Ford introduced its iconic Flathead V8 range to the buying public in 1932, with the 221ci version proving a sales winner. It upped the stakes when it introduced a smaller and more refined version in 1937, and this Business Coupe rolled off the production in that model year with the baby V8 under the hood. The car underwent a light cosmetic refresh in 2016 and is ready to find a new home with an enthusiast who can appreciate all it offers. The seller has listed the Coupe here on eBay in Salt Lake City, Utah. Spirited action has pushed the price to $26,000, although it remains below the reserve.
The story of this striking Ford is unknown before 1996, when a previous owner, a Ford dealer, located it in a dry Midwest barn. They moved the Coupe to Ohio, where it spent another two decades in a different barn. After finally seeing the light of day in 2016, it underwent a light cosmetic refresh that preserved as much of the car’s originality as possible. The original Black paint received professional correction and shines beautifully. The trim and chrome were intensely polished to provide a striking contrast that helps this classic to turn heads. The panels are straight, and the seller’s comprehensive image gallery features underside shots that confirm the car is rust-free. Classics of this vintage often feature cloudy glass, especially around the edge. This Coupe hasn’t suffered that fate, while the whitewalls add the ideal finishing touch to a Ford that has no cosmetic needs.
Henry Ford never embraced his company’s V8 engines to the same extent as the early fours, which powered cars like the Model T and A. However, he acknowledged that buyers sought more power and refinement for their money. A 221ci flathead V8 hit the market in 1932, but the man whose name the company bore took a hands-on role in developing a smaller version of the V8 for a 1937 release. The relatively petite 136ci powerplant developed 60hp and 94 ft/lbs of torque. Both figures are notably lower than the 85hp and 144 ft/lbs produced by its larger sibling. Those owners willing to push the standard motor to the ragged edge could extract 65hp, but that practice notably shortened engine life. The new V8 initially sold briskly and offered significantly improved fuel economy, but this came at a price. Buyers were reluctant to trade performance for economy, especially when fuel was relatively cheap. The baby flathead remained in production overseas for years, but domestic sales ended in 1940. This Coupe features that engine, backed by the original three-speed manual transmission. Its 2016 revival included replacing the fuel tank, fuel pump, water pump, generator, battery, and radiator. This gem is a turnkey proposition that runs and drives perfectly. It recently completed a trouble-free Route 66 road trip from Chicago to Santa Monica and is ready for more adventures with its new owner.
One undoubted highlight of this Ford is its interior. The steel dash and window surrounds feature immaculate faux woodgrain paint, with the upholstered surfaces trimmed in cloth. There are light marks on the lower door trims, but the car will command respect for its presentation. There are no holes or signs of wear, and the headliner is excellent. A new rubber mat covers the floor, adding the perfect finishing touch. Air conditioning in Ford products was still years away when this car rolled off the line, but the functional vented split windshield compensates by admitting plenty of fresh air on warm days.
This 1937 Ford Business Coupe proves that there are still barns dotting the countryside containing wonderful classics. This gem presents well for its age and is ready for summer fun with a new owner behind the wheel. It is easy to see why it has attracted forty-two bids, and I expect that total to climb before the hammer falls. It could be ideal for an enthusiast with a pre-war classic on their Wish List. Are you tempted?
The ultimate development of the small flathead made a lot more than 60hp.
Ford France was sold to Simca in ’54, and then Simca started building cars in Brazil.
And Simca Brazil made a 150 ci version with ohv and hemi heads, making around 140hp.
Don’t need no stinkin LS. But a 460Ford would be nice
Sure Ed, go the 460 approach but leave the original steering, suspension, bakes, the woodrufff keyed rear axels, might as well go bias ply tires to. It would be one of a heck “motoring experience” but you won’t want your grandkids to know about it! Its really a nice car, hope it got to someone that appreciates it as is.
Maybe not a 460, but a modern small displacement V8 like a 260 ci Ford or, hear me out, the 3.4 liter V8 out of a SHO. I know those are probably few and far between and all in junkyards, but the original drivetrain would be good for driving in parades and little else. I’m old but not that old.
I suspect the bidder that has pushed it to $26,000 is that old friend of so many eBay sellers – Hill. First initial “S” so it’s S.Hill bidding again . . .
Why go for a collector car? Looks? Or is it the experience of what the car was when it was new. If you want a car that goes like stink then buy any contemporary car as they’ll all have roadability that is miles beyond probably even your abilities.
If you really want the “1937 Ford Business Coupe Baby V-8” experience, then buy it, leave it alone and enjoy what it was to be “alive” and “driving” in 1937.
Personally, I grew up with a ’37 Buick Special and a ’35 Plymouth Rumble Seat Coupe as our family’s wheels. I’d love to have either of them now, no A/C, etc. Back then if it was hot you opened a window and the cowl vent… and sweat a little into the cloth-covered seats. Experience it.
Same goes for dual-brake circuits, 12V. electrics, PS, PB, automatics, etc, ad nauseum. Grow a little spine and truly live the experience! It made one think while driving rather than simply guiding a padded womb.
Pbbbft! Kids!
Dead on, Bill. My 1935 Ford Coach was pretty beat when I bought it but sure fun to drive. One of the best drives was in my 1949 Monarch sedan on a 360 mile round trip to a car show in mid summer. Both front and rear doors had no-draft vent windows, fresh-air floor vents, big roll down side windows to stick your arm out and very comfy cloth seats. My 2018 Cadillac SUV is one of the most uncomfortable cars I have ever experianced.
My dads first car was a ’37 Ford business coupe. He bought it in 1956 for $15 before he was old enough to drive on the roadways. It got a lot of pasture miles. It was also black but with the 85 horse V8. He sold it in 1991+/- for $1000.
Nice car, just the way it is. I wouldn’t change a thing. Now, if it was a 34, I’d be all over it!!!
The one back seat experience you didn’t mention, Bill, was the chewing tobacco spit experience. Like many others, my dad chewed. Those great hot summer road trips, all the windows rolled down, 3 or 4 of us in the back seat and wammo. My dad would spit out his window and all of us in the back seat got to experience the tobacco spit string that would fly back into the car, great memories.