Got Wood? Builder: Tony D. of Dix Hills, NY Home base: Kings Park, NY Engine: Stroker 383 Rear: Extras: Boyd Coddington Wheels, Ididit Steering Column It is a derivative of the body-on-frame method of car construction. Earlier cars generally had aluminum or steel panels bolted on top of the wood framing. Woodies were originally cheaper because they didn't need these panels and their fitment and painting. So railway stations used them for hackwork of luggage and petty shipments; hence the name, station wagon. The tradition of the woodie remains in the woodgrain decals and plastic beams attached to a structural steel body of many station wagons. This car body style was popular both in the United States and the United Kingdom. Woodies were produced from all kinds of cars, from basic to luxury, but the most popular conversions in the US were large, powerful but not highly luxurious models. By contrast, in Europe early woodies were usually built on luxury car platforms such as Rolls-Royce.

By the 1960s and to some degree the 1970s, California surfers, among others, realized the potential of these cars; they were cheap, large enough to carry a good number of people, surfboards and equipment, and could be fixed up with woodworking skills. Thus, the woodie became the archetypal vehicle of the surfer; the popular surf-pop group The Beach Boys directly referred to them in several of their songs, as did Jan and Dean in their (1963) #1 hit, Surf City. As excerpted from Wikipedia Ford Body Styles, Model A, Model T, V-8, Ford Motor Company, Body Suppliers - Coachbult.com Closed Bodies, Center Door Sedan 1917-20 Body suppliers for the Ford Model A are far better known and documented. In addition to its commercial body offerings for the new ï¿½ ton Model A chassis, Ford created an even more ambitious body program for the new AA 1ï¿½ ton chassis using many of the firms who had made a name for themselves supplying aftermarket bodies for the Model T and TT.

During the late twenties and early thirties, the majority of Briggs output went to the Ford Motor Co. whose purchasing manager, A.M. Wibel, was one of the most feared men in Detroit. He required that all of Fordï¿½s supplier make their books available to Ford accountants, and went so far as to dictate who much profit would be made by each supplier, frequently holding competitions between competitors to see who could produce a specific part at the lowest possible price. Ralph Roberts recalled: "Briggs operated with Ford without a contract, on 'Open Book,' which was a complete breakdown of materials and labor in minutes and fractions for each operation. This was in a constant state of flux due to engineering and specifications changes. To this basic cost was added overhead and 'profit,' always subject to debate." For example in 1929, both Briggs and Murray supplied Ford with identical Model 155 town sedan bodies. The Murray body cost Ford $237.98 while the Briggs body cost eight dollars less, $229.71. The amount of profit allowed by Ford was typically ten percent.

So to an outside observer it appears that Briggs made a $23 profit on every Model 155 town sedan body sold to Ford. Unfortunately for Fordï¿½s suppliers, they had to pay for their labor, overhead, capital expenses and stockholder dividends out of their 10% ï¿½profitï¿½. Another ï¿½debateï¿½ involved whether Briggï¿½s should buy its own steel. While going over Briggsï¿½ ï¿½Open Booksï¿½, Fordï¿½s purchasing director, A.M. Wibel discovered that they had been marking up the price of the raw steel in addition to getting their normal 10% profit on the finished bodies. From that moment on Ford bought all of Briggï¿½s steel, and expanded the Ford buying program to a number of other suppliers as well. Just as Ford was ramping up for the introduction of the Model A, a huge fire leveled Briggsï¿½ Harper Ave. factory, leaving them with little to no space to manufacture the thousands of bodies they had hoped to sell to Ford.

Since their other three plants - Mack Ave., Meldrum Ave, and Vernor Highway ï¿½ were busy with other projects, a deal was struck with Ford where Briggs leased the 1.64 million sq. ft. Highland Park Model T plant which had been mothballed following the end of Model T production. Briggs signed a five-year renewable lease at $800,000 per year. Remarkably, the lease did not prohibit them from manufacturing bodies for other auto manufacturers, and for many years Briggs built Chrysler bodies inside a portion of the huge plant. Briggs later leased space in Fordï¿½s Cleveland, Ohio assembly plant where they built fordor Model A bodies which were shipped to Fordï¿½s eastern US assembly plants. Briggs also supplied legacy body parts for Fords Model T throughout the 1930s. Ford built most of their own production bodies for the Model A, however both Briggs and Murray were their largest outside suppliers of complete bodies, producing all of Fordï¿½s Model 155 Town Sedans and Model 165 Fordor Sedans. Four Door Model A body style suffix's indicate who made the body.

An A indicates a 1928-1929 Murray body, B indicates a 1928-1929 Briggs body, C indicates 1930-1931 (early) Murray body, and D indicates 1930-1931 (early). Budd Mfg., Hayes Body Co. and Midland Steel Corp. all supplied Model A stampings and steel sub-assemblies and later on Budd built complete truck cabs and van bodies as well. Briggs supplied the Type 135A taxicab bodies for the 1928-1930 Ford Model A. The body differed from regular 4-dr sedan's in that it included a rear compartment divider that included jump seats and a small storage compartment that extended in the space normally occupied by the front seat passenger. Ford's beautiful new Model A Type 295-A Town Car Delivery that was introduced in 1930 was also built by Briggs. Designed for exclusive shops and small parcel delivery services, it was loosely based on the Fordï¿½s tudor sedan, and featured an open driver's compartment, coach lights, and stainless steel trim.

Briggs also built another rare Ford commercial body, the 1931 Ford Model 66A Deluxe Pickup, the first swept-side pickup available, and the antecedent of the Ford Rancheros and Chevrolet El Caminos of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. First built exclusively for General Electric Co. refrigerator salesmen, Ford eventually offered the body to the public, although only 293 were produced. Available only in closed cab form, its side panels overlapped the rear cab pillars and were attached to the cab with carriage bolts. The box was topped off with chrome-plated brass rails giving an elegant look to this rare Model A, which was usually painted in white. A similar body was also built by Briggs for the larger 131ï¿½ï¿½ wheelbase Model AA chassis. The Type 229-A Deluxe Express Body also included overlapping side panels and a swept express body that fit flush with the cab and could be equipped with an optional tailgate.

The open rear compartment was 53.4ï¿½ wide x 69.1ï¿½ long x 22.5ï¿½ï¿½ high and included an attractive stainless steel handrail on top of the bed rails. The Type 229-A was also marketed as a Service Car and could be outfitted with a built-in tool chest and Marquette Mfg. wrecker hoist making an ideal automobile service truck for car dealerships and larger garages. Although the slow-selling Type 229-A did not reappear in the 1932 Ford commercial truck catalog, leftover bodies were available by special order into 1934. One of the first commercial bodies introduced for the new Model A were 9- and 14-passenger bus bodies that were likely supplied to Ford by the Union City Body Co. Dimensions of the 14-passenger prototype were 50ï¿½ wide x 92ï¿½ long x 51ï¿½ high. The steel-framed body was topped off with a nitrite-coated (rubberized) fabric top and fitted with longitudinal fold-away seats.

Passengers entered the vehicle through a right front door with integral folding step and an emergency exit was provided by a center-mounted rear door. Although they were introduced in late 1928, the buses didnï¿½t become a standard Ford commercial offering until late 1930 when Ford introduced the 157ï¿½ long wheelbase Model AA chassis. Union City supplied the coachwork for the Type 330-A, which was available in versions for school and city service. Ford became an increasingly important customer for Budd as the twenties progressed. Budd built most of Ford's new line of factory commercial Model T and TT bodies that were introduced in 1924. When the new model A was brought out in 1928, Budd was called upon to provide the factory panel truck bodies for the Model A and Model AA delivery vans as well as the metal beds for model A Pickup Trucks. 1928 Budd panel van bodies were available in two lengths, a 57" long cargo compartment for the short wheelbase model, and a 93" compartment for long-wheelbase Model Aï¿½s and AAï¿½s.

Budd built the bodies for Ford's new Model A Deluxe Delivery Car introduced in 1930. Although it looked similar to a Tudor Sedan, the Delivery Car featured a totally different body that featured a slightly higher roof, solid rear quarters and a large rear cargo door. Among the most popular new commercial bodies offered for the new 103 ï¿½ï¿½ wheelbase Model A was the Type 79-A Panel Truck, which was manufactured for Ford by Budd. For 1930 Ford elected to replace the 79-A with updated coachwork produced by Murray. The new body, the Type 79-B, was available with stainless steel headlamps and radiator shell in place of the standard body-colored units. The same bodies were also available in Deluxe form as the Type 130-A (Budd-built) and 130-B (Murray-built). Similar bodies were available on the 131 ï¿½ï¿½ Model AA chassis, the Budd-built 85A Panel Truck, and the Murray-built 85B which replaced it in late 1930.

The Type 225-A Drop-Floor Delivery, a variation of the Murray-built 130B Deluxe Delivery, was introduced in May of 1931. Developed by Fordï¿½s Chicago branch in response to customer requests, the rearmost portion of the Type 225-Aï¿½s cargo floor was modified so that it dropped down about 12ï¿½ just behind the rear hub providing a two-level cargo hold providing almost curb-height loading for heavy objects. The extra-long cargo doors of the 225-A necessitated the removal of the rear bumper and in practice the vulnerable rear end was easily damaged with only 89 examples ï¿½ 77 1931 models and 12 1932 models of the $560 vehicle were produced. Pictures exist of a few 225-Aï¿½s that were built using Briggsï¿½ Type 300-A Deluxe Panel which debuted in 1931. On the 131ï¿½ï¿½ wheelbase Model AA chassis, an all-new Deluxe Delivery body became available starting in early 1931.

Built by Briggs, the Type 300-A featured more aerodynamic styling as well as substantially increased cargo-carrying capacity over the significantly smaller Type 130A/130B Deluxe Delivery bodies found on the Model A chassis. The 300-A featured a stainless steel cowl molding, radiator shell and headlamp buckets. Also included were chrome-plated windshield wipers, rear-view mirrors and bumpers - front and rear. Special interior appointments included leather seating, faux leather headliner and a Masonite-lined rear cargo compartment. Optional equipment included a roof vent, steel-spoke wheels and a drop-down tailgate with half-height barn doors at the top. A number of derivatives of the Type 300-A Deluxe Panel were made available soon after its February, 1931 debut. Among them was the Type 270-A Funeral Service Car which was available with or without side windows with prices starting at $1550. The rear casket compartment measured 54ï¿½ wide x 102ï¿½ long x 55ï¿½ high.

Standard equipment included casket rollers, side window covers, a removable flower tray, black leather seats, stainless steel trim and cowl lights as well as chrome bumpers front and rear. Although pictures exist of a disc-wheeled prototype, most of the 17 Type 270-Aï¿½s known to have been built featured steel-spoke wheels. Much more popular (and more expensive) was the Type 275-A Funeral Coach, priced at $1900. Its body was a specially constructed four-door derivative of the Type 300-A. Standard equipment included: casket rollers, rear compartment window curtains, removable center pillars for side-servicing and green mohair upholstery. A total of 96 Type 275-Aï¿½s were built including three with a combination Ambulance option which was offered at $1950. Introduced at the same time as the Funeral Service vehicles was the 1931 Ford Type 280-A ambulance.

Using the same Briggs-sourced side-door-equipped body shell as the Type 275-A funeral car, the Triplex safety glass-quipped $1700 dedicated ambulance included a glass partition, 2 attendantï¿½s seats and a white lacquered rear compartment with built-in dome lights, heater and fan. Emergency equipment consisted of a medicine chest, folding stretcher, spring-equipped cot, fixed bed with two mattresses, rubberized curtains and folding rear steps. The Ford Motor Company archives reveal that not all of the 84 Type 280-A ambulances were sold for transporting the injured. One 1931 Type 280-A was used by mid-west bandleader Red Wilson and his Zenith Rhythm Kings as a tour bus. An additional Deluxe Panel truck derivative was the Type 285-A Deluxe Police Patrol, a 2-door body type priced at $1250. Its companion, the $975 Type 290-A Standard Police Patrol was adapted from an entirely different body shell, the Murray-built Type 85-B Panel Delivery. Proctor-Keefe also re-worked Briggs-built Ford Type 300-A Deluxe Panel Truck bodies for specialized uses.

One popular conversion was their small Briggs-based insulated bodies that included locker-type doors for the transport of meat and other perishables. They offered special light-weight oversized van bodies as well as a line of municipal bodies which included ambulances, hearses, service cars and small buses. It is thought by a number of historians that Proctor-Keefe is responsible for modifying, painting and trimming Ford's Type 275-A, 280-A, 285-A and 290-A professional cars. They look identical to Proctor-Keefe's corresponding offerings and both firm's bodies were clearly built using Briggs Type 300-A body shells. Ford finally introduced a long wheelbase Model AA chassis on June 9, 1930. The 157" chassis eliminated the need for aftermarket slip-on frames or cut-frame extensions and proved popular with freight haulers and movers. Ford contracted with Proctor-Keefe to supply them with a 75ï¿½ wide x 132ï¿½ long x 78ï¿½ high furniture body with a drop-down tailgate with half-height barn doors for the new chassis, but the scheme never reached fruition.

Consequently the manufacture and marketing of the stillborn Type 230-A Furniture Body was relegated to Proctor-Keefe, who delivered a fleet of the attractive vehicles to J.L. Hudson, the Detroit Department Store. The Type 210-A Large Panel Body was the first factory offering for Fordï¿½s long wheelbase 1ï¿½-ton truck. The cargo area of the Murray-built body measured 57ï¿½ï¿½ wide x 136ï¿½ long x 60ï¿½ high and was available with a drop-down tailgate with half-height barn doors. What follows is a chart of OEM Ford Model A & AA Body Suppliers with approximate dates each firm worked with Ford. Body Type 1931-32 157" A new line of Ford closed truck cabs were introduced in 1932 on the new model B and BB chassis, and all were built by Budd. Murray supplied the convertible cab, which was sold in limited numbers. Budd also supplied Ford with the new 1932 B79 Panel Delivery body.

It featured a new arched side panel treatment and a gently sloping French roof that ended in a visor-less windshield. As the new van was available in two wheelbases, Budd produced two different bodies, one for the short 131 1/2" wheelbase chassis and a longer version for the 157" chassis. A side access door could be ordered on either body at additional cost. Budd became Fordï¿½s largest supplier of truck bodies, and continued to supply them with bodies and stampings up until the start of World War II. Ford introduced a totally new line of commercial chassis in 1932. Now available with the new flathead V-8 and designated Model B or BB the new double drop chassis featured better springs, a new low-slung appearance and the possibility of substantially more power. For 1932 Ford no longer had its Town Car or Special Delivery models, but it did have one remaining fancy panel truck, the Deluxe Panel Delivery. Produced under contract by Budd, both the Deluxe and Standard panels shared the same model designation, Type B-79. Seating consisted of a two folding bucket seats covered in dark brown faux leather.

The passenger seat was easily removed and could be mounted backwards if desired. The maple cargo floor was fitted with metal skid rails and the walls covered with Masonite. Many of Ford's commercial vehicles remained unchanged for the 1933 model year however a number of variations appeared, some riding on the 1/2 ton 112" wheelbase Model 46 chassis. Several others rode on the all-new Model 40 106" passenger car chassis that was introduced in February of 1933. In addition to the Model 46 Cab and chassis, Ford also offered the Model 46 Driveaway Chassis, a body-less cowl and chassis used by bus and standup delivery truck manufacturers. Although Briggs supplied Ford with an all new sedan-delivery body (Type 46-850) for 1933, they offered their own budget-priced $86.50 delivery conversion based on a standard Type 40-700 Tudor Sedan.

National Cash Register ordered a fleet of the Briggs-modified Tudor deliveries which featured a 36" wide x 35" high rear cargo door, a relocated spare (to the right front fender) and replacement of the split rear bumper with a stock Ford front bumper. Funeral car and ambulance body builders began offering less costly vehicles as the Depression wore on. A.J. Miller, Siebert and the Automobile Coach Corp. began offering a budget-priced line of Ford V-8 coaches base on stretched versions of Fordï¿½s Model 40 commercial chassis starting in 1932. A.J Millerï¿½s Ford coaches were marketed under the B. Franklin moniker. As did Siebert, Miller utilized W.G. Reeves cut-frame extensions which were offered for both Ford and Chevrolet chassis in both 24ï¿½ and 36ï¿½ versions. In 1933 Ford sold the US Government over 300 1-1/2 ton Type BB-85 panel trucks outfitted as ambulances to be used by Army at their Forest Service camps.

Budd supplied the bodywork for the Panel Delivery through 1934 while Briggsï¿½ LeBaron subsidiary built all of Fordï¿½s Sedan Delivery bodies from 1932-1934. For 1933 Briggs supplied Ford with a brand new sedan delivery body, the Type 46-850. No longer based on the Tudor sedan, the new body had a longer wheelbase with a corresponding longer rear quarter panel, a large 36" square rear door plus the narrower front doors of the Fordor sedan. The rear compartment's side windows were blanked-in, and the resulting cargo area paneled in Masonite. The cargo area was also accessible from the interior via two folding jump seats. LeBaron offered their own version of the car which included glass windows instead of the blanked in rear quarters of the 46-850. It featured a removable rear seat and could quickly be converted back to a sedan delivery by installation of two body-colored window inserts.

With the new double drop 112" frame, either version of the 1933 Sedan Delivery was one of the nicest-looking sedan deliveries of all time and when equipped with the optional V-8, remains a rare and highly valued collector's item. Following a long and costly 1933 strike at Briggs, Ford began taking steps to phase out their outside body builders, and Briggs was slowly cut out of the picture. As a result, Briggs strengthened their ties with Chrysler and Packard as the thirties wore on. As the 1930s wore on, Briggs built more and more bodies for Chrysler and fewer and fewer bodies for Ford. According to records in the Ford Archives, in 1936, Briggs supplied them with 66% of their outside bodies and their most popular style was the Deluxe Fordor sedan. That figure had fallen to 27% in 1939, and most of those were for either Lincoln or Mercury. Ford built their own Tudor and Fordor sedans, Budd built most of Fordï¿½s commercial bodies and Murray supplied Ford with limited production models such as the coupes, convertibles and station wagons.

Briggs was relegated to providing both complete bodies and sheet-metal subassemblies for the new Mercury and complete bodies for Lincolnï¿½s Zephyr. Briggs also supplied Ford with most of their legacy sheet metal replacement panels. Between 1932 and 1934 the Mingel Co. of Louisville, Kentucky supplied the wood for Fordï¿½s V-8 Station Wagons and both Murray and Briggs assembled the bodies which were then shipped to a regional Ford assembly plant to be mated to an awaiting chassis. The contract with Mingel ran out in 1934 and the woodwork for all succeeding woodies came from Fordï¿½s Iron Mountain facility. 1935-36 station wagons were assembled by Briggs & Murray, while 1937-1941 wagons were built by Briggs, Murray and Raulang.\ For the 1935 model year Briggs/LeBaron continued to build their own convertible sedan delivery selecting the new slope-backed Type 48-700 Tudor Sedan as the donor. As before the National Cash Register Company remained a dedicated user of the limited-production LeBaron-built automobile.

Although Ford did not build a vehicle to compete against the new 1/2-ton Chevrolet Carryall/Suburban, Proctor-Keefe offered a Ford Type 67-820/77-820-based competitor starting in 1936 which was available with a choice of window and rear seating options. The all-steel "Utility Wagon" included novel rear doors whose bottom half folded downward as in a regular station wagon, but the top half featured a pair of barn doors with windows. During 1935-1937, Ford's main outside body supplier, Murray, experienced three profitable years, but suffered another devastating loss in 1938, when sales of new cars lagged far behind industry expectations. In 1936 Ford had purchased only 36% of their outside bodies from Murray, but by 1939 that percentage jumped to 49%. Unfortunately, 1939 was the last year that complete bodies would be built for Ford by Murray. However, Murray was given the contract to supply Ford Motor Co.ï¿½s new mid-priced Mercury subsidiary with bodywork for its first few years.

Following the war, Murray resumed to their pre-war activities supplying Ford with sheet metal stampings and an occasional partially completed auto body. Mercury (1946) and Fordï¿½s (1946-47) limited production Sportsman (s) were assembled at Murray. What follows is a chart of OEM Ford V-8 body styles 1932-1940 Body Type 1948 Pontiac Streamliner Series - Conceptcarz conceptcarz Sold for $41,800 at 2015 Bonhams . For 1948, Pontiac offered the Torpedo Series and the Streamliner Series. Both were available with Six and Eight cylinder engines. The 239.2 cubic-inch six offered 90 horsepower while the Eight-cylinder delivered just over 100 horsepower. A three-speed manual was standard with a new Hydra-Matic Drive available for an additional $185. The Torpedo Series rested on a 119-inch wheelbase size while the Streamliner had a 122-inch platform. The Streamliner Series was available as a 2-door Sedan Coupe, a sedan, and a Station Wagon.

Along with being larger than their Torpedo Series siblings, the Streamliners were also more expensive. The Deluxe models were given spear moldings on front fenders, chrome plated wheel discs, and bright gavel guards. Inside, the Deluxe models featured two-tone trims with pillow-and-tuft seatbacks, electric glove-box door clocks, Deluxe steering wheels, and several other upgraded appointments. The wood-bodied 'woodie' station wagon wore a half-timbered body that originated in the 1930s. They became popular in the immediate post-WWII years and towards the end of the 1950s, the Woodie became the vehicle of choice among California surfers. This example was completed at the Pontiac, Michigan based General Motors plant in 1948 and fitted with a 248 cubic-inch Flathead 8-cylinder engine and a single Carter two-barrel carburetor. The powerplant produced 104 horsepower and was mated to a Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. It is a Deluxe streamliner Woodie station that was priced nearly 40% higher than Pontiac's Convertible and coupe models.

It is finished in a shade of powder blue with contrasting red and cream interior trim. It is equipped with options such as a front windshield visor, period radio, spotlight and a vintage California license plate. By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2015 Station Wagon Sold for $75,000 at 2012 Bonhams . This Pontiac Streamliner 'Woodie' Station Wagon is powered by a 248.9 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine delivering 104 horsepower in standard trim or 106 horsepower with the optional high-compression cylinder head. The company offered the Streamliner chassis with three body styles; this included the hand-built Woodie station wagon being the most expensive model in the entire Pontiac range. With a wheelbase of 122 inches, the Pontiac Streamliner Wooide was the largest on the market and offered seating for up to nine individuals. Furthermore, the rear seats could be removed for additional load-carrying space. The base price of $2,500 made it a very expensive option and out of the reach of many would-be Pontiac customers.

The 1948 model was the final year for what might be termed the 'real' Woodies, when the entire rear body structure was constructed of timber. In 1949, steel was used for the roof and progressively fewer components were made of wood up to 1953 when the last of these Pontiac station wagons was made. The body was built by the skilled craftsman at the Ypsylanti Furniture Co in Michigan, where no fewer than 523 parts were made from either mahogany or Canadian maple. For 1948, Pontiac produced 23,000 vehicles with just 1,000 of those fitted with the eight-cylinder engine and three-speed manual transmission. This example was finished on December 29th of 1947 and delivered new in May of the following year to Mrs. Emilie Noble Cooper, of Westport, Connecticut and Santa Barbara, Southern California. The car came from the factory with an electric clock, fog lamps, radio, Weather Chief heater, heavy-duty bumper guards and whitewall tires. The car remained with Mrs. Cooper until 1977, when it passed into the care of Mr.

W. Swartley on September 22nd of that year for $400. The next recorded owner was Mr. Jeff Ruether, of San Clemente, California, who purchased the car on March 20th, 1981 for $4,300 and immediately undertook a complete restoration. After the work was completed, the car was featured in the May 1982 edition of Car Collector magazine as 'Collector Car of the Month.' In September of that year the car went on to win 'Best of Show' in the National Woodie Club's Wavecrest Inn Meet with 35 Woodies entered. After the event, the car was purchased by Stephan Drogin, who brought it to Hawaii where he lived, flying it periodically back to California during his five years of ownership. In 1989, the car was purchased by a Swedish Woodie enthusiast Heinz Wessely for $36,000 and taken to Söderhamn, Sweden. He kept the car until 1993 when it was sold to Anders Bergstom of Alvjso, Sweden.

While in his care, the engine, clutch and gearbox were completely overhauled in 1995. Ownership passed to a German enthusiast in 2005 at which time it was featured in a three page article in Street magazine. In 2011, the car was treated to a major photo documented wood restoration and preservation work for a cost of $20,000. During that time, the front shock absorbers were also replaced, new batteries and a new exhaust system was fitted. By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2015 Though the name Pontiac didn't find it itself on a car until 1926, the marque actually dates back to 1893 when Edward M. Murphy founded the Pontiac Buggy Company in Pontiac, Michigan. The town had gained its name from a mighty Indian chief who was responsible for banding together the Chippewas, Ottawas, Pottawattamis and Miamis into a powerful league. The Pontiac lineup was restyled by Herman Kaiser along Harley Earl's guidelines in 1949.

Introduced in 1942 the Streamliner was a full-sized car produced by Pontiac until 1951. During 1940 Pontiac, along with Oldsmobile had the distinction of featuring all three of GM's mainstream platform, at least for one year. Pontiac introduced its initial B-bodied car; the Deluxe Series 28 Eight along with the Torpedo on the C-body in 1940. This C-body featured very hip 'torpedo' styling within a more streamlined body. 2 to 3 inches lower, the running boards were gone and passengers received more shoulder and hip room thanks to an additional 5 inches in width. Offering true comfort for up to six passengers the Torpedo featured a column mounted shift lever. The following year both the A-body and B-body were revamped in a similar fashion. Pontiac renamed its entire line 'Torpedo' and featured models ranging from the low-end A-bodied Deluxe Torpedo, the mid-level B-bodied Streamliner Torpedo and the high-end C-bodied Custom Torpedo. This was the final year that Pontiac would offer a model with the GM C-body until the introduction of the Pontiac Safari and Grand Safari station wagons of '71-'76.

The Torpedo name was shifted to the A-bodied Pontiac in 1942 while the Streamline became the B-bodied Pontiac. The first generation Streamliner utilized the larger B-body and used fastback styling, except for the station wagons. This generation ran from 1942 until 1948. With a wheelbase of 122.0 inches, a height of 65.3 inches, the length of all but the station wagon measured at 210.3 inches, while the station wagon measured 215.8 inches. When a folding center armrest was added to the 1941 Super models they became known as Chieftains in '42. Pontiacs now displayed a wider, heavier, lower look. The forward fender line was elongated by the addition of extension caps on the front doors. The cowl was gone when the hood extended back to the front doors. Headlamps were placed further apart and the grille, bumper and hood were widened. Above the vertical side grilles were long horizontal parking lamps. Horizontal bars were found in the horseshoe shaped center grille while a circular emblem was put in the middle of the upper main surround molding.

The Pontiac name was now on the hood side molding of six-cylinder models, while eight-cylinder car moldings said Pontiac Eight. Wartime 'blackout' trim was used after December 15, 1941 and all earlier chrome plated parts were finished in Duco Gun Metal Grey. Station wagon production went to the new Streamliner line when the C-body Pontiac Custom Torpedo came to an end. Either Hercules Body Company or Ionia Manufacturing did the last of the bodywork. A base Six Streamliner station wagon cost about $1,265 while a Chieftain Eight, Pontiac's most expensive model was priced at $1,340. The longest Pontiac until 1959, the 1942 Pontiac Streamliner station wagon measured 215.8 inches in overall length. The Streamliner coupe became the first Pontiac available postwar in September of 1945. The coupe remained the sole product quite some time. In 1946 the Chieftain trim level of '42 was renamed the Deluxe trim level.

Pontiacs featured many exclusive styling cues that included wraparound bumpers, concealed safe-light parking lamps, new nameplates and huge 14 blade grille. Straight back Indian moldings on the rear hood ornament chrome beltline moldings and bright moldings on the 'speedline' fender ribs set apart the Streamliner from other Pontiac models. Other features included larger front fender crown moldings and the fact that Streamliners were typically larger in size. Eights were differentiated by lettering on hood emblems and badges placed forward of the 'speedlines'. Passenger cars featured gray striped cloth interior trim. Inside the station wagon were three seats in standard trim, two seats in Deluxe trim and featured imitation leather upholstery and passenger car style interior hardware. A standard Six cost around $1,942 while a Deluxe Eight was priced at $2,047. Streamliner station wagons continued to be the priciest of the Pontiac models. In 1946 92,731 Streamliners were sold which accounted for more than two thirds of Pontiac sales. With five bands of chrome on the hood, the 'Silver Streak' styling theme continued for 1947.

Pontiacs for this year received new grilles with four broad softly bowed horizontal bars. An inverted steer's horn shaped bar that included a die cast plate with Indianhead relief protected the hood and fender. On the inside the sedan and coupes were redesigned with Berwicke beige panels for windows and dashboard. Autumn brown with dado stripe border moldings was the finish of choice for the windshield, door and garnish moldings. All of the sedans and coupes were fastbacks with full-loop around window moldings. Once again the Deluxe Eight was Pontiacs most expensive model and cost $2,111, while the standard Six tipped the scale at $1,992. More than half of all Pontiacs sold, sales of Streamliner models totaled 128,660 in 1947. The following year a new styling design was introduced that included triple 'Silver Streaks' which featured round taillights and a horizontal grille theme with vertical shafts. 'Silver Streak' was written on the sides of the hood with eights having an '8' placed between the two words. Once again Streamliners had the distinction of being the largest and most expensive of Pontiac models.

All Streamlines now came standard or Deluxe whether 2-door or 4-door fastbacks or station wagons. Deluxe models featured spear moldings on front fenders, had bright gravel guards and chrome plated wheel discs on all of the cars except the wagons. On the inside of the Deluxe were flashy two-tone trims with pillow-and-tuft seatbacks, electric glovebox door clocks and quarter sawed mahogany dash and window trim. They also featured Deluxe steering wheels along with other lux appointments. Deluxe wagons featured red upholstery imitation leather seats and the standard Streamliner station wagons featured tan imitation of the same type. The station wagon price started at $2,364 for a standard Six, while the Deluxe Eight, once again Pontiac's priciest models at $2,490. Almost 66% of Pontiac sold for 1948 were Streamliners, a total of 160,857 models. New for 1948 was the Hydramatic automatic transmission option. Prior to this only General Motors sold vehicles with fully automatic transmissions and the only way to get one was to purchase a higher prices Buick, Cadillac or Oldsmobile.

Chevy wouldn't introduce Powerglide until 1950, Ford FordoMatic until 1951 and Chrysler, Powerflite on Imperials until 1953. The Hydramatic was a very popular option and around 71% of all Pontiacs were sold with it, a total of 171,946 Pontiacs and 122,327 Streamliners. The second generation of the Streamliner was introduced in 1949 and lasted until 1951. This newest generation featured low smooth envelope bodies, with the coupes and sedans using the fastback B-body shell. The Streamliner lineup continued to carry the station wagon. All of these models came either as standards or Deluxes. Small hubcaps were found on all station wagons and other standard models. Beltline trim disappeared on standard coupes, sedans, and wagons while gaining painted headlight rims and rubber gravel guards. Deluxe models featured beltline moldings, bright plated headlight doors and chrome gravel guards. Once again the Silver Streak appeared in the lineup.

It featured lettering that was placed above front fender spears on Deluxes and high on the fenders of standard models. New number '8''s were placed between the two words on Eights. Standard models typically came with gray striped pattern cloth upholstery. The Deluxe usually came with dark gray broadcloth trims. Wagons retained the same trim as before except imitation leather only used on standard wagons. The final year for wood-bodied station wagons was 1949 when production shifted to all-metal wagons with woodgrain trim. Once again Streamliner station wagons were the priciest Pontiac models ranging in price from $2,543 for a standard Six to $2,690 for a Deluxe Eight. The well-liked 1949 envelope bodies were used again in the 1950 models with updates made to the trim and appointments. /the horizontal center grille bar was now encasing the corners of the body. Deluxe models featured a chrome body strip, chrome wheel rings, stainless steel gravel guards and chrome headlight rings. Except for station wagons and sedan delivery trucks, the Streamliners had fastback styling.

Streamliner station wagons prices fell slightly to $2,264 for standard Sixes and $2,411 for Deluxe Eights. This was because all-metal construction didn't require final work being done at Iona Manufacturing or Hercules Body Company. The Streamliner station wagon continued to be the priciest Pontiac model. For 1951 Pontiac introduced 'Silver Anniversary' models that commemorated 25 years of advanced engineering. The Silver Streak continued and also the introduction of a wing shaped grille. Streamliners used the B-body shell again with sloping fastbacks on coupes. Deluxe models featured bright gravel guards, headlight rings and a chrome body strip. Deluxe passenger cars, all models except station wagons had belt line moldings that had a dip behind the doors. On Series 25 Sixes a script plate that read Pontiac was used, and on Series 27 Eights it read Pontiac Eight. The Streamliner station wagon continued to once again be Pontiac's priciest model for its final year. The model ranged in price from $2,740 for a standard Six to $2,629 for a Deluxe Eight.

Until 1959 this would be the last time that Pontiac offered a B-bodied car. The Streamliner remains a true collectible today for the enthusiast looking to experience early postwar American auto ownership. Sources: Custom Car Art - VonSkip.com - Hot Rods and Kustoms - Cars and Arts - Paintings and Photography - Hot Rod Dictionary A-400: Convertible two door sedan built by Ford prior to 1932. A-Bone: Model "A" Ford. A-Pillar: The sheet metal section located on each side of the windshield between the roof and the main body that has to be cut when chopping the top. Alky: Alcohol fuel for racing. aka; methyl alcohol or methanol, a very high-octane fuel. AMC: Acronym for "American Motors Corp" an organization which merged with Chrysler Corporation. Ardun heads: Created by Zora Arkus-Duntov (circa 1947), the Ardun Manufacturing company fabricated overhead valve cylinder heads with hemispherical combustion chambers that could be bolted to the Ford V-8 60 (flathead) block.

Precursor to the Chrysler "hemi," Ardun heads delivered serious horsepower gains for hot rodders and racers privileged enough to afford them. B B-400: Convertible two door sedan built by Ford in 1932. Baby moons: Small smooth chrome hubcaps that cover just the lug nuts. Balonies: Wide bad ass tires, usually on the rear. Bang Shift: To quickly shift a standard transmission . Banger: A colloquial term used to express the cylinders in an engine. Often used with a number such as "six banger". Banjo Wheel: 1939 Ford steering wheel or other spoked wheel. Blown Engine: A engine that has a Supercharger or a engine that exploded. Basket Case: A project car that is mosty disassembled and must be literally carried home in baskets. Base Model: The least expensive vehicle with the least amount of features as standard equipment. It has the smallest engine and often manual transmission as well as few power equipment. Base models constitute only a small percentage of the cars sold. Sometimes called a "stripper" or "stripped down" unit.

Bat-wing: The air cleaner off of 1953 to 1956 Caddys and Packards. Beast: A really ugly hotrod. Beater: Everyday use car. Usually used to chase parts for the current project. Can be everything from a fairly new car to a beatup old pickup truck. Belly pan: A custom fabricated underbody piece used to aid airflow under the car's body ? often made of sheet aluminum or steel. Belly Tanker: See Lakester. Bent Eight: Slang for a V-8. Drag plate- An aluminum car club plaque hung with chains so low it would either drag on the road or hit going up driveways or bumps. Billet: A solid bar, round or square, usually made of aluminum of steel, from which a part is machined. Binders: Slang term for a car's brakes. Blower: Supercharger. Blower Drive: The belt and pulleys that drive a Supercharger. Brain bucket: Helmet. Bobbed: Shortened. Usually done to fenders or frame rails. . Boost: Intake manifold pressure generated by a Turbocharger or Supercharger. Boots: Tires.

Bored and Stroked: Engines that have had their cylinder walls enlarged and the crankshaft throw modified. Bottom End: Refers to the lower portion of a engine and usually includes the crankshaft, flywheel, bearings and connecting rods. Box: The transmission, but can also refer to adding reinforcement to the frame. Bucket: Rod with a Model T body also called a 'Bucket T'. Buggy Sprung: Suspension based on front and rear solid axels and left over from horse and buggy days. Bull Nose: Usually refers to a chrome trim piece for the top of a hood. Bullet Nose: A Studebaker built in the late 40's and early 50's. C C Notch: A notch cut in the frame rails (lowered car) for rear axle clearance. California Rake: Downward angle of a car with a dropped front suspension. Cal-Neva: California-Nevada Timing Association. Cam: Short for Camshaft, a engine piece that activates the valves. Cammer: Any engine with an overhead camshaft. Carson top: Removable hardtops made famous by the Carson Co.

as early as the 30's, these tops were a hot trend in the early 50's for custom rodders. George and Sam Barris in Southern California were especially impressed with Carson Tops and applied several to their creations. CC-ing: The accurate measuring of each cylinder or combustion chamber to equalize the volume in high performance engines. CCs: 39 Ford Teardrop Headlights. Channeled: Both a hot rod and custom term pertaining to dropping the car body over the frame to reduce the profile or overall height of the car. The process requires sectioning the firewall, cutting the perimeter of the floor pan, and then welding back to desired height. For early hot rods and dry lakes cars, this was done to reduce wind resistance and lower the center of gravity for stability at high speeds. For custom rodders, it was often done for more aesthetic/artistic purposes. (aka: Channel Job) Chop: Removing a section of the roofline horizontally to reduce its height. CID: Refers to "Cubic Inch Displacement" of an engine. Coach: Another term for a sedan. A car body with front and rear seat accommodations. Coffin nail: Cigarette.

Coupe: Basically any car with just a front seat. Crank: Crankshaft but can also mean to go fast "Crank on It". Cruise: To drive in a laid back fashion. Custom: Any car that has been altered, or customized with major body modifications. See Leadsled. D Dago Axle: Popular axle that was made in San Diego. Deck: Removing the chrome and handles from the trunk or 'Decklid'. Deuce: Nickname for a 1932 Ford. Dig Out: Accelerate quickly. Digger: A Dragster. Drop the hammer: Rev up the engine and pop the clutch. Dual set-up: Early hot rod term for an engine using a dual intake manifold equipped with two carburetors. DuVall windshield: Streamlined split windshield. E EFI: Electronic Fuel Injection (replaces the carburetor) E.T: Elapsed Time - the time it takes to run a quarter mile drag. Elephant: Hemi. F Fadeaways: Custom rodder term where the extruded front fender section gradually flows into the rear extruded fender section while flowing with the cars body lines. Fat: A over rich fuel mixture denote by excessive black smoke.

Fat Fendered: Term for cars built after 1935, and before 1949, which have larger more bulbous fenders than earlier cars. Fragged: Blown engine or trans. Free Breather: An engine where all the air to the cylinders is not forced in, as with turbo chargers or super chargers. Fender Skirts: Panels covering the rear wheel well leaving only the bottom part of the rear wheels exposed. Fill: Filling body seams with lead or body filler to lend a smoother appearance to the car. Filled axle: A dropped axle that has both sides of the "I" beam section filled with metal at the bend to provide added strength. Five Window: A coup body that have 5 windows, not counting the windshield. Flathead: An engine with its valves located in the cylinder block rather than in the head. The head itself is a plain, flat casting. The term is used most to indicate a Ford V-8 engine built between 1932 and 1955. It could also indicate a Ford four-cylinder Model A, B, or C four-cylinder engine.

Flamed: Graphic representation of flames usually starting at the front a working towards the back of a hot rod. Flame Throwers: A device to ignite unburned gases leaving the exhaust system ( very cool). Floor Pan: This just means the floor of a vehicle. Fordor: Ford name for a four door sedan. Four Banger: A four cylinder engine. Four Barrel: A four cylinder engine or a type of carburetor. Four on the Floor: Floor mounted shifter coupled to a four speed transmission. French: Usually refers to recessing the headlights and removing the seam of the headlight trim ring, but can apply to other recessing. Fuel Injected A mechanical device that 'injects' or introduces fuel into a engine. G Gasser: A modified closed car that competes at drag races. Gear Box: Transmission. Gennie: A real bonifide dyed in the wool part or car. The real deal, not a knock off, remake or copy. Genuine. Ghost Flames: See Flames, only these flames are usually the same color as the body only a few shades lighter or darker. Grab Rails: Handles mounted on the body to help passengers enter the vehicle, usually a rumble seat.

Grill Shell: Decorative trim that goes around the radiator usually on cars built in the early 1930's. Grocery Getter: A mild street rod that is used for a run to the store and back. Gutted: A rod with its interior removed. Goat: GTO. Gow job: An obscure pre-WWII term for a car with a modified engine, apparently derived from gow out, below. No longer used. Gow out: Early term meaning to accelerate rapidly. One theory has it that the "gow" is simply a mispronunciation of "go." No longer used. Gook Wagon: 30 something Ford with about every Western Auto or J.C. Whitney accessory on it. Guide lights: Externally mounted headlights (found on late 1930's cars) that had a small light attached to the top of the headlight housing. H Handeler: A rod that is easy to drive. Haze the Hides: To spin and smoke the rear tires. Headers: Individual exhaust pipes, usually welded steel tubing but sometimes cast iron, in various shapes and diameters to reduce exhaust back pressure.

Hemi: A monster high performance engine produced by Chrysler with hemispherical heads. Hides: Tires. (Ex: "Boil the hides" or to spin the rear tires). High boy: Stock-body roadster with the stock fenders and bumpers removed ? usually, but not limited to, a 1932 Ford. High Tech: Rods that combine customized bodies with billeted or steel dress up parts. Hop up, hot iron: Pre-WWII terms for a car with a modified engine. Hot Rod: Post-WWII (after 1945) term for a car with a modified engine. Hot Licks: Flames painted on the side of a car. Huffer: Blower. Hydro: Automatic transmission ( derived from the name Hydromatic, a GM transmission used in the 50's. Hammer: Same as Chop. I In the Weeds: A really low vehicle or you have lost control of your ride and ended up in the ditch. Igniter: The engines ignition system. J Jiggler: An early hot rodders term for a rocker arm. Jimmy: Acronym for a GMC and can also refer to a Blower or Supercharger.

Jug: An early hot rodders term for a carburetor. Juice: Fuel, Electricity or hydraulic fluid. Juice brakes: Hydraulic brakes as opposed to mechanical brakes. Same as squirt brakes. K Kemp: A rod with a customized body. Knock Offs: A special wheel system that is held in place with one large, quickly removed nut. L Lakes: The dry lakes in and around Southern California where hotrodders raced their cars. Lake pipes: Chrome exhaust pipes running along the bottom edge of the vehicle with no mufflers. Lake plugs: Exhaust cut outs. Lakes Modified: A radically modified racer designed for racing at the dry lakes. Lakester: Class designation (after 1950) of cars with custom-made bodywork that was streamlined but had exposed wheels. Leadsled: Slang for a custom car derived from the use of lead as filler for smoothing custom body effects. Lean it Out: To alter the fuel mixture to improve engine performance and use less fuel - done to extreme will fry your engine. Lid: An early hot rodders term for cylinder head.

Locked rear end: An early term for a straight-through drive system with the left and right rear axle shafts fused together at the ring gear. Commonly referred to today as "posi-traction". Locker: A type of differential that helps prevent tire spin and distributes the engines torque evenly to the rear wheels. Loud Petal: The accelerator petal. Louvers: Vents or slots cut in and raised in various body panels especially the hood and trunk areas. Louie: A left hand turn (see Roscoe). Lowboy: A rod that has no fenders or running boards that is lowered over the frame (channeled). M Mag: Short for a wheel made with a Magnesium alloy - can also mean magneto. Magneto: a self contained ignition system. Mill: any engine. Modified: A dry lakes class designation for a car which didn't fit in the roadster class, usually with a single-seat sprint-car-type body but cut off behind the driver. Regulations required that a Modified have a flat area of no less than 400in-sq behind the ****pit. Molded: Filling and reshaping body panels and seams. Mood Disks: Flat aluminum wheel covers.

Mouse Motor: A small block Chevy engine manufactured from 1955 to present day. MRA: Muroc Racing Association. MTA: Mojave Timing Association. N N.O.S: New Old Stock and refers to parts that are the original parts supplied by the vehicles manufacturer. NOS: Nitrous Oxide System - mucho big horsepower. Nail Head: A 1950's Buick engine. Nerf: Short for Nerf Bars - used to ward off tires in open wheel racing cars - also refers to little bumperettes. Newstalgia: Refers to a rod style that mimics the 50's and 60's and employs modern power plants, components and body panels. O Over-bore: An engine with the cylinders enlarged in diameter (bored) to accomodate larger pistons thus increasing cubic inch displacement. Overhead: Term applied to engines with overhead valves, but used most often to describe early Ford flatheads (Model A, B, C, or V- 8 with overhead valve conversions. Overwind: A bad thing and means to run an engine faster in RPM then its designed limits. P Peanut butter drive: Early GM 2-speed powerglide.

Panel Delivery: An early commercial vehicle with two doors in the front for people and two doors at the rear of the vehicle for cargo. Pearl: Paint with reflects 'Mother of Pearl' iridescent colors or maybe its a little white object taken from an oyster. Peal Paint: A type of paint that is similar to metallic paint, but instead of minute metal particles it uses mica. Mica is a kind of semi transparent, crystalline mineral that absorbs and reflects light in prismatic fashion. This gives a dramatic, multi-dimensional effect to the paint. Sometimes called "pearl coat". Pit Pins: Quick release pins that hold body panels in place. Phaeton: An open two or four door sedan manufactured in the late 20's to the late 30's, that had no roll up windows. Phone Booth: A 28 or 29 Model 'A' closed cab pickup. Pin Stripe: Long narrow painted stripes usually running the length of a hot rod. May also be done with narrow plastic (gulp) tape. Ported: Intake and exhaust ports that have been enlarged and polished to provide maximum flow through the heads. Poncho: Pontiac. Pot: Early term for carburetor.

(See also Jug). Power Parker: People that arrive as early as possible to events and shows to get prime parking spots, usually frowned on by hot rodders Prune: To beat badly in a drag race. Puffer: A supercharger. Punched out: Bored engine. Q Quick Change: Immortalized by Ted Halibrand, the quick change was a specially-made center section for an early Ford differential banjo housing which provided two changeable gears behind the ring and pinion assembly. By changing theses gears, the overall drive ratio could be selected for a particular situation. R RPM: 'Revolutions Per Minute' or how many rotations an engines crankshaft completes in one minute. Rag top: Convertible. Rails: Refers to the frame side rails on cars before some idiot invented uni-body. Rake: Refers to the forward or rearward leaning stance of a vehicle when viewed from the side. Rat: A Big Block Chevy V8 engine e.g.: 396, 400, 427, and 454 cid. Reacher: A dependable street rod. Repop: See Repro. Repro: Reproduction parts to match or replace NOS parts.

Relieving: Removal of the ridge in the top of the block resulting from counterboring during manufacture for the valve seat. Resto Rod: A hot rod with a stock looking outer appearance but with modern running gear. Reversed Eyes: The ends of a standard Ford transverse-leaf spring curled down and around the shackle pin. When these "eyes" were reshaped to curl upward, the car was lowered about 1.5 inches, without destroying the spring's effectiveness. In front, though, the clearance in the center between the spring and axle was reduced. Ripple Discs: The smooth lines of these chrome plated hub caps were the "hot item" for custom rodders in the early 50's. Roadster: A two seater to a 'Phaeton' - removable top and no roll up side windows and the windshield could fold down. Rock Crusher: Muncie 4-speed. Rod: A short for Hotrod or Connecting Rod. Rod Run: May mean an event open to pre 62 only or can refer to any pre-ordained driving route as in a "Poker Run".

Roll Bar: A special cage made of round tubular steel and designed to protect the vehicles occupants in case of roll over. Roll Cage: See Roll Bar. Roller: A chassis that is completed enough to be rolled around on its own. Can also refer to a type of camshaft that uses roller lifters. Roscoe: A right hand turn (see Louie). Rubber Rake: A rake achieved by the use of big tires in the back and little tires in the front or possibly an unbreakable garden tool. Running on rails: Used to describe a car that is handling perfectly, as if it was literally attached to a rail. RTA: Russetta Timing Association. "Russetta" is Greek for "winged chariot." Salt flats: Large expanse of caked salt at the west edge of the Great Salt Lake Desert in Utah about ten miles east of Wendover. S Sano: A rod that is absolutely spotless (sanitary). Scallops: A graphic in the shape of a long narrow triangle usually starting from the front of a hotrod. Scatter Shield: A protective enclosure at the rear of the engine to protect the driver in case a clutch explodes - also used on transmissions.

SCTA: Southern California Timing Association. Scoop: A device mounted on the hood to force air into the engine at higher speeds. Section: To remove a band of metal from around the middle section of a vehicle to reduce its overall height. Sedan Delivery: A truck with two opening doors up front and one mother of a door in the rear. Set-in: Popular practice among custom rodders of insetting the license plate inside the body panel so that the surrounding metal remains flush. Shoe box: Nickname of a 49-51 Ford cars. Single stick: Single overhead camshaft engine. Skins: Early slang for tires. Skirts: Short for Fender Skirts which cover wheel well openings in customs and hotrods or a reference to the fairer sex. Slammed: A vehicle or hotrod that is as close to the ground as humanly possible without actually touching. Slush box: Auto trans. Six in a row: Inline 6 cylinder engine. Shaved: Removal of trim, door handles etc. Shot rod: A rat type rod where the car is in pretty bad shape or in other words "shot", kaput, or unreliable.

Smoothy: A hotrod that has had all raised portions of the body removed including moldings and sometimes chrome. Speed shift: An extremely fast shift made while keeping the accelerator to the floor. It was mandatory that the synchronization of clutch and shift lever action be perfect, or the selected gear would probably be trashed. A good speed shift (from first to second) could leave an uninterrupted pair of black lines from the rear tires, starting from a dead stop to well into second gear. Spots: Short for a spot light, also refers to disk brakes. Squirt brakes: Hydraulic brakes (conversion from mechanical brakes), same as juice brakes. Stacks: Short, individual exhaust stacks with which no collector is used. Also could refer to the short "velocity" stacks mounted on top of carburetors. Steelies: Wheels made of steel or a marble made from knocking apart old ball bearings. Really Big old ball bearings. Step Plates: Pads mounted on running boards or fenders to keep the paint or rubber matting from being scratched or getting dirty. Stepped frame: Frame altered in such a manner as to make a big step in the longitudinal members in order to fit over the axle, thereby lowering the frame and the body.

Stick: Early slang for camshaft. Stick Shift: A floor mounted gear shift lever. Stone: Slow car. Stones: Short for Firestone tires or an English Rock Band. Stovebolt: Slang (only slightly derogatory) for the inline, six-cylinder Chevrolet engine. The term derives from the tact the cap screws holding the sump and front timing gear cover. Streamliner: Pre-WWII designation of cars whose bodies were special-built and didn't qualify to run in the stock-body roadster class. The cars in this class had narrow bodies and exposed wheels (circa 1939). After 1949, when three full-bodied streamliners appeared (Lee Chapel, Xydias and Batchelor, and Howard johansen's twin-tank), the class included only those cars with full envelope bodywork. The open-wheeled cars then became referred to as lakesters. Stroker: Engine with a crankshaft stroked above normal (See Stroking). Stroking: Regrinding of the rod journals to move their center further away from the rotating center of the crankshaft, thereby increasing the stroke and swept volume of the cylinder. Stuffer: Supercharger.

Suicide axle: Heavily modified suspension that lowwers the car. Suicide knob (sometimes called necker's knob): rotating knob attached to steering wheel. Supercharger: A mechanical device designed to force air into an engine at higher then atmospheric pressure. Street Machine: Usually refers to a hot rodded car built after 1949. Street Rod: Usually refers to a hot rodded car built before 1949. T T Bucket: A short, fenderless opened 'T' body hotrod. TPI: Tuned Port Injection. Tach: Short for Tachometer and a device to read engine RPM. Tail job: Early Streamliner, usually using a sprint car body with a pointed tail. Tank: Short for "belly tank" or "drop tank." Teardrops: Used to describe bullet shaped parts. IE teardrop heatlights or tailights. Three-on-the-tree: Column-shift mechanism for a three speed transmission (the hot rodders answer to the sporty car set's four-on-the-floor). Time: Hot rodders sometimes say "time" when they mean "speed," because the speed of a race car is calculated from the time it takes to cover a measured distance.

So when a redder says, "My time was 200mph, " he means his time over the distance was equivalent to a speed of 200mph. Through the quarter-mile traps at the dry lakes, his actual time would have been 4.5sec.. Time traps: Measured distance over which a car is timed. At the dry lakes, the time traps are a quarter-mile long after a run up to speed of about a mile and a half. At quarter-mile drag strips, the traps are 132ft long, starting 66ft before the finish line and ending 66ft beyond it. Timing tag: Brass plaque, about 2" x 3", listing entrant, speed, date, location, and timing group. If it was fast enough, the tag would likely be mounted on the instrument panel of the car, otherwise, it was hidden. Touring: See 'Phaeton'. Trad Rad: A street rod built in the styles of the 50's and 609's rods. Track Nose: Streamlined grill. Trailer queen: Any hot rod that isnt driven and the owner trailers it to shows. Tranny: Short for Transmission.

Tub: A touring car or Phaeton can also refer to enlarging the wheel well size to accommodate very large tires, usually in the rear. Tubbed: To increase the wheel well size to accommodate very large tires usually at the rear axel. Tudor: Ford name for a two door sedan. Tuck and Roll: A cool style of upholstery or a new kind of music. Tuned header: A "tuned" header is a perfected header where each individual tube has the exact same length between the flange and collector, resulting in equal back pressure. Two Club: The 200 MPH Club at Bonneville, for drivers who run two-way averages of 200mph or more. Two-port job: A Model A or B block with a two-intake-port head (usually applies to a Riley head). U U Joints: Short for Universal Joints and these are located on each end of a drive shaft. Uncorked: Running without mufflers. Unlimited: Pre-WWII class for cars with large engines, such as Marmon or Cadillac V-16s, or cars with supercharged engines.

V V Butting: Hot rod and Custom technique of mating two flat windshield sections together at the center after the center post has been removed. Vicky: See Victoria. Victoria: A sporty two door sedan body that featured a different rear body panel style. W Wedge: A type of Chrysler engine with wedge shaped combustion chambers in the heads. Whitewall: Tires that have a concentric white line. Some are up to four inches wide and called "wide whitewall." Wide Weenies: Large rear tires and I am not going there. Wires: Spoked Wire Wheels. Woodie: A station wagon with wood paneling and no I am not going there either. WTA: Western Timing Association. X Member: The center portion of a frame where the frame rails meet or cross. Y Y Block: A cylinder block with deep pan rails. Z Z'd Frame: An effect used to lower a car without effecting suspension geometry. The effect consisted of cutting part of the chassis, raising it and re-welding it to form a "Z" shape when viewed from the side. This allowed for more clearance for the rear differential or front axle to ride higher in the chassis thus decreasing the car's overall ground clearance.

Zephyr Gears: First and second gears from a Lincoln Zephyr transmission could be fitted into a Ford or Mercury transmission and were popular because of their lower gear ratios (higher gears). A roadster that would do 40mph in first and 7Omph in second could achieve probably 60mph in first and 90mph in second with Zephyr gears fitted. Zoomy: A wild street rod with open exhaust pipes.

Question: Popular among California surfers, what is the name of the style of station wagon in which the rear portion of the car's bodywork is made of wood?
Answer: Woodie