Image credit: Gooding & Company.
The quintessential hot rod automobile would have to be Ford's Roadster. Boasting of aggressive and evocative styling, the roadster remains the benchmark of the hot rod some eighty years later.
Simple, and yet, sophisticated, the Roadster was the ideal automobile for its time. Coming in a number of different styles, Ford's Model B suited nearly every American. Complimented by its V8 engine, Ford's buyers had the foundations of a whole different automotive genre.
Utilizing the modern construction methods of the day, Ford's Model B would be straight-forward, but with some intriguing touches. Compared to the 1932 example, the '33 Ford would have a stretched wheelbase and revised front grille. The pointed grille added to the look of the car and seemed to blend nicely with the flowing fenders and the rest of the car.
The look, and the simplicity of the design, made the Ford the perfect canvas for aspiring car tuners. Chassis 263309 would be a particularly intriguing example.
One would be hard-pressed to find a better example of the acumen of the Ford's abilities than chassis 263309. Originally purchased in '33 by Harry Warner, the Ford Roadster would be used on his honeymoon. However, it wouldn't be long before this symbol of a love and devotion would be tuned into a speed demon.
Warner had begun work with Lockheed Aircraft at the time of his buying the Roadster. However, Harry wasn't without aspirations of his own. Having met Wayne Horning, Warner would go all-in to help form Wayne Manufacturing.
Wayne Manufacturing would soon earn a name for itself producing 12-port cylinder heads. The men needed a means to test the cylinder heads. What better specimen than that which Warner had used on his honeymoon.
Quickly the two men went to work adapting and evolving the car making it a test bed. As with the day, the Roadster would soon become a regular at drag strips and in speed trials. These events were not about moments of pride as much as they were moments of real world development for the 12-port cylinder heads.
The Roadster would continue to be an important figure within Warner's sphere. All the way up into the 1970s, the Ford would be called upon to perform its test duties. When finally retired in the 1970s, 263309 would be passed to Harry's son Dan. Some fifteen years later, the car would finally leave the Warner family becoming the property of Bill Swanson.
Swanson's purchase of the Roadster in 1994 signaled the beginning of a decade-long restoration project that would include the input and help of many different and talented people. Art Hernandez, Art Chrisman and Pete Eastwood would all play a part in the car's restoration efforts.
True to the purpose of the restoration, Swanson would decide to return the car to original as much as possible. This would include replacing the engine with a correct Flathead V8 utilizing three Stromberg carburetors and Ardun overhead-valve heads to develop around 225hp.
The current owner would procure the Ford in 2003 and would give a further nod to history by acquiring a 12-port Wayne-head inline six-cylinder engine that remains with the car and its Flathead engine.
Featured in Hop Up in 1953 and then in Street Rodder in 2003, this quintessential Ford Roadster would be made available for sale through Gooding & Company's Arizona auction. Estimates prior to auction had the Ford drawing between $125,000 and $175,000. However, bidding for the car would be enthusiastic and the final sale price would be a very healthy and surprising $242,000.By Jeremy McMullen
Simple, and yet, sophisticated, the Roadster was the ideal automobile for its time. Coming in a number of different styles, Ford's Model B suited nearly every American. Complimented by its V8 engine, Ford's buyers had the foundations of a whole different automotive genre.
Utilizing the modern construction methods of the day, Ford's Model B would be straight-forward, but with some intriguing touches. Compared to the 1932 example, the '33 Ford would have a stretched wheelbase and revised front grille. The pointed grille added to the look of the car and seemed to blend nicely with the flowing fenders and the rest of the car.
The look, and the simplicity of the design, made the Ford the perfect canvas for aspiring car tuners. Chassis 263309 would be a particularly intriguing example.
One would be hard-pressed to find a better example of the acumen of the Ford's abilities than chassis 263309. Originally purchased in '33 by Harry Warner, the Ford Roadster would be used on his honeymoon. However, it wouldn't be long before this symbol of a love and devotion would be tuned into a speed demon.
Warner had begun work with Lockheed Aircraft at the time of his buying the Roadster. However, Harry wasn't without aspirations of his own. Having met Wayne Horning, Warner would go all-in to help form Wayne Manufacturing.
Wayne Manufacturing would soon earn a name for itself producing 12-port cylinder heads. The men needed a means to test the cylinder heads. What better specimen than that which Warner had used on his honeymoon.
Quickly the two men went to work adapting and evolving the car making it a test bed. As with the day, the Roadster would soon become a regular at drag strips and in speed trials. These events were not about moments of pride as much as they were moments of real world development for the 12-port cylinder heads.
The Roadster would continue to be an important figure within Warner's sphere. All the way up into the 1970s, the Ford would be called upon to perform its test duties. When finally retired in the 1970s, 263309 would be passed to Harry's son Dan. Some fifteen years later, the car would finally leave the Warner family becoming the property of Bill Swanson.
Swanson's purchase of the Roadster in 1994 signaled the beginning of a decade-long restoration project that would include the input and help of many different and talented people. Art Hernandez, Art Chrisman and Pete Eastwood would all play a part in the car's restoration efforts.
True to the purpose of the restoration, Swanson would decide to return the car to original as much as possible. This would include replacing the engine with a correct Flathead V8 utilizing three Stromberg carburetors and Ardun overhead-valve heads to develop around 225hp.
The current owner would procure the Ford in 2003 and would give a further nod to history by acquiring a 12-port Wayne-head inline six-cylinder engine that remains with the car and its Flathead engine.
Featured in Hop Up in 1953 and then in Street Rodder in 2003, this quintessential Ford Roadster would be made available for sale through Gooding & Company's Arizona auction. Estimates prior to auction had the Ford drawing between $125,000 and $175,000. However, bidding for the car would be enthusiastic and the final sale price would be a very healthy and surprising $242,000.By Jeremy McMullen
2015 Gooding & Company - Arizona
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $125,000-USD $175,000
Sale Price :
USD $242,000
1933 Ford Model 40 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Ford Model 40
(Data based on Model Year 1933 sales)
1933 FORD CUSTOM ROADSTER Chassis#: AZ393310 Sold for USD$39,600 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1933 FORD 3-WINDOW CUSTOM COUPE Chassis#: AZ393341 Sold for USD$66,000 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1933 Ford Coupe Hot Rod Chassis#: 182699094 Sold for USD$36,850 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1933 Ford Tudor Sedan Chassis#: 18499643 Sold for USD$16,500 2023 Mecum : Dallas | |
1933 Ford Roadster Chassis#: f5r1000262hr Sold for USD$38,500 2023 Mecum : Dallas | |
1933 Ford Model 40 Deluxe Phaeton Sold for USD$26,880 2023 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
1933 Ford Phaeton Chassis#: 40216608 Sold for USD$17,600 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee Summer Special 2023 | |
1933 FORD CUSTOM ROADSTER Chassis#: 18243920 Sold for USD$33,000 2023 Barrett-Jackson : Las Vegas | |
1933 Ford 5-Window Coupe Street Rod Chassis#: nd7138 Sold for USD$79,200 2023 Mecum : Indy | |
1933 Ford 5-Window Coupe Chassis#: 18295988 Sold for USD$75,900 2023 Mecum : Houston | |
1933 FORD CUSTOM ROADSTER Chassis#: KY15049 Sold for USD$47,300 2023 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Az. | |
1933 FORD 3-WINDOW CUSTOM COUPE Chassis#: F5R1001025HR Sold for USD$66,000 2023 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Az. | |
1933 FORD CUSTOM WOODY WAGON Chassis#: 182424665 Sold for USD$48,400 2023 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Az. | |
1933 FORD CUSTOM ROADSTER GURNEY EAGLE SPECIAL Chassis#: 182188609 Sold for USD$28,600 2023 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Az. | |
1933 Ford Cabriolet Sold for USD$104,500 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1933 Ford Roadster Street Rod Sold for USD$34,100 2022 Mecum : Las Vegas | |
1933 Ford Roadster Street Rod Sold for USD$33,000 2022 Mecum : Las Vegas | |
1933 Ford Tudor Sedan Chassis#: 40424533 Sold for USD$24,200 2022 RM Sothebys : The Hershey Auction | |
1933 Ford Custom Hot Rod Sold for USD$41,800 2022 Mecum : Fountain City | |
1933 Ford Deluxe Fordor Sedan Sold for USD$3,850 2022 Mecum : Dallas |
Ford Model 40s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1933 Ford Model 40's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1933 Ford 3-Window Coupe | az238798 | 2024 Mecum : Glendale | $35,000 | ||
1933 Ford Coupe | 182177416 | 2024 Mecum : Glendale | $27,000 | ||
1933 Ford Speedster Street Rod | 182434199 | 2023 Mecum : Kansas City | $47,000 | ||
1933 Ford Roadster | 0r94088 | 2023 Mecum : Kansas City | $18,000 | ||
1933 Ford Victoria Street Rod | scdmv000000533479 | 2023 Mecum : Kansas City | $55,000 | ||
1933 Ford Roadster | 18243920 | 2023 Mecum : Chattanooga | $40,000 | ||
1933 Ford Roadster | 18286360 | 2023 Mecum : Harrisburg | $30,000 | ||
1933 Ford 3-Window Coupe Street Rod | 2022 Mecum : Kansas City | $40,000 | |||
1933 Ford Victoria Street Rod | 2022 Mecum : Kansas City | $35,000 | |||
1933 Ford Custom Roadster | 2022 Mecum : Dallas | $25,000 | |||
1933 Ford Cabriolet Lil Dough Hot Rod | 2022 Mecum Indy | $50,000 | |||
1933 Ford Custom Limousine | 2022 Mecum : Glendale | $90,000 | |||
1933 Ford Custom Woody Wagon | 2022 Mecum : Glendale | $50,000 | |||
1933 Ford Roadster | 2022 Mecum : Kissimmee | $45,000 | |||
1933 Ford 3-Window Coupe | 2021 Mecum : Las Vegas | $35,000 | |||
1933 Ford Victoria Coupe | 2021 Mecum : Dallas | $20,000 | |||
1933 Ford Coupe Street Rod | 2021 Mecum : Glendale | $42,000 | |||
1933 Ford Factory Five Hot Rod | 2021 Mecum : Kissimmee | $35,000 | |||
1933 Ford Woody Wagon | 2020 Mecum : Las Vegas | $100,000 | |||
1933 Ford Model 40 | 2020 Bonhams July Motoring Auction | $10,000 | $12,000 | ||
1933 Ford Roadster | 2020 GAA : July 2020 | $29,000 | |||
1933 Ford Hi-Boy Roadster | 2020 Mecum : Glendale | ||||
1933 Ford Victoria Street Rod | 2020 Mecum : Glendale | $100,000 | |||
1933 Ford Coupe Street Rod | 2019 Mecum : Las Vegas | $60,000 | |||
1933 Ford Roadster Pickup | 2019 Mecum : Dallas | $50,000 | |||
1933 Ford 3-Window Coupe | 2019 Mecum : Phoenix Auction | $52,000 | |||
1933 Ford Coupe | 2019 Greensboro Auto Auction : March 2019 | $24,000 | |||
1933 Ford Victoria Coupe | 2019 Russo & Steele : Scottsdale | ||||
1933 Ford 3 Window Coupe | 2019 Russo & Steele : Scottsdale | ||||
1933 Ford | 2019 Mecum : Kissimmee | $22,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $53,347 range.
1978 Chevrolet Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car Chassis#:1Z8748S902212 Sold for $53,200 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
1969 Fiat 850 Spiaggetta by Michelotti Chassis#:100GB 1231722 Sold for $53,200 2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami | |
2004 LTI TXII London Taxi Chassis#:SCRLD16N24C155278 Sold for $53,200 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
1929 Packard Deluxe Eight Chassis#:176438 Sold for $53,056 2024 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
2006 BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT Chassis#:SCBCR63WX6C038173 Sold for $53,350 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
2012 CADILLAC CTS-V Chassis#:1G6DV1EP2C0146454 Sold for $53,350 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1965 FORD MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:5R08A172731 Sold for $53,350 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1979 Opel Kadett C GT/E Group 2 'Ex-Carenini' Chassis#:3292567957 Sold for $52,866 2023 RM Sothebys : Munich | |
1960 Lincoln Mark V Convertible Sold for $53,200 2023 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
1960 Dodge Dart Phoenix Convertible Sold for $53,760 2023 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
1966 PORSCHE 912 Chassis#:454553 Sold for $53,200 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1967 Mercedes-Benz 250SL California Coupe with Hardtop Chassis#:113.043-10-003595 Sold for $53,760 2023 Bonhams : Quail | |
1953 Jaguar XK120 Fixed Head Coupe Chassis#:680959 Sold for $53,760 2023 Bonhams : Quail | |
1968 Porsche 912 Soft-Window Targa Chassis#:12870783 Sold for $53,200 2023 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Enthusiast Auction | |
1917 PACKARD TWIN SIX MODEL 2-25 FOUR-PASSENGER BROUGHAM Chassis#:126463 Sold for $53,760 2023 Gooding & Company : Estate of Mark Smith Auction | |
1929 STUDEBAKER PRESIDENT EIGHT ROADSTER Chassis#:7022866 Sold for $53,760 2023 Gooding & Company : Estate of Mark Smith Auction | |
1934 LASALLE SERIES 350 CONVERTIBLE COUPE Chassis#:214970 Sold for $53,760 2023 Gooding & Company : Estate of Mark Smith Auction | |
1905 REO FIVE-PASSENGER DETACHABLE TONNEAU Chassis#:93 Sold for $53,760 2023 Gooding & Company : Estate of Mark Smith Auction | |
1970 Pontiac GTO Sold for $53,350 2023 Mecum : Glendale | |
2016 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Sold for $53,350 2023 Mecum : Glendale |
1933 Ford Model 40
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