U.S. automobile production came back in 1946, having been shuttered for four years due to the war effort (WW2). Like the other makes, Ford’s 1946 cars were rehashed versions of what they sold in 1942 and an all-new design would have to wait until 1949. The seller’s 1946 Super Deluxe could have been one of the first built after production resumed and has spent much of its life in a garage waiting to be restored. Located in Rutherford, New Jersey, this documented classic is available here on craigslist for $7,600. A tip of the hat goes to Rocco B. for this fine tip!
If you parked a 1946 Ford next to a 1942 Ford, you’d be hard-pressed to tell them apart. The only visible noteworthy change was in the grille. But under the hood, the Ford Deluxe and Super Deluxe got Mercury’s 239 cubic inch “flathead” V8 engine that was rated at 100 hp, making the Ford’s spritelier than before. Given pent-up demand, Ford and the others sold just about everything they built in the first couple of years following the war.
To understand the history of this ’46 Ford, you’ll have to inspect the plethora of paperwork and documentation that the seller says will come with the car. That suggests the number of owners is low or the folks who’ve had the vehicle are meticulous when it comes to record-keeping. The seller also refers to the Ford Super Deluxe (the top trim level) as being a ’45 model, but there were no civilian cars available until well into 1946.
We’re told the machine is complete, original, and ready for restoration. There is some light rust in the trunk and well wells and the chrome pieces will have to be redone. The front seat will need to be reupholstered, but the back seat looks okay. Until it was parked (whenever that was), only 63,000 miles had accumulated over the years. If you like these WW2-era autos, is this Ford a project you’d like to get started on?
Love the fat fender ’40s Fords. I think 7K is a bit much for what you will spend putting it back on the road. Hope it gets restored and hope we get to see it then.
Well now here we have a 6 volt positive ground system. That was the way Henry liked them. This old crate with converse leaf spring in back and straight axel up front are quite interesting to drive, to say nothing of three speed transmission shift on the column and clutch pedal through the floorboard which always seemed to squeak every time the pedal was pushed down. Yet here we have a very nice old Ford ready for some person to start meddling with. Now back in the 50’s these were quite common as were other vehicles of same vintage. Driving one was just the way it was no matter what brand you chose. Of course today we have for surpassed the technicality of such primitive engineering. When I got my first drivers license at age 16 in 1963 it was required in my home state to parallel park, give hand signals, etc. while driving one of these behemoths. By the way I passed the first try but I was driving my cousins 57 Plymouth Convertible with automatic transmission which of course made it much easier. They also did a strange thing, they had two model cars connected to strings that you had to align looking at them from a straight on position. Oh well so much for that stuff. Hope someone gets this Ford and does it justice.
God Bless America
Yes, the excitement of getting our drivers license at 16, got mine in 1960 and by the way I still have the 47 Ford Convertible in the garage I bought back in 1960. No it has not been “upgraded” to a small block, still like the idea or keeping it all Ford. If ever do move up from the flathead (has a 59AB block with 49-53 Merc crank and overbore to make a 277cu in flattie). If I win the lottery before end of year will schedule for some modernization though.
OK, Little off topic, but this is a Ford, and I have a Ford 2003 Crown Vic Police Interceptor.
Have to pass emissions, occasionally it’ll throw a P0420 O2 Sensor code, I clear it, and no CEL for 2-3 months, drives fine,
So I scheduled service at the local Ford Dealer, replace the O2 Sensors,
Turns out I was able to pass emissions in the mean time,
Still, needed a Battery, Windshield Washer Reservoir (I had the part for them, just throwing them some work), Oil Change (Synthetic)
A-hole said they don’t work on cars over 10 years old (Really, they won’t work on a 2012 F250?)
Anyone run into this (Redacted)??
So went to Autozone, put the Reservoir in myself, and to the local Oil Change Place (they said they didn’t give a (redacted) how old the car was)
Was considering buying a 2-3 year old Mustang (just the basic GT with V8, stick shift) but where will I get it serviced in 2031?
Funny thing is, this place did Brakes, Fuel Pump, Intake Manifold, Exhaust Manifold over the last 10 years and never turned down my $$$
Oh yeah, the 46 Ford? I’d put an LS in it
Frank
I have friend with an absolutely creampuff 1984 S10 pickup. It was running fine but the “service engine soon” light came on. He went back to the dealer were he purchased it originally to get the light problem serviced and they told him they didn’t work on vehicles that old. This is one of the largest and oldest dealers in this county that advertises that they have one of the most fully equipped service departments in town. It surprised me that a dealer wouldn’t repair a vehicle that they sold.
Maybe their techs aren’t up to diagnosing something with primitive diagnostic systems, or anything pre OBD-II. Just like some of us older guys would prefer a carburetor and a distributor to EFI.
Who cares? Totally irrelevant.
Imagine if doctors would not work on old people, and at what age is old?
Pediatrician
I’d put the names of the dealers that won’t work on old cars on social media, and suggest folk with these “antiques” go to a local garage. These independents would appreciate the business and most likely do a better job for less money than the dealer.
Why on earth would you try to take an older car to the dealer anyway? The techs won’t be experienced on it, parts won’t be as readily available (if at all, depending on how old), and you will pay a lot more for the privilege. Dealerships are the worst when it comes to flat rate corner cutting if it looks like the job may go over book time. I see no upside and a lot of downside.
Dealers are for warranty work and *maybe* maintenance, not out of warranty work of any kind.