Description
This car is Lot 115 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale on 11 July, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Thursday 10 July from 09:00 until 17:00 and Friday 11 July from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Lot 115
c. 1948 Ford F-1 'Woodie' Estate Car
Registration no. MSU 202
Chassis no. 98RCF118605
Reputedly supplied new to the US Consulate in Northern Ireland
One of only three such 'Woodies' made
239ci (3. 9-litre) 'flat head' V8 engine
Three-speed manual transmission
Extensive professional bodywork restoration completed in 2007
Present ownership since 2017
This unusual 'woodie' estate car is one of three constructed on Ford F-1 light commercial chassis in Cork, Republic of Ireland. Post-WW2, Ford's first completely new light commercial design was the F-Series of 1948 - known as the Ford Bonus-Built - which replaced the previous car-based pickups and featured modern, up-to-the-minute styling and a cab rubber-mounted to the separate chassis. The F-Series was available in eight different weight ratings (F-1 through F-8) with body styles that included panel truck, forward control, conventional truck and school bus, as well as the pickup. The famous F-Series would turn out to be immensely profitable for Ford; indeed, the F-Series pickup was the USA's best-selling vehicle for 23 years and the best-selling truck for 31. Engine options for the F-Series included sidevalve sixes, 'flat head' V8s and Ford's Y-block overhead valve V8 in various capacities. Those available for the half-ton F-1 were a 226ci (3. 7-litre) sidevalve six or 239ci (3. 9-litre) 'flat head' V8. The F-1's replacement for 1953 was the F-100, a half-ton model that would remain a fixture of Ford's commercial line-up, albeit periodically restyled and updated, for the next few decades.
Believed sold new to the US Consulate in Northern Ireland for use by the Consul General's bodyguards, this 'woodie' is powered by the 239ci (3. 9-litre) 'flat head' V8 engine and has a three-speed manual transmission. The vehicle later found its way to Llangendeirne (Llangyndeyrn) in Carmarthenshire, Wales and in February 1996 was purchased by hoteliers Mr and Mrs Knowles of Bramshaw, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, who used to transport their guests on tours of scenic locations. The Knowles commissioned coachbuilders S. T. Foreman Woodwork Restorations of Bosham, West Sussex, to undertake a full bodywork refurbishment, which was completed in 2007. Accompanying paperwork suggests that Mr Knowles sourced the mechanical parts required from marque specialist Joblot Automotive Inc of New York, USA.
In September 2013 the Knowles offered the 'woodie' for sale at Bonhams' Beaulieu auction (Lot 363) where it was purchased by a new owner in the Republic of Ireland. Reportedly used sparingly, the vehicle was purchased by the current vendor at a UK auction in November 2017. Described by the owner as in exceptional condition throughout, this rare Ford commercial is offered with documentation to include restoration photographs; a UK V5C Registration Certificate; and copies of the aforementioned auction catalogue descriptions.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
