Hi! I grew up in an old pontiac wagon. I got into this looking for something newer for my first car of my own; but I'm starting to get hooked on something a little more vintage. Still looking for a budget car and a reliable daily driver-- it can't be a show-worthy classic from 1950 that's going to cost me $15,000! But anyway! If I get a woody, it's going to have to be real wood! I couldn't tolerate the look of vinyl, and so if the only real wood woodys are expensive classics, I'll just have to look at non-woodys. Can someone tell me some of the newest models of wagon that still had real wood side paneling? How was it applied? I expect that as such a car would be at least 20 years old, the wood will be deteriorated; but I'm experienced at woodworking and slicing up veneer and gluing and varnishing take the better part of a weekend but I can do it. thanks! -Bernard
From what I could find on the web the last wagon with real wood was the 53 Buick. I'm guessing anything with real wood would be high dollar.
*sigh* Yup, you're right. I just had no idea about the history of woodies. I wonder if I could glue real wood veneer to the side of a 1980s/90s woody anyway? Hahaha. Probably, it would split and blister off in the exposure in direct sunlight.
I have seen advertisments for aftermarket real wood kits - do an internet search and you'll find it. The problem with this of course is upkeep - anything wood exposed to the elements will deteriorate over time. Water, sun exposure are all killers. Very few real 'woody' wagons left with their original wood. Check our 'woodgrain sub-section for links.
Having done a bit of wood working one of my concerns would be the different expansion and contraction rate between wood veneer on metal exposed to the elements. In the "real" wood wagons I believe the wood was heavier then veneer. The vinyl "wood" will give with the expansion of the metal.
Right. Not to mention, with the elements, it'll expand much much more (than say a veneer coffee table), where again the sheet metal stays stable. I'm no longer considering it seriously, but just for fun... maybe lacquer both sides of the wood, and glue it over a thin layer of rubber before adhering that to the metal? A flexible cushion? And shop around for 1/16" veneer if you can find it. Thicker, more stable; not sure if it would mate up well under the metal trims.
Veneer today is crazy thin. I've used both the stick on (adhesive backed) and the glue on. Nothing much thicker then 1/64 without special order. The veneered 4x8 ply is so thin it takes very little sanding. I've not see a lacquer that is UV resistant. That would be another problem. Spar varnish is but it's also quite heavy and ambers up quite a bit. It would be worth playing with but I'd stay with small (cheeeep) pieces to play with. Norm, what are your thoughts on wood veneer over metal?
no kidding! When I was doing marquetry, I found an old guy who had a stash of 1/16" from the '80s! It can still be got somewhere, I hear, but I haven't looked into it.
if it's dark wood anyway, yellowing is ok, though crackling and other more mechanical degradation (beyond color) would not be...
My god, Bernard, you made to the ripe old age of a 1983 Woodie!:2_thumbs_up_-_anima Happy Birthday and have a great day!
nope, 1987 woody! Finally got my audio system completely installed! A sort of birthday present to myself I should take a photo of the sub box I built and put under the back hatch. It was tricky geometry to make something fit and look good, but it does!
Just trying to age you closer to me. Yeah, I'd like to see that! I've swapped a pair of Mustang rear split fold-down seats in the back for the original solid back, so I'm thinking of mocking up some Mustang rear side speaker boxes in foam and then shaping them to the wheel humps on the side panels.
