Incredible 1935 Ford Phaeton - Lovingly Restored, Shown, Then Toured & Used!

Description for Ford Model 48 Phaeton 1935

1935 Ford Model 48 Phaeton

An Outstanding Show-Quality Restoration in Vineyard Green Dating to the 1980s - Driven Regularly Since
All Steel Throughout - Great Running 21-Stud 1937 85hp 221cid Ford Flathead, 3-Speed Transmission
Serviced as Needed - Fresh Oil Change and Lots of Small Details Sorted - Runs & Drives Well
I'm Using It As My Commuter This Week - The Mileage WILL Go Up Some!

Please Wait For All Photos To Load - It's Worth It!

This 1935 Ford Model 48 just came in on trade last week from a good client. Suffice to say, despite the fact that he sent me good photos of it, that I did not expect it to be this good of a car - not just good-looking but just as great to drive. On Friday of last week, I jumped in and drove it home, then back and forth, changed the oil and fettled a few details here and there to make it safe, reliable and fun to use, which it now is.

Per a tag attached to the original body tag (shown farther down) the restoration of this car likely dates to the mid-1980s. It appears that they started with a very solid body but perhaps not as good of a frame, for the chassis number on it falls in the middle of 1936 production; I expect that the original frame was too far gone to save economically. This is the number on the clean and clear title in our possession which says 1935 Ford. The body is without any nastyness at all, no excessive filler and a very professionally-applied finish with only a few chips from 3 decades and over 10,000 miles of touring use since.

Don't confuse this Phaeton with a Convertible Sedan, this is a whole different animal!

The car was more recently rewired using a commercially-available wiring harness kit in correct cloth-braided materials. It was professionally installed and as a result, everything seems to work with the exception of the restored original AM radio, which clicks but produces no sound. As I continue to drive the car, I may determine why.

The 1981 Presidential Inaugural tag and vintage Ford dealer frame do not go with the car, displayed here only for effect. I would expect that you might want to acquire a 1935 tag or vintage registration in your state anyway.

The car is nicely accessorized throughout, the steel spare tire cover and period exhaust deflector are must-haves to complete the period look! Tail and brake lamps work on both sides. Chrome all around is in very good shape, generally nicely restored original parts rather than aftermarket replacements given the period of the restoration.

Panel fit is excellent from every angle, doors open and shut as they should and are not loose nor do they sag.

Original, not reproduction, Sparton horns both work well, I think they have been fitted with modern internals but they sound right!

The greyhound mascot is appropriate on this car as it is very quick!

The fold-out windshield is a nice feature for added summertime ventilation!

Let's take a look inside!

The interior appears to have been done with a LeBaron-Bonney kit and was professionally installed, all materials are top-notch.

Some service history inside the front door includes yesterday's oil change.

The front floor mat fits better than shown, I had cut the battery off just before these shots and not straightened it.

Keys and reproduction owners manual.

Original speedometer works great as does odometer and trip meter. Oil gauge reacts slowly when first turned on and I've got another one here. Fuel gauge works, sending unit and tank are very fresh. Fluid-filled temperature gauge and ammeter work as well, though it zeroes out just below 0 as in this photo.

A quick cell-phone pic of the instruments running down the road a day or two prior.

Restored radio speaker under the dash.

Center dash with radio control, choke, hand throttle, aux switch and cigarette lighter.

Even the wind-up clock in the glove compartment works!

Into the rear compartment, notice the almost-unused rear mat and sill plates.

The rear seat is just as nice. Top boot fits well also.

Very welcoming!

That pretty well sums up the interior!

Under the hood, the 21-stud 221 cubic-inch Flathead runs well, the car has a newer exhaust from the manifolds back that may be stainless given the sound.

The radiator cools very well in our hot summer heat!

Firewall is fitted with an add-on catch tank for touring.

Just as clean and tidy on this side!

I oiled the generator bearings and filed the cut-out points as they had a tendency to stick shut, problem solved.

Nice and neat.

The original body tag saved in the restoration, dated 6/84.

The original hand-stamped chassis number.

Wheels are clean, straight and shod with Firestone Deluxe Champions that are not flat-spotted, they run well at all speeds. This is the left front.

Left rear.

Right rear.

Right front.

Top on, running errands around town.

Looks just as good!

Now, back to the shop...

The top and the rest of the weather equipment (side curtains seen lower down) are all good old LeBaron-Bonney bits by the look and feel of the quality. The top is slightly faded but is still very good and serviceable as seen here.

As you can see, the bows and woodwork are all still in very nice shape.

I fitted up one side of side curtains for display, the left side equipment is on the roof as shown. It all fits perfectly as you would expect.

The driver's side front door curtain has a toll "flap" as you can see here.

As seen from inside, also the inside of the top as you can see is just lovely.

The bag has small pockets for the "irons" that support the side curtains, all are present.

This tool bag with a jack, jack handle and lug wrenches (and the cool vintage reflector) come with the car, as does an assortment of spare parts, namely the disassembled spotlamp that was once fitted in the driver's position, it is in OK shape but not up to the standard of the rest of the car, also a complete turnsignal setup with wiring harness, also not really in keeping with the car in its present quality.

We are happy to help arrange transport should you need it, here the car is coming off the truck when it arrived here, but we are happy to extend to you our professional rate for enclosed carriage to get it to you anywhere in the lower 48 states. We can also carry it to the port for you if you choose to export it though those arrangements must be made by you and in place prior to us doing that.

I think that this Ford is in ready-to-go condition but I will continue to fettle on it throughout the course of the listing to make sure it is absolutely usable for you "out of the box" as I want you to be as happy with it as I have been! It is, after all, an 81 year old automobile, but it was the recipient of a careful restoration and has been exceedingly well cared for since that time. Buy with confidence - we really like this one and you will as well!

payment/shipping

This Ford is being sold by a licensed and bonded dealer of fine used automobiles located in Augusta (where this car is located) and Savannah, Georgia. Please understand that this is an unusual 81 year old vintage car hand-built by men and not gods - and is thus sold as-is, where-is with no implied or stated warranty or guarantee; please be realistic about your expectations (i.e., if you expect it to run, start and drive like a late model used car, buy one of those instead). As stated above in the listing, we have made a significant effort to correct issues that we found with the car - and with said effort now believe it to be in extremely good health based on many years of experience with other sports, classic and unusual cars of all types over many years.

Full payment is due within seven days of auction close unless discussed with us in advance of your bid. Your winning bid is a contract to buy, not just to look or for first right of refusal; the only reason your contract would be null and void is if it was found that we willfully and with malice aforethought misrepresented the car in the above description. If you feel you need to inspect the car prior to purchase, please arrange and have this inspection done prior to placing a successful bid, we welcome your visit. If you are very new to eBay, have fewer than 10 positive feedback or any negatives, please contact me before bidding to check in and verify your intents.

Accepted forms of payment include a cleared certified cheque or wire transfer in the dealership's bank account, or cash in person on pickup (no cash via the mail, eBay!). We require that paperwork be completed prior to or at the time of pickup (should you do this in person) or filed back with us if done remotely, we typically FedEx paperwork out to you immediately on receiving payment. We will require a copy of your driver's license to process paperwork. We do not charge any tax to out of state buyers as this is something you handle at the DMV or, naturally, other dealers in all 50 states.

Shipping or pickup must occur within fourteen days of auction close unless discussed with us in advance of your bid. We are happy to refer you to one of the high-quality open or enclosed collector car shipping companies that we use frequently in the normal course of business - and we cannot stress enough the importance of using such a carrier and not a random transport broker or carrier you might find online, particularly as this is a unique vintage car in phenomenal condition. For international buyers, we can carry the car to the port of Savannah at no charge or to other ports for a nominal fee, though shipping beyond the U.S. border must be entirely arranged for and paid by you. Please contact us if you need any assistance with logistics and we'll be happy to help. Meanwhile, the car is safe and secure in my showroom here in Augusta.

We reserve the right to cancel all bids and end the auction early at any time during the course of the sale should a sale occur outside of eBay as the car has been offered quietly through other channels over the past little while. We typically do not do this at all and only when full payment has been received from such a buyer will the auction be pulled.

Any legal action associated with this sale from either the buyer or the seller is to take place in the State of Georgia in the Chatham County Courthouse. The bidder/buyer further agrees that any legal action will be heard in Chatham County in the State of Georgia. All legal actions associated with this auction/sale will be governed by the laws of the State of Georgia and buyer agrees to be responsible for all legal costs including, but not limited to, court costs, expenses, attorney fees, cost of process service, and all other costs associated with the normal course of business.QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? CONCERNS?

E-MAIL ME OR CALL +1.804.357.4926 (Cell)