To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Arizona
event, 17 - 18 January 2019.
Estimate:
$160,000 - $200,000
- Offered from the Richard L. Burdick Collection
- Ford's iconic open-top woodie; one of only 2,250 built
- Features the Columbia overdrive axle
While all Ford woodies are popular, the most revered of all are
certainly the Sportsman convertibles. The Sportsman was reportedly
inspired by a Model A that Henry Ford II had built up with a wood
body created by chief designer E.T. "Bob" Gregorie, for use at his
Long Island home. In the early part of 1945, Gregorie and his lead
illustrator, Ross Cousins, worked up drawings for a wood-bodied
1946 convertible. A prototype was built at Iron Mountain by taking
the skin off an early production convertible and fitting wood in
its place. Using standard convertible parts to the extent possible
simplified manufacture and helped restrain costs.
Sportsman seats were upholstered in genuine leather facings in tan
or red, with French stitching. The front floor mats had color-keyed
carpet inserts, and power windows were standard. Announced in
September, the first Sportsman was completed in December 1945 and
presented to actress Ella Raines at Christmas. In all, 3,629 were
built over three years, including 205 Mercurys for 1946 only.
From January 1947, all cars were designated '47s, Model 79A, and
were given serial numbers accordingly. There was, however, no
change in the cars' appearance. In April, Ford rolled out new
"spring models." Keeping the same 79A model nomenclature, they had
new round parking lamps below the headlights and a new hood
medallion. The hub cap design, too, was changed, as were the bumper
guards. Gone were the red accents. Early experience with the
Sportsman had shown that the crosspiece on the trunk lid, mounted
high, where the lid was almost horizontal, collected water, to its
detriment. For 1947 the crosspiece was lowered somewhat and beveled
on its upper edge, to better shed moisture.
This Sportsman dates from July of that year, according to its body
number. It has all the "spring updates," as well as the revised
trunk lid. In the pretty color Maize Yellow, a very light hue,
almost beige, it looks stunning without being ostentatious. The
upholstery is red leather. The engine compartment and undercarriage
are very clean and correctly appointed. Features include the
standard power windows and top, an electric clock, radio with
cowl-mounted antenna, fresh-air heater, a windshield-post
spotlight, fog lights, bumper end extensions, and rear fender
skirts. The car is also equipped with the optional Columbia
overdrive rear axle, an asset for driving on today's highways.
Ford built just 2,250 second-series Sportsman convertibles for
1947. This car is among the best of those fortunate survivors.To
view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/az19.