Ford convertible conversion

daoust

daoust

Member
A theoretical question: Could a standard 1946-1948 Ford convertible be converted to a woody? Is it mechanically/structurally possible?
 
Not sure about the 46-48s but my 40 woody cowl is MOSTLY the same as the convertible. It is different at the top of course as the woody cowl has a pocket for the top wood to go into instead of where the convertible top clamps to . With enough money anything can be done, why don't you sell the convertible and buy a woody instead of destroying the convertible?
 
daoust said:
A theoretical question: Could a standard 1946-1948 Ford convertible be converted to a woody? Is it mechanically/structurally possible?
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Yes, There is or was a company in OR or WA that supplied the
wood and mechanical parts. G.M.
 
daoust said:
A theoretical question: Could a standard 1946-1948 Ford convertible be converted to a woody? Is it mechanically/structurally possible?
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Sure, just like the later woodies were done, screw all the wood parts to the existing body panels to make a 'faux-woodie' :)
 
I'm building one from a pickup. It is not easy, but I'm looking forward to more free time to work on it this winter. If I were starting with a convertible I would be tempted to do a 'sportsman'. As said, almost anything is possible. My thread is called 'Truck based woody' on the Barn.
 
There are companies all over the country that will make you a woodie, any year you want out of a 4 door or any other body style. They will make you a 4 or 2 door woodie, whatever you want. Or you don't even need a donor car. They will supply a fiberglass woodie cowl and all new parts, wood, frame, drive train etc. Just the wood however will be a minimum of $40k and likely more. There is a guy advertising a 46-48 woodie on fordbarn for the last year or more without wood for $12k I think with most of the woodie only parts. Look at the ads for woodie out there. Most are advertised for $100k+ which is what you will spend minimum if you have someone else do all the work.
 
And then there's the small detail of the title. Your title is for a convertible. You can not change the title from convertible to station wagon (legally). You will not be able to get insurance for a station wagon (woodie) with a convertible title. And comes the time to transfer ownership, you have an invalid title. No one is going to pay you (or your heirs) for a woodie with a title for a convertible.
 
39topless said:
And then there's the small detail of the title. Your title is for a convertible. You can not change the title from convertible to station wagon (legally). You will not be able to get insurance for a station wagon (woodie) with a convertible title. And comes the time to transfer ownership, you have an invalid title. No one is going to pay you (or your heirs) for a woodie with a title for a convertible.
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Delaware you can . I used a 1940 ford 4 door chassis and title and built a 40 pickup. Did a change of body style with a bill of sale for the cab and other pieces.
 
39topless said:
And then there's the small detail of the title. Your title is for a convertible. You can not change the title from convertible to station wagon (legally). You will not be able to get insurance for a station wagon (woodie) with a convertible title. And comes the time to transfer ownership, you have an invalid title. No one is going to pay you (or your heirs) for a woodie with a title for a convertible.
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I was sort of assuming when he asked if a "standard convertible" could be converted "a woodie", he meant converted to a Sportsman 2d convertible coupe. But perhaps I'm wrong . . .
 
jagnweiner said:
I was sort of assuming when he asked if a "standard convertible" could be converted "a woodie", he meant converted to a Sportsman 2d convertible coupe. But perhaps I'm wrong . . .
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opps, you're probably correct. I never think of a Sportsman as a "woodie".
So... thanks for correcting me.
 
39topless said:
opps, you're probably correct. I never think of a Sportsman as a "woodie".
So... thanks for correcting me.
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That is correct. I am asking if a standard convertible could be converted to a Sportsman. I used the term "woody" but should have more correctly said "Sportsman." My apologies for not being more clear.

It seem to me that it should be able to be done but I don't know if the underlying body structures are too different to do a retro-fit.
 
The rear trunk area is much different from convt to sportsman rear The fenders used were from a sedan delivery ,but the sedan de.gas filler was not in the fender it was in the quarter but is needed in the fender for the sport man.May I sugest you take your convt and simply re do yours as your idea of a wood covered body. If you connect with the woodie club and ask there you would get help as there has been different write ups. John.
 
287055

This photo was taken back in 1974 and shows a 1948 Ford Woody that is broken in half - on left in photo. Car on right is a 39 or 40 Ford Sloper that has had some of the roof cut off.
The reason why I am Posting is picture is so that you can see how much extra metal there is above the Windscreen opening, much more than on a Convertible.
If we had the Crystal Ball back in 1974, we would have hauled this wreck home. The only body styles available in Australia from 1941 were Fordor Sedans and Utes. Also, from 46-48, Sedan Deliveries, which was called Panel Vans were also available.
How this Woody finished up in Australia is unknown. The contents of this yard were crushed many years ago.
 
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