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Wind Stream Style: 1936 Dodge Coupe

front

In 1935 Chrysler redesigned the Dodge with “Wind Stream” styling. This design was mildly streamlined and was very popular unlike the more radically streamlined and less popular Chrysler Airflow. This old Dodge is listed on eBay in Salem, Oregon. It’s a very original and mostly complete car. It’s been sitting for 20 years and does not run.

front-flppr

Most of the rust is surface rust, but the floors have signs of the underworld showing through in several places.

front-seat

The upholstery appears original with signs of repair from the pre duck tape days.

dash

The dash has seen better days. I doubt “rust” was an optional dash finish in the 1930s. The dash does look complete.

engine

It looks completed and unmolested under the hood. The only info provided is that it does not run. Hopefully it’s not frozen but the seller does not say.

rear

The seller has the missing tail light. The bumper is straight and ready for a rechrome. Does this look like a worthy project? The floors will need to be repaired and the engine sorted. If it was running and driving it would be worth no more than $6,000, so what do you think it is worth in this condition? It’s been bid up over $3,300 at this time. Could one repair this Dodge without getting too far upside down at $3,300? As always, I hope this coupe is kept original, but it could be the basis for a hot rod or custom of some sort. What would you do with it?

Comments

  1. Avatar RayT

    With all — or at least most — of the spark plugs missing, I’m sure it “doesn’t run!” But those Chrysler flathead sixes, like most American engines of the time, are not terrible to work on and can be resuscitated pretty easily.

    Same for the rest of the car. Nothing much here that looks like it wouldn’t respond to careful treatment. The rust appears easily fixable on the visible bits, the body ditto, and the interior isn’t totally roached out.

    At the current bid, or even slightly above, I’d be tempted to take a shot at this. They’re good-looking cars (if not quite as jazzy as an Airflow), and with any maintenance beyond leaving them to rot in storage, they’ll last forever.

    Like 1
  2. Avatar The Walrus

    It’s duct tape, as in duct work. Not duck as in get down out of the way, waterfowl coming at ya.

    Like 1
  3. Avatar Bob's your uncle

    We’ve got the 37 4-door version of that car, in better condition and close to the same color that has been trapped in a barn at my mother in law’s house for way over 20 years.I’d have a hard time selling it for what is bid on this 2-door, even if it does have too many doors.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Jay M

      A car in this original condition deserves a restoration to stock specs. Original survivors are part of history.
      The junk ones can become rat rods or whatever the next fad will be..
      And to Bob’s your uncle: I hope you can keep that 1937 in your family, they don’t make them anymore.

      Like 0
  4. Avatar Cp

    Would love to get one not as orginal and throw a hellcat in it. But keep the orginal exterior and interior.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar nessy

    To David, the person who wrote this car up, you stated that this car would be worth no more than 6000 if it was running and driving? I don’t know where you got that idea from as it’s already at 4000. You can not buy any running and driving 1930s era coupe for only 6000. Those days are over. You can not always go by book values when it comes to pricing a car as old and rare as this one. I do not know this car or the seller but a car like this will bid more. It’s a coupe.

    Like 0
    • Avatar brakeservo

      Any bid not entered within the last few minutes is likely a shill bid – no SMART bidder who truly wants to own the car bids early, so the bids to this point don’t mean a thing!

      Like 0
    • Avatar Bob

      To Nessy, I agree with you 100%. Try to find a reasonable 30’s coupe that hasn’t been destroyed through the years. In fact, here’s the story behind the ’36 Dodge Coupe pictured & mentioned here. I bought it in Salem – the engine was stuck, but freed up after a few days. The car is too nice to rod – no rust on the floors as mentioned by someone else. Just a dine sized hole above the running board on the right. The rest is all solid Mopar steel from 1936. Here’s where the car is at presently. Replaced the engine with another good running engine I had, rebuilt the transmission, replaced the fuel tank & went through the complete brake system. Solid good running dependable car now that shows great patina. This coupe originally black, has one very old tan repaint.

      Like 1
  6. Avatar David Montanbeau

    This car is in great shape. Have 3 customers restoring 5 at this time. The front grill alone is worth about 3500.00. Takes a lot of money to restore these grills. About 6000 in this grill.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Glen

      I’m a little confused, if the grill is worth $3500.00 , who would spend $6,000.00 to restore one?

      Like 0
      • Avatar David Montanbeau

        Cost about 2500 for repairs and replating. 600 plus to get the wing restored. Cost 6k if it is busted up. These front ends are very expensive to restore. We have done about 6.Pictured is the grill wing.

        Like 0
      • Avatar David Montanbeau

        950 for the reproduction crank cover.

        Like 0
      • Avatar David Montanbeau

        1500 to replate a good center grill section.

        Like 0
      • Avatar David Montanbeau

        1500 to replate a good center grill.

        Like 0
    • Avatar Glen

      Thanks for the break-down. Is it safe to say,a pristine condition grill that doesn’t need any repairs/replating (if you can even find one not on a car) , is going to cost more than $3500.00 ? This is an expensive hobby!

      Like 0
  7. Avatar John S

    In looking at the interior, particularly the dashboard, I could think of no better use for a “toy” I saw recently, It would save the most metal on a restoration/preservation. (warning, this will be just about the most satisfying thing you’ll see all day) –
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X8Sy63yJvw
    When I saw this, my mind automatically went to the restoration possibilities of the most intricate parts on autos, as well as the saving of the most metal (no chemical dip, or abrasives) Just amazing.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Ed Willaims

      Hello John S!

      I watched the video as you suggested and it IS a wonderful product and would be great for de-rusting car bodies and other parts but I’ll bet it costs as much as a WHOLE CAR to buy one!

      Like 0
  8. Avatar cyclemikey

    Signs of the underworld showing through? Was this a Mafia staff car, maybe? :)

    I agree with those who lean toward preserving this as a survivor. The non-running engine is no problem at all. Chrysler made SO many of these flathead sixes and used them in practically everything right up until the late fifties. Parts and/or replacements aren’t an issue. But with not much effort this one can probably be brought back to life – they’re tough as an anvil, and about as complicated.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Rolf Staples, Sr

      “Tough as an anvil”, great line!

      Like 0
  9. Avatar geomechs Member

    Lots of class with this one. Definitely worth a full restoration on this one. Won’t be the most powerful car on the block but it will take you around the block many times. Sure hope this one stays on the stock side, not enough of them left to modify…

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Doug Towsley

    Doesnt look like a coupe to me, I Had a 37 Plymouth Coupe, still have a 39 Plymouth Coupe and I also have a 1939 Dodge coupe.. Does NOT appear to be a coupe.

    Interesting car, Its 45 min to an hour from me. But I dont need another project.
    Prices are debatable. There seems to be a lot of cool prewar cars for sale locally all the time so while i tend to think higher values I have seen nicer sell for less locally

    Like 0
    • Avatar Doug Towsley

      I stand corrected, Should not reply when so tired. Looked at rest of auction pix, It IS a coupe, But still rather expensive.

      Like 0
  11. Avatar Edward

    Duck tape is correct, it was invented during World War II and given that name because it was used to make quick repairs on those amphibious vehicle used during the war, and to seal ammunition cases from moisture.

    It originally only came in Army green.

    My distant cousin, Jack Kahl, is the creator of branded duct tape under the Duck® and Duck Tape® trademarks.

    Like 0

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