1935 Ford Model 48 Eight Station Wagon

This 1935 Ford Woodie originally came from the New England area. It was purchased in 1977 by the current owner's brother prior to any restoration work. The complete professional body-off restoration was finally finished in 1979 in Hanover, Massachusetts. New wood was used for most of the restored body. The engine and chassis were completely reconditioned. Shortly after the restoration was completed, the current owner's brother passed away and the car was placed in storage, where it remained for eight years. In 1993, the current owner's son, an automotive engineer, talked his father into bringing the Woodie out of storage. The vehicle was cleaned up and back on the road in August of 1993.

According to the owner, there were only 4,536 Ford Woodies built in 1935. By that year, Briggs Mfg. Company of Detroit was the main wooden body assembler for Ford. The original wood body parts were produced in Ford's Iron Mountain facility. All bodies were assembled tot the chassis at the Dearborn Rouge Assembly Plant. It was not until 1939 that Ford took over the total manufacture and assembly of wooden bodies at Iron Mountain, and shipped the assembled bodies to Ford assembly plants around the United States.

The Ford Station Wagon (the nickname 'woodie' seems to have been originated by the California surfers who used them as surfboard buggies) was the second most expensive car made by Ford in 1935 at $670. These cars were often used and kept at summer estates, resorts or hotels, and picked up guests at the railroad station - hence the name 'station wagon.'

The Station Wagon body style changed very little from 1935 to 1939, expect that glass usage was expanded from just the front doors in 1935, eventually covering all the window openings in the body. The last Ford Station Wagon with real wood content was produced in 1954.

This car has won numerous awards at Greenfield Village Motor Muster, Early Ford V-8 Club Grand National, Ford Mercury Restorer Club (Best in Show 2011) and other car events.