Two classic "woody" station wagons sit in a former showroom of a car dealership at 5200 E. Speedway - attracting curious motorists and car collectors.
People have been seen pressing their noses to the plate-glass windows that stand between them and a 1951 Ford Country Squire and a 1948 Ford Super Deluxe V8.
These two beauties serve a purpose.
Since investors Bruce and Karen Daley bought the three-acre property that houses five buildings about 14 months ago, they parked the woodies in the former showroom to ward off vandals.
It is working.
"Vandalism has dropped off dramatically. The woodies make the place looked occupied, and that is the goal," said Bruce Daley, a car collector. The property does have an alarm system.
He declined to say what he paid for the restored woodies.
The Daleys own Thoroughbred Paint & Body Inc. at 5133 E. 22nd St., which is not affiliated with Thoroughbred Nissan.
"We plan to now fix up the property and get ready to lease it out in the coming months," Daley said. "We may rent it as one entity, or we may break it up and rent it to different entities."
For the time being, the woodies will remain on the property - calling out to folks driving by - and Daley, who can be contacted at Thoroughbred Paint & Body, will be happy to talk about his vintage station wagons with those who are interested.
"The burgundy Country Squire represents the last year that Ford made a true woody," Daley said. "After that, decals and fiberglass were used to simulate wood.
"The 1948 green Super Deluxe represents the last year that Ford made a four-door woody station wagon," Daley said.
"I enjoy cars and am happy to guide anyone who is interested in woodies," said Daley, who along with his wife, Karen, travels each September to the Wavecrest Woodie Meet in Encinitas, Calif. The event attracts hot-rod and woody collectors across the nation.
Contact reporter Carmen Duarte at 573-4104 or cduarte@azstarnet.com
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