Solid Surfer: 1951 Ford Country Squire Two Door Woody Wagon – Sold?

March 8, 2022, Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

The hip thing to do these days with vintage station wagons is to place a surfboard on the roof rack even if the owner resides thousands of miles from the nearest surfing location.  Classic woody wagons are synonymous with the California surfing scene that emerged in the 1950s. Judging by the pictures of the seller’s collection of surfboards stacked in their garage, this 1951 Ford Country Squire originally listed in Cardiff-By-The-Sea, California (Encinitas) has actually been used as a surf wagon in the heart of California surfing territory.  Benefitting from an older restoration featuring its flathead V8 rebuilt by Tim Krehbiel, this Country Squire woody appears to be a very nice driver-quality example.

Currently listed for $46,000, comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller has their 1951 Ford Country Squire priced between this guide’s #3 “Good” estimate of $41,000 and its #2 “Excellent” appraisal of $57,300.  Similarly, the Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #2 “Very Good” estimate of $42,800 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $68,000.

Following the end of World War II, Ford was the first of the “Big Three” U.S. automakers to introduce an all-new car line. Launched for the 1949 model year, Ford’s new slab-sided, “ponton” design not only earned the cars the nickname “Shoebox Fords” but the 1949 Ford is credited both with saving Ford and ushering in modern streamlined car design with changes such as integrated fenders and more. While the flathead V8 powertrain carried over, this was an all-new car in every way, with a modern ladder frame supporting a coil-spring independent suspension in front and longitudinal semi-elliptical springs in back. The engine was moved forward to make more room in the passenger compartment and the antiquated “torque tube” was replaced by a modern drive shaft.

1950 saw a new Crestliner “sports sedan”—a 2-door sedan with 2-tone paint intended to battle Chevrolet’s popular hardtop coupe of 1950. Another new name was Country Squire, which referred to the 2-door wood-sided station wagon. All wagons received flat-folding middle seats at mid-year, an innovation that would reappear in the minivans of the 1990s. The 1949 and 1950 styling was similar, with a single central “bullet” in the frowning chrome grille.  In the center, there was a red space that had either a “6” or “8” depending on the engine.  The trim lines were renamed as well, with “Standard” becoming “Deluxe” and “Custom” renamed “Custom Deluxe”. The new Fords got the now-famous “Ford Crest” which appeared on the division’s vehicles for many decades in one form or another.

The Cars & Stripes YouTube Channel features this 1951 Ford commercial:

If you are looking for a real-deal Ford Woody Wagon that appears to have actual surf wagon provenance, this may be the car for you.  One item worth noting is this example’s lack of a heater, which is not an issue if you’re using the car only in surfing weather.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“This is a 1951 Ford Woody that is in excellent original condition. It is an older restoration but has very few miles on it since.
It has a rebuilt flathead engine with less than 500 miles on it. Tim Krehbiel, who is a well know Woody guy rebuilt the engine as well as the suspension, turn signals, and instrument panel. It runs perfectly and idles very well. It does have overdrive. The pictures show it accurately. It is not a 100 point show car but a real nice-looking car that is fun to drive and runs great. car is currently in Chatsworth, Ca which is 2 hours north but I can arrange for it to be down in Cardiff.“

Show or go: what would you do with this 1951 Ford Country Squire Woody Wagon?  Comment below and let us know!