150 A's and B's

[ctlikon0712]

So, are their any other members who are Station Wagon owners? It would be interesting to know how many and what years. I am also a new member of the MARC Region/Chapter "Woody Wagons" I also posted this on the "A purist only" social group.

Craig

[pat in Santa Cruz]

I have a '30 150-B. All restored and stock.

here are my 150-B and my friend John's Jan 11th, 29 150-A. His is one of three known of five original first day of production 150-As


Pat's 30 150-B and John's 29 150-A by tiopato2000, on Flickr

here are John's 29, My 30 and Chuck's 31 at Woodies on the Wharf last year


29, 30, 31 by tiopato2000, on Flickr


my '30 150-B by tiopato2000, on Flickr

and lastly, an unrestored original 29 at W.O.W. last year


unrestored, all original 29 by tiopato2000, on Flickr

[glenn in camino]

My 150A was built on 12/10/28. It's one of the first 5 and is restored.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Hey Pat, I thought there are six of the first five 1928 Station Wagon's that have been accounted for!!


Seriously, aren't all five of the first '28s accounted for?

.

[1stWoody]

I went in on half of a Station Wagon, that was purchased about 2 yrs ago, and after doing research with "Wagon Wheels" it is believed to be the first of the original 5 or 6.
Here are some photos taken not long after the car was acquired so some things have been changed.
I am looking into new side curtains, as a couple on mine are starting to deteriorate, any suggestions?

[pat in Santa Cruz]

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Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

Hey Pat, I thought there are six of the first five 1928 Station Wagon's that have been accounted for!!


Seriously, aren't all five of the first '28s accounted for?

.

There were purportedly 5 prototypes made in Dec 28, apparently all accounted for. I know of a sixth locally, although the owner does not believe it even if the original restorer insists it is. John's has a January 11th, 1929 firewall date. Records show there were 5 made that day, the first day of commercial production. Three are accounted for. His does not have mortoise and tenon joints, rather it has the traditional finger jointed rear fender wood. Of course, its vague if the firewall date is the date of the production of the car or the gas tank.
I also know of a genuine "Popular Mechanics" designed model

[pat in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by 1stWoody

I am looking into new side curtains, as a couple on mine are starting to deteriorate, any suggestions?

There used to be an ad in Woody Wagons by a guy who makes side curtains. As you might already know, yours have larger sized windows than the originals, which is an advantage unless you are looking for fine points.

[Elcastor]

Being a "purist", I am not sure if you want to count mine or not. I have an October 1928 Model A Chassis with a Martin-Parry Station Wagon body. I am in the process of restoring it. I am hoping to have it mostly done by next spring. Martin-Parry quit making these when Ford started making their own Station Wagons in December of 1928. It is the only one still in existence that I am aware of.

This is a picture of its condition when I purchased it last November. The restoration of the wood had been started about 2009, and then stopped. Then sold a couple times when I bought it. Since then it has been completely stripped to the frame and is being put back together one piece at a time.



The next two pictures show the current progress.




There is still much to do, and fortunately I have enough of the original wood and parts to use as patterns so the completed vehicle will be very close to original.

[glenn in camino]

I reciently visited Eddie Pruitt in Bakersfield Calif. who just bought an original 29 woodie with lap joints, a 12/10/28 gas tank, but a February 29 chassis. I believe that the body was built along with the other first 5 but not installed on the chassis until February of 29. Eddie is currently restoring this woodie with it's original wood.

[Terry Longest]

Have an "early" 31 150B and love it to tour in and to go get icream with grandkids. Old restoration with some wood incorrectly fabricated. Better than some, however.

[ctlikon0712]

Well, this is Mine and has been in the family since 1939. Its a late 1931 but I can't find the firewall plate and havent seen the frame # yet.

[Leathernek]

There was one here in GA for sale on Craigslist recently. I didn't know what it was, because it was missing the wood body, until I saw these pics of these woody's. He didn't want that much for it either......

[glenn in camino]

I determined the build date for my wagon by the 12/10/28 gas tank date and the December frame and the engine number A801795. The Murray body number tag on the inside, right side of the seat riser is 250 329. I think I remember seeing somewhere that engine numbers can be traced to an exact day and perhaps the factory location. Can someone help me with this? Also, where can I find documented information re. Ford station wagons at the 1929 New York auto show? I like it, but I'm not sure I believe that story.

[glenn in camino]

What and where is the A purist social site?

[WTSHNN]

Originally Posted by glenn in camino

I think I remember seeing somewhere that engine numbers can be traced to an exact day and perhaps the factory location. Can someone help me with this?

http://www.modelahouse.com/cgi-bin/enumbers/numdate

According to that, your engine was built on 27 DEC 1928.

As for the Gas tank date...a lot of people are thinking that is the date the gas tank was built and NOT the date the body was built or the body was matched to a chassis etc. Based upon the information that your engine was supposedly built 17 days after the gas tank might support this (if in fact the engine is original to the car or if you can verify the frame number).

-Tim

[pat in Santa Cruz]

ctlikon,
I love all original cars. Could you please post a pic of the back roof edging detail that runs from one side to the other. I'm not sure anyone knows for sure what it looks like. Assuming you have the original, that is.

and Elcastor, I do love the Martin Parry job too. Its good to see such quick progress since your last post. Keep up the good work

[heneste]

Hi guys, Thanks for the posting the pics! I have a 1931 myself second year out of restoration. It's one of the Canadian ones, 1 family owned and locally purchased from new.
I'm still new to the hobby though and a current member of the Canada's Capital A's.

[ctlikon0712]

I sure will, as soon as I can get out there to take the pic. In answer to "glen in camino's" question, go to community and pull down the social group’s bullet. that's where you'll find the A purists only group, then click join or subscribe "I think"
Fella's, these are some great examples. I really appreciate the posts. And, Elcastor..... Very nice, Martin-Parry. That should be a fun project. HAs anyone seen the Pleasantville MFG reproduction wood kits? what about their metal parts, in particular the curtain box repro?

[Glenn of northport]

I restored my 29 in 1970 it came from a camp in Main,I still drive it great body style to have.

[ctlikon0712]

bump, Woodies for ever!

[1931 flamingo]

A lot of the cruises I go to I may be the only "old" car there or the only one not hot rodded, and I do get a lot of attention. Love it.
Paul in CT

[sawzall]

I have the wood for a 150 A and a stock chassis that I intend to mate it to. unfortunately my car will have no pedigree, so I plan to tour with it ALOT..

I am currently looking for a 150 A roof.. for patterns or use..

thanks

[ctlikon0712]

Pat, here you go, sorry it took so long. This is what mine looks like, my father recovered the roof in the early 60's.

[pat in Santa Cruz]

thanks for the posting. The rear is covered with hidem, which is what is usually seen. I understand from the original description I read in Woody Wagons that it was something different, but I have never seen a photo and the description left a lot to the imagination. After all these years, the odds of the roof having been replaced are pretty high, and hidem is what is used to replace whatever was there first.

OTOH, the wood on your car looks pretty solid. Cleaning off the old varnish should leave behind some nice original pieces with great patina. I would use as much original wood as possible, and stain any new pieces to match. I know a guy in San Francisco who did that and the car looks really nice.

[Boston Bruce]

Here's my 1930 150B.

[ctlikon0712]

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Thanks Pat, I haven’t made up my mind what to do yet with the wood. Some appears to be solid and other parts have been "filled" with plastic wood putty some years ago and other parts have dried or rotted since. I'm not a wood worker, so am not sure how well a stained piece would blend with an 80 year weathered refinished piece. There is a 40's woody shop within 30 miles called "Tree House Woods" and Eric Johnson the owner seems very nice and offered to help. This car is like a family heirloom, and I would like to keep as much of its original soul as possible. I plan on showing the car in local shows so am tossing the idea back and forth, wood replacement or restoration. I guess I need someone who knows more to look at it and give me some advice. Thanks again Pat
Craig

[dropacent]

Ben's Martin-Parry bodied Ford is a pretty rare animal. It was common in model T days to just buy a chassis and then add a body supplied by one of the many body builders of the day, such as Hoover, Martin-Parry, York, and others. (martin-parry became chevrolet body division somewhere around 1930) There are very, very few survivors of these on model T chassis, although hundreds have been reproduced to make use of a bare chassis. Surviving examples of custom station wagon bodies on model A chassis seem to be even harder to find. .................................................. ................................ We have "Trudy, the old chugger" living with us here in northern Ohio. That is the name that she came with. a NOS sheetmetal restoration in 1960, and the owner back then was wise enough to just revarnish the body. Most of the original varnish is still intact. The 50 year old paint job is still very serviceable. We spent the winter fixing some small things such as adding the right wiper motor, floor mat, adding the right tailight(s) and original tailgate chains to replace the dog chain . She has a complete tool kit and manuals . Having owned wood cars for many years, the 80 year old body is in incredible condition and almost unbelievable . The original top material is intact , although somewhere in time rain gutters were added. Trudy is also one of the first 5 production wagons of december 1928. She came with a large box of archival material, and it is believed she originally did duty as a livery vehicle on Nantucket Island. She has a bombay bell on the right front floorboard. As you can see from the picture, the top panel on the front door is a bit ligher, where the name of the livery service or hotel was removed. Green vinyl covers the seats and is likely the only thing left to change at some point, to the original style blue-gray vinyl. From what i have read, 2 prototypes were built in early 1928, one of which still survives at Edsel Fords home in Michigan. Once Henry gave the go ahead to production, 5 were assembled in December of 1928 at the Murray Body plant, in Detroit ( which still stands ) and were used to display at the Ford shows across the country. All 5 of the first production vehicles have survived, which is pretty amazing, too. Trudy drives like a dream, and we hope to have her at the old car festival in Dearborn this fall. <img src=http://neo.rr.com/morsher/woodymodelA.jpg>

[Elcastor]

That is a real beauty, Dropacent! Thanks for the info and picture!

[Roadster62]

When I was around 8 years old I got a ride in a 1928 Ford Station Wagon that belonged to the estate my grandfather worked on. It had a metal not wood body, does anyone know what company made steel station wagon bodies back in the day?

[ctlikon0712]

Did the steel body have 4 doors, window's, and a tailgate like the woody? Ive never seen anything like that.

[ctlikon0712]

I have a question, recently at the MARC show in St. Augustine Florida, I mentioned to one of the Judges there that my late 31 Wagon has a radiator shell that has black inserts top and bottom. Some wagons I’ve seen had black on bottom and body color on top (Manila Brown) while others were all body color. He told me that all black is wrong and incorrect. Another gentleman who overheard us interjected and said that it could be because some wagons were considered an industrial vehicle like a truck. Our wagon was purchased by my grandfather in 39 from a company not an individual. My father told me that ours is correct and has always been all black. I have the new restoration guidelines and they seem ambiguous at best. What do you guy's think, or know about this?

[pat in Santa Cruz]

most people agree the top was body color (manilla in this case). There is some controversy regarding the whether the bottom panel was black or body color or either one.

[heneste]

I too have also been told by some folk that both inserts (top and bottom) should be matching the body colour while others mention that it should only be matching the body colour on top. So, I'm not sure what would be period correct. Could there also be a possibility that Ford just used what was in stock at the time on the assembly line as I've heard some body styles have carry over parts from earlier years or models?

[ctlikon0712]

Bill, I just wanted to say that you have a very nice 29 SW, looking forward to helping each other out. Go Moon Port Chapter!

[ctlikon0712]

I have a "Woody's" book that covers all makes and models and it lists a body maker in New Jersey called "Wildanger" there is a photo of a 1930 Model A Wildanger wagon that has steel sides covered with wooden slats.... i guess is the best term for them. Is anyone aware of one of these?

[Roadster62]

I was too young to remember, the only detail I do remember was moving the slide bolt to lock the door from the inside. If it was original or an add on from the hardware store, we'll never know.

Originally Posted by ctlikon0712

Did the steel body have 4 doors, window's, and a tailgate like the woody? Ive never seen anything like that.

[ctlikon0712]

I might make the Wildanger question a separate thread under its own title for more visibility.

[ctlikon0712]

Pat, I just checked ut your pics on Flickr! Very nice.
Wish I had noticed that link earlier.
Thanks

[pat in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by ctlikon0712

I have a "Woody's" book that covers all makes and models and it lists a body maker in New Jersey called "Wildanger" there is a photo of a 1930 Model A Wildanger wagon that has steel sides covered with wooden slats.... i guess is the best term for them. Is anyone aware of one of these?

this car was for sale in San Jose, Calif last year for a few months. I do not know if it sold.

[Steve Ciccalone]

A couple photos of my unrestored June '30 150-B. Had an electric wiper and the new dash panel. I also have a restored January 1931 wagon. It was Pete Brewer's car and Best of Show at the 1975 MARC National. Cover car and story in the Sept/Oct 1975 MAN.

[ctlikon0712]

Just for us 150 A & B owners I searched the IMCDB.org or Internet Movie Car Data Base and did a model A search for any woodies and came up with 4 that have seen movie or air time. Here they are.
1929 FordModelA Station Wagon in Battle Cry, Movie, 1955
1930 FordModelA Station Wagon in Follow Your Heart, Movie, 1936
1930 FordModelA Station Wagon in Last Man Standing, Movie, 1996
1929 FordModelA Station Wagon. Sorta in Gek Op Wielen, TV Series, 2005 Ep. 08/

[mot]

watch on turner movies for movies with will rogers
there is one where he is learning to drive a brand new model a station wagon
there are a LOT of shots of the car inside and out ,very detailed
its amazing he didnt total the car out the way he was driving
its just not a few small glimpses its the main feature for 10 minutes or so

[ctlikon0712]

I'll be sure to check that out mot. Is the movie, Too Busy To Work 1932 ? thanks!

[30step]

Collecting parts for a 150-B

[Elcastor]

This is an update to post #8........
I know know of one other like mine. It is in Massachusetts and I will go see it this September.

Mine is now completed to the point where it looks good, and drives good. Still little things need to be done to make it even better. This has been a very fun project for me

[Stretch Cab]

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About 30 years ago my brother was visiting a retirement home for people who had been missionaries for a certain religious denomination. He was looking through their photo album and came across a 150 at an orphanage in India. Being a Model A guy he asked about it and found, as I remember, the car was purchased new and used by the orphanage for many years and then stored. I've been meaning to ask him about that to see if it is still there.

[rosenkranswa]

We have a late '31 with Baker Raulang body.

[31 Woody]

We have a late '31, no idea who the body manufacturer was. The wheels are an accessory made by Motor Wheel. It's been in the family since 1969.

[Tom Wesenberg]

That's a really nice car and the wood spoked wheels sure add a special touch.

[pat in Santa Cruz]

there is a 150 B in Texas with those Motor Wheels. I saw a set on ebay about 12 years ago that I missed the bid on by just a couple of bucks. Have not seen any since, but they sure do look great on a woodie.

[31 Woody]

Originally Posted by pat in Santa Cruz

there is a 150 B in Texas with those Motor Wheels. I saw a set on ebay about 12 years ago that I missed the bid on by just a couple of bucks. Have not seen any since, but they sure do look great on a woodie.

I have a picture of the car in Texas parked next to ours somewhere...

[ctlikon0712]

I think that you are talking about Richard Knapp's late 31.

[CarlG]

I wish that the guy that made these wheels would make more for sale. I'd buy a set for sure!

[31 Woody]

Originally Posted by ctlikon0712

I think that you are talking about Richard Knapp's late 31.

The one in my picture that I posted here is Richard Knapp's, although I call him Dad! Your picture is the Texas car.
Dave

[ctlikon0712]

Thanks for the clarification. I should have noticed the white walls. I really like the steering wheel your dad made.

[31 Woody]

He really enjoys making those. He just made this one out of Cedar for the wagon, it's really fantastic looking on the car.