John Davis was a good family man, and involved his family and grandkids in his enthusiasm for collecting automobiles. At car events around the Pacific Northwest, you could usually count on Davis—who started a successful trucking business in Cornelius, Ore.—to bring a few examples from his stable.
Once, while at a show in California, John spotted a large, though basic, street version of a Radio Flyer. Fascinated, he returned to Oregon with thoughts of taking the concept to a much higher level: a car-sized drivable Radio Flyer wagon.
Using the chassis of a T-Bucket, a modified Ford Model T, the wagon has just the right stance.
Like most of my generation, I had a Radio Flyer wagon in my youth. Built like a tank, they were virtually indestructible. They served many purposes, from staging our own Daytona 500s down the steepest neighborhood streets, to transporting the family groceries or helping dad haul bricks and stones around the yard.
The Radio Flyer somehow symbolized youth and optimism before we eventually moved up to two- and four-wheeled transportation. As a young motorhead, at one point I painted mine black with a yellow racing stripe and redline tires.
The interior layout resembles a bowrider recreational boat and features marine-grade fabric.
The Project
Davis’s first step was to establish a good foundation, which was a 1927 Ford T-Bucket hot rod. The body was removed and Davis turned the remainder of the six-month project over to Mike Hammond, a local master fabricator. Using photos of a toy Radio Flyer and a computer, Hammond configured the overall dimensions to match the T-Bucket’s chassis. He spent countless hours shaping the all-steel body, floorboard, and steering tiller.
The drivetrain is a modified Chevy 350 engine matched to an automatic gearbox. The mechanicals are accessed via a floorboard hatch. When it’s fired up, the custom headers allow for a true hot rod sound.
The driver’s office and forward hatch to access the engine compartment.
The big wagon’s wheelbase is 92 inches and the body measures 11.5-feet 1long, 7-feet wide, and stands 4.5-feet tall at the bulkhead. The interior resembles a recreational boat, with bucket seats for the driver and front passenger. Up front, a wraparound bench provides space for others. Seats are covered in marine-grade upholstery for weather protection, since there is no convertible top.
A clever way to incorporate a required windshield and wiper.
To be certified street-legal in Oregon, the wagon required a windshield and wiper. Hammond cleverly fashioned a steering column bracket that holds a 7″ x 5″ plexiglass panel, and a tiny wiper assembly. The necessary lights, turn signals and mirrors came from a Harley-Davidson. The center rearview mirror is mounted high on the non-functioning steering tiller.
Why did Davis build such a vehicle? “It sounded like fun and is a real head-turner,” he replied. “Kids of all ages love it and I enjoy seeing their smiles. We drive it down the road and people yell, ‘Can we have a ride?’ It’s a fun hot rod that really gets up and goes, and drives great.”
The rearview mirror is mounted on the non-functional tiller.
Lights, turn signals and mirrors were created with Harley-Davidson parts.
Sadly, John passed away in 2006, but his automotive legacy remains known as the “Papa’s Toys” collection. On the second Saturday of May each year, the Davis family holds an open house at the warehouse where the vehicles are stored and maintained. The event accepts donations earmarked for the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland. Since the first event in 2000, more than $200,000 has been raised.
There are no bounds when it comes to automotive creations such as this Radio Flyer. We welcome your own photos and/or stories regarding other “uncommon” means of ‘living the #motorlife.’ Share them in the comments below.
