Having covered many post-war Ford coupes in the past, I can clearly state that this example is probably the nicest yet to surface. It’s old-school all the way and a tribute to how hot rodding was many years ago. This beautiful coupe is located in Perkins, Oklahoma and is available, here on Barn Finds Classifieds or here on eBay for a current bid of $3,650, reserve not yet met.
The story behind this car is that it was owned by a gentleman, for at least the last 35 years, and since his recent death, it is now being offered for sale. The seller indicates that the engine was swapped right before the owner’s passing, so he got it completed, and running, though it’s not known with certainty what was specifically done to the engine. What is known is that it is a flathead V8 that, “purrs like a kitten but comes on like a tiger with the dual Stromberg 97 carbs on top of the high-rise Thickstun intake manifold flanked by Fenton aluminum heads. The idle is very comfortable but has a mild lope that lets one know it’s ready to go“. More than likely, it’s a 239 CI V8 with an original HP rating of 100. It’s a safe bet that it has been enhanced a bit beyond that with all of its obvious mods. The transmission is a typical three-speed manual and there is a Columbia two-speed differential in place. Its engaging mechanism needs to still be installed, however.
One of the first things noted upon the initial observation of this Ford coupe are the fender skirts – while always a subjective choice, they certainly owe to this car’s period correctness. Throw in the spotlights, wide-whites, full wheel covers, and red-painted steel wheels, and now you’re talkin’. Of course, the deep blue finish certainly doesn’t detract from this coupe’s appearance. And that may be the key to this car’s charm, it’s solid in its hotrod vibe, but stealthy and refined at the same time. There are numerous underside images included in the listing and corrosion, surface or otherwise, doesn’t appear to be a problem.
The interior is nothing short of magnificent! The elaborately adorned instrument panel, really impressive for an entry-level Ford, contrasts with the simple light gray fabric upholstery. The excellence continues with the carpet and door panels, I’d be afraid of leaving my big paw-prints all over that light gray cloth! And yes, an original radio is in place.
Before there were dealership-bought muscle cars, there were Fords like this coupe that started out with a sound foundation and then left it up to the owner to go from mild to wild with underhood wrenching. You can watch this Ford start and go through the gears with this operational video. If you want to experience post-war hot-rod action, you’d have a tough time improving on this 1946 flathead coupe, wouldn’t you agree?
Teriffic video everyone should watch. It will put you in a better mood…
Very nice! I like everything about this except for the fender skirts and they can be removed and join the ones off my ’49 Chevy on the wall of the shop. I’ve always been a fan of old flatties and wouldn’t kick this one off my driveway. I wish I could live the dream…
Cool.
Very nice. I wonder if the Columbia is in the high range or low range and what’s required to make it operational. I tried going on the Facebook marketplace but it never would come up. This would look quite nice in my driveway.
God bless America
Oh what memories…My 1st car was a ’46 Coup.
Great car I learned a lot working on it
I agree! This is a very nice car, I have had several 46 to 48 Fords and I really like them, very little difference between them, but I have always preferred the 46. All the changes, thru 1948 was just to save money ,not make the car better. It is not unusual for a Columbia to have control problems, that is the hardest part to make work, there have many early Fords with the Columbia stuck and not working and owners didn’t even know it. I would also remove the skirts, they say to me, it wants to be a custom and I want it to be a Hot Rod. These year Fords have always been reasonably priced, but I would expect this one to exceed 2OK.
Exceed $20? Please! If this sells for less than $40 we better start looking to dump our pre ’55 cars because no one appreciates what it takes to get to this.
Mr. Peterson , I know how you feel and what you are saying, but historically ,the fat fender Fords do not hit the money you are talking about unless they are, convertibles, Wagons are of course the rare Sportsman’s, that can exceed a 100K. The market is what it is, this 46 Coupe is a nice car but not 40K nice ,even a few years ago, allot of their popularity is related to their price and desirability.
Looks great !! I wonder if there are Columbia controls included… a substantial cost item. It would work ok in my garage, and as noted by others, I’d loose the skirts. And, I’d probably want to change the stance, which to me, currently suggests ‘tail-dragger’. Bottom line, ‘I’m in’.
This is so nice! And right down the road from my brothers shop.
MrBZ, who is your brother?
This Bob H would go the other way with ditching the skirts and a 4 inch dropped axle up front with a slight California rake. Nice old Ford.