It is common to find classics that have spent decades in storage requiring significant restoration or revival work. That is what makes this 1946 Ford Coupe a breath of fresh air. It recently emerged from a sixty-year slumber, with the seller reviving this Ford and returning it to a roadworthy state. That will allow the next owner to enjoy this Coupe immediately while planning whether to restore or continue preserving this beauty. It is a prime candidate for either approach, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting a no longer hidden gem that offers a range of options for its next owner.

The American Government suspended the production of all civilian vehicles in early 1942 as the country found itself on a war footing. The enormous vehicle manufacturing facilities turned their attention to military applications, with passenger cars finally reappearing in showrooms once hostilities ended. The United States entered a prosperous period in those post-war years, and buyer demand was at an all-time high. However, with no time available to develop entirely new models, these first vehicles were little more than mildly revised versions of the pre-war offerings. This 1946 Ford Coupe is a perfect example of that approach, and potential buyers should consider it a genuine survivor. It spent over sixty years squirreled away in a Southern Pennsylvania barn, but its overall condition suggests the environment must have been almost perfect. The car wears its original Black paint that shows typical deterioration. It doesn’t possess a mirror shine, but more of a warm glow that is quite appealing. The panels are straight, but the best news might be its rust-free status. That means that the buyer could pursue a faithful restoration that would be relatively straightforward. However, preservation is a viable option. The glass is surprisingly clear, with the seller indicating that they recently replaced the windshields. Most of the bright trim looks excellent, although the bumpers require a trip to the platers to recapture their original shine. While it isn’t mentioned, it appears the wheels were repainted during the seller’s revival. They look dazzling in their current shade of Red, with the hubcaps, trim rings, and wide whitewalls providing the perfect finishing touch.

Powering this Ford is a 239ci flathead V8 that should produce 100hp and 180 ft/lbs of torque. The driver tackles shifting duties via a three-speed manual transmission, with the drivetrain combination allowing the Coupe to top 80mph. The news for potential buyers is extremely positive, with the whitewall tires the most obvious sign of the revival performed by the seller following the Ford’s six-decade hibernation. They treated the generator, starter, and carburetor to a rebuild. Years in a barn can often lead to electrical maladies that require considerable effort to isolate and rectify, but there are no such dangers with this classic. It features a new wiring harness, which was the final piece of the puzzle required to return this gem to a roadworthy state. It runs and drives well, making it a turnkey proposition for its new owner.

Even potential buyers focused on preservation may elect to treat this Coupe to an interior refurbishment. There are so many different shades and types of upholstery that a complete retrim would seem an obvious solution. However, it is serviceable, and throwing blankets over the seats would hide the worst of the interior’s shortcomings. I have seen vehicles of this caliber where an owner has retained the exterior “survivor” look, but performed a meticulous interior restoration. It provides a striking contrast and is the path I would choose were this Coupe to find its way into my garage.

It will be fascinating to gauge reader feedback on this 1946 Ford Coupe to see whether the majority of you would restore or preserve this classic. A third option that I haven’t mentioned is the fact that its rust-free state makes it a prime candidate for a traditional hot rod build. I think it would be sad if that were its fate because it is a genuine survivor. The seller has listed the Coupe here on Craigslist in Hermon, Maine. Their price of $10,000 seems fair, because, regardless of the buyer’s approach, they don’t face the prospect of spending hundreds of hours on rust repairs. Would you restore or preserve this classic, or does the hot rod path sound irresistible?