While there is a certain elegance and charm with every prewar automobile, Ford V-8s from 1932 through 1940 are considered standouts. From the first V-8 in 1932 to the indelible image of a 1940 Ford coupe burning up the Georgia backroads with revenuers in pursuit, this era of Ford is both collector’s favorites and an aesthetic delight. One of Ford’s most inherently beautiful designs was that of the cabriolet. Sadly, this 1936 Ford cabriolet for sale on eBay in West Granby, Connecticut has fallen on hard times. Those simple and classic lines are now pockmarked with rust holes after being unceremoniously parked since 1952. Is this drop-top beauty too far gone, or would it be worth paying a good bodyman a king’s ransom to restore it to its prime? Is the current $6,601 bid too high for what it is?
First off, a description of the now-extinct cabriolet body style is in order. Cabriolets were often the cheapest car in an automaker’s lineup. They were a two-door with a rudimentary convertible top. These were sometimes equipped with a trunk while many offered the romantic extra seating option of a rumble seat. Furthermore, cabriolets almost always came with side curtains instead of glass wind up windows. Side curtains were pieces of canvas with clear plastic inserts that snapped into the body and were held up by rods. As you can imagine, this was a big pain in the posterior to assemble when inclement weather loomed or if you wanted to secure the car. On the subject of security, that was a foreign concept to cabriolet owners. They had to count on the good nature of their fellow man and the forbearance of reptiles.
While the cabriolet buyer could count on less security, more aggravation, and less protection in colder weather, there were a few positive attributes. First and foremost, cabriolets tended to have an unmistakable elegance in their simplicity of design. The body style just plain looked good, especially with Ford’s impeccable 1930s styling. Cabriolets were also usually the lightest and most inexpensive offerings in the lineup. While it would be a stretch to call one a sports car, it would be easy to see how a car like this would appeal to a young buyer more interested in going fast and putting the wind in their hair rather than opting for more utilitarian choices. A Flathead paired with a Columbia overdrive would be quite the choice in a cabriolet.
Sadly, cabriolets also had a low survival rate. Lacking much protection from the elements when the top and side curtains became threadbare, water was free to do its evil bidding on everything inside. This cabriolet is a perfect example of why relatively few cabriolets of this era are left. The seller tells us that this car has sat in a storage shed since 1952. One could safely assume that the aforementioned storage shed was still sporting what was left of its original roof when the car was pulled out. Rust has taken its toll on this car to a point that interested parties would have to soberly contemplate whether bringing it back from the dead would be worth the effort and expense.
On the plus side, there is no better car to restore from the thirties than a Ford V-8 in terms of parts availability. Many aftermarket suppliers sell reproduction parts and a host of parts vendors specialize in new old stock parts. Getting the mechanicals and trim pieces up to snuff would be no problem. The sheet metal will have you pounding the walls in frustration. From the pictures, we can see that the bottom sections of the unique cabriolet body have suffered greatly over the years along with the floor. There is also no telling how thin the rest of the metal is. Finding a replacement front end will be no problem, as they were the same on every Ford car in 1936. It’s the cabriolet-specific parts that are unobtanium.
The seller also tells us that the forties-era engine in the car is locked up. Amazingly, the car still wears its original mechanical brakes. When Ford switched to hydraulics, many folks opted to update earlier Fords with the more modern system. The seller also tells us that it comes with a nice grill and the frame is solid. Sold with a bill of sale and in as-is condition, this would certainly be a big project. I hate to see a cabriolet in such deplorable condition. I just wonder if there is enough there to restore the car. I know it can be restored but is it a reasonable option at this point?
What do you think? Is this one too far gone, or would you take on the task if the price were right? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Given the lack of extensive body damage and the availability of parts this car could be restored. I’d vote for restoration just because it’s so rare. These pictures are the first time I have ever seen one of these cars. I’ve always thought the 4 door version of this car was a good as they get. Now I’ve added this old guy to that list.
Rat rod material. This car is a blank canvas.As for price ….whatever the buyer wants to pay I’d be happy to get.
You have described a Roadster. Cabriolet, by definition are convertibles with a headliner and roll up windows. Cabriolet were usually one of the highest priced models, Roadsters often the cheapest.
You have too be kidding ! Over $6,000 for this pile.
I would not think it is worth even $600. It is already on a
trailer …. take it to the junk yard !
Clearly not a car guy.
pontiac59 ……Oh I’m a car guy ! A smart one. Did you see the pictures of this rust bucket ? Do you know how expensive it would be to restore this ? A fortune ! Yes, it’s rare. In my opinion not worth it ! Just my opinion.
$600? Have we gone back in time? Is it 1965? Where’s the time machine?
Find me a dozen of them in this good of condition I’ll gladly pay you $600 apiece.
I just watched one in worse condition sell at a local auction for over 8000. No title, and it had signs of being pieced together from 2 cars. THe market has always been high for these cars.
How much is too much for so little.
To answer your question this is to much the bodywork alone would be expensive I think its now best suited for a rat rod candidate
Jeff, Your article about 36 Fords is very confusing. You started by explaining the difference between the two body styles and your definition was exactly right. Then you proceeded to call the car in the pictures a Cabriolet , it is NOT. It is a 36 Ford Roadster, no roll up windows. The car may be a lot of in correct parts, but the cowl and doors are definitely from a 36 Roadster. I am sorry as I read what you wrote, I couldn’t figure out what you were trying to say and then I realized you had your correct definition backwards!
Yes, a Roadster. Cabriolets had roll up windows, Roadsters hat side curtains that were removable.
If your Foose, it’s great. If your Fred forget it. A deep pocket extravaganza here. If you are 21 years old you might get to drive it before you retire…. Oh wait better convert it to electric power since fossil fuel will be a thing of the past by then.
junk
Comparing this to the average 36 Ford roadster this thing is rust free. Considering that there was no rust prevention done when they were built, and side curtains just funnel water into the car, so the life expectancy of roadsters was short. I think patch panels are available for these, and the value when restored is pretty high, so this one will travel the roads again eventually. There’s not many 36 Ford roadsters left so I hope whoever gets it has the means to complete a restoration on it.
Another rare ride that should be rebuilt by someone with the $$$$, knowledge and connections to do it right.
That unfortunately leaves many of us on the roadside.
Sincerely-GLWTA
Jeff, I have commented on your article once and I have gotten notifications that others have also commented ,so I decided to read it again and see if I missed something. I don’t think I did, in fact I think I was way too kind to you. If your article was educational and the author is supposed to know the subject you failed. The grade F would be totally what you would receive. You start by trying to explain the differences between a Roadster and Cabriolet. Your visual is a Roadster. The cowl, dash, doors and windshield are Roadster, You use the pictures to support what you are saying but refer to it as a Cabriolet. You say they are different, but imply that they are inter changeable, some how. It is not rocket science or that important in the grand scheme of things. However, if I wrote what you did, I would want to re-right it to explain to readers that I made a mistake and even though my info was fact, I represented it wrong and would like to correct it.
With the number of commenters who have noted that this car is a Roadster rather than a Cabriolet, it seems unnecessary to take the criticism to this level of harshness. Let’s try to remember and be thankful that the authors provide us a great deal of content without a mandatory subscription fee.
This is an expensive and time consuming project to tackle for most guys in a home workshop. It would be worth getting its mechanicals and starting, running and stopping condition. As for a full restoration, I don’t think so in this condition. Still an interesting find.
Good parts for a vintage circle tracker.
I looked more closely at the ebay photos and this one has way too much rust and rot even for people who love welding. No telling how bad it is up on a lift. It may be so extensive, that it’s body could be used on an updated chassis. Not sure which more modern chassis would work the best. And certainly a big job. Also always heard difference btwn a roadster and cabriolet, was cabriolet had roll down windows and roadster did not.
This might be one of the easiest cars to restore out there. They make just about anything you need for it. You could build an easy 75K car out of this. Have to laugh at guys scared of replacing floorpans or lower body panels on something this rare.
The man who spoke the last word, Pontiac69, has it righr !! If you are willing to work on easy sheet-metal welding, this car is worth ALL the effort !! I’ve done more welding on a race car body. Wish I was 48, instead of 78.
You’d need to get this on a lift to make sure the frame and structure itself isn’t toast, and beyond saving. And because it has no roof, there’s little left holding it together. Floorpans and body panels are the least of your concerns.
Well worth a restoration to original specs!
Actually not that bad, I would love this project, one problem ! no title ! in my state a bill of sale is worthless