Buying an older classic with a known ownership history can sometimes be challenging, but that is the opportunity offered by this 1938 Ford Coupe. It is a well-preserved survivor ready to be enjoyed by a new owner, and its odometer reads 25,417 original miles. It isn’t perfect, but it is a solid vehicle that would command respect courtesy of its unmolested state. The seller wants it to head to a new home and a buyer who will continue to preserve this classic. Therefore, they have listed it here on eBay in San Diego, California. Bidding has raced beyond the reserve to $20,400.
The seller holds the documentation confirming this Ford’s ownership history from the day it drove off the showroom floor. Its original owner traded their 1934 sedan on this survivor, receiving no-interest finance for the balance between the $275 they received for their trade and this car’s $729.10 sticker price. The car became a raffle prize when that person passed away, finding its way into the hands of a private collection. It spent many years with that owner before the seller’s father purchased it. He has retired, and his son has listed it on his behalf. The Ford is a genuine survivor, wearing the original Black paint applied at the factory. It retains an impressive shine for its age and should be considered highly presentable for a survivor-grade vehicle. A close inspection reveals minor chips and marks but no issues that demand a cosmetic refresh. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and there is no evidence or mention of rust. The trim is in good order for its age, but some of the glass is developing the typical signs of edge cloudiness. Replacement pieces are readily available, although I would be inclined to leave things untouched for as long as possible to protect this classic’s survivor status.
Powering this Ford is the legendary 221ci flathead V8 producing 85hp. It is backed by a three-speed manual transmission, allowing this classic to happily rumble along the road at 50mph without raising a sweat. The seller claims it has a genuine 25,000 miles on the clock, and the car’s known history suggests they may hold verifying evidence. It runs and drives perfectly, with no mechanical issues or problems. One key aspect they note is the brakes. The car retains its original setup and configuration, and while they work as they should, the system simply isn’t as effective as those on modern vehicles. Therefore, they recommend that the new owner allow for that when they slip behind the wheel. That sounds like wise counsel to me! The car has documentation tracking its history, a genuine Ford Reference Book, and the winning ticket from when it was a raffle prize.
The interior could be rated as this Ford’s highlight. It is remarkably well preserved, with the seat and door trims wearing clear plastic covers to protect the faultless original upholstery. The wheel has cracked, and the headliner shows some typical discoloring. The dash finish has deteriorated slightly, but the gauge lenses are clear, and the markings are crisp. I can’t spot anything in the supplied photos requiring attention if the new owner wishes to continue enjoying the Coupe as a genuine survivor. The car brings a touch of luxury courtesy of its factory radio. It might not be the rarest piece of interior equipment, but this one is remarkably well preserved.
Examining the supplied photos and information makes it easy to understand why this 1938 Ford Coupe has attracted seventeen bids. It presents well as a survivor, and the ownership history adds an interesting sidebar to its story. The new owner could treat it to a light cosmetic restoration to reclaim its youthful good looks, and such an approach is understandable. However, I believe it would command more respect if left untouched. Do you agree?
Some of the 1938 bodies were carried over as 1939 models—called the standard model as I remember as I had one
They can be hard to tell apart from the 1938 models
Wow. I love to see cars like this that have survived relatively untouched for decades. Very impressive
I was going to call BS on the “survivor” label, but looking at all the pics, this girl has been well taken care of the past 85 years!! I’d love to take her up over the old Lincoln Highway to Truckee, Ca, just like my grandpa!
Bart, IIRC that trip in mid-year heat will give this beauty and you a case of vapor lock just past the half-way point…
Absolutely, this car needs to be preserved as-is. I would if I had the space.
The deluxe was the standard the next model year. Hard to believe the reserve was so low definitely worth the money.
Nice I hope the new owners keep it as is.
I couldn’t tell if it is an 85 hp as I didn’t see washers under the head nuts. I think the 85 hp had aluminum heads and needed the washers so the nuts wouldn’t dig into the head.
Took the V8 out of a ’33 ton and a half flatbed truck and put it into a Model A coupe. It had the aluminum heads and intake manifold and really put some power into that old A. Could be wrong, but the 85 hp engine was smaller and had cast iron heads. Anyone remember better than me on that one? Absolutely beautiful car here.
1937 and 1938 headlights were the best.
Love ❤️ the dial on the factory radio. Probably the driver had to tune into a strong station “by ear” as you couldn’t see the dial and drive at the same time. But then again there weren’t all that many stations in the late ’30s.
A beautiful survivor indeed.
Nice!
This appears to be a Standard coupe as opposed to a Deluxe coupe.
The 39 Standard coupe is more like a 38 Deluxe. Different grille I believe.
I have a 38 deluxe coupe and I have compared photos of the front ends.
If it truly is unmolested it has two tail lights, which signified a deluxe.
Anyone can add a tail light…
The grille is the difference, google it (images).
I said if it is unmolested! If it came from factory with two taillights it is a deluxe standard had one taillight on driver side, once again if it was built that way, yes I know any one can add a light.
Nice info, but sold for 21,700.
G H… Ive never heard of a” Deluxe Standard “.
The coupe came as a Deluxe OR a Standard. Two distinct models.
In the interest of people that want to distinguish. The grille is distinctively different on the two models.
I have a Deluxe coupe and have parked next to a Standard coupe to compare.
Just google pictures of the two models.
BTW good price for the buyer seller. I want to say the only this worth doing is hydraulic brakes. ’38 was the last year of mechanical brakes. this will almost add $2K to the price but is well with it in today’s traffic.
I did not say deluxe standard, I said deluxe had two and standard had one read the comment so sorry I did not put comma for you. Look at photos of stock from the factory deluxe coupes they have two tail lights, I have a 40 deluxe coupe. A 40 standard coupe has one tail light from the factory. This did not start in 1940. I was simply stating the difference between the standard and the deluxe if they have not been altered from the as built way they left factory. Grilles get changed, some guys put 40 deluxe car grilles on 40 pickups which had a 40 standard car grille.
Great memory! If you think this vehicle model was confusing, consider a 38 plymouth business coupe Canadian made to the US model. The differences are mind boggling!
This was definitely s good find on Barn Finds! The discussion was almost as interresting as the vehicle in question. My find is that it is near impossible to find a vehicle that has been or is unmolested from original in any way period! Common sense will dictate the availability of new and used parts and exchangeability use within uses per model years and what you see is sometimes what you get!
G H
I was confused without the comma. In fact you typed deluxe standard. Your points are well taken.
My point is that it is far more common to see added tail lights (updating to the common use of 2)
Again the more common way of distinguishing a Standard from a Deluxe is the grille. They are similar but VERY different.
This seller was obtuse about what they had…