THE LOWDOWN

WHAT TO PAY

Searching for V8s, we found a 1932 Deluxe Fordor sedan ‘older restoration’ at $36,000, a $45,500 Deluxe Phaeton, and a completely original five-window for $50,000. A concours 1932 Deluxe roadster was $79,000. We found only one 1933, a running four-door sedan with decent paint and interior for $22,500. A fully restored 1934 cabriolet was $59,500. A second, with a 12-volt conversion, was $65,500 in a private sale. One in original condition, other than a later Mercury flathead and wheels, was $75,000, as was another fully restored in 2017. Proving just how critical body style is, a complete, unrestored and drivable four-door ’34 sedan was only $6500.

LOOK OUT FOR…

Four- and eight-cylinder cars were identical beyond powerplant and badging, so check the serial number on the chassis frame near the clutch pedal for an ‘AB’ or ‘18’ prefix (C indicates Canadian built) on a 1932. For 1933 and ’34 the VIN is also on the left front pillar and again starts 18- or B.

Overheating flatheads are largely a thing of the past and you should expect one to last 40,000 miles between overhauls; less if it’s driven hard. Regular maintenance and lubrication are essential.

Construction was usually an all-steel shell, sometimes with wooden internal framing. Both rot. Uneven door gaps point to worn hinges at best, a twisted body/frame at worst. Bodies do flex; examine the front roof pillars above and below the ’screen corners and the panel below the bootlid on coupes.

Check frames carefully; they are flexible enough that early 1932 cars required dealerinstalled strengthening plates above the rear axle.

Ford built these cars in 33 countries and foreign cars can differ greatly from their American counterparts in bodywork design, and often came with smaller engines.