1957 and had one. The enclosed driveshaft, wish bone assembly howled. I bought the whole rear assembly at 12 years old and pulled it home on a derailer bicycle. Replaced in the driveway in Gardena, Calif. Mom traded it for a Smith-Corona typewriter. Boy, I miss that typewiter.
How times have changed. All the wood was excellent. May have become a beach bum wagon in Los Angeles County. Was burgundy. I remember the steering column lock. I drove it around town at 12 years old in 1957. Truly, the Good ol Days.
There are some other right hand Woodies floating around..I was parked next to one at the last Wavecrest in September…I think it was a ’46. Dont know if I’ve ever seen an early ’41. There’s not a lot to work with here. I’d guess assuming the body is the same as any ’41 left hand drive, I’d figure 20-25 grand for someone to build you a proper wooden body and finish the roof etc. Ron Heiden out of Oceanside I think at Ron Heiden Woodworks would be The Man to do it. Then the mechanics , interior paint………..on and on………ultimately worth it to someone who wants a different woodie than all the others…more or less
Too far gone! Put back in barn and lay to rest.
It’s right hand drive because Argentina(and Uraguay & Panama) used to drive on the left,as a third of the world still does.These were assembled with RHD at the Ford plant at Dagenham for the UK market.
Not built in Dagengham in 1941, Luke. No car production there in war years of 1939-45.
Also, don´t think they built US models in Dagenham, they had a UK V-8, which became the Pilot post war (but was not a US derivative). Most US cars sold in UK in the days of Empire were built in Canada, imported at special duty rates.
Martin:
You are correct. Would have been assembled in the Ontario, Canada Ford Plant, but the wood body would have been built in the USA.
There are guys out there that have the talent and the means to make this cherry. I’m surprised it hasn’t been sold.
It was found in Argentina….not Australia.
Who would pay to have this brought back?
I do not see even the basis for a resto
This guy is a joker.
Just noticed the sleleton.
And what a joke the price is for a piece of scrap.😋😉🤣
I’ve said this before on these really clapped out woodies I’d start at the firewall with a brand new wooden body in the form of a two seater woody roadster, either boat tail of slopped back with a nice convertable top to go with it. I’d do all the metal in black and the interior in red leather. The body I’d do in knot free red cedar. In the same way you’d build a cedar strip canoe. And of course an expoxy resin on weave fiberglass fabric to seal and strengthen the whole body. This would be a very cool car when I was done with it, problem is I have the skills but not the financial means to do it. Would a cool build though I guess a guy can dream.
A Ford of Canada produced Staff Car, C11AD I believe. Canada switched all production to war material in 1939 (unlike 1942 in the US) and several models of sedans were produced in LHD for home use and RHD for overseas duty and for other Commonwealth nations. The car was made entirely in Canada (chassis and wood body) and were employed as low-mid level staff cars. Woody bodies were handy as they reduced the use of strategic materials and were extensively used by the British 8th Army in the Western Desert. At the end of WW2, Argentina was gifted large amounts of Canadian vehicles and some served until the early 80’s.
Interesting! Argentina declared war on Germany mid 1945,but had switched to LHD in 1943.