Solid Project: 1946 Ford Super DeLuxe Coupe
Hiding below the tired paint and minor dings and dents is a 1946 Ford Super DeLuxe Coupe that is just begging for someone to provide it with the right sort of attention, along with a touch of TLC. It has been sitting in storage for many years, but when you peer below the surface, what you will find is a solid old Ford that offers its next owner a world of possibilities, which will be limited only by that person’s imagination. Located in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, you will find the Coupe listed for sale here on Craigslist. The sale price for this classic Ford has been set at $4,500. Once again, our eagle-eyed Barn Finder Ikey H has been keeping his sharp eyes open, so thank you for referring the Ford through to us Ikey.
The 1946 Super DeLuxe was effectively an update of the car that had been in production back in 1942. When the US found itself embroiled in World War II, civilian vehicle production was placed on hold. When hostilities ended in 1945, car manufacturers were eager to resume production and sales as quickly as possible. However, there simply wasn’t the opportunity to develop completely new models within a viable timeframe, so companies like Ford chose to mildly update their pre-war offerings. As the sales figures showed, this was an inspired move, because to have waited until the development of new models had been completed would have potentially led to financial ruin. Therefore, Ford upgraded its pre-war models and enjoyed some significant sales success. The most obvious changes were actually pretty minor and included, among other changes, a new grille and a widened hood. This particular car naturally features those updates, and when you look below the patchy Black paint, what you find is what seems to be an extremely solid vehicle. The owner states that the pictures tell the story, and apart from an array of repairable dings and dents, along with areas of surface corrosion, the Ford looks pretty solid. He does provide a single shot of the trunk, and apart from a heavy coating of surface corrosion, it looks to be as solid as a rock. If this is indicative of the state of the rest of the floors and the frame, then it would seem that the news with the Coupe is nothing but good. All of the glass is present, although the passenger-side of the windshield and the door glass on the same side are both badly cracked. The next owner might get away with the side glass, but the windshield will definitely require replacement. I would appear that all of the external trim and chrome is present, and while it isn’t perfect, I can’t see a single piece that is beyond being restored.
Time has not been kind to the Ford’s interior, and it will require plenty of work if it is to be returned to its former glory. One saving grace is the fact that it does appear to be complete, so the new owner won’t have to do a lot of scouring around to find all of those little fiddly pieces that tend to get easily overlooked…right up until that moment when you actually need them. All of the upholstery will be headed to the nearest trash can, while the dash and the steering wheel will both require a full restoration. At least, they will if the next owner’s intention is to undertake a full and faithful restoration. There is no doubt that this Ford would also make a sound basis for either a rat rod or custom project, and that means that the final configuration and finish of the interior will be entirely dependent on just how vivid the owner’s imagination actually is. The option is definitely available for all manner of custom finishes, from the mild to the pretty wild.
Converting the 1942 Ford into a 1946 model wasn’t confined simply to some cosmetic changes. The 1942 Coupe had rolled off the production line, and in V8 form, it came equipped with the 221ci flathead engine. For 1946, the 239ci V8 which had previously been reserved for Mercury and truck offerings had managed to find its way under the hood of Ford passenger cars. This gave the owner 100hp to play with, which was sent to the rear wheels via a 3-speed manual transmission. The 239 in this old Ford hasn’t run for years, and it isn’t even clear whether it actually turns freely. However, these flathead V8s are as tough as old boot leather, and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if a little bit of effort saw the engine roar into life once again. Of course, there will still be plenty of work to undertake before the Coupe is returned to a roadworthy state, and that’s if it is to be returned to active duty in standard form. Once again, this is all supposition, and it is possible that the Ford might eventually hit the road with something entirely different occupying the engine bay.
I know plenty of people who would like to buy this 1946 Ford Super DeLuxe Coupe, return it to a mechanically roadworthy state, throw some blankets over the seats, and then drive off into the sunset. There are also plenty who would undertake a meticulous restoration, while an equal number would utilize it as the foundations for a rat rod or a custom project. Honestly, I don’t know which option appeals to me the most. How about you?
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Comments
Get it up and running into a roadworthy state and drive it forever. There are enough hot/rat rods and customs already without chopping up an original coupe as there can’t be that many ’42’s still in existence.
I could not agree more. Although it would be nice to have a hot rodded Ford flathead in the engine bay. Otherwise leave it stock.
BTW, Ken, it is a ’46, not a ’42. But, that’s okay. We all know what you mean. I think this car is reasonably priced. Oh, if I had the space, ability, money, etc, (I don’t have a wife who would argue with me.)
$4,500 is a steal for a fat fender Ford coupe. Unless catastrophically broken it’ll start up and run fine.
Then what? I’m a run it like it is guy, but these are beautiful post-war cars when done up.
However, solid body begats new paint. New paint begats new chrome. New chrome begats new interior and so on and so on.
Love it….new owner will have a great car.
Hmmn! What to do. Keep it stock or build it into something else. Stock means utilizing trunion front suspension and transverse rear leaf spring with poor shock design. Building means spending a lot of money that may or may not get better results. Original engine provides sufficient power but nothing real exciting. Adding after market parts for more power or replacing engine is added expense that may or may not add value. Boy what a conundrum,
I like both options, but I have to go with, keep it stock and slowly cruise the blvds.
God bless America
I’d keep it simple like Ken and JR. I’d recover the seat, get it roadworthy and drive. The most I’d do as far as updates would be maybe some brake upgrades and some Strombergs for the old flathead. Love it!
To combat cabin fever, yesterday my wife and I went for an 80 mile cruise in the country (using her daily driver). Much like a “Sunday Drive” of yesteryear. We were on a rural but recently upgraded and widened two-lane in a scenic part of the state. Soon the moderate traffic started to back up a bit. Several cars in front of us was a trio of vehicles out for a similar cruise: an 80’s Monte Carlo, some sort of old school roadster, and a car I couldn’t quickly identify, perhaps a late 30’s Chrysler, in restored condition. They were motivating at 45-50 mph and pulled over to let traffic go by.
This old Ford, with its mechanics repaired and with perhaps with paint and interior work, would fill the above role admirably.
Aside: the weather was perfect, and in addition to this trio, we saw ***hundreds*** of motorcycles.
I can’t help myself, I always have to comment, when a 42 to 48 Ford shows up on Barn Finds. My affair with automobiles, started with my dad’s new 46 Ford Sedan. In my quest after car perfection, I have had several and enjoyed all of them. I always defend them, as one of the most affordable early Ford’s you can have. I particiarly like this one, it’s a 46, which I think is the best year. It is the best model of the two coupes (my opinion). The price is fair and it is a blank slate, for whatever the owner wants. I have built this model in my head, many times and in reality once or twice. I would love this one, to be my next project, but time and money, are not going to let me do it. I hope the new owner will enjoy this car as much as I know I would.
I’ve always liked this series of Fords. The ‘42 models will always be my favorite simply because of the grill. I preferred the ‘46 over the ‘47/‘48 models because of the park lights. Actually the ‘46 spilled over to the ‘47 while Ford struggled to keep up with the postwar demand. I wouldn’t kick this one off my driveway. I’d likely tune it up real well and drive it. Fix up a few things along the way. Maybe give it a driver-quality restoration down the road. Definitely NOT a hotrod candidate. Lots to enjoy bone stock.
Imagine after that horrible war, buying a brand new car! To see the world come back to somewhat normal must have been so wonderful. Perhaps many decided to be happy for everyday that came afterwards, because they (and we) know life is fleeting, we need to make every day count and be happy. My folks spoke of these times, but when I was young, I really didn’t understand it. I think today, many of us will. We are going to have our own happy days again, and hopefully we will all appreciate them more then we once did. I hope who ever buys this car, finds that it makes them happy.
You know, I just took another look at the engine. Unless I’m really losing my eyesight that’s a 21 stud engine in that bay. The spark plugs also look pretty big, like 18mm. Ford introduced the Center-outlet engine in 1937. Still 21 stud, it ran 18mm plugs. 1938 began also with 21 studs but plug size was shrunk down to 14mm. By the summer of ’38, the 24 stud was making an appearance. 1939 was actually the year the 24 stud engine was official. Anyway, it looks like someone dropped a ’37 engine in there. No problem with the fit. Front mounts incorporated into the water pumps just like a 59AB. It wouldn’t be the first time I saw an older engine repowering a car or truck…