The Great Depression began in 1929 and didn’t finally end until 1939; economic conditions were dire. Yet, Ford Motor Company kept innovating, with Henry Ford bringing the flathead V8 to market in 1932, and re-designing his entire line-up in 1935. And despite the economy, Americans purchased Fords by the millions. That 1935 re-design by Philip O. Wright – famous by then for the Pierce Arrow radiator shell – helped catapult Ford’s sales well above Chevrolet. But better was yet to come, as Wright gave the ’36 Fords the hint of streamlining that would dominate industrial design in the coming decade. Boxy lines had become passé; curves were in. Here on eBay is a 1936 Ford Model 68 roadster, bid to $30,600, reserve not met. According to the seller, this car has had only two owners from new. The winning bidder can drive it home from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Once Henry Ford became convinced that he should offer some engine other than the Model A’s 200 cu. in. four-cylinder, development of Ford’s V8 began. Progress was halting, largely because the goal was mass production, forcing the company to create new production processes. The resulting 221 cu. in. flathead V8 is legendary now, and it was earth-shattering back then. The new engine was good for 85 hp, with plenty of torque on tap. Top speed was about 80 mph. This eBay listing doesn’t include any engine photos – only an assurance that the car is “super solid stock”. The cabin is gorgeous, with brown leather seating and door panels complementing the Washington Blue exterior. The top is in great condition, inside and out.
The car’s underside looks as if this roadster has been restored and driven sparingly… but the seller doesn’t describe one nanosecond of the car’s history. Light surface rust is all we can find to criticize here. The seller notes that the car comes with several documents; the photo shows a reproduction owner’s manual, a Louisiana title, Ford’s ’32-’48 maintenance manual (a great little book if you can find one!), a log kept by a long-ago owner starting from 2013, and a couple of other items.
The Model 68 came in almost twenty body styles – a very “Ford” approach to the market, generated in the days of the Tin Lizzie. Beneath each body, the mechanicals were nearly identical and buyers had only one engine choice. But multiple sheet metal options – coupes, sedans, phaetons, this roadster, a truck, wagons – left the customer feeling in control of his automotive “persona”. In the marketplace, the rumble-seat roadster enjoys strong pricing, with fine examples selling around $50k. Hot-rod makeovers can sell for much more if the theme hits the right chord with buyers. If this car has truly seen only two owners from new and no alterations, the current bid is on the light side.
While I am into 1960s muscle cars .. the ford 35 and 36 cabriolet always grabs my eyes of a beautiful more simple times!
The shapes and curves are just so alluring and sexy.
Good luck with sale.
If I didn’t have four collector cars this one would get added…. 😉
Somewhere around 1960 as a lad of around 13 years I got a 3 way model of a 1936 Ford. I built the convertible option and painted it from little bottles of model car paint available at the time. Bidding on this car is going strong showing that there is still considerable interest in these cars. But what’s not to like it’s a beautiful car. Be truthful now; wouldn’t you love this car parked in your garage/driveway? I know I would, but then I’m of the generation that saw lots of these on the streets in the 1950’s. Soon to be 77 times around the sun, I’ve experienced some of lifes best moments, a generation from extreme poverty, war, and wealth all in in one lifetime.
God Bless America
Thanks for the memory, I built the same model and as a roadster as well. I still have my model and it is one of the few that was not Monogram. I believe, though I can be corrected, that the model kit was Revell.
Ah, the model building years … think I had every bottle of Testors paint back then … spent hours meticulously painting the engines … it all started with a 1983 Ford Fairlane model I got for my birthday and model cars (and Testor paints) were about all I got for years afterwards … don’t know what my mom did with them after I moved out but I spent many hours of my youth on model cars …
Meant 1963 Fairline – no “edit” function available …
This car should be 50 K all day long! However, who knows in the current market. I don’t have words ,this is a beautiful Iconic car! If you don’t understand ,please don’t say something stupid.
” A long ago owner….2013″
Are you trying to make me feel old ?
What a great front end, finest Era for the front styling !
The 36 did for the 35 design that the 50 did for the 49 and the 56 did for the 55. In each case, tweaking the previous year to near artistic and performance perfection. This appears to be an excellent example of (in my opinion) the most aesthetically designed Ford of all time. Thanks for showing in Barnfinds, would love to call it mine but you know the reality, $$$.
When I saw this. I immediately thought of FDR. He had a 36 Ford Phaeton. I believe it was the same shade of blue like this one. I always thought that it was one of the most beautiful designs of the mid 30s. There isn’t a bad angle anywhere you look on these Fords. This car looks absolutely beautiful. Hope it goes to a good home.
Scam ? That’s Pete’s place and if you look at his ad the pics are pretty much all the same – he’s in Plano and his cars have been listed on here a bunch. Seller listed has 1 sell on Ebay so not sure. Contacting Pete in a moment.
How can I commit on such a beautiful car that I know nothing about? I wouldn’t even know how to care for such vintage car like this and not driving it isn’t an option. Henry Ford did produce beautiful automobiles after all well before my time. Gorgeous find BF.
Is that a rumble seat lid or the trunk lid?
How about a photo of the engine???