Looking for a turn-key postwar cruiser with tasteful upgrades and classic Flathead V8 charm? This 1948 Ford Super Deluxe Fordor in San Jose, California, has reportedly been restored and improved over the past two decades, blending period-correct style with modern drivability upgrades. Showing approximately 2,500 miles since rebuild, this Ford is described as ready for local cruises, car shows, and weekend enjoyment. It’s being offered here as a Barn Finds Exclusive and comes with a clean title.
Power comes from a rebuilt 239ci Flathead V8 paired with a 3-speed manual transmission (“3-on-the-tree”). According to the seller, the engine and drivetrain were rebuilt and upgraded with Offenhauser heads, an Isky camshaft, and a Holley 4-barrel carburetor mounted to an Offenhauser intake, increasing output to an estimated 175 horsepower. The transmission was reportedly rebuilt, and the speedometer recalibrated and reset to reflect mileage since restoration work.
The seller says drivability improvements include a 12-volt electrical conversion, power steering, front disc brakes with rear drums, and a custom aluminum radiator with an electric fan. A dual master cylinder and modern charging system were also reportedly added as part of the build. Vintage Air air conditioning with heat was installed, helping make this classic Ford enjoyable year-round.
Finished in bright blue, the exterior presents as a clean driver with chrome trim, polished stainless, and period-correct touches throughout. Photos show solid paint, clean brightwork, and attractive overall presentation, while the seller notes that the car has won several awards at local shows.
Inside, the cabin has been refreshed with new carpeting, door panels, window channels, and upholstery, retaining a classic postwar appearance while remaining comfortable and usable. The dash and instrumentation remain period correct, and the seller states that significant effort went into maintaining a traditional look while improving functionality.
The seller shares a lengthy ownership history and notes that the restoration process began after acquiring the car in Arizona in 2007. Over time, mechanical, cosmetic, and drivability upgrades were completed, with documentation reportedly included in the form of a binder of receipts spanning more than 18 years. Manuals and a few spare parts are also shown in the gallery.
Described by the seller as, “a beauty, not a trailer queen,” this 1948 Ford Super Deluxe appears positioned as a classic cruiser that can be driven and enjoyed rather than hidden away. For someone seeking a traditional Flathead-powered Ford with meaningful upgrades already completed, this one could be worth a closer look.
Extra large 50’s era Volvo.
No the Swedish Meatball copied the Ford !
Kudos for them for what they didn’t do..replaced those beautiful gauges with crappy digital ones. They kept the car real and added only pieces that actually improved it. And it has desirable extras like the visor and fog lights. One could “daily” this and turn heads at the same time.
I’m currently restoring a ’47 Ford Super Deluxe, a near twin to this car except green. I’ve done the 12v conversion w/alternator, aluminum radiator with electric puller fan, all new wiring with fuse boxes, dual master cylinder and brake lines, Bendix conversion in the rear, and…crappy new under dash gauges. In my case I got a chrome Equus set that is analog (dials) and mounted under the dash. The OE 6 v. gauges use old technology and got you “in the neighborhood.” Flatheads typically run hot and “close” doesn’t cut it with an 80 year old car, especially in AZ heat. So a more precise set of gauges is worth the break from stock IMO.
Sounds like a fun project! An updated cooling system and high CFM puller fan should do the trick. Let me know if you need any references.
Before I sold my 53 Ford F-100 panel delivery truck I had two non-electric temperature gauges to replace the originals, one in each head, as water is not connected except thru the radiator with the V-8. They were side by side under dash. The other gauges were original still 6 volt.
Thank you for the kind words! I hope you enjoyed the vehicle!
This era of Fords 1942 to 1948 are an interesting group because they weren’t built from 1943 to 1945 because of WWII. Then from 1946 to 1948 The demand was off the charts until 1949 with a new design. They have always been the most reasonably priced early Fords, depending on body style. This is a nice example with some very unusual additions, such as the A/C. However, it is a 48 four door and I think it will be very hard to get 24 K. I believe the price on this car needs to be plus or minus 15 K and that is a large number for a fat fendered 4-door.
That’s why the woodies are so rare now. The vehicle has over $35k invested in it, it’s currently at $24k right now but I’m open to all offers. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and reading the post!
That’s why the woodies are so rare and expensive now. This vehicle has over $35k invested in it and it’s currently listed at $24k but I’m open to the best offer. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
I hung out in my brother’s ’48 Ford and ’42 woody. At 10 years old I couldn’t have a car even though they were 14 and 16 years old when they had theirs . The ’48 was like new found in a garage 10 houses away with ’53 plates on it in 1963. The interior was cavernous and the factory maroon was still in great shape too. For 75 bucks there was never a better driver. It may be the reason I still have a 544 Volvo.
It’s truly amazing how a car can bring back so many fun memories.
One of the first cars I did any serious wrenching on. Love the ’49 Mercury hub caps. Nice one.
Thank you!
A very pretty, nicely done and thought out car. Not my style but appreciate it alot. Good luck with the sale.
Thank you! I appreciate you taking the time and looking.
I would not touch this one for myself, on account of two reasons: It is a ’48 and not a ’42 or ’46. I drove a 1946 Super Deluxe Ford V-8 daily for 27 years. This steering wheel looks too small — one of my favourite features was the large steering wheel, along with the utterly fabulous A.M. radio that I would not be without! The accessory “picnic” speaker for the radio sounded a bit thin and tinny, and playing the tube radio without the car running would run the battery down. So I only used that speaker once. The ’47-’48 gauges were rather plain and ugly, compared against either the 1942 or 1946. And I never had a problem with the 6-volt system and would have let it remain as it was. The original brakes worked fine and lasted close to “forever”, because you simply took your foot off the accelerator to slow the car, then depresssed the clutch and hit the brake to stop it. I drove it 1946-style — I never expected it to be a modern car. And it never over-heated. But it had the dynamatic fan, and I knew what that flathead could and could not do. But I could drive it all day on the Interstate at 65 m.p.h., using the Columbia Overdrive. The large vent in front of the windshield was nearly as effective as air-conditioning on a sultry day; though despite two hot water heaters — one on the floor under the centre of the dashboard, and a larger one under the front seat, the heat still was inadequate when the temperature went below 20°: you thawed your toes, and that was about it. And if you punctured a tyre, you got “psss-fsss-fsss-fsss…and the tyre went flat in less than one minute. Tubed tyres: what do you WANT? The charm of driving an old car is, it lacks the later advancements. In fact, it had a crank to start it, in case the starter ever failed. And these vacuum windshield wipers are a JOKE when driving uphill in the pouring rain. But you smile at such things… and to drive a 1946 Ford is to love it. By the way, I never saw this garrishly light blue on one of these Fords back in ’48: was this a factory colour?
The 42-46’s are awesome years as well. The original color was Ford Blue, I believe it was called Barcelona Blue. The vehicle has a newer paint job. All documentation will be provided with the sale. I appreciate everyone’s feedback! Thanks for sharing!
This is a real beauty Theil, it’s 78 years old but it looks like it could’ve just rolled off the showroom floor. I love the attention to detail in the engine compartment too, nice job!
Thank you! She sure does shine!
She sure does shine
Wow they do really look like my itty bitty pv544 buried under cover in my garage lol. Ford ditched this in 49 and those Swedes were still making copies in 1966. Nice ford, wish I had a building to store it in, Chicago weather is why we can’t have nice things here. Good luck to the seller.
If there is a will there is a way! In 49′ Ford introduced the shoebox. It sure does look similar to the pv544. Thanks!
That’s why I moved to Nevada from the Chicago area!