The original owner of this 1948 Ford purchased it and drove it for a number of years, clocking up just on 15,000 miles before placing it into storage at some stage in the late 1970s or early 1980s. It sat there until the early 2000s when, at the age of 70, he removed it from storage and had it restored. He then used it sparingly for a few years before he was diagnosed with cancer. He then sold it to a dealer, and it was from here that the current owner purchased it for his wife in 2011. After enjoying the ownership experience for 7 years, they have decided to sell it. You will find this classic Ford listed for sale here at Auto Archeologist. The asking price for the Ford is $14,900.
The seller states that this is a car that the new owner will just be able to drive and enjoy and that there is little work required to the body or paint on the car. When the original owner had the car restored, he had it repainted in its original Stratos Blue. The seller says that there is some orange-peel in the paint, but that he believes that this may color-sand out. The exterior trim appears to be in quite good condition, with only some minor pitting obvious on some of the smaller items. The car appears to be free of any rust issues, and the seller provides a comprehensive array of clear photos of all aspects of the car that appear to be quite promising.
When the car underwent its restoration, the interior received a refurbish as well. The seats have been reupholstered in their original color, but with a newer style of material. The interior presents really well, and I can just picture myself cruising down the road in this car, and just enjoying the experience.
The original 239ci flat-head engine remains in place and is backed by a 3-speed manual transmission. When the car underwent its restoration the engine was given a cosmetic facelift, but with only 15,000 miles on the clock, a rebuild wasn’t deemed necessary. The current owner has done some maintenance and performed a few upgrades to the car, so it is not 100% original. The old generator has been replaced by an alternator, but the car still retains its original 6-volt electrical system. The electrical system has also been gone through, and some of the wiring has been replaced with period-correct wiring. The steering system has been updated with a power steering system of 1950s Ford vintage, and the car also has electric wipers, turn signals and a heater. These upgrades are designed to make the car more enjoyable and easier to live with, but for a purist, all of these modifications could be reversed if deemed necessary. The owner also has a reasonable amount of documentation which traces the history of this Ford.
This 1948 Ford Coupe is an attractive looking car that can be used any day of the week. While it is not original, the owner has made it into a car that should provide easy and trouble-free motoring, so that the new owner can simply enjoy the driving experience. Enjoyment. That’s the essence of what classic car ownership is supposed to be all about.
some say not original I say well maintained. Replacing seat fabric is a form of maintenance as is refreshing the paint or changing the tires. It’s just a nice old well maintained car. Nice find.
I’d love to have it if it had A/C in it.
Now, that’s a Duesy !
No, it’s a Ford.
This one would fit in my driveway just fine. I agree with Mark in that the things that have been done have been maintenance items for the most part. I probably wouldn’t have installed power steering as they handle quite well without it but I like the idea of a 6V alternator. When I took a restoration course at the Reynolds Museum, back in ’08, the crew told us that they install solid state regulators on their cars but, at the time, didn’t go as far as Petronix ignition. However I know a lot of people who have used those, and are quite happy with the results…
I love this era of Fords, 41 to 48, I have owned several. The upside, they are nice drivers and comparatively priced, very reasonable for what you get. I see nothing wrong with the modifications, and the price is certainly in the range you would expect for this nice of a car.
Drool, slobber. Here we go again. If only I had …… you know. I have always loved these body styles, engine and tranny sound, etc. Wow. I hope this sweetheart is going to a wonderful home.
Buy it. Drive it. Love on it. Then, sell it for what you paid for it if not a bit more.
Hey guys,
I’m the seller. Any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me or even ask here.
Thanks!
Talk soon,
Where is the car located
North Stonington CT.
However, I work with a shipper who can get it anywhere in the world…
If you want/ need an air conditioner in this old Ford try a window , Swamp COOLER like Volkswagen beetles had. I get a laugh every time some one says, I’d buy it IF it had A C in the car. You buy classic cars for the originality and time period of the car. If you have to cry about having
AC in everything you drive then stay to buying late model cars.
James Turner,
Yep, swamp coolers work great in the southwest USA, but the moment you leave the dry southwest and enter the hot & muggy areas of the country, that swamp cooler will be useless, and it’ll turn the car’s interior into a mold & mildew incubator real quick! [And also put a nice coating of rust on any unpainted steel surfaces too, especially switches behind the dash!] I remember finding a ’59 Cadillac in a junkyard in South Dakota, it had a swamp cooler on the front transmission hump, everything in the interior was rusted, & none of the switches worked.
Out here in the Mid-Atlantic area, where the weather is often 95/95 [95% humidity and 95f temps], A/C is typically a necessity, especially on long drives.
How much would be an estimate to put this back into show condition?
Hi Butch,
Restoring this car to show condition would probably be in the $10K to $100,000 range.. depending on who does the work, if they do ALL the work, where you live and if the work is done near where you live, etc. Some would say she’s already damn close to show condition.. the previous owner did take a second place award in class at a local show a year or so ago.
However, this particular car has been sold, several months ago.
Thank you for the interest.
Dave Brill