American Woodys (Crestline Series) (Paperback)

~ Donald Wood (Author) "The roads of the first and second decades of the twentieth century were primitive compared to modern highways..." (more)
Key Phrases: station wagon body, suburban body, station wagon bodies, Santa Cruz, New York, World War (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

They're not just for surfers anymore. In fact, among today's collectors, restorers and enthusiasts, wood-paneled wagons are among the most coveted automotive specimens. This collection of more than 500 archival and contemporary photographs documents the evolution of wood-paneled or "woody" station wagons, from the automobiles actually constructed or accented with lovingly finished wood in the early half of the century to the dawning and continuous unchecked proliferation of simulated wood grain from the 1960s through the 1990s. Introductory text for each decade along with exhaustive captions for each photograph, combine to tell the fascinating stories behind these wood-bodied vehicles. In addition to the "Big Three" American carmakers, bygone manufacturers like DeSoto, Hudson, Nash and Packard are also represented.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks (November 8, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760308667
• ISBN-13: 978-0760308660
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,876,040 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars If you like B&W TV you'll LOVE this Book, May 25, 2002

By	CarNutz2 (Mickey World Florida USA) - See all my reviews

This book could have been SO much better if only they had added color pictures, in color it would be at least a 4 star book, but the ONLY color pictures are on the front and back cover. This book does show many different woodies, and brakes them down into chapters from the 1911 to the late 50's, it just doesn't work in black and white. While there may be photos of cars here that are not seen elsewhere, it is no way a detailed study of the art form, which relegates it to the casual read and without the color pictures hides the beauty of the cars.
In fairness the Black & White photos and ads of the very early vehicles are to be expected, but the rest of the photos seem to have been taken in the late 1990's at car shows in Califorina. This only makes the lack of color all the more irritating, and to add insult to injury the captions often describe the color of the cars in detail!
The most attractive feature of woodies are the magnificent color contrasts seen in the wood, and this book shows you none of them. If the publisher ever prints a color version of this book I might buy it again, but I don't recommend it until then.