Slim Easton has a surfboard sticking out the back window of his classic 1949 Ford Woody Wagon.

The Cloverdale resident may not surf anymore, but he both surfed and water skiied in his younger days.

He's had his distinctive station wagon for 23 years, having long thought the old Fords were a classy car.

"When it came up for sale, I was there to grab it," Easton said. "There aren't that many around."

The Ford was parked in the Concours D'Elegance at Douglas Park, reserved for some of the more unusual or rare classic cars.

Unlike many of the vehicles parked around it, Easton's Ford never had a major restoration.

It was in good shape when he bought it, and he's kept it going ever since on its original engine. The wood panels on the doors and body are original, kept in shape with generous coats of wax.

"This is solid wood," he said. The white ash and darker mahogany were built thick, a practice that ended in 1951 when Ford switched to veneers.

The only thing Easton has done is repaint the body, matching the colour exactly to the original soft green tone.

The car is still on the road for much of the year, as Easton and his wife belong to a Ford V8 club. They've taken their wagon down to Reno and Bend, Oregon, to San Diego, and up to Whistler.

The relatively rare and pristine vehicle has attracted admirers over the years, but so far Easton has refused all offers to buy it.

One man simply brought out a chequebook and asked him what number to write, but Easton said no.

The car currently has 73,000 miles on the odometer, and Easton plans on adding a few more.