I thought at first that this Ford Convertible Sedan was a DeLuxe Phaeton but upon further review, it appears to be a Model 48 Convertible Sedan with removable B-pillars. The design, incorporating roll-up windows offered the best of both worlds for top-down enjoyment and sealed up protection from the elements. Listed as an “OLD GARAGE BARN FIND SURVIVOR” (boy, we have all of the bases covered here), this Ford can be found in Lebanon, Pennsylvania and is available, here on eBay for a BIN price of $23,750. There is a make an offer option too.
The seller claims that this example is one of only 4,324 copies produced in ’35 out of a Ford total of 786,730 units – less than 1%. It has been supposedly barn bound for 40 years and comes with many caveats including, “scratches, dings, dents, rust, old repairs on body, flat tires, torn upholstery, torn convertible top, one cracked side window, flathead engine that may or may not work, paint losses, oxidation, etc. There may be components missing. There may be other problems I am not aware of“. This pretty much translates into, “You’re on your own buddy!”. Well, based on physical evidence, this car does look complete and in reasonably good condition, there’s no sign of serious rust or crash damage and the top is in surprisingly good nick.
We’ll run with the assumption that the 85 HP, 221 CI flathead V8 is a no-goer (disconnected sparkplugs are one clue) – if it ran, it would be a point to promote. The engine appears to be complete but I don’t know about that air cleaner, can anyone tell us if that is original to this car? I ask because I don’t recall ever seeing one like that before.
The interior’s turquoise dashboard is a surprise, how’d that happen? Regardless, all of the gauges are present and accounted for and don’t appear to be clouded. The leather upholstery is pretty well trashed but the floors look sound and the door panels are better than expected. I wonder if that seat-bound gasket is necessary for anything important…
This is one of those cars where a physical inspection is essential since the seller seems to be washing his hands of the details. The pictorial is pretty good but it’s not enough; hopefully, he’s open to questioning by a prospective buyer. As for the $23K ask, I say fuggedaboutit; the make an offer option needs to be real and reasonable, one of 4,200 examples produced or not. That’s my take, what’s yours?
What a cool ride. Not sure if it is worth the $23K with all that needs done, but still pretty cool.
I would aim for safe and functional and drive it as much as possible.
I’d be proud to have it in my driveway.
Kind of expensive when this driver sold last summer for a little bit more at $25,850.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1935-ford-deluxe-convertible-sedan/
All about the patina with this one folks!
The engine is a later model, the 35 was still 21 bolt heads with the water coming in at the front. Still neat car but I agree with others price for a total project car is way high.
The heads are 1937 vintage, and that birdcage air cleaner??? Still and all, a unique example, although I always felt the roadster-phaeton style doors looked better…
Ridiculous price… flipper needs to do some homework.
Here’s a nice example for $26,500 OBO.
https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/ford/model-48/2559847.html
Completely different body style. Not even comparible
I would argue that any potential buyer needs to do their homework. The owner can set any price and say anything they want about it.
The one that sold on BAT https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1935-ford-deluxe-convertible-sedan/ has a similar air cleaner by the look of it.
I have never seen an actual 35 Convertible Sedan, I don’t doubt it is the real deal, but they are rare. They made them until 1939 and were always rare ,but more plentiful in the later years. I don’t think 23 K is bad number. But for whatever reason the prices on these body styles is decreasing.
I owned a 1935 Deluix sedan for five years just after WW !!. It was my dads auto he purchased in 1936..Rebuilt a 1940 business coupe. One thing to watch for in these old fords is a cracked frame. Just ahead of the rear wheels, or below the front door. This can be hidden by rust.