Who would believe that an all Wooden bodied 1928 Ford Model A in 1:1 scale existed?
Completed 1928 Ford Model A truck with body made of cherry wood!
note the extra front fender for the public to examine to see how it was
formed.I was flabbergasted to encounter a very unique 1928 Ford Model A 1/4 ton
convertible pickup at the Lloydminister Father’s Day “Just Kruzin” Show and Shine that took place on Saturday, June 15th, 2024! I had not seen a vintage or classic car or truck like this before in all my years as an automotive journalist!
So who was this person that was inspired to build the entire body of this
1928 Ford Model A, out of cherry wood?
Neil Musgrave, an accomplished cabinet maker and millwork carpenter from Two Hills, Alberta and owns his own company Musgrave Millwork and Cabinetry Ltd. “I had seen another wood vehicle on the television show “American Pickers” and thought that I should build one!” Musgrave decided. “However, I didn’t want to build one like the one I’d seen on the tv show.” Neil also has a passion for old vehicles. “I previously restored and built a 1959 Chevrolete Apache pickup a few years ago, and also own a multiple of other vehicles.” Neil continued. “I was enamoured with the challenge of the curves of the Ford Model A!”
“I have been working with wood my whole life!” Musgrave reveals. “As a teenager I used to carve wooden birds and then started to build furniture and decided to go into making cabinets and furniture.” Neil achieved his Red Seal Journeyman Certificate over 20 years ago. Previous to his Ford Model A project, Musgrave finished a gorgeous cherry strip canoe!
“I purchased the 1928 Ford Model A trucks in order to copy the curves and body shell of the vehicle as a 1:1 replica.” Neil began. He has a friend that is a computer programmer, a genius in his field and he programmed the bucks for Musgrave to cut on his CNC (Computer Numerical Control is a manufacturing method that automates the control, movement and precision of machine tools through the use of preprogrammed computer software, that is imbedded inside the tools) to make the fenders. Neil’s tool is basically a big router that uses different bit sizes to cut out the pieces and parts drawn out on his programs. “My friend also created a program to make the “Ford” emblem that is on the tailgate and the wooden steering wheel.” Neil revealed.
With precise measurements taken from the original steel body he was able to build his own wooden frame to adhere the cherry strips to. “I wasn’t happy with the result of one of the fenders, so I made another one.” He admitted. “That is the reason why, at car shows, I have the extra fender for people to see so they will understand how it was formed.” After taking all the measurements that he needed to take from the original Ford Model A steel body, he sold it to someone that was interested in using it to make a hotrod!
Musgrave found that the interior was also a bit of a challenge, however, he was able to sew and upholster the interior himself.
The chassis, 4-cylinder engine, drivetrain, radiator and electrical system on this Model A are all original, and either restored or replaced with the same parts, but new or better than the ones on the truck.
“My neighbour that lived across the back alley from me helped me get the 200.5 cubic inch L-head engine, that produces 40 horsepower, running.” Musgrave explained. “The three-speed sliding gear manual transmission, with no synchromesh gears, needed little attention. Another friend helped me troubleshoot some of the electrical issues I had.”
Musgrave repainted the frame and installed 1935 Ford wire 16” rims with 4.50/4.75 -16bias ply whitewall tires on from and 6.50 – 16” tires on the rear. Everything was period correct. except for the fuel tank, that was relocated from the firewall in front of the dashboard to the box of the truck. “I just didn’t want to put fuel through the dash and risk having it spill onto the wood and ruin the finish!” Neil cautioned.
Musgrave has this wooden bodied Ford Model A truck registered and insured. “I have driven it on the streets in my town of Two Hills, but typically it is driven to its’ spot at a car show from my trailer.” Neil states. “In the end this 3-year project took 2,800 hours to build, using 4000 feet of cherry wood!”
Musgrave showed his truck at the big car show in Calgary. “The reception for my first project at this show was phenomenal!” Neil enthused. “I even got featured in one of Canada’s prestigious hotrod magazines.”
Musgrave has no long term plans for this truck, but has started another similar project…this time a Ford Model A car with a rumble seat! With his experience building the first Ford Model A truck, he plans to finish this project in two years!
Completed 1928 Ford Model A truck with body made of cherry wood! note the extra front fender for the public to examine to see how it was formed. 
Rear view of this amazing wooden bodied 1928 Ford Model A truck. 
The original metal bodied 1928 Ford Model A truck as purchased by Neil Musgrave. 
Finished tailgate with Ford script completed. 
Front fenders in the process of being routed. 
Front section of the truck body finished on buck. 
Side view with specially formed steering wheel and upholstery work that was done by Musgrave.
