1939 Ford Deluxe Convertible

In the Mid 1930's, Ford Motor Company president Edsel Ford was beginning to worry about the ever-increasing competition from Oldsmobile and Buick. Ford needed a car that offered style, comfort and luxury at a mid-market price, one that could bridge the gap between top of the line Ford models and the ultra-exclusive Lincoln K series. The DeLuxe line of upmarket Fords was introduced for 1938, alongside the Lincoln-Zephyr. These new DeLuxe Fords featured different styling from their standard counterparts, as well as well-equipped cabins with additional luxury features.

For consignment a “baby Zephyr” in response to the competition offering up very nicely designed cars looking like more high-end vehicles. Edsel's response was indeed this car. Its grille was the first hint, and the remainder of the styling gave homage to the higher end offerings of the time. This would be the last year for the rumble seat, and the floor shifter, and the introductory year for hydraulic brakes. The beneficiary of a frame off restoration with low miles since that redux. This is an excellent show ready car that you can actually drive to any show, anywhere, and has the provenance to prove it with numerous awards.

Exterior
The first clue to this excellent design is right up front with those teardrop headlights. These are mounted on the rounded fenders that flank a beautifully restored vertical ribbed grille with a downward sloping V, and a high bulbous hood above. This all metal car is bathed in tan paint, which is nearly flawless, with panels that have well minded gaps. As we scan to the back the long hood eventually runs into the dual panel windscreen wrapped by chrome trimmings, shiny dual wipers, and dual side view round mirrors on long vertically curling and reaching perches. Long doors float effortlessly above rubber covered running boards that eventually turn into another curva-licious fender for the rear. This frames the pop up rear rumble seat covered nicely in coffee colored vinyl and flipping up and down as it should. Just below this seat is the trunk lid almost appearing stretched from the seat down to the rear bumper. The handle in the middle is to actuate the seat, as this car has no trunk. All beautifully restored and utilizing spider hubcaps with the iconic V8 badged centers for the wheel covers present also in shiny silver steel wheels and thin trim rings just inside the edge. Wide whites are wrapping these beautiful wheels and bias ply tires in their thin form are all around. This beauty is all topped by a black LeBaron Bonney canvas convertible top, all padded with red stitching accenting piping, a glass rear window.

Interior
Ultra smooth and tight coffee colored door panels with some piping delineating the various panels and providing a background for the nicely aged bakelite cream bezels and knobs for the deep brown painted window crank and door handle. More coffee colored vinyl for the bench seat which has a split back and pads to rival a couch in your living room. In keeping with the theme, a metal painted faux wood grain dash is original and fully restored to its former glory with nice cream gauges and mirror-like bezels with a peppering of horizontal ribbing. This is all fronted by a cream rimmed by bakelite steering wheel with a banjo styled center all shiny and nice. The floor is covered with an impervious rubber flooring which presents in light tan and is very clean. From this floor a shiny beautifully curved shift lever reached out to the driver and is topped with a bakelite knob. This interior is dripping with an aged look, but like new in its presentation.

Drivetrain
Sporting its original 221ci flathead V8 the mill has been meticulously restored to its original glory. A single 2-barrel carburetor setup sits atop. The carbs have their original oil bath cleaner on top. On the back is a 3-speed manual transmission, also original to this car. 3.78 is the rear axle designation, and all the wires, wiring, hoses and bolt ons are all excellent.

Undercarriage
Better than showroom, attention to every detail with a like new X frame supporting the white shiny floorpans, body hangers and under running boards. Transverse leaf springs provide the all around suspension, and coming from the engine are Red's Headers that flow into the original looking and very clean exhaust system. Hydraulic drum brakes are all around, the first year for said brakes.

Drive-Ability
The flat headed V8 fired right up, and the carb fed plenty of performance from my foot to the power train. This car drives as nicely as it looks, and all is functioning very well. A great cruiser with power when you need it, better than 1939 original.

A wonderful example of the baby Zephyr, the general public never had it so good, with this ability to look like a high roller by spending little money. Edsel was a genius, and this created sales that put Ford back on the map. A convertible with extra mother in law seating, how can you go wrong?

Early Ford Dearborn Award, AACA Junior and Senior Awards, Grand National Junior and Senior Awards, AACA Ford National Award 2007

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 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.