Descripción
Bonhams are delighted to offer at our forthcoming Collectors' Motor Car Auction on Saturday 2nd September at The Beaulieu Sale, National Motor Museum, Hampshire, 128 collectors motor cars – plus over 300 lots of automobilia and 30 motorcycles. The full online catalogue can be viewed at - details above for further images and information on this lot, please follow the link.
1936 FORD V8 22HP MODEL 62 'WOODIE' STATION WAGON
REGISTRATION NO. GML549
CHASSIS NO. 52174352
* Dagenham built
* Believed the sole survivor of its type
* Formerly displayed at the Ford Heritage Centre
* Seven-seat accommodation
* Widely displayed and publicised
£28, 000 - 34, 000
€31, 000 - 37, 000
The 'Woodie' station wagon, with its characteristically half-timbered body, ranks alongside the pickup truck as a quintessentially American vehicle. The style originated in the 1930s, its popularity peaking in the immediately post-war decades, though the look has been periodically revived by manufacturers on both sides of the Atlantic ever since. In the post-war years, the Woodie's popularity with California surfers ensured its cult status. Sadly, many were cut down or scrapped when the body timbers rotted, and the relatively few survivors are both highly prized and increasing in value.
Built at Dagenham on the 22hp (2, 227cc) Model 62 Ford V8 chassis, this example was purchased by previous owner Derek Sansom in 1981, immediately after it had undergone partial restoration (see letter on file). Displayed for six years during the 1990s at the Ford Heritage Centre, Dagenham (until its closure circa 2000), 'GML 549' is believed to be the sole surviving Model 62 Woodie.
It is believed that the car was used up to 1947, disappearing until the mid-1970s when it was rediscovered in East London by Ford V8 enthusiast, Henry Court. Displaying a believed-genuine total of circa 50, 000 miles on the odometer at that time, the Woodie was re-commissioned � new exhaust, new tyres, etc � and fitted with flashing indicators. A Ford employee, Derek Sansom bought the Woodie from Henry Court, recounting the details in an article published in 'Woodie Times' (July 1981 edition, copy on file). Thereafter 'GML 549' enjoyed a new career as occasional promotional vehicle for Ford's Motorcraft spare parts business, as well as being used for road runs, rallies, shows, etc.
This car has been used twice for the Royal Tournament, and has featured in an Audi magazine advertisement and the Ford publication 'V8 Story'. It also appeared in Ford's 75th Anniversary TV advertisement and in Julian Pettifer's film 'A Special Relationship', about the history of Ford in Britain.
In 1984 and 1985, the Woodie made two visits to the Royal Estate at Sandringham at the invitation of HRH The Queen Mother, owner at the time of a 1951 V8 Pilot Woodie. One of the photographs taken at Sandringham was used as the basis of a Royal Mail stamp for St Helena, this Woodie featuring in the original artwork.
Acquired by the current vendor acquired in 2014, this beautiful and rare Ford V8 Woodie represents a wonderful opportunity to own one of these delightful and charismatic vehicles, without which no serious collection is complete.
