In the same owner’s hands since 1960. Beautiful restoration with multiple awards. Columbia 2-speed rear end. Includes restored Mullins Red Cap trailer with rare pop-up tent and extensive tools & documentation. Wonderful car!
In 1940, Ford called this color Mandarin Maroon, and it is one of the most traditional of all Ford colors of the pre-war era. It looks particularly good on the coupe, combining a sporty demeanor with a highly functional practicality that we find very appealing. The Standard models retained 1939’s slightly V-shaped grille, which, along with the painted headlight rings, give this Ford a distinctly unique look compared to the far more common Deluxe models. It was treated to a frame-off restoration several years ago, after which it won just about every award such a car can win. But winning awards wasn’t why this car was restored—it was restored to drive, and it does that exceedingly well. Despite two cross-country trips to the west coast and back, the lovely paint job still looks spectacular, offering a deep shine and a rich color that makes people want to touch the paint to see if it’s still wet. Fit and finish are exemplary and given that the car was just 20 years old when it was retired to hobby status, it shouldn’t be surprising that it has never been rusty or wrecked. Details like the ornate V8 emblem on the nose, the simple bumpers, and polished stainless trim are all in excellent condition and even the rubber running boards look almost new.
The tan leather interior isn’t quite standard specification, but Ford would have built a car like this for you if you’d asked, so it isn’t incorrect. The materials and patters are quite correct, from the comfortable bench seat to the rubber floor covering that was designed for low maintenance. Subtle woodgraining on the window garnish moldings makes it feel dressed-up, while the body-colored dash and steering wheel work well with the ivory gauge panel. The gauges are all restored and fully operational, and even the accessory AM radio works like it should. The controller for the Columbia 2-speed rear end is under the dash, along with the knobs for the throttle, choke, and headlights. Lift up the rear seat back and you’ll find a good-sized storage compartment for tools and spare parts, all of which are included with the car, as well as a handy fire extinguisher. The trunk is likewise massive, and includes a matching spare tire and jack assembly, plus more factory tools stashed in the trays under the mat.
The engine is a correct 221 cubic inch flathead V8 that was rebuilt to factory specifications and detailed for show. Ford Green paint on the engine itself, a proper oil bath air cleaner up top, and wonderful little details like the color-coded spark plug wires and Ford script radiator hoses. There’s even a reproduction topper for the battery that simulates an original Ford script 6-volt unit. All traces of Flathead Fever have been eradicated from this car, as it runs nice and cool under any conditions, even while crossing the Rocky Mountains. It starts quickly and easily, idles so smoothly you can scarcely hear it run, and pulls the coupe around with the enthusiasm that has made flatheads so beloved. If you want a tour car that always puts a smile on your face, this is it. It’s just a joy to drive.
Underneath, the floors are correct red oxide primer, the suspension and brakes have been rebuilt, and the 3-speed manual transmission shifts cleanly with good clutch action. Out back there’s a Columbia two-speed rear end, a popular accessory that gives this coupe 65 MPH highway cruising speeds and a very relaxed attitude. A correct single exhaust system sounds right, just a light V8 burble from the tailpipe, and this well-sorted coupe rides better than almost any other vintage Ford we’ve driven. Correct 16-inch steel wheels were painted to match the bodywork and fitted with hubcaps, trim rings, and flashy 6.00-16 Firestone wide whitewall tires.
This car includes an ultra-rare Mullins Red Cap trailer, which was just as meticulously restored as the rest of the car. It comes with a very rare accessory pop-up tent that transforms the trailer into a cozy 2-person shelter that was obviously useful for the salesman on a long road trip. It’s awesome for shows and really attracts attention.
There’s also an extensive collection of period literature, including manuals, advertisements, and dealer papers that were accumulated by a dedicated collector over the course of more than five decades.
It’s hard to say which is more impressive: the car itself or the dedication behind its preservation. Either way, it has a fantastic story to tell and you know that it has been as well cared-for as any car you could possibly own. No stories, no excuses, no asterisks. This is flat-out the most endearing flathead Ford we’ve ever seen. Call today!
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
