1948 Ford Deluxe Business Coupe
"My Ford's a fine storeroom for the various metal products I carry, with plenty of room for overnight luggage'" says Mr. Wright Yount, Detroit, Michigan. 'And traveling 750 miles a week, I'm sold on the extra gas mileage too!' Yes, Mr. Yount, there's lots more space in the new 'Deep Deck' luggage locker." From a whimsical 1948 magazine ad for the Ford line up.
For consignment, a 1948 Ford Deluxe Business coupe showing 37,750 miles which are not actual, and a "luggage locker" that could swallow a small town. Long before vans and SUVs were a thing, traveling salesmen utilized business coupes as a way to comfortably transport their goods across town, or across the country. This one's been rodded, so likely traveling just a bit faster than it did in 1948.
Exterior
Decidedly not black, our car is coated with two stage Night Train Green, a green dark enough to look black at night but providing a refreshing hue to this post war beauty during the day. Add a polished trim bar down the entire shoulder line, one along the bottom, and a chrome gravel guard and you've got yourself a tasty combination of accents for this round roofed rod. Now throw on some 15-inch American Racing wheels and what stands before us is a handsome ride with a pleasant face that includes wide eyed headlights over a grinning grille and undulating ribbon of a bumper. Hood louvers let the heat escape from the V8 under it, and the split windshield bookends the car with a smaller, oval rear window. The paint is deep, like a green ocean, the metalwork is nice, and we could not find any obvious exterior flaws.
Interior
Stitched saddle leather makes up the door panels which retain the typical controls and armrest and are in fine condition. The material is kept for the bucket seats which are tall and modern and based in a black plastic shell, all looking super clean. No seat in the back for business coupes but a lot of space and in this case, occupied by a saddle wrapped storage box with built in speakers. Somehow, a Jeep steering wheel found its way to the column and where a vintage speedometer would be, we find a more modern one compliments of Pro Comp, flanked by square gauges which retain their vintage allure. In the center we find an AM/FM/CD radio over a Vintage Air control box and a small tachometer canted towards the driver. The custom center console is a nice touch, metal plate on top and a tall shifter bending its way up to a black knob, and the armrest shares the vintage hinges and handle from the storage box in back. Ooh! Cupholders too are included in the center! Camel carpet is matched by the saddle headliner above and this clean, well-coordinated interior is ready for some new occupants! The trunk is loosely lined in tan carpet and is clean.
Drivetrain
A lift of the hood reveals a clean 350ci V8 topped by an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor and moved into action by a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission and its Chevy meets Ford at the Ford 9" axle in back. Headers start the exhaust process and power brakes are provided and configured as discs in front and drums in the back.
Undercarriage
Who doesn't love a nice X-frame and that's the basis for this clean underside where minimal surface rust is found and just a touch of residual oil on the pans. Flowmaster mufflers interrupt the exhaust flow, then send it on its way to meaty chrome tips out back. Suspension consists of the desirable Mustang II front end with tubular control arms and leaf springs out back.
Drive-Ability
After we kiss the wife and kids, and pat the dog goodbye, (theoretically), we hit the road, and the road in this case is our test route, a short loop around the massive mall to test the functionality of this jolly green giant. The seats and modern amenities make you feel like you're in a much later car than 1948 from the inside, while the outside retains so much of its vintage likability. As typical of a 350, it was a sure thing, delivering good power to this delivery car which handled very well, certainly better than 1948 could have imagined. We're happy to report that all functions in and around the car worked as they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
This is a fantastic show car with some great drivability. Crank the air, hit the radio, and relax in the comfort of leather buckets as you head to the show or anywhere else you want to go. This presents wonderfully and drives well, a nicely sorted green machine that might be as healthy as any cruciferous vegetable out there, (disclaimer: we are not medical doctors). So, what's it going to be today? Brussel sprouts with a side of kale, or this '48 that's all business? No brainer.
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. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.
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!
