1941 Ford Super Deluxe Station Wagon w/ Matching 1953 Fleetcraft Clipper Runabout Boat w/ 15hp Evinrude Fast Twin Outboard
1941 Ford Super Deluxe Station Wagon is in largely original, not restored condition. 9,485 Super Deluxe Station Wagons were produced in 1941. Mileage shows as 98,052 which is believed to be correct. The wagon spent its life up until late 2019 in Virginia. I am the 5th Owner. It has one repaint in the original Loch Haven Green color which matches the trim tag. There is no rust in the body. There are photos included of the wheel wells showing this. The wood is original except for some small repairs, and is in good condition. The fabric top was replaced within the last 15 years, and is in good condition. A set of metal drip edges for the top were acquired by the previous owner after the top work was done. He felt that the edging was well done when the top was replaced & did not justify tearing it up to install the steel ones. They are included in the sale.
Mechanical:
At some point before the previous Owner’s purchase a Ford 8BA flathead V-8 was installed. He installed a new radiator, shroud, & Drake high efficiency water pumps, and it runs cool even on hot Savannah days. He had the car rewired including a plug for the boat trailer. The boat trailer currently does not have lights or wiring. A vintage turn signal kit was installed when the wiring was done, & it works great. All lights & the horn work. The radio & gauges were rebuilt when the wiring was done & they work fine. Previous owner replaced the gas tank, generator, voltage regulator, carburetor, and stock lever action shocks. Since purchasing the car I have installed a Pertronix ignition system w/ Pertronix plug wires and coil, new spark plugs, a new alternator charging set up, all new Bendix/Self Adjusting brakes on all 4 wheels, and a new 6 volt battery.
Interior:
The wagon has all 3 seats. The leather seating surfaces are in excellent condition with no visible wear, rips, etc. I installed all new rubber floor mats from front to rear with insulation. I also installed new interior & exterior mirrors, sun visors, and rear window hardware. The previous owner installed new dash plastic, & rebuilt the gauges & radio.
Chassis & undercarriage
As stated above the brake system was replaced with Bendix/Self Adjusting drum brakes. The mufflers were replaced with new glass pack units received when the car was purchased. The dual exhaust system is tight and not objectionably loud. There is an electric fuel pump near the tank that has been replaced under my ownership, & it works fine. Other than mild surface rust & grime the chassis is in fine condition. There are no noted leaks from the brake system. The tires are relatively new Coker radials that are in good condition.
Driveability
I keep a 6 volt Battery Tender on the car, and it starts easily, comes to an easy idle with some use of the choke, warms quickly, and drives out with no problems. Let’s face it – this is an 82 year old vehicle that is built more like a piece of furniture than a modern car! Steering does not shimmy but can be somewhat vague. Brakes, even w/ the Bendix units, are not 4 wheel discs. Leave room in traffic!
1953 Fleetcraft Runabout & 15hp Evinrude Outboard
Boat: from what I can find 1953 may be the first year that Fleetcraft made a fiberglass hulled boat. There is no data plate or serial # on the boat. The previous Owner bought the boat at an auction in PA, which makes sense since Fleetcraft boats were originally made in SE PA. He bought it because the hull color is such a good match w/ the wagon, plus the wood deck & interior. The hull, wood deck, & interior are all in great shape, and do not require any current work.
Evinrude Fast Twin 15hp outboard can be identified as a 1953-1954 model from the Serial #15012-01914. Since I had no plans to put the boat in the water I put oil in the cylinders, pulled it through a few times, & have not attempted to start it. There is a 6 gallon portable fuel tank that goes with the sale.
Trailer: I replaced the tires, tubes, and wheel bearings. Installed a trailer dolly to aid in storage.
Fun Fact: The last two years, 2021 & 2022 I have been invited to bring the woody & boat to the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance for their 2 day “On the Water” display of antique water craft. They got a lot of attention!
