1940 woodie for sale

[michael.warshaw]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Plymouth-WAGON-1940-PLYMOUTH-WOODY-WAGON-BARN-FIND-UNRESTORED_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2a060ba728QQitemZ180490053416QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks

[jakenoklahoma]

wow...and in my town too....if only I would know how to restore it....

[RobertKB]

Wow, that could be a decent starting point for someone who really wants one. A pretty decent car. I wonder what the reserve is?

[woodie49]

My guess is that it would cost you more than its value to fully restore it. Looks like all the wood (except maybe the roof frame, which looks unusually sound) all the interior, a new paint job and a full mechanical restoration. If you are handy and really good with wood and paint, you could probably make some dough on it. Otherwise, buy a completed one at auction and have the fun of owning something drivable and showable.

There is something to be said for restoring something that can potentially be beautiful and somewhat rare, but I always have to look at the economics. This looks like an uphill struggle to me.

Given the time and the talent though, it would be fun.

[55 Fargo]

Now here is a collector for you Michael, this will be a very good investment on the type of Resto you have in mind. You could put the P15 up for sale, or use it as a driver car, and put the Woodie, back into concourse, now that would be a good return for you.......

[Jim Benjaminson]

Rare! One of 14 documented to still exist.....

[BobT-47P15]

Jim, I see you must be keeping track of those also.

Just out of curiosity, how many P15 convertibles are on your list?

I know you added mine at the 2007 Tulsa show for the excavation

of Miss Belvedere. The yellow one with skirts...

Bob from Joplin.

[Flatie46]

That cars got so much dust on it, it's squatting the tires! It'd be hard to find a backseat for woodie I'm sure. Somebody will take on the challange and put it back to it's former glory.

[michael.warshaw]

Now here is a collector for you Michael, this will be a very good investment on the type of Resto you have in mind. You could put the P15 up for sale, or use it as a driver car, and put the Woodie, back into concourse, now that would be a good return for you.......

cars have a value of what someone will pay, when my car is done, it will be worth to me what i have into it. most people do a 3k paintjobb and a 1k interior and think they have a show vehicle, to each his own.

[Flatie46]

cars have a value of what someone will pay, when my car is done, it will be worth to me what i have into it. most people do a 3k paintjobb and a 1k interior and think they have a show vehicle, to each his own.

In my case I have to disagree. I would never sell my car, it doesn't matter what someone would pay.

[55 Fargo]

cars have a value of what someone will pay, when my car is done, it will be worth to me what i have into it. most people do a 3k paintjobb and a 1k interior and think they have a show vehicle, to each his own.

Michael, this is true to a point, this woodie wagon, will be worth plenty, and will always be rare, a P15 sedan or coupe will not be as rare, so will not usually be worth as much.

I am in this because I love my car, it's re-sale value is low, I did a lot of the work myself, a sense of pride and accomplishement, something that is very satisfying.

Again to each his own, a 3k paintjob, and a 1 k interior, may look as good or better than the same work that cost 3 times more, what type of show vehicle are we talking about here. Michael, most cars at shows are #3 cars, #1 and 2 cars, are usually not driven, but are in controlled environments, or come to shows in covered trailers.

You should have looked for a true low mileage survivor,unmolested, those cars will be the rarest and most valueble in the futrure. A car like yours is not original anymore, even with all the correct OEM parts, it is a re-done car, could be a great car, but not original, there original only once, right from the Mopar factory.

A disclaimer, no fault to all of us who have fixed up our cars, engines,paint interiors, I enjoy fixed up cars, look great.........

Edited April 9, 2010 by Rockwood

[michael.warshaw]

Me personally would rather have, a restored car thati could drive, vs a orignal car that is fall ing apart.

[55 Fargo]

Me personally would rather have, a restored car thati could drive, vs a orignal car that is fall ing apart.

Michael, were not talking about junk that does not run, drive, or looks like garbage.

Go to March edition of Hemmings Classic car magazine. They have a number of examples of total low mileage survivor cars, they look good, and people drive them.

I also like and enjoy, refurbished cars like a lot of our's on this forum.

But believe me, there is somehting to be said of an unrestored, original in excellent form, they truly are wonders after 60 to 80 years.

So they are not falling apart, those type of cars are unrestored,complete cars, suitable for restoring, hotrodding etc.

Total original survivor's with low mileage, and in great condition, are very rare.

[michael.warshaw]

rubber rots, things rust, -cars that are orignal have issues plain and simple. but i ageree there is a cool facotr in orignal cars, my car was untouched, when i bought it, orignal interior. motor tranny, only thing really which was new was the paint (singkle stage) from the 1970's.

[RobertKB]

rubber rots, things rust, -cars that are orignal have issues plain and simple. but i ageree there is a cool facotr in orignal cars, my car was untouched, when i bought it, orignal interior. motor tranny, only thing really which was new was the paint (singkle stage) from the 1970's.

All old cars need some TLC but this one of mine is a 97,000+ mile survivor and has never let me down in the 35 years I have owned it. Paint is original also. Does need a bit of work like the front seat reupholstered, tranny rebuild, and one day an engine overhaul although it runs great right now. I also have a fully restored '38 Chrylser and a partly restored '48 Dodge, so I have done them most ways. To each their own. Just enjoying the cars is the main thing.

[55 Fargo]

All old cars need some TLC but this one of mine is a 97,000+ mile survivor and has never let me down in the 35 years I have owned it. Paint is original also. Does need a bit of work like the front seat reupholstered, tranny rebuild, and one day an engine overhaul although it runs great right now. I also have a fully restored '38 Chrylser and a partly restored '48 Dodge, so I have done them most ways. To each their own. Just enjoying the cars is the main thing.

Robert, that is a beautiful example of a well looked after original.

You car should have and could have been featured in Hemmings Classic car, as a super survivor.

Once again, a beautiful example of a true original, untouched survivor......Fred

[RobertKB]

Robert, that is a beautiful example of a well looked after original.

You car should have and could have been featured in Hemmings Classic car, as a super survivor.

Once again, a beautiful example of a true original, untouched survivor......Fred

Thanks, Fred. It has lots of gravel rash and some scratches that do not show in the picture. It passes its annual inspection so mechanically is pretty good. Tranny and engine are a bit tired but for the number of miles I do each year, which are around a 1000, I might pass the problems onto the next owner.........but hopefully not for a long time yet.

[Bob Riding]

My guess is that it would cost you more than its value to fully restore it. Looks like all the wood (except maybe the roof frame, which looks unusually sound) all the interior, a new paint job and a full mechanical restoration. If you are handy and really good with wood and paint, you could probably make some dough on it. Otherwise, buy a completed one at auction and have the fun of owning something drivable and showable.

There is something to be said for restoring something that can potentially be beautiful and somewhat rare, but I always have to look at the economics. This looks like an uphill struggle to me.

Given the time and the talent though, it would be fun.

I purchased a 1940 woodie a few years ago in worse condition and I view it as the ultimate guy-challange - I am an amateur woodworker, but you are correct it can be a struggle, especially with mopar , because many fewer parts are being reproduced. Since I don't have a deadline, I am taking my time restoring mine with as many NOS parts as I can find, and help form the other woodie owners and mechanical gurus on the forum like Jim Yergin, Don Coatney, and Tim Adams. Mike Warshaw has been very helpful in locating hard to find dash and engine parts that many of the established collectors/dealers either don't have or don't want to let go of short of a second mortgage...we need younger interested members to carry on the hobby.

Here is the wagon as I found it in 2003

Here's what she looks like now

And the 218

[Captain Neon]

cars have a value of what someone will pay, when my car is done, it will be worth to me what i have into it. most people do a 3k paintjobb and a 1k interior and think they have a show vehicle, to each his own.

Show me a $1K interior and I'll show you a guy who installed it himself or will have the headliner around his ears in a few years. Going rate for a complete job even here in the cornfields of Missouri is $5K.

[james curl]

Out in the wilds of the Texas hill country a $3000.00 paint job is just the paint,you do the body work, prep, and color sanding as well as buffing and polishing. You want the whole ball of wax $10,000 for a car for local shows and $50,000 to start for a Good Guys meet to be considered for any type of paint and body award. I know a man who has won the PPG paint job award at the lone star nationals and he has well over that amount in his paint job. The car was buffed and polished on the under side, floor pans, trunk floor. inner fender panels and all, that is what is required when you display using mirrors and lights under your car. All body seams must be the same width along all mating surfaces, doors, trunk and hood, and that takes time to accomplish and costs dollars.

[55 Fargo]

Out in the wilds of the Texas hill country a $3000.00 paint job is just the paint,you do the body work, prep, and color sanding as well as buffing and polishing. You want the whole ball of wax $10,000 for a car for local shows and $50,000 to start for a Good Guys meet to be considered for any type of paint and body award. I know a man who has won the PPG paint job award at the lone star nationals and he has well over that amount in his paint job. The car was buffed and polished on the under side, floor pans, trunk floor. inner fender panels and all, that is what is required when you display using mirrors and lights under your car. All body seams must be the same width along all mating surfaces, doors, trunk and hood, and that takes time to accomplish and costs dollars.

You Guys, would no doubt run me and my old nag out of town, or shoot her and hang me from the nearest tree....LOL

My paint job and body prep cost me about $300.00, I did it all, and it is very rough, and I have to remind myslef of this fact, when she don't look so grand in certain light angles of the day.

My interior to date, and I still need a headliner and carpet sewn and installed has run me about $850, for the seats,door panels,kick panels, dash paint, and window trim paint.

Mine is a very low budget, poor mans job, and looks the part,this is no show car, but she is all I got.........Fred

Edited April 9, 2010 by Rockwood

[woodie49]

Bob,

You are definately brave and the progress looks great. I assume you have done most of it yourself. When you get to interior, chroming, paint and wood, the skills for most of that are probably beyond most of us. That is where it starts getting expensive. When the work is something you have to hire other professions to do. When you are done, you'll have a great car that you can really be proud of, and I doubt you'll ever want to sell it. I think that is great and it is what the hobby is all about.

So, if you have the skill and are willing to put in the time, then I say "go for it". And I want to see it when it is done.

[RobertKB]

Mine is a very low budget, poor mans job, and looks the part,this is no show car, but she is all I got.........Fred

Yeah, but you enjoy your car and actually drive it. Someone with $50,000.00 paint job will worry every second his car is on show, put it in the enclosed trailer at the first sign of rain, and never drive it because the undercarriage may get dusty. Not my idea of fun. I like finding an old road, sometimes gravel, and find a nice spot to park and enjoy the world. Maybe have a cool one or two while doing so. Need some warm weather is all. Right now it is very windy and cool.

[Flatie46]

Rockwood, I hope mine turns out as good as yours did. I'm gonna do the paint and body myself on mine. Your interior looks great. My cars gonna be a driver and I want to be able to say i did it, good results or bad. I don't really care what anyone else thinks anyway.

[P-12 Tommy]

You Guys, would no doubt run me and my old nag out of town, or shoot her and hang me from the nearest tree....LOL

My paint job and body prep cost me about $300.00, I did it all, and it is very rough, and I have to remind myslef of this fact, when she don't look so grand in certain light angles of the day.

My interior to date, and I still need a headliner and carpet sewn and installed has run me about $850, for the seats,door panels,kick panels, dash paint, and window trim paint.

Mine is a very low budget, poor mans job, and looks the part,this is no show car, but she is all I got.........Fred

Well Fred.... I think it looks darn good to me!! You should be proud!!

Tom