1937 Ford Model 78 Station Wagon

Ford redesigned their Woodie wagons in 1935 by moving the engine forward to between the front wheels. The passenger compartment was lengthened and several other changes were implemented to complement the four-door station wagon. Ford's vertical integration had led to the acquisition and maintenance of large timber holdings in Iron Mountain in Northern Michigan. The timber was originally used for framing the steel panel bodies of the Model T and Model A. By the mid-1930s, the use of wood in passenger car bodies had basically disappeared. The work had been outsourced to Mengel Body in Kentucky, however in 1935, production of all the wood panels and frames for Ford's station wagons was brought in-house at Iron Mountain. Iron Mountain's had a large supply of old growth hardwood and a high quality saw and planing mill. The assembled panels were then shipped to Ford's assembly plants where they met up with Murray's special stampings for final assembly.

Once completed, the wagons featured high quality lumber and a nicely styled utilitarian design. The long winters of Michigan's Iron Mountain region produced slow-growing trees with dense rings and brilliant color and unusual grain.

The 1937 Ford Woodie was given the same landmark revisions that the entire range received for that year. Updates included forward thinking aerodynamic styling distinguished by its 'bull nose', split windshield and teardrop headlights faired into the wing tops. All of these changes were inspired by the upmarket Lincoln Zephyr.

This black Deluxe Station Wagon was ordered new with dual windscreen wipers, dual side-view mirrors, fog lamps, Deluxe-model-only banjo-spike steering wheel, Deluxe dash, and wide-whitewall tires. It was given a comprehensive restoration in 2008 where every effort was made to preserve the maple and birch wood. A few tasteful upgrades were carried out including dual-tip exhaust, period correct alloy heads, and an all-wood rear hatch in place of the original metal- framed unit.

In 2013, the car was offered for sale at Bonhams Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $85,100 including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2013