Ford knocked out 487K passenger cars in 1939, putting them, domestically, in second place. Of that volume, 144K, or 29.5% were Deluxe Tudor Sedans such as today’s Springville, New York discovery. That’s a lot of cars and now, 84 years later, they still turn up with regularity – a testament to popularity and durability! Still wearing its original black finish, this V8-powered sedan is available, here on craigslist where it can be yours for $4,300. Thanks are due Mitchell G. for this tip!
The seller tells us that this Ford is mostly solid and, “has the hard-to-find parts looked for by both restorers and traditional hot rodders“. OK, so hot rod heaven is this Ford’s likely next stop – no surprise there. There are some rusted-out components to consider, particularly the trunk pan (repair pan included), and the underside is showing notable scale – I’d suggest a thorough inspection for interested parties. The front bumper is MIA and the grille is missing a tooth or two. As for the glass, it may well be the most delaminated that I’ve encountered in researching cars of this era – the windshield looks like a take on Van Gogh’s “Starry Night!
An 85 HP, 221 CI, “flathead” V8 engine is still occupying the engine room and it will turn over via the starter – good to know. The seller mentions that the cylinder head casting marks, 59 AB, are from a ’46-’48 flattie so the short block itself may, or may not, be original to this Tudor. It’s probably just as well that there is no forward progression capability here as the brakes are said to be non-working.
The interior is pretty ratty. The original “banjo” steering tiller is still attached but there are no door panels, bare rusty floors and dash are evident, but the headliner bows are said to still be in place – I guess that means the headliner isn’t. But, what do you expect with a car of this age, right? The interior is always going to get a total redo anyway and as long as the seat frame and sound floors are part of the formula, the next owner can have it their way. The original instrument panel gauges are still where they belong but it’s hard to get a condition assessment from the image included. Those seem to often get the bum’s rush with hot rod conversions as newer “old-look” pieces from Dakota Digital obtain the new occupying role.
With a title dating to ’73 and an off-the-road existence that has likely spanned many years, this old Ford would probably like to experience a new lease on life. The problem is, cars of this era just aren’t that popular any longer. There are still some enthusiasts, shall we say more mature members of the old car hobby, who would take on such a project, but they seem fewer and farther between than they did just fifteen or twenty years ago. What do you think, has this Ford’s time for a rebirth come and gone?
She’s a beauty! Source some new glass, get that flat head running, do something with that paint. If I was closer, I’d give it a go!
Why why why is EVERY car have to be hotrod this clone that and LS swap with th400. You’ll have the most INTERESTING car if you restore original. There’s not going to be and “real cars” left in a few years. And worth a ton more money.
I have to say that I agree with you. The problem is the cost to restore vs. the value of the end result. A lot of people don’t want to spend big $$$ for a stock restore on a commodity car like this Ford when the hot-rod mods can generate sales interest and make a bigger return.
Take this 1937 Cadillac for example. That’s one that is definitely deserving of a stock restore. Unfortunately, someone swapped the engine to an Olds unit years ago, probably long before the value that this opera coupe existentially possesses was realized.
JO
Why even keep mentioning “Hot Rod”? It’s almost like this is what you’re promoting all the time. Why should “Cost” come into the equation?? Restoring a antique car is a labor of love, for 98% of car guys, they work on their vehicle because it’s FUN, and it’s what they WANT to do. Making a big profit isn’t the reason for the car hobby for most people. The satisfaction of bringing an old car back from the dead far outweighs the “cost” factor, or the “easy” factor. Seriously, have you ever restored a car?
Seriously, have you ever restored a car? Yes, two and I didn’t do it with financial return in mind (though I had $$$ borders as most do) but considering the thousands of cars that I review annually, I know value does creep into the equation regularly – and those that say it doesn’t aren’t being honest with themselves.
And as for old Fords, such as this ’39, you tell me what usually happens with them – hot rod, restomod, custom – that’s just the way it goes. And I know that because I have encountered it here time and time again. People will do with a car what they will do and for a variety of reasons, none of which are to strictly conform to your narrow, singular view.
JO
Put a Honda engine in it!
Get real, Ed !!
As Nick mentioned above, a beauty!
I too would just get it running and road worthy and then simply drive it. Doesn’t need hot rodding, it’s hot rodded as it sits. This would be a fun car, driven within it’s limits.
While I have yet to find any pictures of it, going through my dad’s extensive collection of pictures, this is the car that my grandfather had when new. according to my dad, His father who was a professor of automotive engineering at Brooklyn Poly-Tech hopped up a 1939 Ford to the point where it was capable of 100mph! It was referred to as “DYNAMITE CAN”. it had painted on the trunk an old metal garbage can with the lid being blown off by and flames coming out.I always wondered what became of it. My grandmother was from upstate New York and this car made many trips from Brooklyn up there.
I’d buy it, put it in my front yard or driveway in my traditional antiseptic, characterless suburban neighborhood, and just look at it. Heck with the neighbors and HOA…..
Love your comment! Very refreshing !!
Would the purists in the room go for building a heftier flathead instead of a modern engine change? My ’32 5 window came with the 4 cylinder engine which got swapped out for a ’48 Merc. Sure the V8 was available then but changing out the engines to get a more powerful engine wouldn’t affect value today any more than it would on this ’39. “Hot Rodding” this car could be done without taking anything away from it’s originality if good sense was employed in doing it.
This purist agrees.
Definitely a flathead V8 should be in this vintage Ford !
If it was good enough for Clyde Burrows it’s good enough for me with the flat head. My dad had one of these was his favorite car
Do you mean Clyde Barrow of Bonnie & Clyde game ?
I meant fame, not game.
Have a ’39 Deluxe kept in stock form. It has always been a local car that gets exercise into nearby towns for its own sake. Not a perfect car, but a great reminder of how far we’ve come.
This was my dad’s first car, bought in 1944. He was 15!
I now have my dream car, a 1940 Ford Deluxe Coupe. It is Acadia green, has a ’53 Merc flathead and leather upholstery. It’s a 1950s style hot rod, just like I wanted.
Beautiful. !! Best of luck with it!
Anyone who has ever driven one of these pre-war Fords will tell you that installing modern front suspension and installing an 8.8 rear with disc brakes with parallel leaf springs in the rear make this car much more pleasant to drive.
Would love to see a picture of it.
bobhess, I can’t post a pic here, but look me up on Facebook if you have it. There are several there.