Woody car owners, enthusiasts flock to second annual show in Wareham
When it comes to classic cars, “woodies” definitely go against the grain.
Owners of the beautiful – though difficult to maintain – cars and station wagons gathered at the A.D. Makepeace Co. Saturday for the 2nd annual Woody Car Show. Built from the early 1930s to 1953, woodies feature real lumber in their construction, either in the framework or outer panels.
Hosted by the Yankee Wood Chapter of the National Woodie Club, the event featured 21 vehicles, said David Buckman, one of the show’s organizers.
“People came from all over New England for the show,” said Buckman, who noted that more of the public arrived to check out this year’s event.
The show featured live music, refreshments, beautiful weather and of course, the cars themselves.
John Irving drove his 1934 Ford woody six and half hours from his home in Jericho, Vermont for the show.
For the car, it was a homecoming of sorts.
It belonged to Irving’s grandfather, a Woods Hole resident who worked for the car’s first owner, maintaining it for two years before he was able to purchase it. Since then, it’s remained in Irving’s family.
When Irving’s grandfather died in 1961, his mother bought it for $300. Irving has kept paraphernalia related to the car, including its original bill of sale and gas ration stamps, used during World War II.
Everything on the beach wagon is original, notes Irving, save for a few wood panels that had to be replaced.
“The biggest scare we had was four years ago,” he said. “It was stored in a barn for the winter and when we took it out it was filled with beetle holes. I thought: ‘My God, what am I going to do? This is a family heirloom.”
After some careful restoration, it’s difficult to tell now where the beetles did their damage.
Irving noted that he performs all of the work and maintenance himself, keeping it running. When the weather is good, he uses it as his daily driver.
“There’s no sense in having something like this if you’re not going to enjoy it,” he said.
For more information on the Yankee Wood Chapter, visit its Facebook page.
