Certain automotive fashions are better left in the grave. To wit: faux wood paneling. It looks good on the old Woody, but it's an absolute atrocity on everything else (see: Griswold, PT Cruiser). However, spies have caught the new Ford Flex donning some woodgrain shelf paper paneling, and as much as FoMoCo is trying to redefine the people-mover/minivan segment with the Flex, this would seem to be a seriously counterintuitive move. We're hoping it's a joke, and for our money, it is.[Source: The Car Connection]
Pontiac El Cami-"NO"
Spy Shots: Baby Cayenne caught on 'Ring!
First Peek: 2009 Dodge Ram R/T
Spy Shots: Corvette ZR1 attacking the Nurburgring
2008 International Engine of the Year awards announced...
Future Classic: 1984 Chrysler Minivans
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy
First Drive: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen
Project Track Slut, Part One: Pick a weapon on the cheap
By the Numbers: April 2008
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
mammy @ Mar 24th 2008 6:03PM
That looks terrible!
Andrew L @ Mar 24th 2008 6:07PM
it actually might not look bad if done correctly
that image is not done correctly
94 taurus owner @ Mar 25th 2008 4:51PM
Agreed.
TriShield @ Mar 24th 2008 6:07PM
Believe it or not there are many people (generally older) that miss woodgrain on vehicles and in some cases it seems to actually fit (HHR, PT Cruiser). If Ford doesn't put it on the Flex you can be there are many out there who will stick it on.
L.Wood @ Mar 24th 2008 6:15PM
Older people who prefer wood grain on their vehicles are either dead or getting really close. We are talking "pipples" in their 80's and 90's, maybe in their 100's.
Ford needs to find a way into the 21st century, and fake woodies ain't it.
antrow @ Mar 24th 2008 6:31PM
Like I said below... I am only 38 and I like the woodgrain. So it will hopefully be another 70 years before they stop producing the woodgrain contact paper for cars. :-)
Randy @ Mar 25th 2008 10:26AM
May I recommend "Contact Paper". It will work on any car! Actually it doesn't breath and will wreck your paint. Go to a car wrapping (advertisement) place and as them to wrap your car in wood! Really, I'm not kidding! It has little holes it in and allows your paint to breath!
Daniel @ Mar 24th 2008 6:14PM
Regression.
antrow @ Mar 24th 2008 6:15PM
Okay, I know it is not PC in the auto world, but I like a wagon with wood grain trim as well as cars with white walls, landau roofs and two tone paint. If they had offered an XC70 with woodgrain (minus all the black plastic) it would be in my garage now. I miss the days when there was more to check on the options list then just tan or gray interior and one of five paint choices.
No, I am not 89 years old, I am not a geeky type. I work out, look decent enough and only have 38 years on the ticker. Makes no sense, I know...
antrow @ Mar 24th 2008 6:17PM
I forgot to mention fake convertible tops....
Gosh, I miss my 1990 Couple Deville...LOL
mammy @ Mar 24th 2008 6:31PM
it looks like the top of a school desk.
Carlos @ Mar 24th 2008 6:32PM
Drugs are bad, and when mixed with car design you get crazy stuff like this.
Niels @ Mar 24th 2008 6:36PM
Even the Pinto didn't have wood paneling, and that's a good thing. It would have burned as easily as it caught fire.
antrow @ Mar 24th 2008 6:38PM
Are you sure of that??? I think the Pinto may have, at least on the short lived 2 door wagon.
John @ Mar 24th 2008 6:44PM
Plenty of woodgrain Pintos here. Both wagon and runabout.
http://members.aol.com/cgextras/ColchesterPintosJune2006.html
I think the trim on the Flex is for laughs. Looks like the contact paper you can buy at Target.
antrow @ Mar 24th 2008 6:49PM
Thanks for the Pinto link. Lots of great woodgrain shots there. Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet !!!
AZMike @ Mar 25th 2008 1:04AM
is everyone here ten years old?
the Pinto wagon was introduced in 1972; it lasted until 1980. the Squire option (think woodgrain) was available EVERY year. as a matter of fact, it was even available on the Runabout (hatchback) in 1975-1976.
ditto for the Vega (Estate) and even the Chevette (Woody) in 1976-1977.
also, 1975-1982 Toyota Corolla and Corona wagons.
Ford, I'm ready for a Flex Squire!
AZMike
MemphisNET @ Mar 24th 2008 6:52PM
There are people who still like this kind of stuff, so good-on Ford for at least offering it. It's most likely a dealer-installed option or a very small run of these 'Woody's'.
The PT didn't look too bad with its Faux-wood, and this has much more surface area to work with so it might not be so bad if done correctly.
I wouldn't buy it, (the wood that is) but I understand the look.
f3rg @ Mar 24th 2008 7:12PM
Man, this is such a terrible idea. How many woodie Caravans are still (barely) rolling around out there? It's a horrible trend and I really hope Ford doesn't do this to society.
Luis @ Mar 24th 2008 7:14PM
Some things are better left in the decade they came from...that's why woodies had REAL wood, not this ugly vinyl junk...