Vehicle Description
1936 Ford Phaeton
A phaeton is a style of open automobile without any fixed weather
protection, which was popular from the 1900s until the 1930s. It is
an automotive equivalent of the horse-drawn fast, lightweight
phaeton carriage. A popular style in the US from the mid-1920s and
continuing into the first half of the 1930s was the dual cowl
phaeton, with a cowl separating the rear passengers from the driver
and front passenger. Phaetons fell from favour when closed cars and
convertible body styles became widely available during the 1930s.
Eventually, the term "phaeton" became so widely and loosely applied
that almost any vehicle with two axles and a row or rows of seats
across the body could be called a phaeton. Convertibles and
pillarless hardtops were sometimes marketed as "phaetons" after
actual phaetons were phased out.
Elegant, glamorous, glorious....Strong words, but if you have ever
spent time around one of these cars you know exactly what im
talking about. These Fords were the cream of the crop as they were
the most expensive model offered in the day. Built from 1935 to
1939, with 1936 being an interesting year, as early production cars
had the slant back body and a few months into production a switch
was made to the trunk back model, making this one of the rarest and
most desirable of all the Phaeton models. Estimates point to around
700 units being built and only 61 accounted for today. An older
restoration still presenting well and now gracing our Hallowed
Halls, read on...
Exterior
With its curved v shape swept back horizontal ribbed grille and
teardrop headlights which are slowly evolving into one unit with
the fenders, this running board style car is bathed in an older
respray of black over the metal that was once Washington Blue. A
few scrapes and lacquer cracks are present but overall the
restoration is still showing well. Gently curving bulbous lines
abound on this car, particularly the fenders which melt down into
long rubber topped running boards. A Lebaron-Bonney type top is on
in tan canvas with a clear glass window that moves up and down
effortlessly. For inclement weather operation side curtains with
plastic windows are with the car and match the top's tan color.
Also, one has to love the large V and the figure 8 within its logo
on the dog dish hubcaps, wrapped with wide whites and thin bias
plys.
Interior
Wonderful black pattern painted on the metal dash with aged cream
gauges and saddle brown leather bench seats for the front and back
and it just feels like an old friend. An original banjo style
steering wheel fronts all this warmth. Plus, you're going to need
the warmth if you venture out with no roll up windows to protect
you! Included within the dash is a not oft seen AM radio in the
center presenting in gauge matching aged crean. Beautiful clean
mats cover the floors as well as stitched saddle brown vinyl
covering all the door and side interior panels. Like a cup of hot
chocolate with some marshmallow on top, sitting right next to the
fireplace.
Drivetrain
The later model 239ci Flathead V8 is tucked neatly into a clean
engine bay and presents nicely. A single 2-barrel carburetor is on
top clean by an oil bath cleaner. There is a 3-speed manual
transmission on this car as well as a 4.11 rear axle.
Undercarriage
Nicely presenting with patina, road dirt and possibly even some
factory paint. A straight strong frame is there and supports floor
pans which appear to never have some patched. A clean X frame
supports strong rust-free body hangers. "Juice" drum brakes circa
1939 are on all 4 corners and for the ride we have transverse leaf
springs front and rear.
Drive-Ability
This old gal started right up and ran beautifully and smooth. It
has surprisingly good acceleration, nice handling and a smooth
ride, even with the skinny bias ply tires. All functions were
working during my drive and thankfully the weather didn't warrant
the installation of the side curtains.
A nice example of a very rare car with low, low production numbers
and survival rate, very clean with no issues. Wonderful saddle for
the warm interior, black contrasting exterior and a Flathead V8
with snappy power, this is a nice car to grace us here at Classic
Auto Mall.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 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.
