got a woodie

[john walker's workshop]

got the woodie project back in the wood shop last week during a break in the rain. all new maple made using the original, marginal wood as patterns. guess i better get busy if it's going to hit the street this summer. it's a phantom '49 cadillac, made from a '49 buick woodie. cad, buick and olds shared bodies, so some parts swapping was fairly easy. i installed the body on a '49 cad frame, welded on the cad firewall so everything cadillac fits up there. the rear fenders bolt right on and relate to the rear door curve perfectly, and the dash and interior trim items bolt in also. the paint color will be a dark non-metallic blue, and the wood should take on a proper honey color given enough varnish. the varnish is the next project, then mask off the wood for the paint work.

then there's the '48 buick super woodie next. lots more wood on that one.

[widebody911]

Now that is cool!

When you say "it's a phantom '49 cadillac" is that some nomenclature for 'composed of several different cars'?

[alf]

John, that is very nice. I think it was just the metal bottom the last time i saw it.

alf

[techweenie]

Going to B-J next year with that?

I bet it'd bring $60-70K.

Very cool. What color is it going to be? Burgundies look good with wood...

[Joeaksa]

Keep us updated and keep posting pics!

JoeA

[TerryH]

oh, THAT woodie. Thought you were the next spokesmodel for Viagra.


Friend of mine had Rolls Royce Woodie. It was a little rough, but it was so cool nobody noticed. Almost every US manufacturer made a woodie or several versions thereof.

[john walker's workshop]

"phantom" means a car that was never built. cadillac never made a woodie.

[widebody911]

Originally posted by john walker's workshop
"phantom" means a car that was never built.

Ah. Like a VW walk-through double cab?

[speeder]

OMG, that's sweeet! The wood, (and the metal), look to be in mint condition! Doesn't that stuff rot over time, from either moisture or dessert heat?

[techweenie]

Originally posted by speeder
OMG, that's sweeet! The wood, (and the metal), look to be in mint condition! Doesn't that stuff rot over time, from either moisture or dessert heat?

It's always safer to keep your woodie away from hot desserts.

[WOODPIE]

WhaT? No hot Pie?

[pwd72s]

John seems headed for Hot August Nights...install vintage air for that scene though...Wayy Cool Ride coming up, John. Love it!

[john walker's workshop]

Originally posted by speeder
OMG, that's sweeet! The wood, (and the metal), look to be in mint condition! Doesn't that stuff rot over time, from either moisture or dessert heat?

it was cracked, stained and rotted in places. good patterns still for all new wood. you wouldn't believe how bad this looked when i first got it. not just the wood either. lots of welding time in it. it's a woodie so it had to be saved.

[rcecale]

John,

Is that the same one you were working on when I was out there in September, 2004? It sure has come a long way! Nice job!!!

I'll have to have my father-in-law swing by and check it out. If I remember correctly, you guys had a lot in common in your admiration of those vintage machines!

Randy

[real550A]

O.K., we've got woodie and B J in the same thread! Will someone post some girls?

[john walker's workshop]

Originally posted by rcecale
John,

Is that the same one you were working on when I was out there in September, 2004?

same one. it was on the back burner for a while. too many projects.

[SLO-BOB]

Extremely cool. You're an artist. Keep us posted!

[greglepore]

This has the potential to be one of the most desireable cars ever featured here.

The Woodie club had a featured meet at the Macungie car show around the corner from me this year, and I have a serious jones for one, maybe one of the early 50's Chryslers or a Buick. Seriously awesome vehicles.

[john walker's workshop]

the skeleton in the second picture is one of these. this a '48 roadmaster which has a 5" longer nose and bigger engine, but basically the same otherwise. i bought three cars to get enough pieces to make one. now where the hell do you find three '48 buick woodies in any condition? musta got lucky. haven't seen one since.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

speaking of woodies...... =)

Beautiful work there.