1936 Ford Cabriolet 

The word “cabriolet” has a French origin that was derived back in the 1800's that referred to a horse-drawn carriage with two wheels and a top that could be pulled over the two occupants of the carriage when weather became bad.  Nowadays, the term cabriolet can be interchanged with convertible and basically means the same thing.

For consignment, a Unique Motorcars Fiberglass and some steel bodied car, which was built by Al Casteen from Smithfield, VA. and was just in perfect condition. Due to Covid with plenty of Top Shows, the consignor decided to work on it to make it much like a 50's style Autorama Show car. He succeeded, and now you can turn the key on a gorgeous car with beautiful lines, and free from ticketing with bodywork and mechanicals.

Exterior
Bathed in 2 stage John Deere Blitz Black paint, it leads us off with an Alumicraft grille, (high $), being flanked by original 36 Ford headlight stands and headlights. Fog lights are on the bottom floating just above the front eyebrow bumper. The headlights have been modernized to be a sealed beam behind the original lenses. Bob Drake provides the horn and grille signals, a modified hood ornament, wiper towers and an electric wiper motor conversion. Curved fenders in front and rear frame green painted OEM steel wheels with chrome trim rings and nifty central moon caps and these are all wrapped in Cooper radial tires.  A running board attaches to the inside of the fenders, and in the back are some very cool steel reproduction 1940 fender skirts.  On the back of the sexy curved trunk lid is hiding a rumble seat, a spare tire housing, which is a locking tool box. LED tail lights hang from the back of the trunk matching the curved fenders via stalks. Another eyebrow bumper is on the back framing the bottom of the trunk. New wood top header and bows support a new LeBaron Bonney top in tan canvas in perfect condition. She's a beauty fer sur.

Interior
The customization continues with light gray tuck and roll tweed with dark gray uppers in smooth broadcloth door panels. Billet actuators are on these doors. Moving inside we plop down on 2 tone broadcloth buckets, nice and tight with dark gray bolsters and tweed inserts in lighter gray. A 1940 Ford dash, now sporting new VDO gauges and fronted by an Ididit steering column, is waiting a black painted dash. Horizontal chromed ribs are covering the radio speaker and are original to the 1940 dash.  Dark gray clean cropping is all over this interior, and to keep everything comfy as far as temperature, a vintage Monkey Wards heater is now in.  It has AC but needs to be hooked up.  A shout out to the trunk which is as nice as the interior.

Drivetrain
A low mileage 302ci V8 ca 1986 is stuffed into the engine bay.  It has cast ribbed valve coverings and air cleaner covering, and these have green painted ribs. There is an Edelbrock Performer manifold topped with a new Edelbrock 650cfm carburetor.  HEI high performance ignition lights the fossils, and an AOD 4-speed automatic is engaged by a Lokar shifter.  On the back to spin the rears is a Ford 9 inch 3.40 gear pumpkin.

Undercarriage
A fully boxed 1936 Ford chassis provides the framing, with Classic Engineering tubular Mustang 2 front suspension.  On the back are Classic Engineering leaf springs.  A new poly gas tank is strapped on, and the car has power steering and power disc braking for the front, and power drums for the rear.  A shiny Flowmaster exhaust is on, snaking its way from front to rear.

Drive-Ability
The test track was no match for this beautiful runner. It drives like a dream, with quick stopping, neck snapping acceleration, and good looks to boot. I noticed the speedo is not hooked up, as is the AC. A glove box latch is needed, and fog lighting is not hooked up. Also the convertible top latch does not stay down. 

Despite a few loose ends that need to be buttoned up, this car is a real beauty, with a turn key motor, interior and exterior. Wonderful lines, fiberglass body and many upgrades but still keeping the original accoutrements polenta of miles can be put on without having to wrench every 5 minutes.

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.