As a metaphor for how to live life, “Shoot the Curl” imparts zen-like wisdom. A miniature surfing warrior perched atop a radio antenna mounted on this woodie wagon exhibits a classic stance as he rockets through the tube of life, balanced upon a wave propelling life’s energy.

The surfing warrior, an iconic figure akin to legendary samurai warriors and Knights Templar from historical myths, stands alone. Unlike these historical figures, the surfer almost always rides alone, without a backup team to rescue them.

One advantage surfers have over the warriors of old, however, is their steed. With the evolution of the automobile, a new design motif arose, the station wagon, which was excellently suited to the needs of surfside warriors listening for big surf.

Station wagons are purpose-driven vehicles. Many of the earliest designs were fashioned as depot hacks built for ferrying passengers and their luggage to and from the train stations. As American cities grew in size and dominance, weekend farmers used the new, smaller wagons, branded as Estate Wagons, for light hauling from the local feed and seed store in outlying suburban areas.

Looking back on the history of automotive design, it's crucial to remember that wood was a vital material used to complement metal structures. The skilled craftsmen who learned wooden wagon building transitioned into ship and boat building, eventually venturing into aviation and automotive manufacturing.

Metal manufacturing capacity increased during wartime, metal prices dropped with surplus production, and woodie wagons ceased production soon after the end of World War II to make use of affordable steel in assembly line production. Luckily, the woodie wagon’s practical and functional designs were perfectly suited to the mid-20th century rise in popularity of surfing, so the obsolete wagons found new life as surf wagons.

Surfers tend to hover seaside, where they read the tides, the moon, and process forces of nature far outside their immediate geo-physical location to predict when the big tides will arrive. Repurposed station wagons serve as shelters for surfers, providing respite from the elements while they patiently await the ideal conditions for surfing. These wagons offer a safe haven from the wind and rain, allowing surfers to wait for the perfect swells to launch their boards.

The surfer is engaged in a singular battle by all outward appearances, though truth be told, he is engaged with a force that at times is greater than all armies massed in epic showdowns. How would it feel to stand among fellow warriors, looking your opponents straight in the eye, and know you are outnumbered by overwhelming odds?

The Greek army led by Leonidas must have felt that was when they faced the massive Persian army led by Xerxes I in 480 BC. It is often repeated throughout written records that Xerxes’s forces numbered 300,000, while the Greeks had a slim army of only 7,000 warriors.

Yet Leonidas and the Greeks held off the enormous Persian army for over three days despite the overwhelming odds. History shows the Battle of Thermopylae was a lesson in guts and grit. Ultimately, the Greeks were defeated by a Greek defector. When their heroic leader, Leonidas, discovered this, he ordered the bulk of his army to retreat while he led a small group who remained behind to protect their retreating comrades.

Surfers battle forces of nature, an unpredictable enemy with prodigious weapons. Any swimmer who has ever tangoed with the ocean’s power has a story to tell. Always, it is a lesson in humility. To battle nature is to battle unknown forces armed only with your wits and a will to survive. Have you ever been pinned to the ocean floor by the force of a wave above you? The physics of the situation are insane, and only by mastering yourself, your breath, and your body are you able to break the water’s surface again.

Our mythological antenna-mounted hero is fearless, one step ahead of the cresting wave of doom suspended just above his head as he duels with “death energy”. Long may he and his Chevrolet Fleetmaster woodie wagon roam the beaches.

Live Large! Collect this NFT, especially is you surf. It's your legacy.

Shoot the Curl

🚗 ⚙️ **CarMania: Woodie Wagon Series** Collect the Classics. Cruise the Future. This limited edition Woodie Wagon is part of the CarCulture: CarMania Garage collection. Each NFT provides exclusive access to our AI chat system where you can ask questions about your specific vehicle and learn its history.

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The Surfing Woodie Wagon collection of NFTs are available as ERC-721 in an edition of ten each.

This article about Car Culture is inscribed on blockchain, ensuring that it can be read for another hundred years and probably more. A new form (blockchain) for an old function—to educate and inform the future.

The accompanying CarMania artwork celebrating this Chevrolet woodie wagon and surfing culture is also stored on blockchain. I inscribed this onchain as a sacred sign for the next generation of surfers who ride the elemental wave. Is this limited edition NFT the new collectible?