Vehicle Description
Beautiful multi-year restoration in period colors. Rebuilt 221
cubic inch flathead V8 with aluminum heads. Correct mohair
interior. Nicely accessorized. Runs and drives very well, smooth
and nimble. A very appealing flathead Ford ready to tour!By 1935,
Henry Ford's flathead V8 was a mainstay on American roads. It
changed the way people looked at their cars, realizing that they
were more than just transportation?they could be fun to drive, too!
Torquey, energetic, reliable, and impeccably smooth, the affordable
Ford V8 might just be the car that made America fall in love with
driving. By the time this very attractive 1935 Ford Deluxe sedan
was built, they'd pretty much perfected the formula, combining
attractive styling with great road manners and bulletproof
reliability (no pun intended, Bonnie and Clyde). As a result, these
cars have been favorites for decades. This one was recently
finished to a high standard by an elderly gentleman who did it as a
labor of love, and it shows. Ford called this particular shade of
tan a lot of different names, and in 1935 it was Palm Beach Gray,
although there's really not much gray to it. Fit and finish are
excellent, with four doors that close with a solid kerCHUNK that's
reassuring and a soft gloss to the paint that seems entirely
appropriate for the mid-30s. Plenty of chrome and stainless trim
makes it look dressed up, and all of the shiny bits were restored
along with the rest of the car, including the iconic greyhound hood
ornament. New running board mats and a fresh top insert make this
car ready for touring, and it has been outfitted with accessories
like dual side mirrors, a front grille guard, and a rear back-up
light. It's an extremely appealing package.The taupe mohair
interior is largely how it would have been in 1935. The seats are
springy and comfortable, the upholstery materials are durable, and
it has a very correct look throughout. The big steering wheel makes
it easy to wheel the little Ford around with enthusiasm, and the
gauges put all the vitals right in front of the driver. This car is
also outfitted with an aftermarket oil pressure gauge under the
dash, and we're happy to see that the little flathead is plenty
healthy in that regard. The 3-speed shifter has synchromesh on 2nd
and 3rd gears and clutch action is light, so it's easy to drive.
The crank in the center of the dash opens the windshield for
additional ventilation and you'll note the accessory AM radio head
just below?it isn't hooked up, but the control box is included with
the car if you'd like to pursue making it operational. The dash and
garnish moldings are nicely finished in a subtle woodgrain effect,
and all the door hardware was restored or replaced during the
restoration. Back seat space is expansive, and there's a clever
trunk stashed behind the rear seat back?not exactly convenient, but
certainly useful. The engine is a correct 21-stud flathead V8 that
displaces 221 cubic inches and makes 85 horsepower. It features
correct aluminum heads, which are somewhat rare these days (there
was a recall early in the car's life to replace the aluminum heads
with iron due to corrosion issues), and it has been fully rebuilt
to stock specs. There's a correct carburetor up top, complete with
oil bath air cleaner, an aluminum intake manifold, and stock
exhaust manifolds to ensure that it stays quiet. It always starts
quickly and easily with the floor-mounted starter pedal and never
seems to get fussy. There's plenty of torque on tap at almost any
speed to make it feel lively and energetic, and with 3.78 gears out
back, it zips through traffic without much effort at all. It's
happy on the highway at 55 MPH or so, and don't let the mechanical
brakes scare you?they're set up correctly and are quite effective
(with the side benefit of never leaking or rusting). The suspension
is simple, as Henry insisted, but it rides well and as I mentioned,
steering is light and accurate so the Ford feels agile and light
compared to most of its competition. There's also a new exhaust
system that gives it a great V8 sound that's just a joy on the open
road. Correct welded-spoke wire wheels are painted bright red for
contrast and carry right-sized 6.00-16 wide whitewall tires.Extras
include the original jack with crank handle, AM radio components,
and a 1935 Ford V8 brochure.If you haven't driven a flathead Ford,
you're really missing out. Fast, fun, and competent, these rugged
cars feel great going down the road and their great looks bely
their affordable prices. You couldn't restore one to this level for
the asking price, even if you got the car for free. It's finished,
sorted, and ready to go. If you've got the urge to discover why
these cars are so popular, or perhaps you're interested in your
first pre-war car, this is a fantastic place to start. Take a
closer look then give us a call!Harwood Motors always recommends
and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in
our inventory prior to purchase.
