Vehicle Description
1948 Ford Super Deluxe Coupe
The Super Deluxe has a place in movie history, but not many people
remember it. It could also be said that the car has a lot to do
with the increase in popularity of martial arts as a result of its
appearance in the film. Yes, as it turns out, Mr. Miyagi was
teaching Daniel an important lesson through his insistence that
Daniel polish a car, wax on wax off, enter America's vernacular and
the rest is history. And that car was a Ford Super Deluxe.
For consignment, a hardtop version of the movie car, a 1948 Ford
Super Deluxe coupe with a title verified 60,038 actual miles and
lots of custom and performance modifications that make this a
comfortable and capable hot rod version of a once common commuter
car. With its modern interior, big V8, and classic 40's body lines,
this is one the whole family can enjoy for show and go.
Exterior
Our big paneled beauty is finished in Alabaster paint, accented by
a twin pinstripe that ends with a flame motif on the rear quarter
panel ending in Fo Mo Go script. She's been nosed and decked which
means all adorning trim that the factory would have included is
gone and any holes left behind have been filled. The only chrome
that remains is on the headlight rings, grille accents, and
bumpers, all of which look good. The pointed nose is countered on
the other end by the big round trunk. Yes, baby's got back, and
it's a wall of Alabaster flanked by two modest tail lights, now LED
equipped. Wide, articulated fenders loom over 15-inch polished
American Racing Torque Thrust wheels with staggered size tires that
result in a slightly raked stance. Imperfections include some
bubbling on a taillight housing, corner issues near the door
hinges, cracked paint in seams, various minor scratches, and some
gaps and fitment that is less than perfect.
Interior
Tan tweed door panels are framed in with a taupe painted header and
a taupe carpet lower, while the attached hardware is painted to
match. The material continues on the power front bucket seats,
borrowed from a Chrysler, high backed and modern, and the rear has
a matching bench seat that fits perfectly and includes a center
armrest, all looking clean. A tilt column holds a 4 spoke steering
wheel in front of a Bitchin' Products custom dashboard which places
all of the gauges in a row towards the center of the simple, flat
dash. A JVS AM/FM/CD radio is embedded on the far right over some
tweed covered panel doors that cleverly cover some knobs. A floor
mounted Hurst shifter rises above a rubber accordion boot over tan
low pile carpeted mats that are in great shape. So are the
headliner and visors which create a dome over the contoured and
tinted windows. The trunk is completely upholstered and wears a
Ford insignia.
Drivetrain
Lift the big hood to reveal a slightly blinged driver quality
engine bay with a 390ci V8 topped by a Holley 750cfm 4-barrel over
a Holley intake manifold between a pair of chrome valve covers. An
old school B&M intake scoop envelopes the air filter and is a
polished piece that adds more shine. A Toploader 4-speed manual
transmission is behind the engine sending power to the Ford 9" rear
and 3.22 gears. Disc brakes are found behind all four wheels.
Undercarriage
Basic and unremarkable underneath but generally clean and driver
quality. We note some oil under the engine including oil pan,
flywheel cover, transmission, and transmission crossmember. No
surface rust of any significance exists underneath, and wheel
components lack any major grease build up. The dual exhaust flows
back to a pair of glasspack style mufflers and then exits through
steel pipes in the back. Suspension consists of coil springs up
front and leaf springs in the back.
Drive-Ability
This cozy cocoon provides a clean and comfortable perch and with a
little prime of the Holley with our right foot, we press the clutch
with our left, start the engine, and put it in gear. She sounds
great and offers good visibility, save for the C-pillar blind spot
due to the small rear window. The car has good power, adequate
braking, and decent handling. Everything that needs to function
does and we can't wait to get this one a new caretaker!
Here's a car with enough room to take the kids and their karate
equipment to class, and enough classic lines and show worthy
specialness to take it to cruise night, Cars and Coffee, and other
places where car people gather. Maybe you'll even garner a few
trophies that you put next to your karate tournament trophies! In
any event, it's a well sorted '48 in a fine color, comfortable
interior, and capable drivetrain.
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
