- Period-correct body-off-the-frame restoration
- AACA National First Prize winner
- Over $24,000 in mechanical work performed in 2022
- Formerly part of the esteemed Ron Thorne Steelewood Collection
LOT 382
Selling on Saturday
From The Great Outdoors Collection
1939 Ford V-8 Standard Station Wagon
OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE
For 1939, Ford offered two versions of the station wagon, but each model was easily distinguishable from the other. The '39 Standard used the previous year's front fender style and a grille styled after the 1938 DeLuxe. By now, most wagons came equipped with safety glass windows, with side curtains being an option. A total of 2,203 Standard wagons came with the standard glass option from the factory, a low number for a mass-produced automobile. While the Standard station wagons did not have all the bells and whistles of the DeLuxe, they still proved to be far ahead of their competitors in 1939.
During the high-quality frame-off restoration under Ron Thorne's watchful eye, the exterior was painted a delightful dark maroon that coalesces nicely with the well-restored wood doors and panels. All the doors have good alignment and close with ease, the brightwork appears new as do the original running boards with new vulcanized rubber. Equipped on this station wagon is a set of whitewall tires, an option seldom seen in 1939.
The interior is newly upholstered in correct brown leatherette and features ample seating for eight occupants with a two-thirds bench seat in the middle. The dashboard has been restored with mahogany woodgrain, and the instruments are in working order. The front features roll-up windows, the back is fitted with original sliding Ford script glass windows, and one can't help but notice the beautifully varnished wood ceiling.
The engine compartment is correctly detailed and the chassis and underbody are painted in gloss black. The period-correct 221-cubic-inch V-8 engine has been thoroughly gone through and is in good working order. A modern-day battery has also been placed under the hood as a reliable power source. Adding to the driving experience is a classic floor-mounted shifter mated to the three-speed manual transmission.
This beautiful station wagon is also no stranger to drawing attention, as it has earned an AACA National First Prize. Still ready to be taken to shows, it would make a great car to drive to the local drive-in or car show. Part of the esteemed Ron Thorne Steelewood Collection for many years, this example was then acquired by a Michigan-based collector in 2021 before being welcomed into The Great Outdoors Collection. Documented by accompanying invoices from 2022, this Woodie received over $24,000 in mechanical work, resulting in a ready-to-roll example for many more road adventures and trips.
The 1939 Ford Woodies are highly desired by collectors for their combination of new-for-1939 hydraulic brakes as well as the floor shift transmission which was discontinued a short year later. As evidenced by the wonderful frame-off restoration and the rare mechanical combination, this can easily be regarded as one of the finest '39 Ford Standard Station Wagons extant.
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