An unrestored Buick-powered Wildfire from The Passport Collection celebrates the grassroots spirit of America’s fiberglass sports car boom.
A remarkably preserved 1954 Woodill Wildfire Roadster—one of America’s earliest fiberglass sports cars—is set to cross the block without reserve at the upcoming Worldwide Auction, offering bidders a rare opportunity to own a piece of independent automotive history.
This particular example, presented by The Passport Collection, is believed to be one of only a handful modified in-period by the Harry Clark Buick Agency of Compton, California. Built from a high-quality kit originally designed by California Dodge and Willys dealer Blanchard “Woody” Woodill, the Wildfire was part of a post-war American movement that encouraged enthusiasts to build lightweight, fiberglass-bodied cars powered by domestic drivetrains.
Instead of Willys underpinnings, however, this Wildfire received a bespoke twist. Clark’s team outfitted the car with a potent 322-cubic-inch Buick Nailhead V8 paired with a Dynaflow automatic transmission. Styled with a shortened 1953 Chevrolet grille, 1953 Buick headlights, and Buick-derived fiberglass rear fenders, this Wildfire was built to align visually with GM's design language of the time—an effort that set it apart from other homebuilt kits.
Its white finish, accented by vintage pinstriping, is believed to be largely original. Despite minor fiberglass cracking around the door jambs, the body remains in impressively preserved condition. Inside, red and white vinyl upholstery, original Stewart-Warner gauges, and a flashy Buick steering wheel complete the period-correct cabin.
A true survivor, this Wildfire not only showcases a rare chapter of American automotive experimentation but also embodies the enthusiasm of small builders pushing boundaries in an era dominated by major manufacturers. With fewer than 300 Wildfires produced—and far fewer surviving in unrestored, V8-modified form—this roadster is a standout relic of ingenuity, individuality, and pure postwar optimism.
