What were Ford station wagons called?
Ford station wagons with exterior wood panels were commonly known as “woodies.” This nickname highlighted the characteristic wood-framed construction or woodgrain detailing that defined a large part of Ford’s wagon lineup from the 1930s through the 1960s and beyond. The best-known Ford woodie is the Country Squire, a premium, wood-paneled wagon that became an enduring symbol of mid-20th-century family cars.
The woodie identity and Ford's wagon lineup
To understand the question, it helps to know how the term “woodie” came to describe Ford wagons and why Ford emphasized wood panels on certain models. Early station wagons used real wood framing and paneling on exterior surfaces, which gave them a distinctive, handcrafted look. Over time, Ford carried the wood-paneled aesthetic into several models, with one model earning particular fame for its wood exterior.
Notable Ford wagon styles associated with this tradition include:
- Woodie (a general term for wood-paneled station wagons of the era, regardless of trim level or exact years)
- Country Squire (Ford’s premium wood-paneled wagon, widely recognized as the flagship woodie)
- Ranch Wagon (a practical, family-friendly wagon that sometimes featured woodgrain detailing or faux wood panels)
These terms collectively illustrate Ford’s approach to the wagon body—blending utility with a distinctive wooden exterior that became iconic in American automotive history.
Legacy and modern context
As manufacturing moved away from real wood during the latter half of the 20th century, Ford and other automakers phased out true wood paneling in favor of metal bodies with vinyl or painted finishes. Today, woodies are celebrated by collectors and pop-culture enthusiasts as nostalgic symbols of an era when family road trips, station wagons, and wood-paneled exteriors defined a segment of American driving culture.
Summary
Ford station wagons were popularly called woodies, reflecting the wood-paneled exterior that characterized early and mid-century models. The most famous example was the Country Squire, a premium woodie that helped cement the term in automotive lore. While modern wagons and crossovers no longer use real wood, the woodie remains a lasting symbol of Ford’s historic wagon lineup and mid-century Americana.
