1941 Ford Deluxe Station Wagon

By the 1940s, it was in vogue for station wagons to be paneled in exquisitely crafted wood for aesthetics, rather than practicality, and the “woodie” became deeply woven into the fabric of American family life. To serve this burgeoning market, in 1941, Ford commissioned E.T. Gregorie and his team to redesign the model, resulting in the Deluxe Station Wagon. The vertically pointed grille was deposed for a fuller, more curvaceous horizontal façade, and the body was refined.

Although the earliest history of this example is unknown, it is believed to have been owned for 45 years by the Klaucke family of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. During this period, the family had the car sympathetically restored, likely around 10 years ago. In 2012, the consignor acquired the car for his prestigious New York-based collection.

This charming Ford Deluxe is finished in Cayuga Blue with complementary tan interior, slatted wood headliner, and whitewall tires. Of particular note is the wood exterior, composed of original maple frames with contrasting honey-rich birch panels. The quality workmanship is evident and represents a bygone period of automobile design. Having survived the test of time, this lovely Deluxe is ideal for family picnics and outings and will hold its own on the concours lawn as a snapshot of prewar elegance and craftsmanship.