Although Ford was America’s acknowledged wagonmaster in the 1930s and ‘40s, building as many as 16,000 units a year during the period, Chevrolet was a significant player in that market. From 1939 through 1948, Chevy offered wood-bodied wagons for eight passengers, albeit in much smaller quantities. As the heyday of the “woodie” blossomed, in the late 1940s, Chevy’s popularity increased. For 1948, more than 10,000 were built.

This one is a particularly nice example. The Pond Collection acquired it in 1999 from Arizona woodie specialist Wes Aplanalp, who had just completed its restoration. Painted metallic green, it bears the door brand No Tengo Rancho (I have no ranch), appropriate for vast majority of owners.

The restoration was thorough, with body removed from the chassis, meticulously refurbished, including all new wood. Almost everything was new. The restoration has aged well, with only the slightest imperfections over time. The paint exhibits only a few scratches; the roof is new grained-pattern naugahyde. Underbody, chassis and engine compartment are all clean and correctly detailed. The tires are Firestone 7.10-15 tubeless wide whitewalls. The car is equipped with a correct original factory AM radio, stem-wind dashboard clock and seatbelts. There is a spotlight on the driver’s windshield post and an outside mirror as well.

Although produced in slightly greater quantity than the competing Fords in 1948, the Chevrolet woodies have not survived in such large numbers, and are seldom seen in the collector community. This car represents to chance to acquire an excellent example.