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| Chassis No. | ||||
| 183791871 | ||||
| Estimate: | ||||
| $40,000-$60,000 US | ||||
| Model 78. 85 bhp, 221 cu. in. L-head V8 engine, three-speed manual transmission, solid front axle and live rear axle with transverse semi-elliptic leaf springs, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 112" In the days of the Model T, touring cars or phaetons easily outsold all other body types. Open cars were cheaper, and tourers were more spacious and convenient than roadsters or runabouts. By the era of the Model A, however, creature comforts had become more important and less expensive. The most popular Ford body style was a two-door sedan, “Tudor” in Ford parlance. This held true right through to World War II. During the early 1930s, convertibles with roll-up windows and better weather protection began to make inroads into roadster sales. By 1935, Ford cabriolets outsold roadsters three to one. That year a new, four-door convertible sedan with roll-up windows was introduced. The open phaeton, with side curtains instead of windows, still outsold the new style, but the convertible sedan had become so popular by 1936 that a second style with integral trunk was rushed to market. True phaetons remained in the catalog through 1938, when only 1,169 were built, but it is interesting to note that in 1937 the full-windowed car outsold the phaeton by only 655 units – such was the appeal of the old-style “touring car.” Purchased by the current owner at Hershey in 1990, this car had been restored, most of the work done by Bob Robinson of Limerick, Pennsylvania. Painted black with black wheels and black-accented hubcaps, it exhibits a deep shine, showing off the excellent contours of the body and fenders. A true phaeton, without glass side windows, it comes with a complete set of side curtains and rods. Also in the luggage compartment are a spare tire and jack. The top is tan canvas and is unmarked. The seats are done in genuine brown button-pattern leather, and the dashboard wood grain has been restored and is very nice. The car is equipped with radio and heater, and there is a clock in the glove box door. Mechanically, the car differs from stock only in conversion to hydraulic brakes, using 1939 drums and hubs to match the original wide-circle rims. It is an excellent example of a rare car. At 3,723 units, it was undersold only by the Deluxe Roadster. With the added safety of hydraulic brakes and generous integral luggage space, it will make a superb tour car. |
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| Addendum Please note the photos of this car in the catalog are incorrect. The correct photos have posted to our website. |
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