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Ready to Enjoy: 1938 Ford Standard 2 Door Sedan

While it hasn’t seen much use over the past 15-years, the owner of this 1938 Ford Sedan says that it is a “turn-key” example that is ready to be driven and enjoyed. It is a largely original car, and the next owner can choose whether to undertake some light restoration work or just drive it and enjoy it as a survivor. The Ford is located in San Francisco, California, and is listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has currently reached $6,600, but the reserve hasn’t been met.

The owner says that the Ford sat in dry storage from 1955 through until 1981. It was then pulled out of its slumber and underwent a repaint in Black lacquer. It still wears that paint, and while it now displays the occasional mark and chip, it has held up quite nicely. It isn’t a perfect car, but it is a car that the next owner can drive with peace of mind. The bumpers and some of the chrome is beginning to show its age, but it still remains quite presentable. The biggest issue is some clouding that is apparent around the glass edges of the windshield. Otherwise, the rest of the car looks quite good.

The interior of the Ford also looks pretty reasonable. The rear carpet and the covers on the seats are not original, but they really don’t look out of place. the door trims and headliner are displaying the sort of staining that is common for vehicles of this age. There are no obvious issues with rips or tears, so they don’t require urgent attention. This is one of the areas that I was referring to when I mentioned some light restoration work. With the door trims and headliner replaced, the interior of the car would look very nice. The dash is in excellent condition, and this combined with the upholstery on the seats really set the tone for what could be an extremely nice interior.

Powering the Ford is the 60hp 136ci flathead V8 engine, which is backed by a 3-speed manual transmission. The car hasn’t had a lot of use over the past 15-years and mainly sees service in car shows and parades. Having said that, the owner says that the old Ford is in good running order and that it starts straight up and runs cleanly. He also claims that the car drives nicely and that the original brakes work perfectly.

While it might not be perfect, it appears that this Ford Standard Sedan is a vehicle that is ready to be driven and enjoyed. There would be no reason why the next owner couldn’t leave it untouched, and just get out on the road to enjoy the classic car driving experience. With a new windshield and attention to the minor interior details that I’ve mentioned, it is a car that offers the next owner many years of enjoyable and comfortable motoring.

Comments

  1. Avatar Mike

    Weird to see cars that are original and not hot rodded. Might get more attention at car shows over the modded ones.

    Like 15
  2. Avatar JerryDeeWrench

    This find proves there is still some good ones out there . Not the most desirable model but a good start for someone. Hope it finds a good home.

    Like 11
  3. Avatar geomechs Member

    Someone really trying to get my dander up showing me this. Well, I had a ’38 Std. 2-door but it was a slopeback and it had the V8-85. I know a couple of guys who ran V8-60s and what they said about the power isn’t reprintable in this. Anyways, I’ll always have a soft spot for a ’38 Std. as I lost one to thieves some years ago now. Still raises the hair on the back of my neck when I think about it. Sure wouldn’t mind having this one at my place as a pacifier, even if it has a real trunk. Nice car for sure…

    Like 12
  4. Avatar Bob S

    I owned one in 1959, and sure wish I had it now. I wouldn’t want one with the V8 60, but I have heard that they are becoming desirable.
    I used mine as a parts car for my 39 coupe, because the sedan body wasn’t desirable at the time.
    Hindsight is always 20/20.
    I knew about the V8 60, and that they were used in 1/4 midgets, but in all my time of playing with Fords, I never saw one. That might be because I lived in a mountainous area.
    Bob

    Like 5
  5. Avatar grant

    Wonder how shiney it is dry? Glass looks fine, not cloudy just wet.

    Like 1
    • Avatar 86_Vette_Convertible

      The drivers side in particular appears like it’s delaminating to me (assume it’s 2 piece glass) all around the perimeter. Reminds me of some people in winter that only clear a peep hole through the snow and ice to drive, not clearing the whole windshield.
      Overall I like it, but who knows what the reserve is on this one.

      Like 4
    • Avatar Little_Cars Member

      @grant. You’re kidding, right? The windshield is in terrible condition…but really easy to replace. It ain’t very safe in its current state. Side glass and rear glass look presentable. By the way, even though it looks like it was hosed down for the photos upon closer examination it appears to have been properly dried with a chamois making that loverly lacquer gleam.

      Like 2
    • Avatar Rodney - GSM

      Nice car! But, it has serious cataracts that Medicare won’t cover….

      Like 3
  6. Avatar BRAKTRCR

    Beautiful car. The seller says, No upgrade to the braking system. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think, they are mechanical brakes, as opposed to hydraulic brakes. That has to be an interesting drive in San Francisco. Ut oh, a hill to go down, with these brakes, and ut oh a hill to go up, with 60 hp.
    I like the car, a bunch, but, I think I would make a few changes. Nothing drastic, just safer.

    Like 3
    • Avatar geomechs Member

      Keep mechanical brakes properly adjusted and they’ll handle any hill, San Francisco, or anywhere else just fine. People negotiated the hills just fine back in the day. The engine would leave a lot to be desired though…

      Like 6
  7. Avatar BigDoc

    The 60hp could be a problem but with a new windshield I’d drive it anywhere except the mountains.

    Like 3
    • Avatar geomechs Member

      There’s a guy out west who runs a ’37 coupe with a V8-60. He can handle it quite well. He says you just have to keep your speed up. I never talked to him about what ratios he’s running, but I’d guess it’s over 4-1.

      Like 4
  8. Avatar Johnmloghry

    I wonder if the windshield could be repaired? It looks like lamination separation to me. I’m quite sure that by removing the glass, pressure with heat might cure the problem, then replace rubber seals and glass you could in theory save original glass. Has anyone ever tried anything like that?
    God bless America

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Little_Cars

    Why go to the trouble time/expense? I’m sure this flat glass is readily available and super easy to install yourself.

    Like 1
    • Avatar moosie

      and most likely with the technology today be able to be date coded, ford script markings etc,

      Like 1
  10. Avatar ctmphrs

    I doubt if that would be possible,but even if it is it would cost more than buying new glass

    Like 1
  11. Avatar Willowen

    Any decent auto glass shop ought to be able to replace that glass. Since all of it on any old Ford is flat, I’d just have all the windows done. I might also source a different engine, but just for grins (and more power/less weight) I’d try real hard to find a Ford six from around that period. A widely scorned and undervalued mill, but I knew a kid that had one, and it kept up with the V8s just fine.

    I did not like the teardrop glass headlights back then, but they’re growing on me, and I like this car a lot. Old Fords were a central fact of my childhood, 1941-present, and I can look at any photo of one and know immediately what it smalls like inside. Maybe it’s coming on time to make the acquaintance of one.

    Like 1
  12. Avatar Johnmloghry

    Nice car.
    God bless America

    Like 1
  13. Avatar karl

    Nice to see a standard model Ford without whitewalls ; they look so out of place on these cars

    Like 1
  14. Avatar don

    My father had a ’38 slantback with the V860 , he bought it just before the war and when he returned , he used it daily (he was an electronics salesman) until the 49’s came out and he bought a new Tudor . He told me the 38 was an OK car, the brakes and suspension weren’t very good on it , but it was very dependable . He said after he bought the ’49 he sold it for $25.00 and a guy from Thompson Speedway in CT. bought it and made a stock car out of it . Reading the post here I guess its possible the motor was swapped for the higher HP one, and the V860 ended up in a Midget race car .

    Like 0
  15. Avatar stillrunners

    nice…..

    Like 0
  16. Avatar bobhess Member

    Lost track of the names and numbers but there are several companies that can provide glass for this era cars out there. Could be one of the specialty insurance companies could provide that information.

    Like 0
  17. Avatar moosie

    When I replaced the glass in my ’40 Sedan Deluxe Tudor I bought a complete kit from Mac’s in Lockport N.Y. their # is 716 210 1340 or 716 433 1500, try googling them, this was quite a while ago so I don’t know if they are even in business any longer.

    Like 0
  18. Avatar TimM

    To nice to hot rod!! Should be preserved!!

    Like 1
  19. Avatar Edwin Davis

    Mac’s is moving to Ecklers.com.

    Like 0

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