Celebrate Woodie Wagon Day The 3rd Saturday in July

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Have you ever ridden in a Woodie Wagon? Odds are no, at least not a “real” Woodie: One made with actual wood.

There’s even a good chance you’ve never even seen a Woodie Wagon, with real or simulated wood.

But in late July you can celebrate this once-loved vehicle on Woodie Wagon Day.

Many people love old and vintage cars, so it’s no surprise this unique vehicle has a day all its own.

We have no idea who started the day or when. Most likely it was someone who once spent summers tucked into the back of a Woodie Wagon on the family road trips.

Woodie Wagon Day happens every year on the third Saturday in July.

 

Woodie Wagon History

With all the mandatory safety features and regulations surrounding modern cars it’s hard to believe anyone ever thought it was a good idea to make them out of wood.

But that’s just what manufacturers did in the 1940s and 1950s.

At least the passenger compartments were wooden.

Things like the engine compartment, axles and bumpers were of course still made from metal (usually steel).

Using wood for the passenger compartment actually started in the 1930s. But it became more common in the 1940s when making war equipment from steel became more important than other uses.

To conserve steel, most American auto manufacturers used it only where necessary. They used wood for the rest of the body.

The style stayed popular for a few years even after the war ended. But 1953 was the last year for all-wood passenger compartments in station wagons. The British Motor Corporation did use wood framing in the Morris Minor Traveller until 1971.

But auto makers did make cars (mostly station wagons) with a wood look on and off through the 1990s. A few even offered wood-look options on some models into the 2000s.

The fake wood panels or trim were made from various plastics or vinyl (a plastic polymer).

Scroll down for some ideas on celebrating this unofficial car holiday.

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Ideas For Celebrating Woodie Wagon Day

Ok, so there’s probably not much to really celebrate here.

But if you remember riding in (or even driving) a Woodie Wagon, spend a few moments in nostalgic remembrance.

And if you actually have one of these cars, take it out for a short ride if it runs! Or if it’s your project car, spend some time working on it.

Classic car fans might be interested in The National Woodie Club. Yes, there really is a car club devoted to this car style. No, you should not be surprised!

There’s also the Old Woodies website, maintained by an owner of a 1940 GMC Woodie. It’s not clear how often, if at all, this site is updated these days. But it has a lot of information on the history of these cars and a photo gallery. There’s even information on restoring old Woodies and links to other sites with Woodie information.

 

Dates for Future Woodie Wagon Days

We wouldn’t want you to miss a single celebration, so here’s the dates for the 3rd Saturday in July for the next few years.

• 2019 – Saturday, July 20
• 2020 – Saturday, July 18
• 2021 – Saturday, July 17
• 2022 – Saturday, July 16
• 2023 – Saturday, July 15
• 2024 – Saturday, July 20
• 2025 – Saturday, July 19
• 2026 – Saturday, July 18
• 2027 – Saturday, July 17
• 2028 – Saturday, July 15
• 2029 – Saturday, July 21

 

How will you be spending Woodie Wagon Day?

 

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