1940 Ford Deluxe “Woodie” wagon. This is an excellent and very original older cosmetic restoration of a rare station wagon. It is obvious that this example has always been well cared for. The wood is in very nice condition and has not been replaced over the years. It was given a cosmetic restoration from 1995 to 1996. More recently, about $13,000 was spent going through the engine and any other outstanding issues. As a result, it is an overall very nice Station Wagon. This would be rated as being between a 2 and a 3 in a 5 or 6 point scale.

This is a multi-seat transporter, with room for 8 passengers plus luggage, was the work horse for many hotels going to and from train stations and later, airports. This example, of which only 8,730 were built, has the rare and sought after Columbia 2-spd rear axle. The transmission is a three speed manual, with the shifter mounted on the steering column. The woodie is painted a deep maroon with a pleasing saddle interior. This wagon is wonderful to drive, with well-behaved manners that would be worthy of any collection, or just taking family and friends to a cars and coffee event.

We are selling this on behalf of the family of the deceased owner. It was part of his multi-million dollar collection. We will offer it at a price that is fair to all parties. This woodie comes complete with the complete file history, custom car cover, etc. For more details call Harry at 602.245.7200 or email me at harry@classic.bz.

MODEL 01A. 239 cu. in. L-head V-8 engine, three-speed manual transmission, Columbia Two Speed rear end, solid front axle, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 112″

Through 1939, Ford’s station wagon bodies were assembled by Murray Corporation of America, from wood grown in Henry Ford’s northern Michigan forests. That year, however, relations between Ford Motor Company and Murray soured. This led Ford to consider in-house production of the station wagons. Discussions with the management of the Iron Mountain operation, then providing the wood parts to Murray for assembly, resulted in a proposal for all body assembly to be done in the northern Michigan locale and that bodies be sent to assembly plants fully finished and trimmed. The change took place at the beginning of the 1940 model year.

The bodies took on a much different appearance. The roofline was subtly altered, becoming more rounded at the windshield header. Panel spacing was changed, such that the lower panel became narrower, and the rear quarter panels were consolidated into one piece. The rear doors, formerly hinged at the back, “suicide” style, now swung toward the front. The spare tire, housed inside in 1938 and ’39, on the back of the driver’s seat, was returned to the tailgate, where it had been located from 1935 to 1937. Deluxe wagons were given the option of maple or birch framing, while Standards came in maple only. Darker-colored gumwood began to be used for panels, in addition to birch, in both series. The choice of material was random. Bodies were given three coats of varnish, hand-sanded between each application.

Three engines were available: the popular 221 cubic inch 85 hp V-8, the small 136 cubic inch 60 hp V-8 (installed in just two Standard wagons), and the larger 239 cubic inch 95 hp V-8 from the new Mercury, which was fitted to 354 Deluxe station wagons.. This is an excellent and very original older cosmetic restoration of a rare station wagon. It is obvious that this example has always been well cared for. The wood is in very nice condition and has not been replaced over the years. It was given a cosmetic restoration from 1995 to 1996. More recently, about $13,000 was spent going through the engine and any other outstanding issues. As a result, it is an overall very nice Station Wagon. This would be rated as being between a 2 and a 3 in a 5 or 6 point scale.

This is a multi-seat transporter, with room for 8 passengers plus luggage, was the work horse for many hotels going to and from train stations and later, airports. This example, of which only 8,730 were built, has the rare and sought after Columbia 2-spd rear axle. The transmission is a three speed manual, with the shifter mounted on the steering column. The woodie is painted a deep maroon with a pleasing saddle interior. This wagon is wonderful to drive, with well-behaved manners that would be worthy of any collection, or just taking family and friends to a cars and coffee event.

We are selling this on behalf of the family of the deceased owner. It was part of his multi-million dollar collection. We will offer it at a price that is fair to all parties. This woodie comes complete with the complete file history, custom car cover, etc. For more details please call, email or text Harry Clark at +1.602.245.7200 or sales@classicpromenade.com.

MODEL 01A. 239 cu. in. L-head V-8 engine, three-speed manual transmission, Columbia Two Speed rear end, solid front axle, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 112″

Through 1939, Ford’s station wagon bodies were assembled by Murray Corporation of America, from wood grown in Henry Ford’s northern Michigan forests. That year, however, relations between Ford Motor Company and Murray soured. This led Ford to consider in-house production of the station wagons. Discussions with the management of the Iron Mountain operation, then providing the wood parts to Murray for assembly, resulted in a proposal for all body assembly to be done in the northern Michigan locale and that bodies be sent to assembly plants fully finished and trimmed. The change took place at the beginning of the 1940 model year.

The bodies took on a much different appearance. The roofline was subtly altered, becoming more rounded at the windshield header. Panel spacing was changed, such that the lower panel became narrower, and the rear quarter panels were consolidated into one piece. The rear doors, formerly hinged at the back, “suicide” style, now swung toward the front. The spare tire, housed inside in 1938 and ’39, on the back of the driver’s seat, was returned to the tailgate, where it had been located from 1935 to 1937. Deluxe wagons were given the option of maple or birch framing, while Standards came in maple only. Darker-colored gumwood began to be used for panels, in addition to birch, in both series. The choice of material was random. Bodies were given three coats of varnish, hand-sanded between each application.

Three engines were available: the popular 221 cubic inch 85 hp V-8, the small 136 cubic inch 60 hp V-8 (installed in just two Standard wagons), and the larger 239 cubic inch 95 hp V-8 from the new Mercury, which was fitted to 354 Deluxe station wagons.