Art News

Bonhams Offers the Only 1948 ‘Woodie’ Pontiac in Europe

LONDON.- Bonhams will present an extremely rare 1948 Streamliner “Woodie” station wagon, estimated at €55,000 – 75,000, at the sale of Fine Motor Cars and Automobilia at the ‘Weekend de l’Excellence Automobile’ held on the former site of the French Grand Prix circuit of Reims-Gueux on Saturday 11th September 2010. The ‘Woodie’ station wagon, with its characteristically half-timbered body, ranks alongside the pickup truck as a quintessentially American vehicle. The style originated in the 1930s, its popularity peaking in the immediately post-war decades, though the look has been periodically revived by manufacturers on both sides of the Atlantic ever since. Towards the end of the 1950s the Woodie became the vehicle of choice among California surfers, who appreciated its ability to carry several passengers and their boards. Surfer pop bands The Beach Boys and Jan & Dean both referred to them in hit singles