1936 Convertible Sedan - Thoughts Please

[rustyironman]

Not the most familiar with Flathead Fords (I was always a Studebaker man). I post mostly over on the sister site the HAMB.

I am interested in this 36 convertible sedan locally. Its a long term gearhead buddy who has it, he has not mentioned a price to me yet. Hes getting to an age where he has too many projects...... He bought it from another mutual gearhead friend in the 1990's who is now deceased. Nobody has done anything with it in probably 50 years. Just a project that got passed from one guy to another.



Its stashed in a dry garage and was out once in the 1990's -thats when a pic of it on a trailer was taken. Rest of pictures are current, hard to get any overall shots as its packed in a garage. Engine is loose. Interior and top are trashed. Has title. It does have rot on the rear fender to body seams. I think its better then many rust-belt cars, but it does have rot. Last on the road in the 1960's. Was supposedly a Ford family car (Eleanor Clay Ford) when it was new, but I take that with a grain of salt since no documentation.

My questions are following:
- How much reproduction soft trim, top, and interior is available for the convertible sedans? My fear is since LeBarron Bonney is now gone....

- What in particular should I be looking at on it for missing parts or rust prone spots?

- Fair price range for one in this shape?

I think my plan would be just making it mechanically and structurally sound and putting a top on it, maybe some blanket seats and just enjoy it as a sweaty old thing for awhile. Not really needing a complete restoration right now in my life.

[Kube]

Interior suppliers are pretty much non-existent.
Value, pretty much the same, non-existent.
Although you will see these advertised for "big money" (fully restored), the reality is the values have plummeted and the sale prices are not near what many are asking.

I might suggest you search the WWW. to perhaps locate one that is already in "driver" condition or better. You will be so much further ahead than the costs associated with getting this one reliably on the road.

[tubman]

The shot showing the rust looks particularly expensive.

[TJ]

With a convertible sedan you better make sure all the parts are still with the car. Some parts are very rare. As others have said you would be better off finding a restored car as values are not what they used to be on these old Fords or any other makes from the 30's and 40's.

[DavidG]

As Tom indicates, the go/no go decision criteria for possible purchase o a unrestored convertible or convertible sedan is completeness (and priced). Having restored a '39 convertible sedan a long time ago, there is the minor matter of the attractiveness of the finished product.

[Kube]

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Originally Posted by DavidG

As Tom indicates, the go/no go decision criteria for possible purchase o a unrestored convertible or convertible sedan is completeness (and priced). Having restored a '39 convertible sedan a long time ago, there is the minor matter of the attractiveness of the finished product.

Hilarious!

Minor?

[Newc]

'Reefer Madness" car, or was that a phaeton? Lots of fun- crazy Government movie !! Newc

[DavidG]

Mike,


Kidding, of course. To me, a '39 convertible sedan is one of the high water marks of pre-WWII Fords.

[TonyM]

Originally Posted by Newc

'Reefer Madness" car, or was that a phaeton? Lots of fun- crazy Government movie !! Newc

Reefer Madness

1936 Convertible Sedan.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by DavidG

Mike,


Kidding, of course. To me, a '39 convertible sedan is one of the high water marks of pre-WWII Fords.

Sorry David. I took you as serious.
Well, beauty does remain in the eye of the beholder.

[TonyM]

Originally Posted by Kube

Sorry David. I took you as serious.
Well, beauty does remain in the eye of the beholder.

I like the 1938 best. They are all beautiful.

When I was coming up as a kid in the 60s and 70s, many enthusiasts thought that the 37s and 38s were "ugly." Not me.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by rustyironman

Not the most familiar with Flathead Fords (I was always a Studebaker man). I post mostly over on the sister site the HAMB.

I am interested in this 36 convertible sedan locally. Its a long term gearhead buddy who has it, he has not mentioned a price to me yet. Hes getting to an age where he has too many projects...... He bought it from another mutual gearhead friend in the 1990's who is now deceased. Nobody has done anything with it in probably 50 years. Just a project that got passed from one guy to another.



Its stashed in a dry garage and was out once in the 1990's -thats when a pic of it on a trailer was taken. Rest of pictures are current, hard to get any overall shots as its packed in a garage. Engine is loose. Interior and top are trashed. Has title. It does have rot on the rear fender to body seams. I think its better then many rust-belt cars, but it does have rot. Last on the road in the 1960's. Was supposedly a Ford family car (Eleanor Clay Ford) when it was new, but I take that with a grain of salt since no documentation.

My questions are following:
- How much reproduction soft trim, top, and interior is available for the convertible sedans? My fear is since LeBarron Bonney is now gone....

- What in particular should I be looking at on it for missing parts or rust prone spots?

- Fair price range for one in this shape?

I think my plan would be just making it mechanically and structurally sound and putting a top on it, maybe some blanket seats and just enjoy it as a sweaty old thing for awhile. Not really needing a complete restoration right now in my life.

Just for some comparison, check this out on eBay. Note this is a "BUY IT NOW" auction. Item #176487806895

This should give you a very good idea of the value of the one you are thinking about.

[tubman]

Originally Posted by Kube

Just for some comparison, check this out on eBay. Note this is a "BUY IT NOW" auction. Item #176487806895

This should give you a very good idea of the value of the one you are thinking about.

WOW! Now you got me thinkin'

[KiWinUS]

Michael Driskell sold a decent driver car complete with top some months back on eBay. I believe it brought around $18000. That would put this one at around $5500. I also have one.

[rich b]

I would also take a good look at the frame, especially in the area of the rear kick-up. Seen a couple cars that the frames ended up severely rusted after long term sitting.

[deuce lover]

You can't buy that car and turn it into this for this BUY it Now price.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/176487806895

[Karl Wescott]

When I started selling parts in the mid 1970's (as a 17 year old) people expected to put way more money in a car project than they could get out of it... It was a labor of love.


Then things got crazy... people thought they could make $, $$, $$$ or even $$$$ buying and fixing up antique cars. Too many cared more for the $ than the car.


Today, things are cooling down. People should expect to put way more money in a car project than they can get out of it... Its back to a labor of love.


I think in the long term, thats going to be healthy for both the restorer and street rodder. Matchmaker... Matchmaker... you have one of your victims located.

[TJ]

Originally Posted by deuce lover

You can't buy that car and turn it into this for this BUY it Now price.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/176487806895

The OP should take a real good look at this car. The price is a bargain compared to what the OP would spend trying to get the project on the road.

[rustyironman]

Yes, I agree the car on ebay is a good value for the money.



This was just a local car that I've seen kick around for years and I have a tendency for the love of things to bring them back to life since I am a good welder/fabricator and mechanic.



But that's irrelevant, as I was told the price is $8k today. Says he bought it in the 1990's for $7k and then spent $900 for an extra pair of fenders that go with it. I tried feeling my friend out and theres no going downward on price. So I'm out of contention at that price for what it is.



Strangely enough most the allure of it was the fact I've seen it kick around the area since I was a kid and wanted to actually put it on the road again. But at that price not going to happen. I didn't go looking for a convertible sedan if that makes scene. I'll go find some other flathead Ford thats a better value.

[rustyironman]

Got a good look at it and under it when they cleaned up some of the mess in the garage.



Sadly the kick up area of the frame on the passengers side is rotted out.



Guy wants the $7k he paid for it back in the 1990's. I walked away.



Thanks guys for all your thoughts last month.