1947 Ford Super Deluxe

Description

If you're a car guy who appreciates history, you really do owe it to yourself to own a flathead Ford at some point in your life. Cars like this 1947 Ford Super Deluxe put V8 performance in the hands of everyman, and the automotive world was never the same. Offering a gorgeous top-quality restoration that's very authentic, this car delivers the genuine flathead experience at a very reasonable price.

Pheasant Red is the traditional '40s Ford color, elegant and sporting at the same time, it never looks wrong on these fat-fendered cars. The 2-door fastback body style was groundbreaking in 1941 and following the war, not much changed but the look was still fresh. Following a comprehensive restoration from 2000-2004, this car still looks extremely nice, as if it was finished and tucked away for a decade, only to re-emerge in our showroom. The panels are straight, everything lines up quite well, and there's a wonderful, deep shine to the paint that makes this look like a much more expensive car. They used the right paint too, skipping the heavy metallic and sticking to solids to properly re-create that late-1940s look. The Super Deluxe models wore a lot of trim, from the stainless grille to the heavy chrome bumpers to the stylish fender "speed lines" that make this car look long and sleek, and it's all in very good condition.

Striped gray cloth is a very 1940s look and the workmanship was excellent when the interior was restored. The plain seat backs are correctly stitched and feature new foam underneath, so they're quite comfortable for tours and matching door panels are simple yet attractive. You'll note that the door hardware is nicely restored, the window garnish moldings are finished in matching gray paint, and the steering wheel was likely re-cast simply because it's just too nice to be 1947 plastic. The dash was painted to match the body, then fitted with nice reproduction plastic dash panels that house the gauges on the driver's side and a clock on the passenger's side. Radios were still optional in 1947, so this Ford does without, but there is an accessory under-dash heater unit that works just fine. IN typical Ford fashion, the front seat occupants get a durable rubber mat, while gray carpets give the back seat a somewhat more upscale feel. There's also a sizeable trunk under that swoopy fastback profile, complete with a matching full-sized spare tire.

Ford's 239 cubic inch flathead V8 has modest specifications on paper, but that doesn't even tell part of the story. This one starts easily with that distinctive Ford V8 chatter, and settles into a bouncy idle that reminds you that this car wants to run. Dark blue engine enamel is correct for 1947 and even the little parts like the hose clamps and plug wires are correct pieces that add to the excellent presentation. The two-barrel carburetor is easy to tune and gives the V8 quick reflexes on the road. Backed by a 3-speed manual transmission and rear end gears that are a good balance between town and highway driving, it over-delivers on its specs in a big way. The results of the frame-off restoration are obvious underneath, where it's very nicely finished and quite correct, save for the dual exhaust system which gives the V8 a mellow sound you'll enjoy. Painted steel wheels with hubcaps and trim rings wear 6.00-16 bias-ply wide whites that finish the look.

If you've driven a V8 Ford, you already know what I'm talking about, but if you're just getting into the hobby, there are few better choices than this neat '47 fastback. Call today!