Woodies have long had a treasured place in the Edelbrock family history. After World War II, Vic Edelbrock Sr. started using woodies to tow his midget racing cars. In fact, according to Vic Jr., he would need to get a new woodie every year to tow the vehicles around California, to places like Gilmore on Thursday nights and to San Bernardino on Friday nights for races. He used them until the late 1940s, when a ’51 or ’54 Ford became his tow vehicle of choice. Later he would use a pickup truck.
Fast forward over five decades. Vic Edelbrock Jr.’s wife, Nancy, had begun to tell him that she wanted a woodie. “I kept kidding her [that] ‘the termites will get it.’ We kept going back and forth on it,” said Edelbrock. He finally enlisted the help of Roy Brizio to find a car for Nancy.
“I said ‘Come on Roy, find me a car. Let’s do something with it and we’ll surprise Nancy when it gets done.’ It took about a year and a half,” said Edelbrock. “I gave it to her for Christmas.”
Edelbrock unveiled the surprise gift at a corporate Christmas party, and needless to say it was a hit not only with Nancy, but car fans as well. The car has since been to many shows, including shows held at Gilmore Stadium, the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles and the NHRA Museum in Pomona, California. It has also been a staple at many Edelbrock car shows.
The interior appointments were meticulously restored to original condition, including gauges, the working clock and heater with doors to direct heat.
When it was built, Edelbrock installed a 400 cid small block Chevy into the woodie, but after 15 years, is now rethinking his choice.
“If I had the Ford crate engine [then] that I have now, I would have put it in [the woodie],” he said. “At the time, everybody wanted to put a small [block Chevy] in it. Maybe someday I’ll take it out.”
A 400 cid Edelbrock Chevy crate engine was fit with Edelbrock Elite Series valve covers, as well as a thumping Performer cam and two
With a family history so filled with happy memories involving woodies, it’s no wonder Edelbrock is pleased to see this dynamic vehicle making a comeback in the car club scene.
“I like the woodie, I think it’s a great car and it’s really great that [they are] coming back,” said Edelbrock. “I know cars are selling for 10 times what they were originally selling for, or more, and I think it’s great [to have] the clubs and all the people and excitement [that come with it.] That’s what street rodding is all about— getting that stuff to come back.”
Stat Sheet
Car: Edelbrock 1946 Ford Woodie
Owner: Nancy Edelbrock
Location: Torrance, California
Builder: Roy Brizio, Roy Brizio Street Rods, South San Francisco, California
Interior: All interior work was done by Sid Chavers of Sid Chavers Company in Santa Clara, California, using stock colors and tan leather.
Powertrain: 400 cid small block Chevy, featuring Edelbrock Total Power Package: Performer heads, Performer 400 cam, two 500 cfm Edelbrock carbs, C-26 Edelbrock intake, Edelbrock Elite valve covers; Milodon oil pan, MSD Ignition.
Body & Frame: 9” Ford rearend, Mustang II front suspension conversion, installation done by Brizio
Tires: Front: 215/75/R15 Remington wide whites; Rear: 235/75/R15
Wheels: Front: 15 x 6, Rear: 15 x 7
Paint: Painted at Roy Brizio Street Rods using PPG’s “Edelbrock Red.”
Other Features: The woodie has the rare, optional Wonderbar radio in working condition.
Hotrod & Restoration showcases a unique vehicle each month in the Car of the Month section. The cars featured in this section have been deemed unique, innovative and just plain “cool” by our staff. All pre-1973 hot rods, muscle cars, street rods, classic trucks and restorations are eligible. To submit a vehicle for consideration to become HRR’s Car of the Month, contact Ashley Majeski at ashley.majeski@bobit.com.
By Ashley Majeski
Tags: Car of the Month, Edelbrock, Industry Icons, Roy Brizio, Sid Chavers, Station Wagons, Vic Edelbrock, Woodies
