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want to get started on my wagon restoration
Glad to hear there's another 49 station wagon out there! Mine is in about 1000 pieces right now. The wood is almost done (at Woodn Carr in Signal Hill, California). The body is off and done being sandblasted, then to be mounted on the frame in the next few weeks after rust removal, sheet metal repair. I plan to keep it as original as possible and paint it the original metallic green. The engine has been rebuilt as has the trans, brakes, carb, starter, etc. Radiator and gas tank cleaned, painted and ready. I found the original vinyl seat cover material at SMS in Oregon and hogs hair carpet and headliner material. Hopefully I'll have it up and running by next summer.
As for the wood, as far as I know, there are no "woodie kits" available, Its all custom made from existing wood. I believe there's only about 10-12 49 wagons still existing (including yours). Luckily mine was complete, but some wood was rotted, needed to be replaced and was skillfully done by Doug Carr in the original ash. The panels originally were the DiNoc ("shelf paper") fake wood, but I am going with african ribbon mahogany veneer. Good luck with your project!