When you think about it, truck-based woodies make more sense than car-based woodies, if only because the heavy wood body is better supported by a truck-strength frame and suspension. Yet you don’t see nearly as many truck-based woodies, such as this Cantrell-bodied 1951 Dodge for sale on Hemmings.com. Yes, it has been placed on a later chassis, but for the purists, it does come with the original chassis. From the seller’s description:
1951 Dodge Woodie wagon, Rare 1951 Dodge Woodie/Woody wagon, one of only 20 known. It is based on the B-framed “Pilot House” pickups, but the entire wood body was made by Cantrell. I have been told that the front end and dashboard are from the 48-50 model year, so I’m not sure why this is titled as a 1951. Perhaps it rolled off the line late in 1950, but titled as a 1951. We are the 3rd owners, and some history is not known. This is a very good but older restoration, and it was a driven vehicle, not a garage-queen so there are a few scratches in the paint, etc. Needs a bit of TLC but still in very good condition.
The roof is original wood, but most of the body pieces have been replaced, using the old wood as templates, so it is as close to original as possible. Wood body is in fantastic shape, with only minor varnish flaking one one panel. All glass is there in great condition. Chrome is in great condition, as is the interior.
The previous owner (my father-in-law) transferred the entire body over to the frame/drivetrain of a 198(4) Dodge D150 pickup with a 318ci V8, PS, PB, AT. It was drivable in that condition, though there are still a few loose ends to tie up, as it has been sitting for a year or so. Fuel filler hose attached, some exterior turn signals attached and rewired. Gauges have not been converted to 12volt and connected.
We do still have the original rolling frame/drivetrain, and will be included as part of the sale. The body was not significantly modified so transferring it back to the original frame would not be that difficult. The original was a flathead straight-6 mounted to a manual transmission. Engine/transmission, fuel tank, steering column/wheel, pedals, exhaust, etc are all still there! The original fluid-drive transmission was replaced with a standard 4-speed manual gearbox sometime in the past. We are not selling them separately.
It is being stored in a garage, and the original frame is covered as well. Will need to be trailered/towed. Clean title.
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