37 Woodie

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Heres a 37 woodie that may be of interest .

It belongs to a friend of a friend of mine ( my friend is into C cars). The owner rebuilt the wooden body himself. I am told it always has been a woodie despite the commercial front treatment.

A lot of commercial vehicles here in New Zealand came in "cab & chassis" form and had the rear the bodywork done by local "coach builders". I 'm not sure whether this was one of those or whether it was assembled like this by FOMOCO NZ. I've seen progress pictures and it is a credit to the owners craftsmanship. I have seen pictures of the interior treatment too and the woodwork is beautiful.

GB

[coupe5w36]

Absolutely beautiful!

[Woodie UK]

Hi Graeme,
Looks amazing. I've just spent the past 18 months researching and writing a new book on how to build, restore and maintain wooden-bodied vehicles (with a big section on woodies) and there's still a chance to include some pix of the rebuild of the Ford in the book.

Let me know if this is possible and I'll give you an email address.
Colin

[swoopNZ]

Some years back I starting building a '37 woody from a sedan that had been cut down to a truck.
An old cabinetmaker built the 4 doors, rear 1/4's and tailgate from original plans and photos.
Made a beautiful job.
I sold it to a man from Otorohanga who is continuing to work on it as a resto rod project. Should look good when finished.
Chris.NZ.

[Graeme / New Zealand]

I gave the FordBarn link to the friend of mine who supplied the photo. He has filled me in on how this vehicle was constructed and he corrects my post. Here is an extract.


"The parts were not for a particular truck, just left over bits. Wire wheels of different sizes, rusty panels and rusty cab. All cast offs. No motor no rear guards, bent chassis and thats about it. Owner had a motor under a bench and started thinking of doing a station wagon from wood. He took the cab off at the seam above the windscreen and researched body style for ages. Has come up with principally a body similar to what the US produced but of course had no dimensions. He obtained his sizing by eye and measuring parts in old photos using items in pictures he knew diamensions of and using them to find measurments of unknown items. Basicly had bones of nothing and found stuff to invent a car that never existed. His workmanship is outstanding".

[52merc]

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where is the woodie gb

[Fordors]

I like '37 Fords, always did; but that "phantom" woodie is simply fantastic. Better than the passenger based woodies to my eye.

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Trev. I was impressed with the vehicle and sought permission to post the picture.

GB

[Ian NZ]

At one time I am sure Chris Tompkins who has been on this Barn at times, from New Plymouth was building up a 1937 Ford V8 Woody I think he sold it, I wonder where it is now. When Dick Taplin had his wrecking yard in South Taranaki he had a Ex Army about 1942 woody there, it rusted away in the finish.

[Tudortomnz]

Thats just beautiful. There was a pic of a '37 commercial Woodie under resto in the VCC mag. 'Beaded Wheels'' a few issues back ; is this the same one ??
As far as I know, no Woodies were imported to NZ but there were odd one off orders & War era cars for the Govt. & Services.

[Bassman/NZ]

It is indeed beautiful. Now why didn't Ford make one like that?

[Bick in New Zealand]

Here are a couple a friend in Palmerston North is restoring.

[52merc]

well at least they are rhd out of argintina?????????????????

[Bick in New Zealand]

The '38 ex Buenos Aires, '39 is Made in NZ.

[swoopNZ]

Barry Buckthought has mine now.
Chris Tompkins.
SwoopNZ.