Vehicle Description
West Coast Classics are proud to present a very rare 1938 Ford
DeLuxe Phaeton 4 Door Convertible. The final year of the Ford
Phaeton and one of only 1,169 built that year with very few known
to be remaining in existence today!Ford, more than any other
automaker, continued to produce open cars into the thirties, even
as sedans and coupes took more and more of the market. During the
period, open cars with glass side windows, cabriolets and
convertible sedans, gained market share at the expense of roadsters
and Phaetons, but Ford kept the fully open cars in production. The
last Ford roadster was built in 1937, and, perhaps surprisingly,
the Phaeton lasted only one year longer. As befit their nature,
open cars were offered only in the DeLuxe model line in 1938.This
1938 DeLuxe Phaeton is one of 1,169 built that year, the rarest of
that years body styles and is equipped with the early 21-stud 221
CID V-8 engine with a 3 speed manual transmission backed by a
3.78:1 differential. The car is a true southern California barn
find (garage really!) and rust free throughout and all the body
contours are correct, door gaps are even, and the doors shut well.
Repainted some years ago in a striking Red/Maroon, the repaint is
now very aged and in need of restoration. Until recently acquired
by us from the previous owner, the car had been sitting for many
years in the previous owner's collection in dry storage here in
southern California, awaiting a restoration that never happened.
Since aquiring the car we had the car fully serviced and installed
an electronic ignition distributor, replaced all spark plug wires
and water pumps etc and the car actually now drives very well and
is still quite striking thoughout with the accessory door hinge
mirrors, wind wings, and spider hub caps contributing to the
effect. The interior had already been reupholstered in Brown with
matching door panels and carpets and is complemented by the iconic
banjo steering wheel and a stem-wind clock in the glove box door. A
taupe canvas top nicely completes the motif and matching side
curtains are found in the trunk. The undercarriage is exceedingly
clean and rust free. The original wheels are fitted with whitewall
tires accented with original spider hubcaps and trim rings. The
spare wheel rests in it's original trunk location. As previously
stated the '38 Deluxe Phaeton is one of only 1,169 built that year,
the rarest of any Fords built. Reportedly there may be less than
200 left in existence today. This is the last year for no pillars
between the doors. This is the model 81A with the L head V-8 with a
3 speed manual transmission. Solid front axle and live rear axle
with transverse semi-ellipticalleaf springs. 4 wheel mechanical
drum breaks. The wheelbase measure some 112". 1938 DeLuxe models
were also differentiated with a heart-shaped grille and a new dash
was used with recessed controls for safety.The last of the last,
this car truly represents the end of an era and would make a great
basis for a complete restoration on a very nice running car for the
Ford enthusiast or any pre war period classic car collector.