'Woody Wagon' Becomes Endicott College's New, Classic Attraction

BEVERLY, MA — The "Woody Wagon" is driving interest on the Endicott College campus as the school's new classic car attraction.

Board of Trustees member James Demers donated the 1927 Buick, whose near-century of passenger history includes former President Barack Obama during a New Hampshire campaign parade, to the school.

The car — among the first generation of the American automotive innovation — will be on display and in use for special events, such as greeting new students and parents at the recent Endicott move-in day.

"Endicott is always planning for the future," said Demers, President and CEO of Demers & Prasol Inc. "It's a unique college where — because you've got 90 percent or more of the students living on campus — it's a community.

"This car is symbolic of the mission that Endicott pursues as an institution of higher education."

Demers bought the car off eBay several years ago and has since made updates with the goal of preserving as much of the original car as possible, including the engine that still works.

"It's got some speed to it," he said, "considering that it's just shy of 100 years old."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and
Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)