While the market swoons over prewar open Fords, coupes, woodies,and Victorias, there were millions of Fords built for basic family transportation that often go unnoticed.  Take for example this 1939 Ford standard tudor being sold on eBay out of Tyrone, Georgia.  It is a rather plain standard car devoid of any fancy options or flashy paint.  It is just your basic Ford bought by the tens of thousands.  It is also, however, a low mileage survivor.  The seller has evidence that this car legitimately has travelled a little over 40,000 miles in its lifetime.  Is this no frills Ford worth the $13,750 asking price?  Or, is a lesser offer more prudent for a Ford in a practical body style?

This one was built the way Henry liked them: plain and black.  In 1939, Ford offered two models, standard and deluxe.  The no frills standard looked very much like Ford’s 1938 model, while the deluxe was given a handsome new nose that would also closely resemble the upcoming 1940 model.  This was also the year that Fords were finally equipped with hydraulic brakes.  Standards got a single taillight and lesser trim.  Deluxe cars were better equipped and came with a regulator based charging system.

The standard tudor we see here was a barn find that fired right up after some routine maintenance was completed.  There is a service sticker on the door that indicates the car had around 40,000 miles on it in the early 1970s.  This was near the time when it was put into storage.  The seller claims that the paint is original, and that there are no signs of Bondo or repairs.  The interior is also original and in great shape.  There are no rips in the upholstery and even the headliner is in place and near perfect.

The picture above shows the dash to be in proper order, with the exception of some rough spots in the finish.  We can also see that a temperature gauge has been added.  The car also never came with a radio and it is the last year that the windshield could be cranked out for ventilation.

This second interior picture backs up the seller’s claim that the upholstery is in excellent shape.  The pattern looks correct for this model year, but the car could have been treated to new seat upholstery in the past.  A closer look is always prudent.  Another interesting feature is that it appears the original rubber floor mat is still in the car.  Just another clue that the mileage may be correct.

Late 1938 marked the transition of the Flathead engine from a 21 to 24 stud design.  This looks to be the appropriate engine for the car, down to the helmet type distributor and the aluminum intake manifold.  We can also see that the generator is still in the car.  Once again, the seller says that the engine purrs like a kitten after it was awakened from its slumber.

If this were a coupe, the seller could double the asking price and likely get that number in a day or so.  Still, a tudor is a nice car if you have a family or you want to tour with your new antique car.  Parts are plentiful for these cars, and the Early Ford V-8 Club of America strongly supports owners of these beauties.  It may not be flashy, but this solid old Ford can still perform its duties as basic transportation.  Just like Henry would have wanted.

Is this original car something you’d like to have in your garage?