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1937 FORD DELUXE FORDOR SEDAN 37K MILES!!! - $19,800 (Oak Hill)
1937
FORD 78
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I have always been a 4 cylinder Model A kind of guy but wanted to experience something different that would smoothly cruise down the road at 55-60 MPH or more comfortably……….and this car does just that very well. The Flathead V-8 engine starts every time in a split second, runs very smooth, has very good throttle response and the transmission shifts very smooth.
I purchased the car in Alabama from an older gentleman who originally bought the car in 1989. He was a guy who professionally built dragsters in his huge “spotless” climate controlled shop and this 1937 FORD was truly his “pride and Joy”.
He said that the speedometer/odometer on the car has always worked and he said to me that the 37000 miles was original. The car was always stored inside the climate controlled garage. What appealed to me most about the car was that it had absolutely no rust and that it still had the untouched “original” interior which is what you see in all the photos.
After I purchased the car the first thing I did was to join “THE EARLY FORD V-8 CLUB” so I could be coached on what I needed to do to preserve the car and make it as reliable as possible for daily use.
The tires on the car were very stiff and old, the consensus from the folks on the club was to purchase a new set of Diamond Back Tires, specifically Whitewall Auburn Deluxe Radials. I had all four tires mounted and “Road Force Balanced” and what an incredible difference it made in the smoothness of the ride.
Another thing the guys in the club recommended was to pull the original radiator and have it professionally cleaned ………. so I did just that. While I had the radiator out I decided to pull the engine and transmission to install a new clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing and all new motor and transmission mounts.
I wanted to give this car a really good tune up but never messed with the type of distributor that a Ford Flathead V-8 has. The guys in the club said that Skip Haney (who lives nearby in Florida) is “THE EXPERT” when it comes to refurbishing and setting the timing on distributors and rebuilding coils. Skip also rebuilds the duel water pumps with better impellers for much improved cooling.
I sent Skip the original distributor, coil and both water pumps and he refurbished them all.
Before I put the engine/transmission back into the car I installed all new distributor caps and the correct new color coated spark plug wires. I also installed a new starter.
The previous owner had installed an external electric fuel pump. I really wanted to return the engine back to be as original as possible so I installed a new mechanical fuel pump. The guys in the club suggested that I keep the inline electric pump installed so I could prime the carb before startup after any long term storage.
Most of the window glass was showing its age so I ordered a “complete” new set of glass from a company that was recommended by the club, AUTO CITY CLASSIC INC. I also ordered all new door window channels, all new glass trim seals and all new period correct door handles and levers. I installed the glass, new channels and door seals in the two rear doors which was somewhat time consuming but not really as difficult as I expected ……………… then I stumbled onto the very first Model A that I restored which happened to be for sale on Facebook Marketplace ……….. so I purchased it.
That all being said, I really missed working on and (as slow and Shakey as they really are) even driving down the road in a Model A. I can only keep one car so I had to make a decision and decided to reluctantly sell my 1937 Ford.
As previously stated, I am a very picky mechanic and this car is very drivable just as it sits. The front end and whole car is very tight and the brakes are in great shape. All the fluids have been changed, zirk fittings greased, front inner and outer wheel bearings cleaned, packed and greased. The only glass that is worn is in the two front doors and the two small rear windows. But I do have all the glass and all the seals for every window.
YouTube Walk Around Vidio Link:
https://youtu.be/D48GVEpyKI0
YouTube Video Drive By:
https://youtu.be/Q_VWmTjxaaI
$19,800.