1935 Ford Model 48

This stylish example is one of those rarer export market models in a UK specification and featuring the steering wheel on the right-hand side. Not too much is known about the car’s early life in the UK. Prior to its current ownership, however, the car was understood to have been part of a twenty-car collection based in the North of England. Part of the collection for around twenty years, it was believed to have been hardly used during that time.

Presumably it was for that reason that the car came up for auction with Bonhams MPH at Bicester Heritage in 2020. At that stage the car was listed as an older restoration and was showing an odometer reading of 1,487.

The winning bidder was Cliff, the current owner. “It was during the Covid lockdown period, so I was unable to view the car,” confesses Cliff. Despite that he was pleased with the car when it arrived with no major surprises in store. “I’ve always had older cars throughout my life,” says Cliff. “When I was younger my uncle had a Ford V8 just like this one which was why this one appealed to me,” he remembers.

Being a fastidious custodian Cliff soon set about addressing a couple of areas he felt could be improved on the car. In 2020 he had the car converted to a 12-volt electrical system, which is no minor endeavour in a car of this vintage, and earlier this year, after little success in getting the original flathead V8 running smoothly, he had a completely restored and rebuilt V8 fitted.

Cliff has reconciled himself to now parting with the 1935 Ford. With the odometer now reading 1,827 miles it is clear that Cliff isn’t getting sufficient use out of the car due to a variety of personal circumstances.

It is believed that this Ford V8 enjoyed a restoration at some point prior to its current ownership. The Bonhams MPH listing from 2020 makes reference to some paint imperfections, chips and touch-ins. Cliff has not attended to these and feels that the paint and bodywork is in “pretty good overall condition given the car’s age.” The photographic package seemingly supports this with the black paintwork presenting well and exuding a lustrous high shine, suggesting any imperfections are visible only on close inspection.

What the car offers in spades, however, is a wealth of period details and charming pre-war features. The flanks of the car are dominated by elegantly curved wings connected by full length, rubber finished, running boards. The short nose of the car is finished with heavily vented, centre hinged bonnet panels which fold upwards and inwards to provide access to both sides of the flathead V8.

The long rear curve of the car conceals the charming rumble seat under an opening panel. Once opened the folding bench seat is revealed providing accommodation on demand for a pair of lucky passengers.

The cross-spoked 16-inch steel wheels are finished in a contrasting cream paint which corresponds well to the upholstery colour. The wheels appear to be in fine fettle and wear the period correct size and profile of tyre. Since the photographs were taken, Cliff has had two new rear tyres fitted as the pictured ones had started to perish. The wheels are finished with chromed hubcaps featuring an embossed “V8” emblem.

The brightwork of the shapely bumpers, trim pieces and large grill appears bright and shiny and breaks up the black paintwork very effectively. The beige-coloured hood provides another area of attractive contrast when erected. Cliff reports that the hood imperfections noted in the 2020 listing remain but that they are minor and have not concerned him.

The interior offers the new owner an authentic slice of 1930’s motoring ambience and presents in an entirely period-correct condition. The full width front bench seat is finished in a beige colourway and appears to be in very good condition. Two vertical panels of box pleats help to break up the bench and help add a focal point.

The door cards are in excellent condition and finished in the same beige material. They feature a pair of stitched, horizontal box pleats, an angled arm rest and some bright chromed door furniture. The floor is dressed in dark brown, edge-bound, carpet mats. Some wear and threadbare areas are in evidence in the driver’s footwell.

The dashboard is finished in body coloured metal and inset with a number of original gauges. These include a large black on white speedometer which is flanked on both sides by smaller dual function gauges recording oil and fuel levels and water temperature. The centre of the dash features a vertical ribbed, chrome flourish with a V8 embossed roundel at its centre. A clock is mounted to its left and a supplemental water temperature gauge has been retrofitted below the dash.

The hood is material lined for additional sound and temperature insulation. Behind the hood is the charming rumble seat. This area contains a folding bench seat providing cosy accommodation for two passengers when required. This area is upholstered in the same material as the front cabin. Useful storage pockets are present in the sides of this passenger compartment.

The interior condition appears very good overall and the whole ambiance is very evocative of gentler days gone by.

The flathead V8 engine of this 1935 Ford was very much a key feature of this stylish convertible. Ford missed no opportunity to broadcast the car’s under bonnet credentials either. Afterall, if you had the wherewithal to afford this premium model you would want everyone to know surely?

Consequently, there are V8 references everywhere. The grill is topped by a stylised V8 bonnet ornament. The hubcaps are embossed with a V8 emblem and even the dashboard features a centre mounted V8 roundel just in case the passengers were unsure of the car’s elevated position in the Ford range.

On acquisition Cliff encountered a few issues getting the original engine to run as smoothly and silkily as he knew a big V8 should. Ultimately this led him to engage specialists, Royal Kustoms, to fit a fully rebuilt and re-engineered replacement V8. This work cost in excess of £6,000 but gave Cliff a car that runs beautifully and in the way a big V8 should do. “It sounds lovely now,” says Cliff “and it runs so smoothly that it made the expenditure more than worth it.”

The underside of the car presents well too. The unusual transverse leaf spring suspension can be seen in our photographic package. This system employs large leaf springs front and rear arranged in a transverse configuration and providing a cosseting ride.

With the work undertaken by Royal Kustoms, Cliff is now very happy with the mechanical condition of this nearly ninety-year-old car.

The V8 Ford comes with a degree of paperwork mainly relating to Cliff’s period of ownership. This paperwork includes invoices for the 12-volt conversion and engine replacement from Royal Kustoms, totalling more than £10,000.

There is also some listing information included from the 2020 Bonhams MPH auction.

The current V5 is present in the name of Cliff, the current owner. The car is registered as a historic vehicle and, as such, is understood to be MOT and VED exempt.

There’s something special about pre-war cars in our view. It could be the level of attention lavished on every aspect and facet of the cars that no longer proves financially viable in today’s volume orientated car industry. It could be that the passage of significant time has differentiated the driver and passenger experience so dramatically from the more clinical ambiance of more modern examples.

In any event this is a lovely example of one of the finer and more premium pre-war Fords. Cliff has improved this car in well-chosen areas and has not skimped in ensuring the new owner will enjoy a very well sorted and eminently useable 1935 convertible. And who wouldn’t enjoy a journey ensconced in that sublime rumble seat. Surely one for the bucket list?

Our estimate for this car is £30,000 - £35,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car is located in Ferndown, Dorset. To arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.