Polished and pricey
Stainless-steel Fords will be sold at auction
Mention a stainless- steel car and most people think Delorean, but it wasn’t the first. Starting in the 1930s, a few Fords were built of the futuristic material, and now three of them will go up for sale in September.
A 1936 Ford Deluxe Sedan, 1960 Ford Thunderbird, and 1967 Lincoln Continental convertible will be sold as a single consignment, with no reserve, by Worldwide Auctioneers at its 13th annual Auburn Auction in Auburn, Ind.
The cars were a joint project between Ford and Allegheny Steel & Iron, based in Pittsburgh. Stainless steel had been around for a while, but Allegheny Steel & Iron received a patent in 1924 and became one of the first to use it commercially in the U. S., including for Ford Model A trim and in the construction of the Chrysler Building in New York.
To gain publicity for its relatively new product, Allegheny teamed with Ford to make three 1931 Model
A sedans, one of which the steel company kept for its advertising. A few years later, Allegheny contracted the automaker to build six 1936 Fords, which it used as demonstration models into the 1940s.
Now named Allegheny Ludlum, the company went back to Ford in 1960 for two Thunderbirds.
The final stainless cars were three 1966 Lincoln Continentals, two of which — including the auction car — were later updated with 1967 grilles.
The auction is scheduled for Sept. 5.