Could woodies make a comeback?

Just caught this post on The Car Connection.com, courtest of Autoblog.

http://www.thecarconnection.com/blog/?p=1006&DID=RSS

Seems the new Ford Flex that will be out in a few months was caught by a spy photog with a couple of doors plastered with some wood paneling stick-ons. (Looks like a 'weathering' test to me).

The Flex seems to be to be an ideal candidate for a 21st-century Country Squire treatment.

 

Looks like an IH corn binder panel truck too.

 

Those corn farmers always go with the "bumper cover delete" option?

 

yuk!!!!
geez i hope they are just messin around!
thats enuff to give 'woodies' a bad name

 

They usually get torched off for a hay wagon hitch.

 

You know, when the concept for the Flex got floated, they called it Fairlane. And, okay, I admit it, I was kinda diggin on it. But the 'wood'? Hmmm. No 'wood' on the concept. And that swatch of it on there makes the thing look 28 feet long.

 

Just for comparision sake, I looked up some specifications: (All vehicles Front wheel drive; mid-range model)

Specs - Ford Flex:
Length: 201.8"
Height: 68"
Width: 75.9"
Wheelbase: 117.9
Weight: (not listed)
Seats: 7
Tow Cap: 4150 lbs
Engine: 3.5 V6

Specs - Ford Taurus X:
Length: 200.3
Height: 67.3
Width: 74.9
Wheelbase: 112.9
Weight: 3900 apprx.
Seats: 7
Tow Cap: 2000
Engine: 3.5 V6

Specs - Saturn Outlook
Length: 200.8
Height: 72.8
Width: 78.2
Wheelbase: 118.9
Weight: 4936
Seats: 8
Tow Cap: 4500
Engine: 3.6 V6

Specs - Toyota Highlander
Length: 188.4
Height: 69.3
Width: 75.2
Wheelbase: 109.8
Weight: 4045
Seats: 7
Tow Cap: 5000
Engine: 3.5 V6


The Flex is bigger than it looks in photos. It's about comparable in size to say a 89 Full-size Country Squire, but with a bit longer wheelbase and a shorter overhang. Higher, as well.

 

They're probably thinking of how popular PT cruiser woodies are and thinking about it. Properly done, I'd like it. Bring it up to window level with lighter wood "framing" around it... it could work.

 

I think it would be great in "woody". I guess I'm old. While I'm on the subject wagonmaster can do his Volvo in woody. Now that would be cool.

 

I've never seen it, but it WOOD be cool.
Either use replacement vinyl for a ford or GM, or airbrush the wood on.
You could adapt trim from a small wagon, like a Pinto, or use generic body side molding to create the frame.
Better yet, why not airbrush steel plates with rivets in the shape of the traditional wood trim. I think that would be more appropriate for a Volvo.