Sep 26, 2016  •  For Sale  •  25 Comments

But Wait, There’s More: 1938 Ford And….

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Most of us are familiar with the common and classic television infomercial approach to upselling, “but wait, there’s more.” The seller of this very dusty 1938 Ford for sale here on craigslist in Urbandale, Iowa takes just such an approach with his ad.

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This Ford is a Deluxe Tudor model, as the grille and hood louvers indicate. The seller says it has a later forties flathead engine in it, which may rule out the option of a restoration to stock for many potential buyers. And as shown in the pictures, having been in long term storage, the interior is completely shot.

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While I personally have always preferred 1940-1 Fords to these 1938 models, these cars do have a great look and certainly have their share of fans.

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Since this Ford has not run in some fifty years, it has rusty floors and will need other bodywork, not to mention a complete mechanical rebuild, it’s more likely a candidate for a street rod or period hot rod than anything else.

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The seller claims this car is “rare,” but Ford made 101,647 of these Tudors out of a total run of 410,263 cars in 1938, so while it is certainly a very desirable old car, it’s not really all that rare.

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The asking price is $3,950. I leave it to our readers to weigh in on that price. I think it’s probably pretty close to what it will sell for.

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Now we come to the “but wait, there’s more” part of the story. Almost as a throwaway line at the end of the ad, the seller says “Additional pics are of more stuff that has to go.” I think those other items will hold some interest for Barn Find readers.

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Here is a race prepped Saab Sonnett.

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Two Fiat 850s with bodies appearing in very solid condition, and what looks like a Triumph TR3 in the background.

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A late production two door Model T turtleback that appears to be in extremely good condition.

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And a two door Mercedes, not sure which model this is, maybe a 1980 230 or 250?

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I am pretty sure this is another Ford, this one with a later model OHV engine, perhaps a hot rod in progress?

Maybe one of our Iowa-based readers could make a visit to the Urbandale area to find out more about this interesting collection of barn stored cars. It would be great to learn the history of the cars as well as the gentleman who collected them. Thanks to reader Stewart E for pointing us to this intriguing collection of finds.

Comments

  1. redwagon
    Sep 26, 2016 at 8:57am

    where did they learn to play cards? dont you always lead with your trump suit? shouldn’t that have been the sonnet?

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    • E. Carlsson
      Sep 27, 2016 at 4:09am

      It’s a Saab Sonett, S O N E T T.

      Like 0
  2. dirtyharry
    Sep 26, 2016 at 9:39am

    I imagine Wayne Carrini would have an “anxiety attack” if anyone disturbed all that great dust.

    Like 0
  3. Fred W.
    Sep 26, 2016 at 9:40am

    Wow, these look like untouched and legit barn finds. Although I guess you could simulate the look with a sack of Martha White flour. The Sonnet is only the top draw to European collectors.

    Like 0
  4. LM
    Sep 26, 2016 at 9:42am

    Usually on Craigslist when they require you to respond via Craigslist email requesting that you leave your personal email address is just a scam to get your personal email address for a third party email marketing BS. When you reply through Craigslist they can easily reply back to you via the same and do not require your personal email address. It would make more sense and give to some form of validity if they requested your phone number so that you could actually discuss this barn find, just beware……

    Like 0
  5. JW454
    Sep 26, 2016 at 10:00am

    By having bumpers, the model T looks like a 1927. It would be my pick out of this grouping.

    Like 0
    • Dale
      Sep 26, 2016 at 10:09am

      T counld be a 26 or 27. Bumpers were never “factory” that I know of on a Model T, but an entire industry was build on providing accessories for these cars.

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      • Doug
        Sep 26, 2016 at 11:37pm

        A Model T expert has advised me that the Headlight Bar was introduced in 1927

        Like 0
    • Doug
      Sep 26, 2016 at 11:43pm

      The term “turtledeck” is commonly used to describe the trunk unit on a model T roadster — not to describe a 2 door sedan

      Like 0
  6. CelestialGryphon
    Sep 26, 2016 at 10:04am

    Lead with the Sonnet for sure. That I’m interested in.

    Like 0
  7. Another Bob
    Sep 26, 2016 at 10:23am

    Great find Barnfinds. I’d wash that Sonnet for free….and maybe even wax it.

    Like 0
  8. geomechs geomechsMember
    Sep 26, 2016 at 12:59pm

    The ’38 is definitely a full restoration. Any car THAT complete should NOT get anything but ‘as Henry built it.’ No problem with a later flathead in it; the 59AB is very reliable and will take that car anywhere you want to go and back again. The 30s were transition years for the flatheads. For example ’38 began the year with 21 stud heads but morphed into 24 stud by the end of the production year. They still had the same designation (81A) and kept the same distributor and Stromberg 97 carb.

    Like 0
  9. Bryan
    Sep 26, 2016 at 1:10pm

    I saw these cars on CL 2-3 years ago and spoke to the owner about the Sonnet and the Fiats. Beware a current add!

    Like 0
    • David WilkAuthor
      Sep 26, 2016 at 6:17pm

      Bryan, just curious, when you talked to the owner, did you learn anything about the cars or where they are stored? I’m just thinking that if the seller’s asking prices were too high, he just held on to them. But I have been told I am too trusting, so who knows.

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      • Bryan
        Sep 26, 2016 at 6:20pm

        If I recall correctly the Sonnet needed floors and I’m thinking the Fiats had their share of rust. Price was high. I think the slanted headlight Fiat is a bit rare if I recall?

        Like 0
    • Tzion
      Sep 27, 2016 at 12:51am

      Bryan
      Is it tr3 or morgan yellow?
      It is in good condition?

      Like 0
  10. Alan
    Sep 26, 2016 at 4:59pm

    I think that’s a Morgan, not a TR. ?

    Like 0
    • Britcarguy
      Sep 27, 2016 at 5:52am

      TR3. Windscreen frame, door opening, and fender line are dead giveaways.

      Like 0
  11. Joe Haska
    Sep 26, 2016 at 5:11pm

    The 2-door sedan with OHV, is a Plymouth or Dodge , 1935 or 36 not enough for me to tell, maybe a real Mopar guy could, but does it really matter!

    Like 0
    • moosie Craig
      Sep 27, 2016 at 9:14am

      Could be an old MOPAR now that I think about it, but my first thought aboot it was that it might be a Chevy, maybe ’37 or so ?

      Like 0
  12. Howard
    Sep 26, 2016 at 11:59pm

    The flathead in the 38 has the distributor mounted on the passenger side of the engine which makes it a 49 or later. 48 and earlier had distributor mounted on the front of the engine and according to my manual, they had to be taken off and timed with a machine that only a ford dealership had. I had several of those old flatheads and only had two that actually ran smooth, a real bear to keep tuned

    Like 0
    • elchinero
      Oct 3, 2016 at 8:34am

      Good call on the distributor …

      Like 0
  13. rd watson
    Sep 27, 2016 at 4:22am

    the benz could be 1977 to 1985 a 230 or 280 but in Australia the bumper and headlight where only on diesels I don’t thing 2 door diesels where made. rod Watson gold coast

    Like 0
  14. Kevin
    Sep 27, 2016 at 10:06am

    A ’38 Ford is definitely more attractive than a run of the mill ’40. Street or rat rod it along with the other very old American cars. There are more than enough restored cars already, why not make them fun cars rather than showy garage queens? A rat rod gets driven alot and makes non-motorhead people more aware that there were cool cars way back then. The Sonnett is fugly as are the other imports. My opinion, no offense intended. These are located 250 miles away in my state, much too far to go have a look. If 50 miles, you bet I’d go and find out as much history as possible on all of them.

    Like 0
  15. don
    Sep 30, 2016 at 12:17pm

    The last one can’t be a Ford, look at the front springs

    Like 0

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