For Sale: 1936 Ford Phaeton in Torrance, California

West Coast Classics are proud to present an exceptional example of this 1936 Ford Model 68 DeLuxe 4 Door Phaeton Convertible. The final year of the Ford Phaeton was in 1938 and there are very few known to be remaining in existence today!  Recipient of a comprehensive body-off-the-frame restoration Powered by the legendary 221-cubic-inch Flathead V-8 engine Finished in Ford's Washington Blue over a tan interior Accessory fog lights, sideview mirrors, and turn signals 16-inch wheels with V-8 scripted hubcaps and Goodyear Deluxe tiresPowered by the legendary 221cu-in Flathead V8 and paired with a 3 Speed manual transmission. The motor and transmission run fantastically with excellent power and shifts through all gears smoothly. 221CU-IN Flat Head V83-Speed ManualWashington Blue PaintTan Interior AccessoryFog LightsTurnSignals Side View MirrorsWoodgrain Dashboard16" Wheels with V8 HubcapGoodyear Deluxe 6.00-16 TiresDuring the comprehensive restoration this Ford was refinished in 'Washington Blue' with a light tan pin stripe. The paint and body are in excellent shape with a very deep shine. The interior was refinished in tan and is paired with a woodgrain dash. The interior also features factory ford gauges which include a speedometer, oil pressure, fuel gauge, amp meter, and temperature sensor. The chrome on this Ford was refinished as well and has an excellent deep shine.Extreme Rarity: Ford produced only some 5,555 4-door Deluxe Phaetons in 1936. Because survival rates for open-air phaetons were historically low, they are far harder to find today than virtually any other model. Prewar Body Style Prestige: The Phaeton represents the end of an era for true "open touring" cars. It features removable side curtains instead of roll-up glass windows, which appeals deeply to prewar purists and collectors.Historical Significance: The 1936 Ford Phaeton holds a special place in automotive history as it was famously favored by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who kept a custom-equipped 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.Please note this 1936 model is California titled as a 1935 Ford Model, this is actually a 1936 model 68 Deluxe Phaeton and is one of the rarest of that years body styles and drives incredibly well. The car is rust free throughout and all the body contours are correct, door gaps are even, and the doors shut well.The automotive breakthrough of the 1930s, Ford Motor Company introduced the V-8 in 1932 for its all-new 1932 models, offering the power, smoothness and prestige of more expensive cars. Matching Ford's renowned engineering was the V-8 Ford Model 48 line for 1935, restyled and a bit smaller and lower than the 1932-34 models. Ford promoted its 1935 line with the slogan: "Greater Beauty, Greater Comfort and Greater Safety."Credit for the fresh new look from Ford rightly goes to Phil Wright, a Briggs Body Co. designer whose previous credits included the monumental Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow. Among their winning design cues, the new-for-1935 Ford models featured a streamlined overall design theme with gently flowing fenders and radiator grille that was repositioned forward, yielding a more prominent and modernistic look. New horizontal hood louvers conveyed a vision of speed and aviation-inspired gracefulness. As always, a wide variety of body styles were offered, including the Tudor and sedans, the five-window coupe, three-window coupe, convertible sedan, "woody" station wagon, roadster, and even the new Model 51 truck with exceptionally handsome car-like styling.While long overshadowed by the 1932 and 1934 Ford models, the 1935/6 cars have aged particularly well and continue to carry a sophisticated presence with softer and less angular body lines that have only grown more attractive with the passage of time. One of only 5,555 examples produced in 1936, this 1936 Ford Deluxe Phaeton carried a $590 price tag when new and marks a wonderful example of one of the most popular American automobiles of the 1930s in upscale, open-air form to enjoy with friends and family alike.As previously stated  the Deluxe Phaeton is one of the rarest of any Fords built and 1938 was the last year for no pillars between the doors. This is the 1936 model 68 Deluxe and one of the few remaining examples of the last in a legendary line, this car truly represents the end of an era and is wonderfully presented and driving example for the Ford enthusiast to enjoy or indeed any pre war period classic car collector.