It looks great! opines one. What? It looks horrible proclaims another! Well, that’s how it is with old hotrods that have either real or faked, patina. Yeah, there it is that dreaded “P” word again and I know how many of our readers feel about that. Let’s put that matter aside, however, and check out the other features of this 1938 Ford Deluxe Coupe. It’s located in Mantua, Ohio and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $11,2000, reserve not yet met. Thanks to Larry D for this tip!
Beauty’s skin deep right? And under the skin of this old coupe is a 1947 flathead V8 powertrain with a “59AB” engine/head combination. It’s stated that the engine is in its stock 100 HP form so the true hotrod look may not necessarily translate into true hotrod power. But that said, the seller claims, ” Runs well and cool“. The seller mentions that new hydraulic brakes have been incorporated and a dual circuit master cylinder, with all new steel lines, is clearly visible.
The body, in spite of its kaleidoscope finish, looks to be straight and well-aligned and the trim is bright and appears to be all accounted for. It is mentioned that one of the missing bumpers is included in the sale and the other will be sourced. As for structure, the frame, with its new body mounts, appears to be quite sound. The seller adds, “The body is untouched but the doors inter bottoms replaced and driver side bottom quarter by the lower door metal added inside, The floor pans are very good with only a few pinholes“. The steelie wheels, with their chrome trim rings and centers, are a nice retro touch.
The interior is an interesting study as there is a mish-mash of stuff happening. The bench seat is covered in a very utilitarian manner with heavy black vinyl, similar to some police cars, er, ah, let’s make that taxicabs, that I have encountered. The toeboards look like actual boards made from plywood. Surface rust abounds, the door panels are missing but there’s a typical old-school, three-spoke aftermarket steering wheel that has been substituted for the original outsized tiller. It’s not possible to scope out the gauges and their originality or condition, but turn signals have been added. The environment is either a work in process or a premeditated and completed look.
So, is this old Ford really a hotrod? It has the bearing but not the real mojo to fully qualify. There is an image in the listing of a dual carb setup and intake manifold, but there’s no reference to it as to whether it’s included in the sale or an item that can be acquired. This ’38 Ford comes off as a perfectly sound base for adding some extra juice so it can make the true crossover to hotrod haven. But first, I think it sorely needs a paint job, how about you?
This is a great looking car. Forget back to original, just get the frame and body into real paint and you’ve a unique, good looking and fun cruiser.
I always preferred the 1938 Standard front/grill.
Streamline/deco styling.
Much more designerly than the Deluxe
“rat-nose”…
Whoever gets this beauty needs to make sure those original vacuum-powered windshield wipers are included – electrical wipers may be a minor challenge with a tilt-out original windshield….
This is a beautiful coupe, go any way you want but please for petes sake at least get some primer on it. I’ve been fighting rusty cars my whole life. I’d like to see it with that flatmotor warmed up just a bit, but leaving it with one deuce would be good. Good luck and happy motoring!
Buy it, add $40/$50k and it will be a decent $40k driver! I like it.
If a person has the skills to build a hot rod or restore one which I would think are many on this Barn Find site have or can build one like this one in its current condition into a very nice driver you could drive, enjoy, and show at some local car shows and being successful in winning some trophies if that’s their intent for a whole lot less for 40 or 50k.
I traded a 327 engine that I along with a shop that specialized in race engines built for drag racing for a 38 Ford coupe that had a 265 Chevy engine that was connected to the original transmission via an adapter and back to original 38 rear-end and juice brakes. First time I attempted a hole shot it tore up the ring a pinion. For $25 I bought a complete third member. Nice little car that was lots of fun but never got on it again when it was stopped.
The body is definitely a ’38, but the nose is a ’39 standard.
Nice car, not into rust, and just do not like the way the cab meets there rear deck area, to abrupt. But still a cool coupe. I’m looking for the 39 or 40 with the long rear sweep design. Just me.
I think the 35 to 38 roofline is more compact and prefer it to the 39-40.
An earlier compact look that pulls the back forward giving the overall a better, smaller look…
This is a detail many people don’t even realize on the early mid to late 3o’s coupes.
Fred, You are half right the nose is a 39 std and it is also a 38 Deluxe. That was one of Ford’s better ideas to save money. Deluxe One year standard the next.
Joe, google pics of a ’39 Standard and a ’38 Deluxe. Then play a game of spot the differences. They look similar but thay are not the same.
Bellingham Fred
Got you. Small differences. Appreciate your good eye.
On the 39 the front of the sides, below the hood, are curved and the curve/bulge goes into the open spaces of the upper grill. These spaces on the 38 are not intruded by the curved front of the hood sides.
There are also three horizontal chrome trims on the 39, though they do not appear on this car. That said the upper spaces on the grill, with the curves present from the hood sides appears to be a 39.
I have a 38 Deluxe coupe so this interests me…