Projects The Last Chance Woodie Wagon

Although I have two woodie wagon projects of my own, I couldn't pass up the oppertunity to take a summer job at a local restoration shop. This "job" has proven to me more fun than work, and I don't know how I am going to go back to teaching in the fall..

the owner of the shop, whom I have known for quite some time , recently purchased a 47 ford woodie locally. This car had been in possession by the previous owner since the 70's and although a large number of replacement parts were accumulated for the car, little progress was made toward restoration.

one of the BIG important pieces that came with the car, were replacement wood pieces from Cincinnati Wood Works. Apparently some time in the 80's the wood was purchased but never installed on the car.

Details to follow here are a few photos from my first 3 days of work.

 

very cool , nice work : )

 

Man what a lucky SOB to get a summer job like that. Learn what you can and plan to spend next summer at my place helping me with my wood.

 

ken..

you fly me out.. I'll do it..

sawzall

 

Oooh,Oooh....Me too!!!! Looks like a fun summer job you got there Jeff....

 

lucky sob! i guess you are practicing on some elses car first huh?

 

not exactly.. I've had another 46 apart (well parts of it anyhow)
this is the first KIT I have done, i see now why most people only want to replace all the wood.. as it would likely be less work!

here's a shot from yesterday's roof removal!

 

are you just doing just the wood on this car? or body fender as well?

 

just the wood.. however the rear fenders had to come off to remove the wood because the fenders attach into the rail over the rear fender

overall the car is in excellent shape, just needs a few pieces of replacement wood..

 

all this talk of guys playing with their wood in the summer is creeping me out

 

I'll help ya with your wood

 

Wow. Looks like another nice woody in the background?
Everyone has woodys out there- it's like they grow on trees or something.

Congrats on the summer gig, Sawzall. Looks like fun.

 

wow.. I love sawdust..lol

great project...

 

yeah.. 37 ford.. orig wood.. in for brake work.

as you might have guessed.. this is perhaps the best summer gig ever..

 

Man, that's a nice looking car, Jeff -- but I hope it's leaving you time to work on your own. How do you guys handle the varnish in blending the old with the new wood?

 

Looks like fun

taking off the old girls tops
makes you un poplar with the birches tho

 

Word on the street is that you *might* have to loosen him up with a little Captain Morgan first.

 

How about a blog on this project?

 

d-

not much time to do anything.. I have another part time gig and between the two I am busy all week long.. but thats what I need to do.. right now..


When the 47 is back together I can loosen up my schedule again.. (probably just in time to go back to teaching full time )

either way.. I need $$$ to buy parts for my woodie.

it is.. my boss and the other employees are restorers..

this 47 is worthy of a resto.. it is that nice.

working on it..

 

Man that is a hell of a lot better job than mine. lol

 

I haven't talked to Jeff in quite some time. But if there is anything that I can remember about him is that he loves the WOOD! Especially in the morning...

 

It looks as though you're starting with a nice, solid car. Please keep updates coming...Mike

 

more progress:



this shot gives an idea of how much material must be removed from the "kit wood"




unfortunately this all comes back apart (again) monday the c pillar needs more fitting where it sits on the inner fender. I'm looking at an hour to tear all the stuff back apart.. and 10 minutes to router out a deeper recess.. Gotta love these things.

hope to have it looking like a car next week..



sawzall

 

sawzall do you use glue in the final assembly and then screw it together

 

yes..

sorta..

its currently screwed together (in the factory screw hole locations.
although it looks good. we arent anywhere near final assembly yet.. the wood will all be sanded lightly and finish applied before any glue.

 

Sawzall, how about a couple good pics of the connection between the horizontal rail and the door post. Looks like your having fun.

 

Great pics of the woodie, I see your in Phoenixville, I'm in Coatesville, do you do the Ludwigs corner show in September? I'll be there this year in my Triumph Stag.

 

it looks great and is a real credit to you

 

What a cool job sawzall! I knew that Ken couldn't resist a comment though . Ken let us know and a bunch will come out and get some of it done!

Why can't I get a summer job like that .... Oh yeah I couldn't do it, don't have the first clue about working with wood .

Best — MRAK