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| Those who saw the size of the garage where George built our '48 Merc know that he can work in tight places - but this is truly a "Car in a Box!" This 1948 Chevy Woodie has a long family history and has been a labor of love. The owner, Harlene Lloyd, delivered this long time family member to Moonlight Woodies in its own "condo." | Moonlight Woodies specializes in finishing woodies from a "Box 'o Parts" and this one has truly been reduced to it's lowest common denominator! We'll keep you up to date on the progress so you can enjoy the "re-birth" of a Chevy Woodie. This one has a special place in our hearts - George's first woodie was a '47 Chevy! |
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Compare this car-in-a-box with the one above - some assembly was required along with many hours. What a difference! |
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 Chevy
wood is ash and mahogany. This car comprised of 90% refinished
original wood. |
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Artists Ron and Susie Anderson brought pieces of wood from another project to Moonlight to be assembled with some new pieces and new panels and finished in the beautiful Moonlight way. They brought the car up much later and the final fitting was done - didn't it turn out beautiful? This '51 Ford is intended to be a real driver with a 350 Chevy 700R overdrive, independent front suspension with power steering, disc brakes - just wave as they blast past down the coast!
Ron and Susie are famous for their three-dimensional woodie art and Kahala shirt designs. In their new galery in Santa Barbara, Ron is showing more paintings, sculptures, and other creative art inspired by his love for surfing and the sea. We invite you to visit their website at RonAndersonStudios.com and learn more about these talented woodie enthusiasts! |
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| Pictures above...A labor of love and dreams - the Howard's dream is a 1946 Ford Woodie Wagon. It doesn't look too petty at the beginning, but Moonlight can create miracles as seen above with the Lloyd car-in-a-box! The cowl has been restored with new pieces welded in and is as strong as it was in 1946.. With the structural metal work nearly finished, the Howards Ford is almost ready for the wood which is complete and ready to install, the chassis is complete with a Mustang II front end and a 9 in. Ford set up for 350 Chevy (see Bolts below - the modifications are identical) we'll keep you up to date as the car takes shape. UPDATE: The beautiful wood has been stained and varnished with 6 coats. It's now ready for sheet metal to be finished and then assembled and final finishing on car. |
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| Pictured above...The 1946 Ford owned by Owen Pyle, Grand Junction, Michigan is in for complete restoration. All wood restored, two new posts, quarter window sills, new roof, paint, etc. etc. Check out the beautiful grain in the interior mahogony door. Looking through the roof on a beautiful sunny day on the Central California Coast. This car is very near completion and will soon be going home to Michigan. UPDATE: Car completed except for glass installation and top upholstery. |
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| Owen Pyle's car is finished and ready to go home to Michigan - complete with a new Moonlight bamboo rack and Heritage Longboards surfboard. | If you want to see how they surf in Michigan on the Great Lakes, take a look at the surf movie "Step Into Liquid" - you'll be impressed with their stoke! | The Pyle 46 Ford is hitchin' a ride home to Michigan from Moonlight's Central Coast California shop. |
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| This is a 1947 Chevy Surbuban owned by Rick Adams of Heritage Longboards. The wood was completely restored by Moonlight Woodies with new mahogony, all new roof, and structural repairs and/or replacement pieces. This is the 3rd car done for Heritage Longboards including a 1948 Ford, a C-cab replica and this 1947 Chevy. UPDATE: Rick drives the wheels off of this car - much more than any of the other ones he's owned. It came to Woodies on the Wharf, Santa Barbara and the Hearst Castle tour. |
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| Pictured above...The Castico's brought their beautiful Town and County to Moonlight Woodies for a fresh look. The wood was faded and stained - in other words, the T & C needed some TLC! This beauty is an all-original, very low mileage, original paint and Moonlight was the first to refinish the wood and add new mahogony panels. |
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| The Derbys 1947 Ford Sportsman just needed some TLC, some scratches and dings repaired, and a new finish on the wood. | Here it is after those minor repairs and six hand-polished coats of varnish - ready for Mrs. Pam Derby to take home! If you visit Cambria, you'll probably see this car goin' down the road on an errand run with a blond behind the wheel...honk and wave...it's another Woodie lover. This car would be welcome in any museum, but it's one of those great ones that's frequently used on the road. | |
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| Kristina removing the dash from her new '46 Merc to send off to be wood grained. | Steve removing stainless trim to send for straightening and polishing |
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| This is what we bought from "The Kid" This picture was taken in Oakland right before we loaded it for the trip home. (Oh by the way, "The Kid's" real name is Ken ) | Making sure the karma is right is the most important part of restoring a woodie. Kristina stands with David Doherty (Wavecrest) and Lee Kidwell (then President of the National Woodie Club) with Steve looking on, as they bless a piece of wood from the '46 that the Bolts brought with them to Wavecrest. The "altar" that you're seeing is a 1950s Velzy balsa surfboard. All is well - the wood fibers are now properly aligned for fun, fun, fun! |
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Left - Homie Crew installing the rear end Right - Homie Crew installing engine and trans |
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| Above-George fitting new front floor at Moonlight's shop. |   |
Above - Roland and Dave - first fitting of the roof. |
| Above - Super welder Bob welding the new firewall and using the plasma cutter - | ||
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| Kristina and Steven Bolts "assume the position!" | Katie and Sarah Bolts doing their part - breakfast for the Homie Crew! | Katie and Sarah Bolts trying on the car for size. |
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Left - Homie Crew calling is quits at the end of a hard day. Right - Paul Senior keeps the crew in line and makes sure all the coffee cups are picked up! |
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| It runs! Early morning arrival at Woodies on the Wharf - 2004 - | Drawin' a crowd - some called it a "patio car" with the breezy roof and doors! | The Bolts woodie "FMLYTRE" parked in the family line next to "WDY4DAD" at the 2004 WOW |
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