1935 Ford Model 48 Eight Information and History

Standard Coupe

In the mid-thirties automotive sales were dwindling. Cars had to be updated each year if a company was to survive. Ford had inaugurated a two-year design cycle in 1933 but their 1935 models received fresh new styling and a newly designed chassis. The 1935 Fords would mark the end of several long standing Ford features including wire-spoke wheels, and external horns.

This car was purchased by the present owner in San Diego in 1971. The majority of the Ford coupes from this era did not survive the hot rod craze that took place in the late 40's and early 50's in their original form. This coupe is currently the same as when it left the Ford factory including even the bulb type headlights.

Collection of Len Barberi

Source - SDAM

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Deluxe Phaeton
Chassis Num: 181983449

A redesign to the Ford V8 in 1935 moved the engine forward eight inches and increased the size of the passenger compartment. The radiator grille was now even with the front fenders and the hood decreased in length. Ford dubbed this redesign the 'Center-Poise Ride'.

This vehicle is powered by a 221 cubic-inch eight cylinder engine that produces 85 horsepower. Four-wheel mechanically-actuated drum brakes provide the stopping power. The three-speed manual transmission sends power to the rear wheels.

This Deluxe Phaeton with chassis number 181983449 was sold at the 2006 RM Auctions in Meadow Brook. It was estimated to sell between $50,000 - $60,000, which it did, but just barely. It sold for $50,600.

Deluxe Phaeton

The blue colored 1935 Ford Deluxe 5 window coupe was offered for sale at the 2006 Worldwide Group Auction held on Hilton Head Island. It was expected to fetch between $25,000-$35,000. At the conclusion of the bidding, the lot was sold for $25,300.

Standard Coupe

The current owner is the third owner of the car. Ford produced 6,073 units in 1935. This car's selling price was $580. It is equipped with a 221 cubic-inch flat-head V8 engine generating 85 horsepower. It has a three-speed transmission with a Columbia two-speed rear axle.

It has an optional Greyhound Hood Ornament which cost $2.85 in 1935.

The car is driven extensively.

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Deluxe Roadster Rumbleseat

Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Company in 1903 and is credited with introducing the assembly line to the auto industry. His Model T, introduced as 1909 model, literally put the world on wheels. Thanks to the top-selling Model T, and its equally popular successor, the Model A of 1928 to 1931, Ford Motor Co. would dominate the industry for decades.

Ford Motor Co. introduced the V8 in 1932, offering the power and smoothness of a V8 at the price of a Six. The venerable flathead V8 would power Ford and Mercury cars from 1932 through 1953. The 1935 Ford Model 48 was restyled and a bit smaller than the 1932-34 models, about three and a half inches lower for a more streamlined look. Ford promoted its 1935 line with the slogan: 'Greater Beauty, Greater Comfort and Greater Safety.'

This is one of 33,065 five-window deluxe two-passenger coupes made in the 1935 model year. It sold for $560 new and weighed in at 2,643 pounds. It spent its first life in southern Indiana and was used sparingly. It went through two owners and then, with just 32,000 miles on the odometer, it sold to a Milford, Ohio hobbyist, who treated the rust-free survivor to an eight year restoration, beginning in 1981 and ending in 1989. The car is now on its sixth owner, who was the editor of Cars & Parts magazine for 25 years and is now the editor-at-large of Cars & Parts and Corvette Enthusiast magazine.

Three-Window Deluxe Coupe
Chassis Num: 181728180

This 1935 Ford Model 48 Three-Window Deluxe Coupe was offered for sale at the 2007 Worldwide Group Auction held at Hilton Head Island, SC where it was estimated to sell for $40,000 - $60,000. The car is powered by a Ford flathead V8 engine that displaces 221 cubic-inches and attached to a three-speed manual transmission. The car has a transverse leaf springs suspension with a Columbia rear axle. The suspension is similar to the one used in the Model A, but more room was ascertained by relocating the front springs ahead of the axle.

The 1935 Ford had a grille that was pushed forward, giving it a more modern and prominent look. A variety of bodystyles were offered including the Tudor and Fordor sedans, five-window coupe, three-window coupe, convertible sedan, woody station wagon, roadster, and a new Model 51 truck. The sedans were available in either flat-back or trunk-back versions, while rumble seats were option on the coupe models.

This vehicle was outfitted with factory options such as the Columbia rear axle, AM radio, factory heater, original greyhound hood ornament, period correct fog lights, period correct spotlight, original grille guard, original luggage rack, rumble-seat, and wire wheels.

At auction this car was sold, selling for $49,500 including buyers' premium. It is a working example, a rare and original Three-Window Deluxe Coupe, and one of the few surviving examples that has not been converted into a hot rod.

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Deluxe Phaeton
Chassis Num: 182010795

Ford used the slogan 'Greater Beauty, Greater Comfort, and Greater Safety' to help entice those dwindling buyers in America who could still afford a car during the difficult era of the Great Depression. The 1935 had updated styling with more curves and flowing fenders. The body lines were softer and far less angular than in the past. The narrow front grille no longer came to a point. Instead of vertical side hood louvers, they were now horizontal with bright metal accents. The cowl lamps were eliminated and the parking lamps were placed in the painted headlights.

The DeLuxe models came with chrome accents, white the Standard did not. The DeLuxe line featured bright windshield and grille trim, as well as taillights and twin horns. This vehicle is a 1935 Ford Model 48 Deluxe Phaeton that has been restored to new 'like-new' condition. It has been painted in dark blue and has a chestnut colored pinstripe. The interior features tan carpets in the front and back, a tan vinyl interior, and chestnut panels. The cloth top is tan. The engine is a 221 cubic-inch V8 unit that produces 85 horsepower. There is a three-speed sliding gearbox and four-wheel mechanical brakes.

Other features of this vehicle are a rear trunk and rack, dual chrome horns and driving lights, hood ornament, windwings, wide whitewall tires, over-riders and chrome exhaust tips.

There were only 6,073 Model 48 Deluxe Phaetons created in 1935. Only a few have survived in modern times. This vehicle was brought to the 2007 Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction presented by RM Auctions, where it was estimated to sell for $35,000 - $45,000. It was offered without reserve and sold for $33,000 including buyer's premium.

Standard Fordor

This 1935 Ford Four-Door Trunk Back Sedan is painted in Washington Blue with a Grey Ripcord interior. It has a rear mounted spare, crank-out windshield, white wall tires, dual horns, wipers, and a banjo steering wheel.

Three-Window Deluxe Coupe

This vehicle is a 1935 Ford Deluxe 3 Window Coupe that has its correct Ford flathead V8 engine and three-speed manual gearbox. It is painted in Dearborn blue with an all original Grey Mohair interior. It is equipped with wide whitewalls, chrome trim rings, dual mirrors, greyhound dog ornamentation, radio, heater, dual fog lights, dual horns, chrome grill, dual tail lights, rumble seat, trunk track, rear mounted spare and cover, and Lock Ford gas cap. The car has been driven a mere 14,858 miles since new.

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Deluxe Phaeton
Chassis Num: 18-2028749

Phil Wright, a Briggs designer whose resume included work with the Pierce Silver Arrow, aided in providing some of the attractive new styling for the 1935 Ford. Ford offered ten body styles in Deluxe trim, including a new convertible sedan and 'Tudor' and 'Fordor' models with a new built-in touring trunk. The Standard line had five body styles.

This vehicle is a Ford Model 48 Deluxe Phaeton that was the subject of a cosmetic restoration in the mid-1980s. It wears tan paint, has Plexiglas wind wings, and a tan canvas top. The inside is brown leatherettes and there is a banjo steering wheel. The car is sold but the paint is showing its age, there are some stains, dings and scratches. The engine is a 221 cubic-inch L-head V8 and there is a three-speed manual transmission and four wheel mechanical drum brakes.

In 2009, this Deluxe Phaeton was offered for sale at the Automobiles of Arizona auction presented by RM Auctions. The lot was estimated to sell for $35,000 - $45,000 and was offered without a reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $35,750, including buyer's premium.

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