Woodie Wagon craftsman collects and restores Military buyback cars | Barn Find Hunter - Ep. 76

Mike Nickels has been restoring old Woodies for several decades. Fortunately for Tom and us, he's located right in Hagerty's hometown of Traverse City, MI. Tom thought Mike might have some leads on where we could find cars in the area, but as it turned out, Mike had plenty of interesting cars of his own to keep us busy for the day. WWII-era military vehicles and several Ford and Plymouth wagons in the process of being restored are only part of the story in this episode. Tom asks Mike questions about Woodies that he's been wondering about since he first found his 1939 Ford Woodie Wagon at the age of 15.
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[@TheFlyingdeuces]

I hope he has someone to pass his knowledge on down to as this art needs to be preserved and continued for generations to come.

[@ryanmundt9628]

David Gosling I thought that the whole time I watched this! Beautiful place!

[@email4664]

Thankfully, I just learned enough to do it myself with lots of practice and experimentation, with the basic woodworking skills learned in High School woodshop. The key thing is making good finger joints, and leaving proper tolerances for the Glue. We are rebuilding WWI replica aircraft that were used in the making of the films, The Blue Max, Dalring Lilly, Von Richtofen and Brown, and others. Similar tooling needed for the wood wings, but the finger joint detail is the missing piece for me- Now, experimentation will lead to the skill being retained. Thanks Tom for the video, and especially to Mr. Nickels for sharing. I am also restoring a 1930 White 1 1/2 ton commercial truck.

[@UberLummox]

There will never be a shortage of woodworkers, but wooden coach building is a whole other thing!

[@email4664]

@@UberLummox One can still aspire, and perhaps even become- I learn from others, and by actually making a living doing the full restorations myself

[@Markver1]

David Gosling Ditto

[@haiceid]

We need to see a hour of this somebody needs to do a documentary on Mike Nichols

[@williambremner9022]

Was thinking the very same. What a master craftsman in a super unique niche. Wow.

[@robertnowak7184]

Cars and woodworking. Hagerty you need to a full show on this or even a few series with Mike... amazing

[@chrisblore9635]

Stuck at home today. I can think of no better way to spend my time than with Tom and one of his many fantastic shows. Thanks Tom..

[@mowler8042]

MY goodness that finished Woody in the Blue color was spectacular...

[@prof.m.ottozeeejcdecs9998]

Indeed! A real beauty!

[@martentrudeau6948]

That car blew me over!

[@roberttoews2775]

That blue woodie is gorgeous!

[@mmmmcheese4850]

Woodwork and auto resto...what a life talent. That’s art!

[@nikolaslarson6891]

Charming craftsman, Mr Nickels. Brilliant video.

[@superc4308]

Boy i hope he passes his trade down to someone what skill and talent wow 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@SoundwaveX7]

I love learning about the cars in each video as well as the history behind the vehicles in Barn Finds. :)

[@jorgefernandez-mv8hu]

A living legend. What wonderful work he does and modest too.

[@reubensandwich9249]

White Ash wood. I wonder what will eventually be rarer, the wood or the cars.

[@cut--]

Must have been one of Tom's BUCKET LIST days. Great Show.

[@charlesduzzie9811]

OMG!!!!! Never in my life have I seen or heard of anyone that does work like this. Amazing!!

[@urumetalhead]

I wish Mr Nickels many more productive years, amazing skills and valuable knowledge.

[@mathewkorn5008]

Thank You Tom ! That was a real treat and I appreciate it

[@gregj7916]

really awesome...timber will always be our friend...."we got a clean room we paint in"

[@moparedtn]

Thank you so much for bringing us Mr. Nickels, Tom. Like you said, it's good to put a face (and facilities) to the famous name. Meeting him must have been quite the thrill. Love what you guys do with this channel; been a long-time Hagerty customer as well. Safe travels! -Ed on the Ridge

[@RetroMotiveAdventures]

Absolutely incredible work!!! I'm always so in awe of the older generations Craftsmen and their tricks and skills of their trades. Always cool to see the work of a true Craftsman.

[@life_on_cars]

As a Brit can I say I’m addicted to this American classic culture. Thanks Tom.

[@ronniewilson6597]

Tom, please let us see more footage of this guy building Woodies. That was the quickest 19 minutes of my life. Fantastic 👏🏻😀👍

[@dl87z28]

Sad that this guy's shop burned down. Hopefully he rebuilds. Top guy in the woodie business.

[@garthlocklin6355]

That was one of the better videos and they're all good. That guy is a true Craftsman like a wooden boat builder!

[@billyhong5071]

Great episode and glad to hear the blue woodie is coming Down Under. Mr Nickells said it was going to ‘Brusselton’ but I assume he meant Busselton on the beautiful south-west coast of Australia.

[@dbhdrandomnationz]

Billy, it sure did find it's way here to Busselton in the South West of WA. Scott and I have just watched this and grinning from ear to ear! What a great episode - thank you Tom. We visited the USA and stayed with Mike & Lana in 2016 which was such a privilege. To see his work shop, unbelievable talent and of course our beloved WIP 48 Woody was something we will never forget. However, we have been so saddened to hear that just recently Mike & Lana have lost the workshop along with so much of his life's work. Such a devastating and tragic loss for Mike and the family and to all the woody lovers of the world.

[@geosutube]

So much enjoyment watching this humble man and his life of creativity and restoration. Nothing of the big shot about him at all, not at all.

[@davidwildridge8080]

Nothing more satisfying than grabbing your gal and taking the old woodie for a spin...turning heads everywhere you go!

[@z06doc86]

Mike Nickels seems to be a very likable and talented man. I hope there is someone he is mentoring.

[@jimburig7064]

Mike Nickels is a mighty nice guy. This interview must have been a pleasure.

[@prestonparker437]

Great story! Not many craftsman around like him anymore.

[@bobmillerick300]

Amazing. How can you not love this stuff. Thanks for the share.

[@williamburke1365]

It was amazing thank you Tom

[@mauriceclemens3286]

Wow! This guy literally makes a silk purse out of a sows ear! What a craftsman.👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@marcijunebug]

“We’ve got a clean room we paint in” lol👍awesome line

[@coffeefish]

You could do 10 shows at that shop.

[@tprimeau1]

I think this is the most smitten I’ve seen Mr. Cotter. ❤️

[@wtburns01]

What a great show! Tom, you and the BFH crew are a national treasure. NEVER STOP HUNTING!

[@benhowell2431]

Honestly one of the best things I’ve watched in a long time. Anything is interesting when the people talking are passionate about it........ thank you

[@AaBb-zj2ld]

love watching this episode probably as much as you loved taping it. This woody stuff is so cool.

[@tedhewitt4299]

Glad you stopped there Tom. Interesting place.

[@chrisfreemesser5707]

As a hobbyist woodworker I get double the pleasure out of this video....cars AND really excellent woodwork!

[@ALABAMAHEADHUNTER]

Very talented gentleman ! Thank you for sharing his collection and life work . Wonderfully interesting video . I would love to see an hour long show of seeing this man do his job .

[@martentrudeau6948]

Tom Cotter this is another great story about a great man, Mike Nickels. When I see this man and his work a proverb comes to mind. Proverbs 22:29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. Thank you Tom and Mike.

[@nynone4]

Tom -you definitely have THE best job in the world. Thanks for sharing it with us!

[@blapblapism]

Wow what a talented human being this was awesome to watch wish I could apprentice this guy what a craft

[@given0fox968]

I drive past this house all the time, and always wondered what was in those barns. Thanks for showing me.

[@Yellow.Dog.]

For sure, another couple miles to some pretty good trout fishing on the Boardman!

[@davewoodmancy4596]

Fascinating show. I love all the shows this one is special. You can tell he has love for these cars

[@beaubeaukitty5301]

Only had 19 Likes when I found this video. Yet it deserves many thousands more. What an astounding specialty workshop. I’m happy to have found this vlog such a need to be documented for posterity subject matter.

[@mwhitelaw8569]

What a treat Thanks for takin' us along Tom Woodies are so unusual these days Love it

[@HBButler01]

That craftsmanship is breathtaking

[@armandog7051]

Outstanding show man I enjoy all af you episodes keep them coming Tom .....

[@randomrandomness8743]

Great video! This guy is seriously hardcore when it comes to restorations. An interesting deviation from the normal BFH videos, thanks Tom!

[@bigcheeezzz7135]

Very good episode!! Unbelievable craftsmanship!!. Somebody get this man an apprentice before this skill is lost!

[@Guardducks]

Thanks Tom for showing us the world through your eyes. 👍

[@yell70]

Great video Tom, this guy and you are legends!! Love to keep seeing what you find and as I say in Australia, it is amazing what people have lying around. Keep on finding and videoing it! Cheers Vic.

[@vaughanlynch145]

Wow what a legend Mike is. Such a fantastic place and craftsman. In many ways it's soo sad knowing all these skills and knowledge will just fade away. But what a great place and guy. Many thanks for sharing with us 👍

[@ldnwholesale8552]

I was not going to watch this but am glad I did. I dont need a wooden motorcar but still very interesting. And worth watching, as are most of these clips.

[@UberLummox]

I'm just a metal guy only, but there's something very special about these. Romantic/homey. Whan I was a kid I found a running '48 Olds 6 or 8 door woody, probably from an old resort here in Maine. Staff cars are really special too, even a 'buy-back'. That 'War Wagon" is crazy cool!! Thanks for the video!

[@prodaof2554]

The stories that man knows and the lawn ornament. Beautiful

[@whiskeyjaxx2780]

incrdible video . love these finds. woodwork like this is a lost art. can't wait for the next barn find.

[@dalesands1291]

Great to meet the people that dedicate their lives to saving these classic vehicles.

[@modelreviews3705]

Holy moly that WODDIE WAR WAGON had Only 5 miles on it 😮😱

[@martadavies6435]

I sure hope you'll continue Barn Find Hunter and the other shows during Covid-19... I need something to watch! :-) Stay safe tho!

[@tombob671]

Incredible skill and craftsmanship.... he needs to train someone to take up his skill

[@if66was99]

What a legend! I've never heard of the guy but he's obviously a King.

[@hornetbrown]

Loooooots of knowledge about woodies there. If I ever get the crisp to build my dream Chrysler Town & Country, I'll be looking for this dude. Great video!!

[@timrayburn2461]

I got a '49 Ford woodie in 2002 I called it the Woodless Wonder. It had 0 salvageable wood left on it.I priced the wood kits from 3 different kit producers including this guy.The kits were,depending on options, between $10,000 and $13,000 and the wait was 6 months.

[@mauriceclemens3286]

I think this is my favorite of his shows. I love woodies!

[@LMacNeill]

I hope he's teaching someone else everything he knows. That's a *lot* of knowledge and experience locked up in his head -- it'd be a damn shame to lose it all when he passes on. What amazing work he does!!

[@mr.goodwrench8273]

Thanks for such a good video. Not only was his collection, work projects, personal cars, workshops, and parts rooms a must see, he himself as an individual is very interesting. Mechanics and automotive restorers like myself need to speak with and listen to these guys and draw from them what they are willing to share. I've just recently joined the AACA (Antique Automobile Club of America). It's good fellowship and camaraderie as well as a knowledge give and take experience.

[@petercameron8832]

Wonderful, you will find it hard to top this episode!

[@juanmauricioneira7864]

Thank you very mucho that´s a very cool experience !! take care !!

[@drfred1203]

One of my favorite episodes. Cheers!

[@kerrywilliamson8046]

That was something else,incredible skill.

[@prof.m.ottozeeejcdecs9998]

Now that was cool. A rare guy!

[@d.808lf5]

What a timely coincidence, a woodie I just bought was restored by Mike Nickels back in 2013, a 1948 Mercury (listed on his wall of woodies @15:18, #2 from the top under the Army Wagon). The previous owner handed down a huge binder full of restoration notes, pictures, and ideas. It's there where I ran into the Nickels restoration. The previous owner had it upgraded to a 12V system among other numerous items to make it road ready for the 2,300 mile Great Race of 2017.

[@agatemaster1998]

Nothing like a true artisan a lot of skills

[@skip7243]

That gentleman is "one of one"!

[@FalconClubFCA]

I enjoy every episode Tom. Thanks!

[@scottcarter90]

Very good video! I love Woodies! Thanks for taking us along!

[@morgansword]

No matter where you go.. most say this is the last one.... as far as we know!! Very nice

[@Mercmad]

When i served my apprenticeship,one of my instructors was talking about the Ford flattie 6 and how he had worked on them during the war out in the western Desert. He said they were pretty serviceable but not overly powerful.

[@stuartkline1611]

great work, Tom, that must have been a total jumpin' Jack Flash of a gas for you!

[@Estoooopid]

Theyre not only cool as heck, but they look very useful.

[@lancedaniels]

Thanks for posting and sharing this great episode 👍

[@jerryrounds8586]

What an outstanding craftsman. Thanks for sharing. I would like to see more of the same type of craftsmen before we lose them to the "time" monster.

[@lagledavid4353]

Looks great. The man has skills.

[@pianopaul4069]

Perfectly timed just as home 👌

[@davidbarnsley8486]

What an amazing man with so much ability and skill I hope he has trainees to be passing this on to It would be such a shame for his knowledge to die with him 😍😍👍👍

[@Popsaircraftdetail]

Mike is such knowledgeable man great episode Tom

[@gregoryolson1782]

Amazing as usual, thanks for sharing

[@skipstein744]

There is no substitute for a Quality from a Craftsman... Onward!

[@trinopillay]

THIS is special. Well done on a great episode

[@isalmankhan1]

Great video, Thanks for sharing Tom👍

[@du5t33]

Barn find Hunter Episodes getting better and better! Keep up the great content!

[@kurtzgarfield358]

What a joy to see all of that. I would love to work on one

[@bepilc]

What an awesome craftsman! Nice visit!

[@moon-lit-rider987]

Great episode really loved it, I true car guy an all rounder. Someone who can create a car from a chassis upwards. ✨👍✨

[@talesofanasphaltjockey]

I could binge watch these shows for a lifetime

[@Kickinpony66]

I love his comment about Ispheming! What an Awesome Experience!

[@charlesduzzie9811]

Tom asked "What country is that town in?". If you are from Michigan you know.

[@kevinwadsworth4492]

So informative and enjoyable! Thanks

[@pappabob29]

Great show Tom. 👍👍👍

[@superc4308]

Another great episode Mr Tom thanks