Barn Finds

Tag: Woodill

  • Willys Roots: 1954 Woodill Wildfire Roadster

    Willys Roots: 1954 Woodill Wildfire Roadster

    In the very beginning, the Woodill Wildfire was mostly a Willys Jeep, and it wasn’t even built by Woodill. The story starts when Bill Tritt, who had worked for Douglas Aircraft, began crafting boats and cars out of fiberglass in the 1940s. He founded Glasspar to make car bodies, and eventually created a car he called the G2. The G2 was underpinned by Willys components, which were cheap and easy to source in post-WWII America. Meanwhile, Blanchard Robert “Woody” Woodill, Dodge and Willys dealer, was yearning for a sports car. Apparently dissuaded from purchasing a Jaguar, he discovered Tritt and bought a G2, creating a new body to place on its Willys chassis. Like most fiberglass creations of the day, it debuted at the Petersen Motorama to rave reviews. The road to production was rocky, however. Only 15 copies were produced by Woodill’s factory; another 285 were sold as kits. This example was built in 1954, and it’s for sale here at Worldwide Auctioneers – part of the Passport Collection liquidation. This auction was conducted in late April, but left the Wildfire high and dry with no new home; the consignor is now looking for offers. Thanks to Mitchell G. for the tip!

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  • Weird Whatsit: 1955 Woodill Wildfire

    Weird Whatsit: 1955 Woodill Wildfire

    In our never-ending quest to show you the most interesting things in vintage transportation, we love when readers like Levi A. give us a tip to something we haven’t seen! This, folks, is a Woodill Wildfire, for sale here on craigslist out of Little Rock, Arkansas, and while it may be a resto-mod piece, it’s worth a look to at least figure out what it is! Read on to find out more!

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  • Rare Barn Find: 1954 Woodill Wildfire

    Rare Barn Find: 1954 Woodill Wildfire

    The early ’50s were an interesting time for the domestic automobile industry. There was consolidation occurring with the formation of companies like American Motors, Kaiser/Willys and then, later on, Studebaker and Packard. But while that was taking place, there were those that were trying to go their own way with independent specialty models like Earl “Madman” Muntz and his Muntz Jet sports coupe and Blanchard Robert “Woody” Woodill and his Woodill “Wildfire” like this example, located in Greeneville, Tennessee and available here on craigslist for $60,000. Thanks to Ikey H. for the tip!

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  • Sweet Duo: 1954 Woodill Wildfire, 1949 Ford

    Sweet Duo: 1954 Woodill Wildfire, 1949 Ford

    The 1950’s brought about many cools cars through customization and technology in fiberglass much like this 1954 Woodill Wildfire. With its then high-tech fiberglass body, the Wildfire was a sleek looking American roadster that offered a unique twist of American style. Although this Wildfire needs work to be revived, the seller is including a very nice condition ’49 Shoebox Ford as a donor. This unique pair is offered for $15,500. Check them out here on craigslist out of Goshen, Connecticut. Thanks to reader Craig for submitting this sweet and unique duo! (more…)

  • Blank Canvas: 1956 Woodill Wildfire

    Blank Canvas: 1956 Woodill Wildfire

     

    UPDATE 12/12/17 – This one has been relisted here on eBay with a $9k starting bid. Thanks for the tip AC!

    FROM 7/7/17 – In the early 1950s, we were a can-do country. From the space race to TV dinners, we were a nation that could do anything. Cars were one of our specialties. While in most automotive categories we were world class, our sports cars were not so hot. Some attempts had been made, such as the Crosley Hot Shot and various homebuilt racecars. Sensing a demand, and wanting some pizzazz for their showrooms, Kaiser and Chevrolet were hard at work on the Kaiser Darrin and the Corvette. Unfortunately, they ended up as more boulevard cruisers than real sports cars. Woody Woodill had a different idea. While he wanted to mass produce his version of a sports car, most ended up as kits like this 1956 Woodill Wildfire listed on eBay with a buy it now price of $12,000.

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  • Fiberglass Find: 1953 Woodill Wildfire

    Fiberglass Find: 1953 Woodill Wildfire

    1953 Woodill Wildfire

    We have featured a couple of these American made sports cars in the past, but I haven’t seen one on the market for a while. They are quite rare with reports that less than a dozen are still on the road. I’m not sure about that, but it is true that few came in complete form from the factory. Most were sold as kits in typical DIY sports car fashion. This one is located in Grand Junction, Colorado and is listed here on craigslist for $49,000. The price may seem steep, but this one was “upgraded” in the seventies with many Corvette components including a 396 which undoubtedly makes this rare find a handful. Thanks goes to Joe W for the tip!

  • DIY Sports Car: 1954 Woodill Wildfire

    DIY Sports Car: 1954 Woodill Wildfire

    1954-woodill-wildfire

    We have featured a couple of Woodill Wildfires over the years, but haven’t seen any on the market recently. So, when Barn Finds reader Richard B sent over a link to this one I knew we had to present it for your consideration. These fiberglass cars are rare today since only 300 were ever produced. Only 15 of those were sold as complete cars while the rest were kits. The headlights and grill make me think this was built from a kit, but you never know. This could be a really fun project, but the asking price might be a little optimistic. Find it here on craigslist in El Paso, Texas for $15,000. Thanks for the tip Richard!

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  • Johnny Dark’s Woodill Wildfire

    Johnny Dark’s Woodill Wildfire

    1953 Woodill Wildfire

    We have seen a few Woodill Wildfire kit cars, but this is the first confirmed factory built Wildfire we have ever come across. There were only about 15 complete cars to leave the Woodill facility, with another 200 or so as kits. Not only is this one of the original 15, but it is also one of the 3 used in the classic movie Johnny Dark. It has been in storage for a number of years and the seller claims it is all original and unrestored. Be sure to take a look at the listing here on eBay where bidding is getting close to $20k.

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  • Swayback: 1954 Woodill Wildfire

    Swayback: 1954 Woodill Wildfire

    1954-woodill-wildfire

    There were a number of American specials built during the 1950’s, but few were as handsome and unique as the Woodill Wildfire. The creator, Robert Woodill, like many other sports car enthusiasts of his day, desired a better sports car. While he was able to realize his dream, only a handful were ever built and very few remain today. This one is in very rough shape and is looking a little sway back. Hopefully it isn’t beyond saving. Take a look at it here on eBay out of of Greencastle, Pennsylvania.

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