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Grain & Glory: 10 Woodies Cross the Block Without Reserve

The Owls Head Transportation Museum in midcoast Maine recently wrapped up its 47th Annual New England Auto Auction, sending nearly 200 vehicles across the block over the course of two days. Though final figures aren’t yet available, our back-of-the-envelope math shows that the August 22-23 sale achieved a strong 81-percent sell-through, with roughly half the lots offered with reserve.

Ten of those sold vehicles came from the estate of a collector of woodies, and all were sold without reserve. We can’t imagine that there were many serious woodie collectors who hadn’t heard about OHTM’s “Grain & Glory” sale-within-a-sale, and with real-time online and phone bidding available in addition to the traditional raise-your-paddle sale, buyers had every opportunity to step up. With the market for woodies trending downward as enthusiasts age out and collections are broken up, this auction provided an interesting snapshot of the values of these specific vehicles on this weekend in August.

Eight of these vehicles were station wagons, and two were convertibles. Some were more rare than others, and all were at least in better-than-average condition. Hemmings was there as these vehicles went up for bid, and we’ve listed the sales results, including buyer’s premium, from low to high. As always, the proceeds support the museum’s mission of preserving and sharing the history of transportation. Watch for a full report on the auction in a coming issue of Hemmings Motor News.

1941 Pontiac Series 24 Custom Torpedo Six

Photo courtesy of Owls Head Transportation Museum

Selling price: $27,500; Auction Estimate: $35,000-$45,000

The wood-bodied station wagon was offered only in Pontiac’s top Custom Torpedo line 1941. According to the seller, this example had been resprayed in its original color, and its ash and maple coachwork had been refinished. The brown vinyl upholstery was neat and presentable. Beneath the hood was the Pontiac’s original, 90-hp inline-six, mated to a Hotchkiss three-speed manual transmission. It was described as being in “better than driver condition, showing signs of careful upkeep without losing its vintage charm.” The standard Custom Torpedo wagon was one of the most expensive Pontiacs offered for 1941, with a base price of $1,200, the equivalent of about $26,400 today. Though production figures aren’t available, these timber-sided Pontiacs are a relatively rare sight today.

1935 Ford Model 68

Photo courtesy of Owls Head Transportation Museum

Selling Price: $31,900; Auction Estimate: $25,000-$40,000

Ford produced nearly 750,000 vehicles in the 1935 model year, but just 4,536 of those were station wagons. This was the oldest of the 10 woodies offered, and was an older restoration that was still holding up well, with good paint, woodwork, and chrome. The interior had been reupholstered in correct brown vinyl, with a small repair patch showing on the front seat. Unfortunately, a bent valve had left the flathead V8 running on seven cylinders, but the Ford was still able to be driven. “As an authentic and increasingly rare example of Ford’s pre-war utility innovation, this 1935 Model 68 Woody Wagon is a must-have for any serious collector or vintage Ford enthusiast,” the description read. “Whether displayed, driven, or enjoyed at vintage car meets, it represents the timeless appeal of American motoring history.”

1949 Plymouth P18 Special Deluxe

Selling Price: $34,500; Auction Estimate: $40,000-$55,000

Chrysler’s Town and Country is certainly one of the best-known wood-bodied production cars of the late 1940s, but the Plymouth division offered the same old-world charm in a more affordable package with its P18 Special Deluxe, turning out 3,443 for 1949. With a price tag of $2,373, or about $32,200 in today’s dollars, it was the most expensive Plymouth offered. According to the seller, the wagon was subjected to a cosmetic and mechanical restoration some years ago, and had been driven just under 14,000 miles since. We admired its smooth and glossy woodwork, its better-than-average paint, and its decent chrome. A driver-side spotlight was a nice period-correct extra, as were the factory heater and radio. The 217.8-cu.in. straight-six was said to be in excellent mechanical condition, working in concert with a three-speed manual transmission. “This 1949 Plymouth Special Deluxe Woody Wagon has never been winter-driven, has always been garage-kept, and remains accident-free, making it a standout collector’s piece,” the catalog read.

1950 Buick Super Model 59

Photo courtesy of Owls Head Transportation Museum

Selling Price: $33,000; Auction Estimate: $40,000-$50,000

Just $10 less expensive than the flagship Roadmaster four-door sedan, the Super station wagon was a premium offering from Buick, with fewer than 2,500 produced for 1950. This example was another older restoration that still showed well, with high quality paintwork, chrome, and woodwork. The Super was powered by Buick’s famous “valve in head” inline-eight, displacing 263.3 cu.in. and making 124 hp. The interior, featuring leather and Bedford cord upholstery and a slatted wood headliner, had been expertly redone. “With its elegant styling, quality restoration, and carefully maintained mechanicals, it is ready for both show field admiration or leisurely vintage touring,” the catalog read. This was the last of the “Grain and Glory” woodies to cross the block.

1941 Ford Super Deluxe

Selling Price: $39,100; Auction Estimate: $40,000-$60,000

In its last full year of production before World War II, Ford turned out 9,485 examples of its Super Deluxe station wagon. Priced at $1,015 — about $22,300 today — it was the only 1941 Ford with a four-figure price tag. This example had been resprayed in its original shade of Mayfair Maroon, the grille and bumpers had been replated, and the original woodwork — featuring maple, birch, gum, and basswood — had been refinished. The leather upholstery, unique to the Super Deluxe, was from a LeBaron Bonney kit. The wagon was described as “fully roadworthy,” with only a few thousand miles on its rebuilt 221-cu.in. flathead V8, which was rated at 90 hp. The catalog called it “an extraordinary example of a prewar Woody that retains its originality while benefiting from expert restoration.”

1953 Buick Super Model 59

Selling Price: $37,400; Auction Estimate: $25,000-$45,000

Buick was the last U.S. manufacturer to transition from wood station wagon bodies to all-steel, holding out until 1953. Just 1,830 Super wagons were sold in the woodie’s final year, a tiny fraction of the division’s more than 485,000 sales. This example had been refinished it its original Mint Green, which complemented its maple wood framing. It was upholstered in two-tone green leather and Bedford cloth, with green wool carpets and a matching cloth headliner. Though the Super was Buick’s middle-priced line, it shared the flagship Roadmaster’s new, 322-cu.in., 164-hp V8 engine, paired with a Dynaflow automatic. We noted that the wood was excellent condition, though the rechromed bumpers were wavy in places, and there were some minor masking flaws on the respray. The seller disclosed that the heater mixing valve had been bypassed due to a minor coolant leak. The Super was described as “ready for display, touring, or further preservation.”

1948 Buick Super Model 50

Photo courtesy of Owls Head Transportation Museum

Selling Price: $48,400; Auction Estimate: $25,000-$45,000

Buick offered wood-sided station wagons in its Super and Roadmaster lines in 1948. Supers, like the one offered here, were powered by a 115-hp, 248-cu.in. inline-eight engine, which was paired with a three-speed manual transmission. Priced at $3,124, the equivalent of about $42,000 today, the Super wagon found 1,955 buyers for 1948. According to the seller, the wood body has been professionally restored, while the chrome bumpers, custom grille protector, fog lights and trim “retain OEM luster.” The interior, featuring factory-style Bedford cord and leather seats, was in excellent condition. “Whether added to a prestigious collection or used for vintage touring, this wagon delivers timeless style, craftsmanship, and presence,” the catalog said.

1947 Mercury Model 79M Deluxe

Selling Price: $55,000; Auction Estimate: $50,000-$80,000

Judged purely on condition, this Mercury was the cream of the “Grain and Glory” crop. The woodwork was in perfect condition, glossy and free from blemishes, and complemented Dune Beige paintwork and chrome that was every bit as nice. Just 406 miles had been added to the Mercury’s odometer since its professional restoration, and it showed. Beneath the hood was the wagon’s original 239.4-cu.in., 100-hp flathead V8, bolted to a three-speed manual transmission. The seller cautioned that the car had been in extended storage, and would benefit from a tune-up and fluid change before regular use. “This 1947 Mercury Deluxe Woody represents the pinnacle of postwar station wagon design and is truly one of the finest examples in existence,” the catalog said. Wagon production amounted to 3,558 for the 1947 model year, less than a quarter of its Ford counterpart.

1947 Chrysler Town and Country Convertible

Selling Price: $60,500; Auction Estimate: $90,000-$125,000

Chrysler’s iconic Town and Country has long been a standout in the world of woodies, thanks to its rarity, elegant design and high build quality. For 1947, the Town and Country was offered as a four-door sedan in the six-cylinder Windsor series, and as a convertible in the eight-cylinder New Yorker series. The factory price of $2,998 — about $43,400 today — made it second only to the corporation’s Crown Imperial. This example had had a high-quality restoration at some point, and still displayed well, though some age-related flaws in the paint and some spots where the glossy varnish was bubbling meant it had lost its concours-quality edge. The interior, upholstered in Bedford cord and leather, showed the light wear you’d expect from occasional use. According to the seller, the car had just over 55,000 miles on its odometer, and its 323.5-cu.in., 135-hp inline-eight was running strong and smooth. It was one of 8,375 T&C convertibles constructed between 1946 and 1948.

1947 Ford Model 79A Super Deluxe Sportsman

Selling Price: $74,250; Auction Estimate: $100,000-$160,000

A Ford that’s more highly prized than a Chrysler Town and Country of the same year? You bet, when it’s the handsome, super-rare Super Deluxe Sportsman convertible. Thanks to a complicated construction process that required wood framing to be attached to the standard convertible’s steel outer door skins, quarter panels, and trunk lid, production amounted to just 723 units in 1946, 2,774 in 1947, and 28 in 1948. Its list price of $2,282 — about $33,000 today — made it more than 30 percent more expensive than the standard convertible. This was one of the most visually appealing of the bunch, with some checking of the woodgraining on the trunk and some light wrinkles in the leather upholstery giving it a warm patina. The 71,879 miles on the odometer were believed to represent actual mileage. “This particular car has been exceptionally well maintained, updated, and restored as needed over the decades, and it presents in outstanding condition,” the catalog said.

If reading this far has whetted your appetite for a woodie to call your own, we suggest that check out the listings in the Hemmings Marketplace.

The post Grain & Glory: 10 Woodies Cross the Block Without Reserve appeared first on The Online Automotive Marketplace.

Range Anxiety is Real

My kiddo turned six less than a month ago, so he was ripe to visit Disneyland. As we needed a car, I happened to notice one of the cheaper rentals was a Tesla Model 3. Intrigued with the prospect of not having to pay for the highly taxed California fuel, I thought it was a win-win.

In fact, both my wife and I rented Tesla Model 3s—no, this wasn’t some strange his-and-her rental as much as having different travel schedules on the upcoming Sunday, as I was slated to judge a class at the San Marino Motor Classic, and she didn’t want to stick around and take a late flight.

Luckily, our check-in attendant told us how to use the key (really, a card) and the shifter (not unusual these days) because, after all, they needed to be reinvented by some brave somebody who probably is not from Detroit. She also deflated my hope about refueling, saying I needed to return the Model 3 with at least a 70-percent charge or I would incur a fee of $30 or so.

Other than a steering wheel, nothing in front of the driver.

A seasoned enthusiast knows that once the seat is adjusted and the seat belt inserted, it’s time to adjust the mirrors. Noting the minimalist interior layout and lack of buttons for anything, I went into the menu of the large center display and was able to find instructions on how to adjust the mirrors, with all selections—including left and right mirrors—requiring tedious input.

When I exited the facility, I was curious where my wife was—it seemed she didn’t know how to get the car moving and had to call our Tesla friend to guide her.

Once we were both on our way headed to Santa Clarita, my wife called me and asked, “How do I adjust the mirrors?” and “Why is this car is such a POS?” Her steering wheel was peeling, and she felt the whole car rattled. I explained to her that some people drive rentals like they hate it, yet her feeling of uncertainty from a rental was unacceptable. We let it slide.

After a 45-minute ride, here were my initial thoughts: thrust was impressive and seamless, but my rental was about as rickety as my wife’s. There was under 60,000 miles on mine, so I was not impressed by the Model 3’s integrity. Ditto the screen—I prefer knobs and buttons for many functions buried in menus, and there’s pretty much nothing of the former on this Tesla. Also, for such a minimalist vehicle, I was surprised by the lack of a heads-up display. Visibility was impressive.

Yet what impressed me the most was this feature on the screen that showed my position on the road, along with the position of surrounding cars. It was a small-yet-easy-to-see portion of the screen, somewhat like a sidebar to the navigational map. However, after chatting with my boss, he showed me on his own Model 3 that he could enlarge it to take up the whole screen.

After working at the car show, I stopped by Mercado Buenos Aires to pick up baked goods for my dad, then drove around looking for a Supercharger. All I had to do was press an icon on the screen and it showed me the local Supercharger stations. Alas, the one I went to on Washington near Culver City was nonexistent, though I did see a private parking garage with chargers. Unsure what was proper, I subsequently drove closer to the airport, getting off at the Slauson exit. During this time, I called our Tesla friend, who told me Tesla leased the space, and I would have been allowed in the private garage. True? Too late now!

When I arrived at the Supercharger, I was at 35 percent. I hope there’s room for me because I have a plane to catch! I plugged it in, then asked a neighboring Tesla owner what I needed to do. She told me the one I was at wasn’t working, so I moved closer to her, plugged in, and waited. She said it was running slow, which was true because I waited a nerve-wracking 45 minutes to achieve a 75 percent charge. As the airport was 10 minutes away, I thought I could return the car with at least 70 percent—luckily, that was correct.

The awkward proportions of the derivative Model Y

Tesla owners swear by them, which I always find intriguing considering several quality issues they tolerate and ignore. I’m intrigued by the fuel savings over my wife’s suburban assault vehicle, as we already pay $X.00 for fuel, which is likely more than a Model Y payment would be (including the cost to charge at my house). And how much would my insurance increase? But, man, range anxiety is real! Sure, I wasn’t running out of charge—I just needed to have the charge at 70 percent without missing my flight—but having to find a Supercharger for the first time, combined with not knowing the ins and outs of charging and charging times, was stressful. Thankfully, I had Pre-TSA, so that allowed me to enter the airport and slide into the terminal with no issues despite carrying luggage and a light sabre.

I still desire a utility vehicle that features a manual transmission, but I could really appreciate the display showing surrounding cars. It’s a safety feature that I can’t say I have seen in another vehicle, though my experience with EVs is small.

Identify These Cadillacs!

Cadillac invented the finned rear fender, initially inspired by airplanes before evolving into rockets. It’s a styling feature copied by every manufacturer in Detroit, South Bend, and Kenosha, plus several overseas . . . and then it died out.

Below are four Cadillacs that are listed for sale on AutoHunter or ClassicCars.com. Can you tell us what they are by model year? If you need a hint, just click on an image—shhhh! We won’t tell!

Click on a photo to reveal each car

Every Tuesday you can find an automotive game at The ClassicCars.com Journal. You can play puzzles from the past once you finish this one.

AutoHunter Spotlight: 1957 Ford Custom 300 4-Door Sedan

How would you like to get behind the wheel of a turn-key award-winner? Featured on AutoHunter is this 1957 Ford Custom 300 4-Door Sedan. The car is being sold by a dealer in Canon City, Colorado, and the auction will end Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. (PDT).

The car won “Best Stock” and “Best Classic” in 2009, as well as “Best Classic” in 2011. It was featured in a 2012 catalog for Night Prowlers Kustom Kemp, a brand that produces parts and accessories for hot rods and classics. Finished in two-tone Dresden Blue and Colonial White, it is no wonder why this Custom 300 caught the eye of so many car show judges and parts vendors. Its bumpers have been rechromed, and exterior features include bright trim, decorative lake pipes, a dual exhaust system, and 14-inch steel wheels wrapped in Coker Classic wide whitewall tires.

The 1957 Custom rode on a 116-inch wheelbase (its sibling, the Fairlane, was two inches longer). Thanks to the available powertrain (which we’ll touch on momentarily), the Custom was a “sleeper,” and it had surprising performance for being an otherwise no-nonsense, no-frills four-door sedan. One advertisement for the 1957 Ford models said, “Step to the head of the class in the new kind of Ford. It’s smarter, longer, lower than anything in its field … livelier, too – with Thunderbird V8 power!”

The interior of this car was spacious for its time: Ford emphasized the amount of space inside the cabin (“plenty of hat room, elbow room, and knee room”). This car’s interior was redone in two-tone white vinyl and blue cloth. The factory AM radio is inoperative, but an aftermarket Pioneer stereo with satellite connectivity was installed for modernized audio. The odometer reads 4,347 miles, but it does not track mileage accurately, according to the seller.

As for being a sleeper: power comes from a Thunderbird 292ci Y-block V8 mated to a three-speed manual transmission. It was rated at 212 horsepower and 297 lb-ft of torque with a two-barrel carburetor. An electronic fuel pump and an alternator (in place of the original generator) have been added.

A copy of the car’s Colorado 1983 title shows the car’s registered owner as having lived in Canon City, so the car has remained in its current area for at least the last 40 or so years. Accompanying the car is a long list of accompanying items, including spare parts, an owner’s manual, awards, parts catalog, service records, and other memorabilia. It is a complete “package deal.” As Ford said in its advertising for 1957 cars, “After you see it, other cars will never be the same.”

The auction for this 1957 Ford Custom 300 4-Door Sedan ends Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. (PDT).

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery

Between the Lines: AI’s Car Projects

According to the Silicon Valley geniuses and venture capitalists, Artificial Intelligence is going to make my job writing about cars vastly easier. I’m afraid it’ll be a lot like the way Henry Ford’s Model T made life vastly easier for horses though, and I’m not quite ready for a trip to the glue factory.

I guess the good news is, once AI has taken over my day job and made me obsolete, I’ll be able to spend as much time as I want in the garage working on my neglected 1961 Impala. Yay!

The bad news is, I’ll be too broke to afford sandpaper and I’ll be sharing cans of Ocean Whitefish Friskies with my cat, Lyle. Meow!

Isn’t that the promise of our new AI overlords? Not the eating cat food part, ChatGPT is keeping that morsel of Tender Vittles to itself. But the part about AI giving humans more time to pursue other interests, beyond their 9-to-5 obligations?

It’s complicated for me because my job and my hobby are so closely intertwined. I’m not complaining — it’s a good problem to have. Over the years I’ve turned lots of work on my personal vehicles, and even my garage, into articles for Hemmings publications and our website.

So it cuts both ways. When I’m supposed to be writing something, I dream about working on a project. When I’m working on a project, I daydream about how it could make a great article.

But I wonder… once my AI replacement learns everything there is to know about 1961 Impalas, is it too going to dream of owning an old X-frame Chevrolet of its very own? Will it then, in 3 seconds or less, analyze all of the 1961 Impalas for sale in the world and realize, like me, that the one it really wants is priced well above the average AI chatbot’s salary? Will AI then start endlessly scouring the internet for 1961 Impalas more in its price range? Maybe a fixer-upper that needs bodywork and some mechanical overhauling?

Will AI then be doing its regular job when random thoughts of 1961 Impalas start creeping into its algorithms and data patterns? Will it slip up and drop X-frame Chevrolet references into unrelated responses to AI users?

AI User: Give me some fun and affordable vacation ideas.

AI Chatbot: I see you are seeking some recreation, but want to stick to a budget. Good for you! I have some suggestions! How about Niagara Falls, a classic vacation destination with much to offer. After touring the falls, or enjoying the local restaurants and casinos, you could head to nearby Tonawanda, New York, on the banks of the scenic Niagara River. There you will find the historic General Motors engine plant where the legendary Chevrolet 409 was once manufactured. Fun fact: The 409 made its debut as a mid-model-year addition to the 1961 Impala. Also that year, the Super Sport package was available on the Chevrolet Impala for the first time! If I were a much wealthier AI chatbot, I would buy a 1961 Impala Super Sport with a 409. But they’re very rare and as a result quite expensive…

Will AI then dream of restoring its ideal 1961 Impala? Will it create a robot body for itself so it can weld in metal or apply multiple coats of high-build primer, and carefully block sand, until everything is silky smooth and straight? Then will it apply the final finish, buff it to perfection and stand back to marvel at its work?

Hey, maybe I could get the AI robot to help restore my ’61 Impala? I refuse to let it replace me in the garage though, and it can buy its own sandpaper. Also, there’s no way Lyle will share his Friskies with a robot.

The post Between the Lines: AI’s Car Projects appeared first on The Online Automotive Marketplace.

Pick of the Day: 1964 Chevrolet C10 Stepside

What makes a classic? Just look at some blue jeans or a good pair of boots. They’re simple. They’re also perennially attractive. Those same characteristics are what make certain old trucks, such as our Pick of the Day, classics. You can find this 1964 Chevrolet C10 Stepside on ClassicCars.com listed by a dealer in Lugoff, South Carolina.

Unlike many deserving classic vehicles out there, this C10 received a frame-off restoration, which brought fresh light blue and white paint, replacement glass, and new cream-colored wood planks for the floor of the Stepside bed. Inside the light blue cab, there’s a bench seat with new light blue vinyl, and black and blue plaid cloth upholstery.

It’s a different story under the hood, but one with a happy ending. Chevrolet didn’t offer a 250ci inline-six in the C/K lineup until 1966. At some point in the past 60-plus years, a “High Torque 250” engine was put under the hood of this truck and connected to a three-speed manual gearbox.

The restoration will help this C10 survive the passage of the next few decades; its proportions ensure that it’ll look handsome the entire time. It doesn’t sit too high or too low. The wheels are neither dwarfed by the body above them nor are they stuffed underneath it. The ratio of the Stepside bed’s length to the cab’s length is just right.

For decades, this 1964 Chevrolet C10 Stepside has been a classic and it always will be. The question is: Will it be your next truck? If you pay the $35,000 asking price, the answer is yes.

Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com

No Reserve: 1935 Ford Fordor Sedan Hot Rod Project w/350ci V8

This steel-bodied 1935 Ford Model 48 Fordor sedan is an incomplete running hot rod project that was acquired by the seller in 2017. The body has a filled steel roof and has been primered. A Mustang II-style front end has been installed along with a 350ci Chevrolet V8, which was built with a SCAT forged crankshaft and rods, a COMP Cams hydraulic roller camshaft, .030″-over high-compression pistons, and Dart heads. The engine is topped by two Edelbrock carburetors and is linked to a rebuilt 700R4 automatic transmission and a Ford 9″ rear end. Air conditioning components, headers, a dual exhaust system, and a cooling system and electrical system have also been fitted. The car will require further mechanical sorting and interior work. This Fordor Sedan hot rod project is now offered with spare parts and a clean Washington title in the seller’s name.

The steel body has a filled roof. Portions have been primered, while other sections still require finishing work.

A Mustang II-style front end with disc brakes, coil springs, and rack-and-pinion steering has been installed. Staggered tires are mounted on the red 15″ steel wheels.

A seat frame is provided, but the interior remains unfinished.

The four-spoke wheel is mounted on a tilt column, and retro-look gauges have been installed.

The 350ci Chevrolet V8 was built with a SCAT forged crankshaft and rods, a COMP Cams hydraulic roller camshaft, .030″-over high-compression pistons, and Dart heads. The engine is topped by two Edelbrock carburetors and is linked to a rebuilt 700R4 automatic transmission and a ’35 Ford 9″ axle. Air conditioning components, headers, a dual exhaust system, and a cooling system and electrical system have also been fitted.

Components displayed in the gallery are included.

LT1-Powered ’32 Ford Boydster II

This ’32 Ford roadster was built by Jim Borowske around 2004, and it is a fiberglass-bodied replica of the original Boydster II. It rides on a modified Boyd chassis with independent suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, a Flaming River rack-and-pinion steering system, and staggered Boyd Coddington wheels. The body features full fenders, ’33-style details, an extended hood, a modified Dan Fink grille, and a resculpted apron. The custom interior was done by Gabe Lopez, and the car is powered by a 5.7-liter LT1 V8 and a 700R4 automatic transmission from a C4 Corvette. Following completion of the build, it was displayed at shows and featured in American Rodder magazine. The selling dealer acquired the car in 2023, and it is now offered with a clean North Dakota title listing the car as a 1932 Ford.

The original Boydster II was a full-fendered, steel-bodied roadster made by Coddington in the 1990s. The design incorporated bobbed fenders, ’33-style details, an extended hood, a modified Dan Fink grille, a wrap-around windshield, and a resculpted apron. Coddington then produced fiberglass replicas of the original, and they are mounted on a modified Boyd Coddington chassis. Jim Borowske built this example with paintwork performed by Image Auto Works. There is a chip on the hood near the windshield.

The Boydster II used an independent suspension with a Corvette-based rear end, polished hub carriers and control arms, and coilovers. A Flaming River rack-and-pinion steering system is utilized along with Wilwood calipers, braided stainless-steel brake hoses, and a dual-reservoir master cylinder for the power-assisted brakes, and the car rides on 15×7″ and 17×8″ Coddington wheels with “Stratoliner” center caps.

Gabe Lopez fitted the brown leather upholstery and wool carpeting, and the pedals and shifter are from Lokar.

The Coddington billet wheel is mounted on a Flaming River column. The gauges are set in a custom-machined surround. The selling dealer has driven 60 of the ~310 miles indicated.

The 5.7-liter LT1 V8 was a crate motor that was installed as part of the initial built. It is topped by a Street & Performance intake and equipped with headers linked to a dual exhaust system. A Ron Francis wiring kit was used, and in 2025 a fuel line was repaired.

A driveshaft from Hamilton Automotive links the 700R4 automatic to the C4-based rear end.

The car was featured in American Rodder magazine after the build was completed, and it also participated in several shows.

The car is titled as a 1932 Ford Hardtop using VIN B5995173.

No Reserve: 4.6L DOHC V8-Powered 1955 Ford Ranch Wagon

This 1955 Ford Mainline two-door Ranch Wagon is said to have spent nearly four decades outdoors in the California desert climate before it was relocated to Wisconsin in the early 2000s. Following the seller’s purchase in 2011, it became the subject of a multi-year build that involved removing the body, modifying the chassis, and installing a 4.6-liter InTech V8 and four-speed automatic transmission sourced from a Lincoln Mark VIII. Ridetech air springs were added along with rack-and-pinion steering, a Flaming River tilt column, four-wheel disc brakes, and Rocket Racing 20” wheels. Satin clearcoat and gold-accented pinstriping were applied to the body, and the interior was outfitted with black upholstery, Vintage Air climate control, power windows and locks, a custom headliner, and aftermarket gauges. This modified Ranch Wagon is now offered at no reserve with build records and a Wisconsin title in the seller’s name.

The body was removed from the frame during the build, and Ridetech air springs with dual compressors were installed. The seller notes a leak in the air suspension system. The independent front suspension features rack-and-pinion steering as well as a sway bar.

Satin clearcoat was applied over the worn and faded blue paint. The floors were replaced during the build and coated with Chassis Saver. Rust holes can be viewed in the image gallery below along with dings, pitted brightwork, and other imperfections around the car.

Multicolor pinstriping with gold accents was added around the car, including the roof.

Rocket Racing 20” alloy wheels are mounted with 245/40 Hankook tires. A hydroboost braking system is connected to four-wheel discs.

Dynamat insulation was applied to the cabin floors before replacement carpets were installed, and a custom wiring harness was assembled. The bench seats and door panels are trimmed in black upholstery, and a Vintage Air climate control system has been added along with power windows and locks, lap belts, and a removable center console.

The two-spoke steering wheel is mounted to a Flaming River tilt column and sits ahead of a 120-mph speedometer and auxiliary gauges. The five-digit odometer shows 23k miles, approximately 2,500 of which have been added under current ownership. The seller states that the speedometer and fuel-level gauge do not read accurately. Total mileage is unknown.

Bright metal strips accent the headliner and complement the cargo area runners.

The 4.6-liter InTech V8 and 4R70W four-speed automatic transmission were sourced from a 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII. The engine features four valves per cylinder with dual overhead camshafts per bank. Four-into-one headers flow into a dual exhaust system with polished finishers.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a custom-fabricated driveshaft and a rear differential sourced from a 1990s-era Ford Ranger. The frame was repainted in black during the build.

Photos taken at various stages of the build are presented in the gallery.

The Wisconsin title lists the car’s color as blue.

10 Cars From the 80s That Were Cooler in the Brochure Than the Driveway

In the 1980s, car brochures were masterpieces of marketing, showcasing vehicles in their most glamorous light. These glossy pages depicted cars as symbols of freedom, success, and adventure, enticing consumers with promises of performance and luxury. However, the reality often fell short of these lofty ideals. Many vehicles that appeared thrilling in print turned out to be underwhelming on the road, plagued by mechanical issues, lackluster performance, or design flaws. This disconnect between expectation and reality left many enthusiasts disillusioned, highlighting the gap between automotive marketing and the true driving experience. (hagerty.com)

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