In 1961 the car we drove around in was a Woodie, considered a novelty by my friends. They fought over who would sit in the back seat loft. The station wagon had wood trim exterior. I was embarrassed to be seen in this run down, 1940's car. It ran well & that is the best my parents could afford.
Nowadays they are collectors items & many more styles can be viewed @woodiesusa.com. I'm not sure the make & model we had. If ours was classy, shiny & souped up back then, we would have valued it more.
After getting a job at Kennecott Copper with its steady income, we moved up from the jalopy rung of life. Exciting was the day our dad drove home, in a new silver blue 1959 sleek wagon. Its tail fin lights, chrome grill and automatic windows were state of the art. Even if Mom was just driving to the neighbors, we all climbed in for a ride. How we loved going on trips or just around town in the spacious, house boat of a vehicle. A small miracle for the Crane's to own a car that was less than five years old.
Sad was the 22nd of November 1963, the day after President Kennedy was shot. Normally riding in a carpool leaving at 2pm, Dad drove alone to work instead. On the way he was broadsided by some teenage girls running a stop sign at about 4800 West 11800 South. I remember it well, when he came through the front door a few hours later injured & bleeding telling us the news. One girl, Karen Hatfield of West Jordan was killed. The other one, Margie of Copperton had severe head injuries that kept her out of school healing for 6 months or more. Broken ribs, bruises & cuts was what father sustained. Our beloved car was totaled.
Needless to say we pulled out & repaired our oldie but goodie Woodie of a clunker. What a blessing & tender mercy from the Lord for protecting Dad from serious harm.
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