Engine No. A4549794

Station wagons originated as exactly that, wooden wagons used to transport passengers and, more frequently, their luggage, between the railroad station and a hotel or private residence. Eventually the original wagons became motorized, with the hardy Ford Model T being a popular basis for bodies produced by numerous aftermarket firms. When the Model A Ford debuted for 1928, Ford decided that it was time to bring wagon production in-house, and the following year the first Ford factory station wagon was debuted. Bodies were built by Murray and Baker-Raulang, often with framing of high-quality maple and birch plywood used for inner panels.

Hailing from the second year of Ford 'woodie' production, the 1930 Model A wagon offered here is in very nice condition, retaining its original woodwork and Baker-Raulang body tag. It is finished in DeLuxe trim, with a single Firestone blackwall sidemount on the driver's side, and has original-style black vinyl upholstery on three rows of seating, rubber floor mats, and a folding rear tailgate. Bruce Brownell of Edinburgh, New York, bought it in 1957 while in high school and kept it many years, restoring it with its original spruce wood, before selling it to Mr. Taylor. Since his acquisition, Mr. Taylor has had a new vinyl top installed and the engine rebuilt by the premier Model A specialists, Schwam's Babbited Bearings. Schwam's counterbalanced the engine and fitted a lightened flywheel, while also installing synchromesh gears in the transmission and rebuilding the suspension. While a great deal of money was spent to make this an exceptional driving example, it has been only seldom driven since completion, with 391 miles accrued at the time of cataloging; the engine bay is still spotless!

This is an excellent Model A 'woodie,' in pristine order, and perfect for the show field, lake house, an ice cream-getter, or carrying one's houseguests – with or without their luggage. It would still look right at home pulling away from the railroad depot with its bed full of steamer trunks!