Vehicle Description
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!