In 1936, Ford’s Lincoln division brought the Zephyr to market. With its raked windshield, integrated fenders, and grille like the prow of a ship, it was one of the most modern shapes on the road. Future Fords borrowed heavily from the Zephyr, like this 1939 Ford De Luxe four-door sedan listed here on craigslist for $18,950. This beauty is located in Roanoke, Virginia, and it’s been owned by one family for fifty years. T.J. found this swanky car for us – thanks! The De Luxe was positioned as a mid-range car, with sleeker looks and better appointments than the Standard, but less expensive than the Lincoln. Available in several body styles, the sales pitch for the De Luxe highlighted its spacious cabin, quiet operation, and convenient accessories. Two distinctive features of the ’39 De Luxe help identify this model over the Standard: its vertical-slat grille, and headlamps fully incorporated into the fenders.
The engine is Ford’s venerable 221 cu. in. flathead V8 making 85 hp and backed by a floor-shift three-speed manual transmission. The odometer reads just 45,000 miles, said to be the true mileage. The gas tank has been replaced, along with many other mechanical parts. The car runs well. The big news for 1939 was Ford’s adoption of hydraulic brakes, which the company touted as a “safety feature” – never mind that Chevy introduced juice brakes three years earlier.
The interior is respectable though not perfect. I’d love to know if the upholstery and finishes are original, which would make this car quite special. The clock in the dash is a De Luxe feature, along with an ashtray, cigar lighter, and battery indicator. The finish on the dash was called “golden mahogany”, and upholstery choices were broadcloth or mohair. The spare tire is set in the trunk against the interior wall.
Back in the day, the Tudor Sedan was the best-selling body style, but the Fordor was a close second. Today’s marketplace prefers coupes and convertibles. Sedans will sell in the teens, while coupes can be twice as expensive. Plenty of Fords of this era have been made into hot rods, but finding an original example like our subject car is not impossible. Ford made more than 530,000 Standards and De Luxes. If I were in the market for a pre-war Ford, this example would be high on my list; what do you think?
I think it should be high on the list, it is also priced well for the market. Side bar Henry wasn’t a big fan of hydraulic brakes, it took him about 10 years to do it.
Nice car but one thing is peculiar. The “fresh air/blower”? assembly on the right side of the engine compartment and the item at rear of engine where draft tube and fuel pump would be found. Can anyone explain? I am an old 30-49-50 flathead guy and embarrassed that I am not aware of this arrangement. An aftermarket heater since the regulator heater isn’t apparent?
Meant to say 30s-40s-50s flathead guy (with fat fingers when texting)
Same here, fingers appear to turn into saveloys!
This car has a heater on the exhaust, not real common ,didn’t work well and could be unsafe. Is this what you are looking at?
Like a VW
Very nice. Please just detail it and keep it stock!
Yes that’s a hot air heater vs. a hot water heater like most of them had. Here in PA. this would be a fun summer time car to drive so I would disconnect that heat set up. This old boy held up well for all of those years.
Looks like the heater gets warm air from the radiator as well. I never saw one like this.
This against the one the other day – think it might have been a 1940 – but it was priced way up there….nice car at a nice price.
Who do l contact for more info & possible bid ?