That 40 Woody is choice and she's all smiles. I wonder if those boots give her a funny feeling when she walks.
Nice find. For those of you not familiar with California PCH stands for Pacific Coast Highway AKA California Highway 1.
“Studebaker developed the Wagonaire version using the standard Lark station wagon body that was modified above the beltline. The roof was designed with a panel over the cargo bay that was manually retracted into and then locked into position in the forward section of the roof." "The mechanism includes a simple pair of tracks that allow the rear roof panel to slide forward over the headliner which is lowered to provide clearance. This configuration allowed Studebaker to boast that the Wagonaire could transport items (such as standard size refrigerators) in an upright position…” Hello, When these unusual station wagons came on the scene, it seemed like an answer to a long standing question, how to store your longboard (10 feet plus) in the rear of any station wagon, let alone one that had a sliding roof to add one extra hole for guessing. But, common sense and instructions were not included. As the photo shows, some had no clue as to the proper way to store and secure longboards in a station wagon. Even in odd ones that allowed a cool way to showcase your colorful surfboard and still be safe driving down the road. The approaching wind, the streamlining of normal automobiles/station wagons all played a part in how one got to the beach. One can see the longboards flipping back or even out of the roof opening. Facing the way it is shown being inserted. Jnaki Most folks who surfed in the beginning have/had plenty of stories about surfboard/longboard storage. The rear door lift up was standard to jam things in the back. But, most opted for some homemade roof racks so the longboards could lay down flat with the fins in the rear sticking up. That was the normal application, fins in the rear. The wind howling with the fins in the front is one reason to move it to the back. Smoother air flow… least amount of disturbances and hinderances. YRMV The normal wind over the top and under the relatively flat longboards always created a minor problem. So being securely tied down was the number one object. We have seen plenty of longboards go flying off of unsuspecting folks, as they roll on down the highway. Despite the heavy weight, a flipping or spinning longboard flying high in the air is “a sight to see.” It has happened to us a couple of times in the early days, then a lesson learned for the next thirty years… ha! old Friday Art to new ones... The key to surfboard storage for daily/weekly surf trips is on top for security and room inside the vehicle. But, if the boards can be placed inside and still have room for the occupants, that is the safest way to travel. No wind resistance or steering problems on off shore wind days. Even if one has a rear electric window to keep the deadly fumes from coming into the open spaces. Note: The red 1965 El Camino was the easiest and safest way to go on long /short surf trips as one just placed the board in the bed, strapped down, of course. Except for those times when the El Camino had to be left alone with the surfboard in the back… security was a shaky proposition. Yikes!
The Jalopy Journal
