But he was also introducing the new Wildfire coupe in another photo and press release too.
Woody was still promoting his sports car which he introduced in early 1953. These were publicity shots from 1956 – near the end of model production for Wildfire. But the next two photos we found in the Kettering University (Michigan) archives for Road & Track magazine owner John Bond. Concerning Wildfire, much of our information came from the archives of Woodill Wildfire historian Frank Cornell (thanks Frank!). Over the years we’ve been collecting vintage fiberglass history from across the world. But this is not all we know about Woody’s Wildfire. I’m only aware of two Wildfires found in recent years that had these later 1954 Willys Aero taillights (one was a yellow Wildfire that I owned). Virtually all Wildfires – actually nearly all Wildfires that have been found over the past 50 years – use 1952-1953 Willys Aero taillights. In 1954, Willys changed the taillights on the Aero which now included a new lowered lighted area. The Wildfire was originally designed in 1953 to use 19 Willys Aero taillights – as shown below. For comparison, the entry price of a brand new Cadillac was about the same cost back in 1963 – just over $5000.īut what do we know about this car? Well is was a bit different – especially in the taillights it used. Woody is advertising the car, tooling – the entire “lot” which includes a body – for $5000. In this ad we see Woody Woodill listing his Wildfire for sale – evidently a personal car and one that he had used to represent his company. Still other times we’ve used classified ads to signify the “end” or last date of a car company – like the ad below from the August, 1963 issue of Hot Rod Magazine. We’ve even found a car or two using the classifieds from the 50s – decades after the car was in the ad.Ĭlick Here To Learn About How We Found an Allied Cisitalia Using a 1957 Road & Track ad More than once, we’ve discovered key information in an ad that talk of “ownership” or “designer” information and this information is not found anywhere else. The Importance of Vintage Classified Ads:Īs our Undiscovered Classics team combs over vintage magazines, we always pay attention to the classified ads – and for good reason.
Every page contains gems or “clues” on what the history is and what information to be on the lookout for – especially the classified ads.
This editorial is fascinating because it confirms that innovation, style and design ideas were coming from southern California and this was the very place that fiberglass sports cars debuted in late 1951.Ĭlick Here To Learn More About This 1951 Article by Walt Woronīut it’s not just the editorials of magazines that are important. “ It has been freely admitted by top Detroit automotive designers that many innovations on production cars are the result of watching the developments of these enthusiasts who build their own custom cars, sports cars and hot rods.” In this issue, the editor, Walt Woron, recognized that styling ideas from Detroit were coming from California customs, sport customs and hot rods – and this was 1951 – and Detroit confirmed this. Crucial information is often found in the editorials – like the editorial we found in the November, 1951 issue of Motor Trend Magazine. There’s so much good information to be had in vintage magazines – but the articles are just the tip of the iceberg.