In the collectible Flathead Ford market, one of the most desirable cars you can own is a 1935 or 1936 Ford 3-window coupe. In an interview with the American Hot Rod Foundation, recently deceased guitar virtuoso Jeff Beck declared the 1936 version as the apex of American automobile design. If you would like to have a beautiful car to drive and enjoy, take a look at this 1935 Ford 3-window coupe for sale on craigslist in Dallas, Texas. Described as all original and with just 55,000 miles on the odometer, is this coupe worth the $47,000 asking price? Thanks go to T.J. for helping us find this grey beauty!
There is no way to overstate the importance of the Flathead Ford V-8’s influence on hot rodding. If you want to get yourself a first-rate education on that phenomenon, from the first races on the dry lakebeds in California before World War II to the preservation of those cars today, you owe it to yourself to check out the American Hot Rod Foundation’s website. They also have a podcast that is filled with interviews of the pioneers of hot rodding. Many of the folks they interviewed are gone now, and listening to their stories paints pictures of a world that is gone. However, there are still relics from that amazing time, and we have the stories. Powering nearly all of those good times was the Flathead Ford engine.
This 1935 Ford is a window into the past, but one that was never altered. The seller advertises it as a nice, original car that he got from an 80-year-old man. The story he was given was that this was that fellow’s grandfather’s car. The odometer reads 53,000 miles and this may be the original mileage. Looking at the car, it seems that the definition of original here means unaltered. There are a few items that may have been redone, but this is a solid car that has seen a charmed life.
If I had to guess, and this is just a guess based upon the pictures seen in the ad, the car has been repainted at one time. The exterior is glossy and free from the cracks we often see in original paint jobs. As gorgeous as lacquer paint was back in the day when it was polished out, it eventually shows its age. The interior also appears to have been replaced at some time. The seat material has been there quite a while, but the door panels have that new look. After 88 years on the road, there is nothing wrong with that. Original is a good description for the car, given that it still looks, at first glance, as it did when it rolled off the showroom floor.
Under the hood, we see a more accurate representation of what an original 1935 Ford would look like after all these years. The aging you would expect shows on the firewall and on the surfaces of the engine. These cars originally left the factory with aluminum cylinder heads. Aluminum was used to help with the Flathead’s habit of running a little too warm, taking advantage of the metal’s ability to dissipate heat. The problem was that the material was prone to cracking and the expensive aluminum heads didn’t help that much anyway. Commercial aluminum production wasn’t as developed as it would be in a few short years, and impurities in the metal caused weak spots that exacerbated cracking issues brought on by heating and cooling cycles. So, when the aluminum heads cracked, Ford just replaced them with cast iron truck heads as you see here.
Looking over the whole car, it is obvious that Ford lovers would be hard pressed to find a better car to start with. There are no indications that rust is an issue anywhere, the body style is highly desirable, and everything is there, and likely Henry made. $47,000 may seem like a lot, but there is still a healthy demand for cars in this condition. I think marketing it through other channels would get the owner near this sum, but I don’t think a craigslist audience will get it done in this case. Have you ever owned a highly original car? Please share your experience in the comments.
;Beautiful!
I have never owned a “highly original” ’35 Ford — or, for that matter, ANY ’35 Ford — but I could be persuaded!
This is a lovely car, even if the upholstery doesn’t look quite right to me. Could be the photos not reproducing the color accurately. The only restored ’35s I’ve seen in person had a tan-ish mohair on the seats. This looks pink.
What also doesn’t look right to me is the price. Mainly, I suspect, because that puts the coupe well out of my reach. If not for that, I’d have made the call the instant I saw the ad, and am just crazy enough to be seriously considering driving it home.
For some reason back in the early years 35 Fords were not as popular as the 36’s. However, they are so similar and highly customized, it was often difficult to tell them apart. Also in the early years, I wasn’t sure if they even made 33 Fords. Everyone said they were 34’s, now everyone wants a 33. As for the price for this 35, it is a very nice car and looks original. I think in this market it is going to take a very special buyer. Early Fords are just not as strong as they have been in the past. I know I own a couple!
Closer to $30k than $47! That sad news is reallity for those old guys like me that loved and connected with these cars. $16-$25k are the offers you get. Just deal with it or keep it!
The days of these being hot and desireable are past as we age..using a clutch and shifting are a lost art with millennials…the ride and speed of these require back road travel….or a back up of vehicles if you enter a freeway..brakes are inadequate….beautiful ride..would like it in my fleet…
1 of each year?
Yes Sir!!! Very rare..esp the 1960…1 of 777 made…
1958 like the one Cindy Williams drove in American Graffiti…
Last July in Iola…she just passed away last month
Very nice, especially what appears to be an original paint/patina survivor wagon. Envious of that for sure.
It’d be cool to see photos of other member’s rides here.
origional Arizona wagon….
Ahh, even more envious now seeing more of it. Don’t ever paint it!!
That’s pretty cool that you met Cindy. You’ve probably seen this, but if not enjoy. It should’ve been longer to show more of the house, but especially the car.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KHD23J0GcCc
Yup….saw the video…great that Jay and
Martha featured such a great car…much truth to edsel’s death too….
I have a picture of my Mom and Dad standing next to their Ford that they owned during WW II. My Dad was stationed in Texas prior to going to Guam.
I could never come up with the year of the car, but this one clicks all the boxes when I compare it to the limited pics of my parents and their car.
Thank you Barn Finds for solving the mystery.
Awesome.
Main difference between 35 and 36 is the horns. 35 exposed- 36 behind the little chrome grills.
And the shape of the grille.
Nice car, but $47K???? not in my lifetime
This may not be a 5-window but I still wouldn’t kick it off my driveway. While I’m a flathead Ford man first and foremost, I won’t turn anything else down either. I have a ‘49 Chevy Styleline Deluxe 4-door that we pulled out of a shed some years back when it only had 19K miles on it. It has 43K on it today and is still a lot of fun to drive. That old 216 is still ready to go. No speed demon but when I go out for a drive I’m not in a hurry to get anywhere…
I’m baffled by the claim that the seller got it from an 80-year old man who’s grandfather owned the car. Seems like a riddle but if the car is 88 that would mean that te original owner was in their 60s when this car was built. I guess that’s feasible but sounds pretty strange. But a pretty car nonetheless!
might’s well chrome the heads’n dress up the intake (ceramic?). As said here, just agreein “Iconic”. Begining era of ‘the classics’ (up to very early ’50s /or/ end of ‘Depression’, thru end of ‘Korea’). My claim (4 merica, not the european classics).
Nice looking ride!!! Don’t appear to need anything either.
Please forward me your phone number, I would like to talk about the 1935 Ford 3 window you have listed.
Kind Regards,
David