1939 Ford Deluxe Convertible Sedan 

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 car is bathed in beautiful Cloud Mist Gray paint and has a white convertible.  Not only that, but this example, the beneficiary of a high end restoration, has won not only an AACA Jr 1st award but also an AACA Sr 1st award and has participated in both the AACA Glidden and Founders tours.  The styling is to die for and this being the last year of the offering, it was going out in style!

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 and outward poking and sloping V, along with a complimentary high bulbous hood above.  This all metal car is bathed in Cloud Mist Gray 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 curve-a-licious fender for the rear.  A white canvas top is stretching from the front glass to the back of the car is in excellent condition.  A massive B pillar covering melts gracefully into the rear trunk line flanked by those wonderfully curved pontoon style rear fenders that have a simple pointed teardrop tail light on either bottom.  All beautifully restored and utilizing some slightly curved trim spears on either side along with shiny door handles. Chromed dog dish with the iconic V8 badged centers for the wheel covers present also in shiny steel wheels and chromed trim rings on their edges.  Bias ply tires in their thin form, with wide whitewall tires are all around.  Just a masters degree for this car in the design department.

Interior
Ultra smooth and tight saddle 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 saddle colored vinyl for the bench seat which curves around the front with its overstuffed couch look.  The all sits within a deep saddle painted steel tub.  In back is another couch-like rear bench, all excellent condition.  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.  Art Deco influences are seen throughout this dash front.  A modern AM/FM and AUX jack radio is installed in stealth timeless mode!  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.  A modern cup holder has been mounted on the floor just to the rear of the shift lever.  This interior is dripping with a timeless 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 carb has its 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 black painted X frame supporting the Cloud Mist Gray shiny floor pans, body hangers and under running boards.  Transverse leaf springs provide the all around suspension, and coming from the engine is a stock like new 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 the 1939 original with many recently rebuilt mechanicals like water pumps, starter, generator, carb, fuel pump, and rebuilt by Apple Hydraulics shocks last year.

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 that extra set of back doors and the full bench. put the top down and go for a timeless design inspired ride!

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.