Many years ago, I managed a punk rock band (and I have the lack of hearing to prove it!) and for a while, one member of the group was a pretty successful songwriter. Some 45s and EPs got released but nothing worthy of a national recording contract signing was in the offing. One song, in particular, that I recall was entitled “Situation Suffocation” – the lyrics were hard to understand but that’s expected when you’re knocking out 4/4 timing at the speed of light with the amps turned up to eleven – it was a virtual audio drubbing. Anyway, the opening lyric started with, “It’s just nostalgia creeping through” and that’s what I thought of when I spied this 1948 Ford Super Deluxe – it’s a nostalgic throwback to another time – the kind of car that I occasionally encountered in my early teen years, but even then, they were mostly a thing of the past. But as is obviously the case, they’re still out there and this example, after a 45-year slumber, is looking for a new home. Interested in taking a look? It’s located in Butte, Montana and is available, here on Barn Finds Classifieds for $19,950.

The seller tells us, “Stored 45 years, this car is the real deal: a vintage Ford coupe hopped-up in the 1960s by a young man, that then went into the garage around Vietnam, and pulled out and sold by his family in 2017“. Well, it’s got all of the usual stuff going on, the faded primer body, wide-whites, red finished steel wheels, and moon-style hubcaps – though these are genuine Ford pieces. It’s not perfect but hot rods of this era never were – they weren’t intended as show cars so there is some evidence of dullness, scrapes, and dings. But, it is complete and unlike many hot rods of this era, the trim is still attached and the badging hasn’t been shaved – a project for the next owner perhaps?

OK, now I don’t want a riot to get started and I thought that’s where we were going with this 1957 Thunderbird post. The reason is, as is often the case, this vintage Ford is harboring a Chevrolet small block V8 engine. There I said it, all you Ford fans take a deep breath, I know these engine transplants are considered by some, to be a travesty, but it is what it is – for now anyway. The seller tells us that the motor is a 1956 edition which means it’s a 265 CI engine as that’s the only one that existed that year, and there is a documentation tag that bears that claim, a 170 HP version to be exact. The underhood image isn’t too revealing and it actually looks like a stocker other than the open element air cleaner. Somehow, a Ford three-speed manual transmission got synched up to the bowtie powerplant and the seller states that it, “runs like a top” and is very reliable for hundreds of miles at a time. Well, at least it’s not a complete drivetrain washout for all of you blue oval enthusiasts.

The interior shows as relatively original and is in clean nick. The driver’s side bottom cushion upholstery, which is where that “relatively” suggestion comes into play, is starting to run and I doubt that it’s the born-with material/pattern. The instrument panel also looks as if it has a complement of aftermarket engine gauges visible, just to the left of the steering column. The clock and speedometer, however, show as original and are still clear and legible after three-quarters of a century. Finally, that previously mentioned Ford gearbox has a three-on-the-tree thing going on.

Yes, it’s just nostalgia creeping through – perhaps more so for you readers that have been around a bit longer than I have. It looks like a fun car for some old-school cruising and it’s good to go as is. Now, I’m sure some of you would agree with that sentiment, once the engine swap, is unswapped, back to something more in keeping with the Ford family but that’s always your choice, right?