Unusually for a woody, the wood on this 1949 Pontiac has already been redone. It’s the rest of the car that needs to catch up. It’s currently waiting for you or another woody lover in Laguna Hills, California and is being auctioned here on eBay. There’s a buy-it-now of $27,000 but lower bids are being considered. The car does run and drive, but it sounds like it still needs some sorting before putting it back on the street. With the third row seat, you could take your entire family with you to events or just around the corner to the ice cream shop. This one should be on the road quickly and cosmetics can follow. According to the seller, Pontiac only made 1,000 of these wagons, so you’re probably not going to meet another one on the trip to the ice cream shop!
When It comes to restoring a woody type vehicle, I can’t say the worst is over on this one but it’s a heck of a start.
What colors would you consider for the final look? I’ve thought of yellow, maroon, dark green… Dark blue. You could go with just about anything and it would look good with that wood.
The dark green is kinda pukey, but a deep blue or maroon would send this neat car over the top!
Spectacular job on the wood! I am a wooden boat sailor all my life and can appreciate the workmanship.
The rest of the car deserves the same level of attention.
I have to agree. All the hardest work is done. After I restored my 1930 Chevy replacing all the wood underneath the sheetmetal, I swore I wouldn’t do another one. Wood cars are a labor of love.
Beautiful wood work.
Definitely deserving of paint, upholstery and mechanical restoration to match the wood! I’d go with any of JW454’s color choices except the yellow (which wouldn’t look bad, but isn’t “me”)…probably maroon or dark blue.
I’m with dark green, but agreed that all choices would be nice :-)
it still needs a bit more work, I would stay with the color that it left the factory with ( green???) to keep it as factory stock would see how well that straight 8 runs aren’t the floors also wood? if the current engine doesn’t work well, would try to find another, or put in a small OHC 8 in it just to motor it along nicely . don’t know if the back up lights were added on at a later time, but certainly was a rarity if it came from the factory that way . Nice find! I hope somebody continues with the current idea of restoration
If…
If I had the funds available, if I were closer to Laguna Beach, if I were handier at what this car needs (although as many have posted, the tough stuff – wood – is done wonderfully), I would be all over this! A beaut of a vehicle, thanks for sharing. Agree with JW454 on the colors, just RayT, open up to Yellow, as long is it is an understated pastel yellow of the period – not the bright yellow of the 70’s through today. Nice ride, hope it finds a good home.
Cars like this make me with I had more money or less brains…. gorgeous.
I wish I had a huge bank account. Deep shiny high gloss black! With the wood it would be gorgeous. As for the drivetrain, if it isn’t too bad keep it stock. If not than a nice warmed over 400 Pontiac with an overdrive and a set of torque thrusts tint and call it a cruiser. Of course gotta restore the interior in a deep red with stock accents.
Now that would be the right color combo for this woody.
Nothing spins my innards like 1940s wood-bodied cars. Every one ever made is classy and upscale… like you’d see on a big estate out on Long Island!
This is a very unique car. 1949 was a transition year for Pontiac styling and the wagon trim. 1949 was the first year for Pontiac’s new “envelope” styling. It was also the only year you could get a wood wagon(last year) or a metal wagon(first year), with imitation wood grain appliques.
This is the first 1949 wood wagon I’ve ever seen. In 1949 my parents traded in their ’42 Pontiac wood wagon on a new 1949 Pontiac Streamliner Eight metal wagon. Many wonderful childhood memories in that car, my chariot from age 4 to 10.