The Ford Barn

Fairview · 10-19-2018, 03:43 AM

I hope the forum protocol allows me to ask for some buying advice. I like the looks of this 1948 on Craigslist, but have zero experience with that vintage.

https://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto...719951706.html

I’ve been a Model A guy for decades, so this is a new era for me. Can you look at the link and photos to point out what I might miss? The only thing I see that causes some concern is that the right cylinder head shows sign of a chronic leak at the right radiator hose.

Thanks for any advice and input you might give.

FortyNiner · 10-19-2018, 04:57 AM

It looks great.

I would check the guages - every one of them - to make certain they work. There are a couple of aftermarket versions that usually are a tell. Play with the radio, all the window regulators, and the trunk hinge arms (do they hold up the lid?). I would either crawl underneath, or get it on a lift, to look at the leaks and undercarriage.

Good luck with your mission.

big job · 10-19-2018, 05:24 AM

I see the weep, its the heater shut off valve dripping on the head spark plug area. easy
fix just tighten the packing mine weeps too same place. I hope you buy it, such a nice
one. Wait till you drive it= your in for a shock of ya life. Don't need power steering or
brakes, rides like a Lincoln Town Car exceptionally quiet, don't need radio either all those
and even AM radios now just receive static and talk shows. Talk about pep you will find
out. Like driving a baby carriage. Its all I have and never go back to the modern junk.
sam

Fairview · 10-19-2018, 07:04 AM

Thanks very much!

corvette8n · 10-19-2018, 07:22 AM

Looks nice in the pictures, do look underneath, search out any areas for rust or damage. Look under the dash and check out the wiring, frayed wire can come back to bite you(fire). Pull the rear seat bottom and check for rust, rodent residue etc. Make an offer your comfortable with and then enjoy.
Welcome to the wonderful world of flathead's.

RKS.PA · 10-19-2018, 08:15 AM

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Fairview, I agree with the comments above. The interior appears to be in great shape as does the exterior paint. I see it's got some "performance" items....duel carbs and exhaust. Also the generator has been replaced with an alternator.

On drivability, I also agree with the comments above on ride and handling. I used to have a '39 Deluxe Fordor and I am impressed with how much "progress" Ford made in just under 10 years.

Best of luck, it looks like a good one at a decent price.

Dick.

JSeery · 10-19-2018, 08:28 AM

Is the price $14,500? That seems very low for a car in that condition!

woodiewagon46 · 10-19-2018, 08:31 AM

JSeery beat me to it but I agree, you can't build that car for $14,500.

JSeery · 10-19-2018, 08:35 AM

Ya, $14,500 seems way to low to me and $145,000 would seem high!

Fairview · 10-19-2018, 08:55 AM

Thanks for the additional advice. The location is fairly convenient for me, so that’s worth something, too.

blucar · 10-19-2018, 09:25 AM

Reviewing the pix tells me the vehicle appears to be in very good condition. I question the after-market gauges hanging off of the dash and the rust on the right head below the hose. Is this lazyness, poor maintenance.. Rust on the head indicates water in the cooling system in lieu of quality coolant.
I would suggest a complete inspection of the undercarriage/chassis in all of the nooks and crannies that rust-out can be hiding and/or covered up with under-seal, etc.
We have all seen far to many vehicles that look great, however, in six months to a year the Bondo starts to blister over the poor metal prep resulting in expensive repairs.

woodiewagon46 · 10-19-2018, 09:32 AM

I wouldn't be too concerned about the gauges under the dash. Removing and repairing the originals is a pain and can be costly. It's the readings that the gauges indicate that are more important. If you have a V-8 Club chapter in your area you might ask a member that has a similar car to inspect it with you.

Darrell S · 10-19-2018, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corvette8n

Looks nice in the pictures, do look underneath, search out any areas for rust or damage. Look under the dash and check out the wiring, frayed wire can come back to bite you(fire). Pull the rear seat bottom and check for rust, rodent residue etc. Make an offer your comfortable with and then enjoy.
Welcome to the wonderful world of flathead's.

Ditto on above. Look underneath and at condition of wiring under dash. If you can, lift the rubber mat in the trunk to check for rust. Drive it if possible. It sure looks nice.

skidmarks · 10-19-2018, 10:08 AM

Rocker boxes on 42 to 48 fords rot were the rest of the car can look pretty decent. Have to feel up between the frame and the inside edge of the rocker box.

tubman · 10-19-2018, 10:27 AM

Sound advice from all. As they say, "Don't buy a paint job". I did that once, a long ago, and regretted it.

1942deluxe · 10-19-2018, 01:23 PM

It's on EBay right now , item 183483747798. At $10,700 with 5 hrs. 50 minutes to go.

1931 flamingo · 10-19-2018, 01:40 PM

Looks nice. The reason it's priced that way may be because it's a sedan and not a coupe. Also winter's coming and storage may be a problem. JMO
Paul in CT

Kube · 10-19-2018, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSeery

Is the price $14,500? That seems very low for a car in that condition!

Although you can't build the car for $14,500, if you search a bit longer, you'll realize that's at the very upper end in value.

RKS.PA · 10-19-2018, 02:04 PM

Using Hemmings can sometime give a range of values for our old Fords. There's a dealer here in Tucson that uses this service and it may be an online subscription.

Tinker · 10-19-2018, 02:14 PM

Looks pretty decent.

As mentioned look underneath. Will tell you a lot about everything including body work. Close eye on door jams too.

Kind of spendy little tool, but you can check quickly if there is a lot of filler. Oh course you want to be respectful of the seller and not run it all over a nice paint job. Just a few common spots for filler.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b...e/2438/4666099

Hope it turns out well for you!

.

10-19-2018, 03:43 AM	#1
Fairview Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Waynesboro, Virginia Posts: 67	Buying advice 1948 Super Deluxe Tudor I hope the forum protocol allows me to ask for some buying advice. I like the looks of this 1948 on Craigslist, but have zero experience with that vintage. https://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto...719951706.html I’ve been a Model A guy for decades, so this is a new era for me. Can you look at the link and photos to point out what I might miss? The only thing I see that causes some concern is that the right cylinder head shows sign of a chronic leak at the right radiator hose. Thanks for any advice and input you might give. Last edited by Fairview; 10-20-2018 at 07:48 AM.

10-19-2018, 04:57 AM	#2
FortyNiner Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: u-rah-rah-Wisconsin Posts: 1,136	Re: Buying advice 1948 Super Deluxe Tudor It looks great. I would check the guages - every one of them - to make certain they work. There are a couple of aftermarket versions that usually are a tell. Play with the radio, all the window regulators, and the trunk hinge arms (do they hold up the lid?). I would either crawl underneath, or get it on a lift, to look at the leaks and undercarriage. Good luck with your mission. __________________ 19 and 49 F1 - jes' like Henry II built 1946 Deluxe - as Henry built it

10-19-2018, 05:24 AM	#3
big job Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Dighton, Mass Posts: 1,230	Re: Buying advice 1948 Super Deluxe Tudor I see the weep, its the heater shut off valve dripping on the head spark plug area. easy fix just tighten the packing mine weeps too same place. I hope you buy it, such a nice one. Wait till you drive it= your in for a shock of ya life. Don't need power steering or brakes, rides like a Lincoln Town Car exceptionally quiet, don't need radio either all those and even AM radios now just receive static and talk shows. Talk about pep you will find out. Like driving a baby carriage. Its all I have and never go back to the modern junk. sam

10-19-2018, 07:04 AM	#4
Fairview Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Waynesboro, Virginia Posts: 67	Re: Buying advice 1948 Super Deluxe Tudor Thanks very much!

10-19-2018, 07:22 AM	#5
corvette8n Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 36 miles north of Albany NY Posts: 2,946	Re: Buying advice 1948 Super Deluxe Tudor Looks nice in the pictures, do look underneath, search out any areas for rust or damage. Look under the dash and check out the wiring, frayed wire can come back to bite you(fire). Pull the rear seat bottom and check for rust, rodent residue etc. Make an offer your comfortable with and then enjoy. Welcome to the wonderful world of flathead's.

10-19-2018, 08:15 AM	#6
RKS.PA Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Marana, AZ Posts: 1,194	Re: Buying advice 1948 Super Deluxe Tudor Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Fairview, I agree with the comments above. The interior appears to be in great shape as does the exterior paint. I see it's got some "performance" items....duel carbs and exhaust. Also the generator has been replaced with an alternator. On drivability, I also agree with the comments above on ride and handling. I used to have a '39 Deluxe Fordor and I am impressed with how much "progress" Ford made in just under 10 years. Best of luck, it looks like a good one at a decent price. Dick.

10-19-2018, 08:28 AM	#7
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Buying advice 1948 Super Deluxe Tudor Is the price $14,500? That seems very low for a car in that condition!

10-19-2018, 08:31 AM	#8
woodiewagon46 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Island,NY Posts: 1,554	Re: Buying advice 1948 Super Deluxe Tudor JSeery beat me to it but I agree, you can't build that car for $14,500.

10-19-2018, 08:55 AM	#10
Fairview Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Waynesboro, Virginia Posts: 67	Re: Buying advice 1948 Super Deluxe Tudor Thanks for the additional advice. The location is fairly convenient for me, so that’s worth something, too.

10-19-2018, 09:25 AM	#11
blucar Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 2,464	Re: Buying advice 1948 Super Deluxe Tudor Reviewing the pix tells me the vehicle appears to be in very good condition. I question the after-market gauges hanging off of the dash and the rust on the right head below the hose. Is this lazyness, poor maintenance.. Rust on the head indicates water in the cooling system in lieu of quality coolant. I would suggest a complete inspection of the undercarriage/chassis in all of the nooks and crannies that rust-out can be hiding and/or covered up with under-seal, etc. We have all seen far to many vehicles that look great, however, in six months to a year the Bondo starts to blister over the poor metal prep resulting in expensive repairs. __________________ Bill.... 36 5 win cpe

10-19-2018, 09:32 AM	#12
woodiewagon46 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Island,NY Posts: 1,554	Re: Buying advice 1948 Super Deluxe Tudor I wouldn't be too concerned about the gauges under the dash. Removing and repairing the originals is a pain and can be costly. It's the readings that the gauges indicate that are more important. If you have a V-8 Club chapter in your area you might ask a member that has a similar car to inspect it with you.

10-19-2018, 10:08 AM	#14
skidmarks Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: newark, delaware Posts: 3,735	Re: Buying advice 1948 Super Deluxe Tudor Rocker boxes on 42 to 48 fords rot were the rest of the car can look pretty decent. Have to feel up between the frame and the inside edge of the rocker box.

10-19-2018, 10:27 AM	#15
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,303	Re: Buying advice 1948 Super Deluxe Tudor Sound advice from all. As they say, "Don't buy a paint job". I did that once, a long ago, and regretted it.

10-19-2018, 01:23 PM	#16
1942deluxe Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Albion, PA Posts: 708	Re: Buying advice 1948 Super Deluxe Tudor It's on EBay right now , item 183483747798. At $10,700 with 5 hrs. 50 minutes to go.

10-19-2018, 01:40 PM	#17
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Buying advice 1948 Super Deluxe Tudor Looks nice. The reason it's priced that way may be because it's a sedan and not a coupe. Also winter's coming and storage may be a problem. JMO Paul in CT

10-19-2018, 02:04 PM	#19
RKS.PA Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Marana, AZ Posts: 1,194	Re: Buying advice 1948 Super Deluxe Tudor Using Hemmings can sometime give a range of values for our old Fords. There's a dealer here in Tucson that uses this service and it may be an online subscription.

10-19-2018, 02:14 PM	#20
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Buying advice 1948 Super Deluxe Tudor Looks pretty decent. As mentioned look underneath. Will tell you a lot about everything including body work. Close eye on door jams too. Kind of spendy little tool, but you can check quickly if there is a lot of filler. Oh course you want to be respectful of the seller and not run it all over a nice paint job. Just a few common spots for filler. https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b...e/2438/4666099 Hope it turns out well for you! .