1935 Ford 48 Series 5 Window Coupe
In the midst of its second wild success, Ford continued to refine the lines of their sedans and coupes with every year getting a redesign with some slight but effective aerodynamic and styling changes. Their slogan "Beauty was built in" was heavily pushed in magazine advertising, and Ford felt it was well worth the glitzy ads to sell more cars.
For consignment, a nice original looking and non rodded survivor Ford 5-window Series 48 Standard coupe. This car is about as original as they come, having been stored in a tobacco barn in the 1960's and being brought out and made roadworthy in the early 2000's. Since that time the car has been driven regularly, been treated to a new clutch, engine rebuild, carb rebuild, and has had the generator rebuilt as well. An AACA HPOF award winner and a great driver, this is a nice example of the '35, a car to be enjoyed as is, or taken to the next level and steal the show field, but it would be a shame to lose all the originality.
Exterior
A coating of black paint, the factory applied finish, bathes the exterior panels. While there are dings, dents, cracks, some peppering of surface rust, and crazing seen on the body and in the finish, they do not detract from the well penned lines of this pre-war skate. Wonderfully formed steel curves abound, with accenting kept to a minimum save for some chrome trimming on the fender vents, and it is looking just fab. The bumpers with their inverted eyebrow center dip, headlight bezels, and handles are all in very nice condition but do have some tarnishing and surface rust, but again, it's all original. From its vertical ribbed "shield" style grille complete with blue oval and V8 hood adornment we are rolling in style. A shout out to the curved back where we have a simple trunk in lieu of the "mother-in-law seat", so you can leave that b*tch at home. Nice running boards with slightly cracked rubber connect the curvaceous fenders. A spare tire covered in steel and chrome rests above the rear bumper and hangs from the rear of this car. Wonderfully complimentary black painted wire spoke steel wheels are topped with dog dish V8 engraved chrome center caps. These wheels are wrapped with correct and proper wide whites in 6.00-16 format from the 12th week of 2018.
Interior
Tan textured broadcloth covers the door panels and tufted bench. While the bench seat remains in overall good condition with some tearing, fraying and a few small holes, the door panels have succumbed to age with heavy soiling and staining, but again, this is original and over 80 years old. A dark brown sprayed dash houses original Ford gauges and is trimmed in chrome in the Art Deco style. This eye-catching dash is fronted by the original black plastic steering wheel. Original, say it with me again, OR-IG-IN-AL lightly soiled black rubber covers the floors and a stained but intact tan mohair cloth is on the ceiling. You just have to love the round pedals for the brake and clutch.
Drivetrain
A rebuilt over the course of 2020-2012 221 cubes of flathead power is buttoned up under the side hinged hood. This mill has had new poured babbitt bearings and new pistons as well as having a rebuilt single 2-barrel carburetor topping this mill. The generator has been rebuilt as well as the fuel pump and the radiator has been boiled out to ensure proper cooling. Behind this mill is a 3-speed manual transmission with a new clutch that works with a 4.11 geared axle to make up the drivetrain.
Undercarriage
Very nice surface rusted and black painted steel is noted for the frame, x frame, body hangers and flooring. We do note some surface rust on the undersides of the running boards but no invasive rust is noted. Clean transverse leaf springs and mechanical drums are all around for the ride and stopping power.
Drive-Ability
It was like stepping back in time with this unrestored wonderful and original looking example of the 5 window coupe. It started right up, ran beautifully, and the mechanical brakes need to be pushed but they do work. It was a nice leisurely spin that was also a head turner. I love these test drives and everything worked as it should save for the heater that was installed by the original owner and has not been plumbed in.
Decent paint, nice chrome and a worn but original interior, all mechanically sound and a good driver. A survivor if there ever was one that is ripe pickins for the collector who wants a nicely presented car that is definitely a driver and enjoys a real trip back in time. Who said tobacco was bad for you???
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.
