This 1936 Ford Deluxe 4-door sedan is rather rare. Not because they didn't build many of them (they built more of these than any other body style that year) but because nobody restores a 4-door sedan to this level. It's just beautiful. If you're a fan of the '36 Fords, this is a fantastic example that's ideal for a family and it's still quite affordable.
Code 36 Vineyard Green is this car's original color and it looks great in color. All the old photos are black and white, so you never see the lovely colors the cars were wearing back in the '30s. The rounded styling was a modest update of the all-new '35, with an iconic wrap-around grille that remains a favorite among Ford junkies. Fit and finish are exemplary, with excellent gaps, beautiful surface prep, and a high shine, likely making this little car better than it was when it was new. The painted grille is a great contrast to the chrome-laden cars of the period, and the Ford looks trim and well-tailored in comparison. Of note, this one wears accessory fog lights, greyhound hood ornaments, and side mirrors, all of which dress it up and make it a bit more practical on today's roads. The doors open and close with real authority and the rear-mounted spare on the trunk makes it look substantial. And just look at those lovely chrome bumpers with their graceful curves!
The absolutely stunning tan cloth interior is new throughout and has that conservative but flashy look that worked so well in the 1930s. Look at the handsome woodgraining on the dash and window moldings, the banjo-style steering wheel, and the delicate grim trim running down the center of the dash. Who says inexpensive has to be plain? There's a rubber floor mat up front, in typical Ford fashion, but plush carpets in back make it feel like first-class. Gauges feature delicate pointers and soft beige-on-cream faces that look elegant without being too showy and they all work. The three-speed manual transmission shifts easily and the driving position is upright and comfortable. There's plenty of room in back for two, maybe three in a pinch, and the trunk offers above-average space for a weekend's worth of touring.
Ford's flathead V8 really needs no introduction, with this one being a correct 221 cubic inch version with 21-stud heads. It was rebuilt 1200 miles ago with insert bearings for reliability and you'd better believe it's a runner! The stock carburetor offers snappy throttle response and despite the smallish size of the engine, there's plenty of torque at any speed. This one has been upgraded with a 6-volt alternator (the original generator is included) and a modern coil, but otherwise runs the way Henry intended. It wears proper green paint, Ford script coolant hoses, and a bare aluminum manifold, so it has a familiar look. The three-speed manual gearbox shifts nicely once the synchros are warmed up properly and the front end was fully rebuilt recently with new kingpins and bushings, so it tracks straight. Brakes are still the original mechanical drums, but don't write them off until you've tried them, because they're surprisingly effective. Modern tube shocks were added and help keep the ride buttoned down a bit, and the undercarriage, while original, remains in good order. Beautiful chrome "spider" wheels add just the right amount of glamour and it rolls on correct 16-inch Firestone wide whites.
A delightful little car with a nice collection of period literature, this V8 Ford would make an ideal tour car that's also at home on the show field. Call today!