1938 Dual Cowl Phaeton

[38convsedan]

There’s a 1938 dual cowl phaeton on eBay.
I didn’t know Ford offered that option…
A couple of observations…
1. No seat adjustment on driver’s side (if on passenger (right) side it would indicate export model)
2. No exterior door lock on either of the front doors.
3. In another photo (shown in eBay ad) there is a patent plate on driver’s side firewall.

[DavidG]

It's not a dual cowl, it's a dual windshield. The windshield is attached to the top of the front seat back, not mounted on a 'second' cowl top. It is an aftermarket accessory or homemade..

[fourfords]

In 2003, I went to Pebble Beach for the Concourse D'elegance. This was the only year they allowed Fords,. because of Ford's 100 year anniversary. I saw a few things. One was a Model A Dual Cowl Phaeton. It was a prototype that never made it to production. Maybe his 1938 version was a prototype?

[DavidG]

Not likely as there were some aftermarket true second cowl/windshields offered in the period

[38 coupe]

Regarding the lack of features, in 1938 Phaetons were the cheaper open car option, convertible sedans were the well featured versions. In 1938 the Phaeton was the only passenger car offered by Ford without an adjustable front seat, without door locks, no sun visor, and of course no windows. You had to be kinda odd to buy a new Phaeton from Ford in 1938...

[ford38v8]

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Let's pick it apart. I'll start...
broken hood & bent hood trim.
wrong color.
painted dash.
aftermarket heater plumbed incorrectly.
wrong bumpers and no bumper guards.

[38 coupe]

Well since you asked...
Wrong speedometer, a 1937 unit, and that is what the seller is basing the low mileage claim on.
Mis-match set of hubcaps, none of which are 38 Deluxe.
Add on aftermarket antenna on the driver's side cowl.
Odd rear view mirror on the driver's side.
Missing the draft deflectors (standard equipment on Phaetons).
Wrong / bent up shift lever.
Wrong cigarette lighter knob.
Extra something drilled into the dash to the left of the radio blank off plate.
Wrong rear seat interior door handles.
Looks like an old patch panel screwed to the driver's side rear floor board and painted over.
Missing the engine pans.



Don't forget the high price. I paid less than that for my Phaeton two years ago.


Even given all the above, the body doesn't appear to have been hit. If the price was less than half of asking it might be an ok starting point for someone.

[38 coupe]

Alan, you and I must be popular at parties and car gatherings...

[ford38v8]

But wait! There's more!

[tubman]

They even made them with V8-60's.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by DavidG

It's not a dual cowl, it's a dual windshield. The windshield is attached to the top of the front seat back, not mounted on a 'second' cowl top. It is an aftermarket accessory or homemade..

[highbeams]

Originally Posted by 38 coupe

Regarding the lack of features, in 1938 Phaetons were the cheaper open car option, convertible sedans were the well featured versions. In 1938 the Phaeton was the only passenger car offered by Ford without an adjustable front seat, without door locks, no sun visor, and of course no windows. You had to be kinda odd to buy a new Phaeton from Ford in 1938...

'Of course no windows' Do you mean side curtains? Thank you -

[38convsedan]

Car has some oddities—strange oval in rear seat back, radio delete plate despite cowl antenna,
Looks like there are four wind-wings in the trunk.
Strange…..

[38 coupe]

Originally Posted by highbeams

'Of course no windows' Do you mean side curtains? Thank you -

Correct. The 1938 Phaeton was the last regular production vehicle in the USA made by Ford without glass side windows. Side curtains were standard equipment, but are no substitute for the weather protection of roll up windows.


I don't really understand who would have bought one new. The MSRP for the Phaeton was $820. The MSRP for the Convertible Sedan was $900. You got a lot of comfort for that extra $80 added to the same body shell. Neither car was a low price leader, for comparison the standard coupe had an MSRP of $625.

[Bill OH]

But it is a fun car to drive in fair weather and you do not have to wash door glass. I removed the hot water heater. Open cowl vent and enjoy.

[38 coupe]

I have to admit they are fun to drive. My wife is adamant that fun driving starts with putting the top down.

[38convsedan]

I’ve noticed some Phaetons with Sportlites. Were accessories (like Sportlites) ever added at assembly? Or strictly by dealer?
I’d love to find one for my CS…..

[38 coupe]

I'm guessing Sportlite means spotlight?
In general options were factory installed and accessories were dealer installed. V8 60 vs V8 85 were an option, and a spotlight was accessories.


Funny, I would prefer my car did not have the spotlight, but I'm not going to remove it because then I would need to fill the holes drilled through the car.

[swo4rd]

Sportlights were available as a factory and particularly as a dealer accessory.
The Dual Cowl Model A Phaeton was a Briggs/Edsel creation that was Edsel's personal car, thought he and his wife were chauffeured in a Lincoln Dietrich bodied convertible sedan.