Like almost anyone with gasoline in their veins, I’m a sucker for 1936 Ford Coupes; they’re my favorite from a decade that abounds with stylistic riches in the Ford line. While I prefer the three-window coupes, I would categorize the five-window as number “1a” in a close matchup. Therefore, I’m always excited when a ’36 comes up for sale, and upon first glance, this example looks like it’s just my type: stock and mostly untouched. But someone’s had their hand in the cookie jar, folks, and the new owner is going to have to deal with a significant number of “upgrades” that haven’t been dragged across the finish line. In my opinion, it would be best to start combing the club classifieds for some stock components as soon as you sign on the dotted line. The car itself is for sale on eBay at a dealer in Pleasanton, California, which has had some very interesting old cars from a Texas collection on sale as of late. This one, despite its faults, will probably bring a strong price, but it currently sits at an $8,800 high bid (with the reserve obviously not yet met).
Based on the trim, I believe this Ford is the rarer DeLuxe Coupe (29,938 produced vs. 78,534 Standard Coupes), as it has bright trim on the headlights and windshield, in addition to having two taillights (no, that was not the case on the Standard), trim rings on the wheels, and a rear-view mirror. Aside from the headliner, which is shown in several pictures and was clearly mouse-infested for much of its life, the interior looks perfectly serviceable. However, look at that wiring under the dashboard. There’s more in the trunk (this car doesn’t have a rumble seat). In my opinion, most of this needs to be torn out and the new owner either needs to see what is left of the factory harness or start anew.
Oh no, there’s more under the hood. It looks like someone has installed a 12-volt conversion with a solid-state voltage regulator and perhaps even an electronic ignition system. There are no pictures that show it, but I imagine it has an alternator conversion, and it definitely has a new starter. Fortunately, the flathead is still under the hood, and in stock form, it was of the 85-horsepower, 221-cubic-inch variety, which breathed through a Ford two-barrel. The seller doesn’t mention anything about the car running or driving, so I’d imagine it’s not.
There’s more to deal with underneath. Although the undercarriage looks very solid, and the engine will sound great through those dual exhausts, I would eliminate the electric fuel pump, parts store regulator, and all that rubber hose and try to get back to a fuel system that more closely emulates the stock setup.
And while there’s nothing wrong with a hydraulic brake conversion and front discs, in this case the front wheels are pushed out too far to the lips of the wheelwells; the track is clearly too wide. Once again, I would prefer that the car still had its factory mechanical brakes; then I could decide if they were adequate for my kind of driving or not. As it stands, I have a bad feeling that this combination isn’t quite ready for prime time.
None of this takes away from the fact that this is an excellent starting point for a really great 1936 Ford Five-Window Coupe driver. While I’m sure that the mechanical upgrades could be figured out, I think I’d probably bite the bullet and throw most of it away and start from scratch with good old Ford parts from the thirties. It would be expensive, but I know I’d be happier in the long run. What would you do: keep the upgrades and get everything working correctly or start from scratch?
Aaron, you have good taste!!! A ’36 Ford coupe in Washington Blue is a beautiful car. The “Banjo” steering wheel is one of my all time favorites. I’m guessing the previous owner was going for more modern road friendly manners. I’ve never driven a Ford with mechanical brakes, but I’ve read that when working properly, they do their job just fine. Anyone who knows me, knows that wiring is my Achilles Heel. MASSIVELY!!! So, seeing the wiring, I would go your route and get an original harness and start from scratch and go back to 6Volt. But this Old Ford certainly has a great look to it and I’m thinking those duals make that Flathead sound great. Hopefully this gets to a good new home and on the road again. Great write up on this Classic Ford up Aaron. Thanks
I certainly agree on a wire replacement but have some ideas on the rest of your comments Aron. You can get old look generators with alternator guts which would save a lot of work going back to 6 volts. As for the brakes, keep the system and slightly offset the front wheels to move them back to original position. Great car here. Would rather drive it than work on it.
Good points, Bob, but I’d have to take a good look at the work done so far before sticking with the current components. It doesn’t look great in the pictures, but it also might have been left in a “test” phase before the project was abandoned.
My brain is finally catching up to my eyeballs this morning. The front disc is a 5 lug small bolt circle while the originals are a much bigger circle. That means that there is a not shown adapter that accounts for the wider track up front. Older VWs needed similar adapters to put fatter tires on them.
Aaron……. “but I’d have to take a good look at the work done so far before sticking with the CURRENT components.”
UMMMM…… Is that an INTENDED pun??? If it was, that was funny….. If it wasn’t……
Even better….. lol.
-Dave
I noticed that after I wrote it, Dave, so it was unconsciously intentional. :)
Hey, you gave me a good laugh. You have to admit… That did fit i there perfectly!!!
My late dad’s favorite coupe.
Wiring is not hard with a good diagram.
I would do a couple things myself.
One buy a modern fusebox like I did on my 1954 3100 Chevrolet pickup.
I replaced meticulously one thing at a time (lights, heater, radio, ignition etc etc as converted to a 12 volt .
These old vehicles had little to none fuses and can be fire traps. I am a big fan of quick disconnects to batteries.
Its a beautiful car and hope the flat head and majority (minus wiring, 12 volt conversion) stays original.
Ford got it right like Bonnie and Clyde said in their letter to Ford. They praised the V8 power…