1955 Woodill Wildfire Fiberglass Sports Car

     Arguably the first production fiberglass bodied sports car. the Wildfire was produced by B. R. "Woody" Woodill. a California Willys dealer.   Woodill wanted a sports car. and after deciding a Jaguar sports car was too expensive. he conceived a plan to produce a sports car based on  American components.   His first car. the Wildfire Series 1 in 1952. was based on a Willys 6 cylinder engine. suspension. and drive train.   He commissiioned a modified Glaspar G2 fiberglass body from Glaspar ( Bill Tritt of Glaspar was an expert in making fiberglass boats and had recently started producing fiberglass car bodies). and a custom frame from Harold "Shorty" Post.   Willys saw this car and expressed an interest in offering it through their dealerships. but later lost interest when they were bought by Kaiser (who had their own sports car project. the Kaiser Darrin).   A total of 7 Series 1 cars were built.

     After unsuccessfully trying to sell the program to other auto makers. Woodill developed the Series 2 design. based on a 39-41 Ford engine. suspension. and drive train; chosen because they were readily available.   The body was a completely original design by Tritt for Woodill. and included a larger interior and an opening trunk.   Woodill would supply a body. a frame. or a complete car.   It is estimated that about 100 bodies were produced. and about 30 remain today.

     With the complete Wildfire kit. you could buy a 39-41 Ford and use the components to build your very own sports car.   In fact. this was done in 4 hours on the TV show "You Asked For It" in 1955. (https://www. youtube. com/watch?v=AIGAooBGSUw)  Woodill was also ver aggressive in the marketing of this car. and the Wildfire was featured in several movies of its era:  "Johnny Dark" with Tony Curtis. "Knock on Wood" with Danny Kaye. and "Written on the Wind" with Rock Hudson.

     The particular car for sale here is an early Series 2 car. completed and titled in Southern California in 1955.   We have early pictures of the car as well as the original pink slip.   It went through 3 owners. and eventually ended up in a field in Connecticut.   It was completely restored in 2011. and has since been shown at the Milwaukee Masterpiece Concours. the Hemmings Motor News Concours in Saratoga Springs. NY. and was an award winner at the 2013 Goodguys Nationals in Columbus. Ohio.

     It is a very correct car built on an original Wildfire frame. with 1939 Ford suspension. transmission. and driveline. with shortened torque tube and modified radius rods as supplied by Woodill.   The engine is a period correct 322 cu in Buick V-8. with Isky cam and 3 carbs.   The car now has a clear Michigan title. listed as Woodill Wildfire WW9915 (the original Woodill serial number).

     Geoff Hacker's website "Forgottenfiberglass. com" has a lot of information on Wildfires as well as a feature on this car.   Click here to review articles on the Woodill Wildfire at Forgotten Fiberglass:  http://forgottenfiberglass. com/category/fiberglass-car-marques/woodill-wildfire/ .   50's fiberglass sports cars have been getting a lot of attention recently. and are rapidly appreciating in value.   Recent Wildfire sales have been in the neighborhood of $60K-$100K (Barrett Jackson. 2011 Scottsdale: $100K; Auburn. 2012 Wordwide Auction: $66K).   Hagerty guide value is $80K for a #1 car. $60K for a #2 car.

     NOTE:  Many Wildfires were built with continental rear tire and bumpers. which we chose to delete for a more sporty look.   However. we have the correct Lincoln Zephyr bumpers. brackets. and continental spare (unrestored) to go with the car.

Also published at eBay.com

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