Vehicle Description
1935 Ford Model Y
E.T. Gregorie was tasked to draw a replacement for the British
version of the Model A, which shouldered a huge cost penalty due to
the Royal Automobile Club's fiscal-horsepower tax formula. The
Model Y's delightfully raked Gregorie lines would be scaled up and
transferred virtually intact to the larger U.S. Ford line. Rarely
seen on American soil, this Ford sponsored, and British built
pocket-sized Model Y may grab you because of its rarity, or because
it's a project for the restorer who is looking for a challenge.
For consignment a scaled down Model A for the British market, and
in the throes of a restoration. Some has been completed, including
the engine rebuild, blasted wheels and new tires, a strengthening
of the frame and new running boards. The exterior and interior will
need some TLC but when finished you will have a rare Ford
collectible. Quite!
Exterior
Born in Essex England, and registered there, it eventually made its
way across the pond in 1979, then sat in a basement for 34 years.
It is now leading a partially restored life here in the USA. It has
an optional sliding sunroof and is currently showing in half black
and half brown on this all-steel Briggs body. Patches of paint rub
off possibly due to previous repair attempts are peppering the car
throughout. New running boards have been put on, and the wheels are
fully restored and painted black with shiny hubs. These wheels are
wire and wrapped in like new rubber with tubes. One can spot some
of the pre body work done as these areas are a more satin black
then the usual shiny black which is fairly beat up. A solid newer
maple structure is within the top of this car, but there is no
canvas to roll back and forth. On the back is a spare tire, and
glass all around is looking in fair condition.
Interior
A swing of the suicide door and we can see some work to be done for
this interior. Door panels are red leather, but in poor condition.
2 Oxblood leather bomber style buckets are in front, and since its
a right hand driver, all controls are on the opposite side from the
standard Model A. Upfront is a full metal dash painted black and in
front of the large bakelite steering wheel is a small rectangular
metal panel with a woven pattern. This houses original gauges which
are an amp gauge, a speedometer and a fuel level gauge. I nside the
framing for the sunroof is completed, as mentioned it needs the
canvas roll attached. In the back are plenty of boxes of various
and sundry parts and it is not known if one of those parts is a
frame for the rear seat.
Drivetrain
A lift of either cowl and we can see a fully restored engine bay.
It looks virtually new with a 56.9ci L head 4 cylinder which has
been bored .060 over. The head has been shaved and the block fully
cleaned and checked for cracks. There is a new camshaft, timing
chain, valve springs, valves, adjustable lifters and plus 0.060
pistons and rings, as well as NOS ring gear. This is fed by a side
draft 1 barrel carburetor, and on the back is a 3-speed manual
transmission with a rebuilt clutch. The rear axle is a 5.50 geared
version. Our consignor states that approximately 300 miles have
been clocked since this engine and clutch rebuild.
Undercarriage
All cleaned up and partially repaired including the use of a
license plate used as a filler. Some rust on the inner fenders but
seemingly structurally sound. Floor pans are plywood then it turns
back to metal at the back of the undercarriage. Transverse leaf
springs are on all 4 corners, and mechanical drum brakes are also
being used on all 4's.
Drive-Ability
A slight wafting of smoke comes out of the exhaust upon startup,
but it then clears up. The car fired right up and ran like a champ,
shifting smoothly, and steering was just a tad loose. Mechanical
drums performed as expected.
Not often seen here in the good ol US of A, but this one made it,
and nearly made it to the fully restored status, but alas it will
still require some blood sweat and tears. Mechanically very sound
cosmetically needs TLC on the exterior and interior.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
