At the start of the 20th century, nearly all forms of transport were made of wood, including automobiles. As steel-stamping techniques improved, car manufacturers gradually replaced hardwood with steel. Wood-bodied station wagons, affectionately known as Woodies, resisted this trend and became favorites at hotels, country clubs, and national parks. 

This Woodie is in its original color, Dynamic Maroon and retains its original color-matching leather interior. Panels are maple with mahogany veneer trim. The mahogany paneling continues into the interior with sheets of the exotic wood being used for the door panels, and on the fold-down tailgate. It was purchased with upgraded options including a radio, a clock, and a heater.

As woodies became older and more affordable, they passed into the hands of younger drivers. On Cape Cod, they were often used for beach driving, both because their powerful engines could drive through sand, and because their roomy interiors could hold a lot of people, surfboards, and fishing gear.

More from our automobile collection:

In our current exhibit, From Carriage to Classic: How Automobiles Transformed America, we present the origin story of the American automobile through 23 cars from Heritage’s permanent collection of antique and classic automobiles. Come along for a ride from the late 1800s to the 1960s and watch the car evolve from a horseless carriage to a streamlined symbol of freedom and independence.