A well-done woodie is always a treat to see and will always be considered rare, both because so few were made (compared to their steel-bodied counterparts) and because so few survived the years. The accessories added to this 1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster for sale on Hemmings.com may give it a bit of an overdone look, but it appears to be in great shape. From the seller’s description:
This lovely 1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster 8-passenger wagon appears to have been lovingly restored in the not-too-distant past, and the foundation was undoubtedly a solid original car. 1948 was also the last year of the 100 percent wood Chevrolet wagon, and only 10,171 were built between February 1948 and January 1949, making them somewhat rare today.
This Fleetmaster appears to have most of its original wood intact, and any replacement pieces have been nicely integrated into the existing structure. It shows a lovely patina and a soft gloss that gives the wood a warm glow that’s a big part of the woody’s charm, and all of the unique hand-fitted joints are in excellent condition. The steel body panels have been refinished in Oxford Maroon, and need little more than a coat of wax to perfect the shine. Much of the chrome appears to have been re-plated when the rest of the car was restored, and the stainless brightwork remains in good condition. Accessories include dual taillights with back-up lamps, a spotlight on the driver’s A-pillar, fog lights, and a windshield visor, all of which are fully functional. The roof has new matching maroon leatherette that has been professionally installed, including the correct edge bead.
All three seats have been reupholstered in the correct tan vinyl, and new maroon carpets have been fitted throughout. The overhead woodwork is simply spectacular, with beautifully finished headers and bows that sport a fresh coat of varnish. The woodgrained dashboard has been professionally restored with factory-quality results, and all the gauges are functional. Accessories include a heater, AM radio, and clock, as well as aftermarket turn signals mounted on the steering column.
Chevy’s venerable 216-cubic-inch “Stovebolt” six-cylinder engine delivers a respectable 90 horsepower, and combined with a 3-speed manual transmission and 4.11 gears, is surprisingly peppy around town. Thanks to a 12-volt upgrade, the starter spins the engine vigorously, firing quickly and easily with just a bit of choke. The engine bay is neat and clean, albeit not restored for show, reflecting the personality of the rest of the car—honest and dependable. There’s new wiring, fresh gaskets, a rebuilt distributor, and replacement hoses throughout, making this a reliable, fun car that’s ready to drive anytime. Underneath, the chassis is clean and finished with a light dusting of undercoating, and there’s a newer single exhaust system that gives the engine an authentic sound. It also rides on relatively recent 205/75/15 Coker wide whitewall radials fitted to the stock steel wheels.
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