Ford had a lot going for it in the period between 1932 through 1940.  Not only did the brand have one of the best engines in the low-price field, but the styling through these years was incredible.  Their most handsome creations of all were the coupes.  This 1937 Ford Deluxe five-window coupe for sale on eBay in Hopkinsville, Kentucky is a great example of how well Ford could design a sporty coupe.  The only problem with this black beauty is that someone replaced the factory upholstery with vinyl in a shade of blue best left reserved for discount prom dresses and those candy almonds you used to buy at the movies.  While it is not completely original, this car does wear a lot of its Henry Ford-made parts, right down to its mechanical brakes.  Those who want a sharp Ford coupe and have an appointment already lined up with an auto upholstery shop have the option of hitting the Buy it Now button for $26,000 or clicking the Make Offer button and typing in the sum of their choice.  What do you think is a fair price to pay for this Ford?

The story on this Ford is very comprehensive compared to what we normally see.   According to the seller, the first owner kept the car from when it rolled off the showroom floor until February 1941.  The second owner kept the car until 1975 according to the title.  From there, the third owner card for this coupe until the seller purchased it in 2021.  Interestingly, the seller never transferred the title.  One of the bragging points of the ad is that whoever buys it will be the fourth owner.  Even though they aren’t.

According to the seller, the car has been garaged since 1941.  The odometer sits at 81,117 and that is believed to be correct for the body.  That body has been the recipient of one respray and is virtually rust-free.  There are a few dents and scratches visible in the photos as one would expect for a car of this vintage that has not been subject to a full restoration.  Having been garaged nearly all of its life has preserved the frame, floor pans, and various other parts and pieces underneath the car.  The only questionable spots are a small soft spot on the driver’s floorboard and a small area that has rusted a bit where the passenger side cowl and fender meet below the running board.

While it has been repainted and the interior was replaced sometime before 1975, the car does still carry a lot of its original parts and pieces.  It is still a 6-volt positive ground electrical system for example.  The lights, the horn, and the gauges (minus the speedometer) are said to work perfectly.  While there is no radio, a fairly rare optional clock sits in the glovebox door.  The car also stopped using Ford’s much-maligned mechanical braking system.  Ford was a holdout when it came to hydraulic brakes until 1939.  This is a small example of just how much sway Henry Ford himself had concerning the decisions made by his company.  He fought tooth and nail towards this modern upgrade until his position was no longer defensible.  Many V-8 era Fords built before 1939 were quickly upgraded to the newer hydraulics and it is rare to see an original car with mechanical brakes.

Looking into the pre-1975 vinyl replacement interior, if it doesn’t hurt too much, reveals a car that is probably pretty comfortable to drive.  Coupes were seen back in 1937 much as they are now.  That is, a coupe is a sportier, but less practical choice.  This one does have some minor issues for the buyer to work through.  The ad states that the speedometer works until it gets to 11 MPH.  It is there that its climb stops.  The vacuum wiper motors need to be rebuilt, and the driver’s side window needs to be replaced due to a slammed door.  A replacement is currently on order.  If you are going to drive this car any distance, then a set of tires should be ordered as well due to the age and flat spots of the ones currently on the car.

While the interior is not what Henry Ford intended, under the hood is the car’s biggest originality obstacle.  According to a sticker on the door jam, the original engine was replaced in 1961 with just 57,900 miles on the odometer.  There is no reason given for the car to have gone through a transplant to a later 24-stud engine.  Flatheads from 1932 through 1937 used 21 studs on each side to secure their cylinder heads.  An update to the engine came in 1938, and those cars were equipped with 24-cylinder head studs on each side.  While the presence of a later engine may give the car a bit of an edge in drivability, the engine switch certainly affects its value.

This later engine is said to run well, have good oil pressure, doesn’t smoke, and, most importantly, doesn’t overheat.  Shifting is handled by what we believe to be the original three-speed gearbox.  That gearbox shifts well between the gears and the clutch works as designed with no fuss.  As for spare parts, the seller is providing a plethora of them.  Those range from a complete 24-stud Flathead and transmission to various gauges, manuals, and such.  There is even a set of sealed beam conversion headlights included.  Such aftermarket conversions were popular once sealed beam headlights were introduced in 1939 and mandated from 1940 on.  The difference in illumination was quite pronounced over the older bulb and reflector setup.