1952 Chevy Tin Woody Wagon project update

Last December 2012 I posted about my 52 tin woody project that I was just starting.
Well, better late than never, here is an update and some photos. I disassembled the car and had it dipped. It needed patch panels for the floor, rockers, and both quarter panels. That was done at Pratt & Miller down the road in New Hudson, MI. In addition, the roof required substantial body work to repair damage from someone using it as a trampoline.


I replaced the chassis with a new one from the Roadster Shop, and installed a new LS3/460 engine/trans combination.


The wheels are Schott; 18's front and 20's rear.
After body and paint, I had the outside woodgrain hand painted on by a local lady here in Brighton, Mi. Her name is Debbie Patton. She had never done this before; this was her first attempt and she knocked it out of the ballpark in my opinion.

Tip: if you want woodgraining done, don't go to a auto painter, go to an artist! You can't believe some of the poor samples that were submitted by painters that claimed to be experienced at woodgraining.
I just finished the interior woodwork restoration and installed a new white ash wood bed in the back and on the inside of the tailgate with stainless steel rub strips. I also used white ash for all the pieces that had to be replaced on the door pillars and tinted the finish to match the original pieces that are over 60 years old now. The rear floor was finished to match the outside since it will be seen mostly with the tailgate down.

Now that I've finished the interior woodwork, the car is heading back to Pratt & Miller next week for the interior installation and finish assembly. I will post some completed photos. Can't wait to see it finished; it's been a long one year project that's been working steady the whole time.
It will be on display at Autorama here in Detroit the first week of March in the Pratt & Miller booth.

 

Very impressive, to say the least. You obviously have been quite busy this past year and your efforts are paying off. It's stunning; really is. Excellent job. Keep it up and do, by all means, keep us in the loop. Thanks for the update.

 

That is some great work. I've always loved these Chevy woodys but this one is far above the average. Super wagon!

 

That looks awesome!
I can't wait to see it at Cobo!

 

Wow! Great job! That's going to be fun to drive with that frame, suspension, drive train, brakes, etc.

 

looks great

 

Wow, that is gorgeous work!

 

thanks for all the kind comments. Here are some of the completed photos of the woody at Autorama. The car took first place in its class.

 

That is beautiful!

 

Perfect. I also appreciate the coca cola in the back there!

 

Thanks, that's the battery inside the cooler!

 

Congratulations! That beauty is too nice to drive now!

 

Awsesome!

 

wow

beautiful wagon , love it