1935 Ford Phaeton

This old Ford was stored in a basement for almost 60 years. It’s very original and many of the missing parts are included. It will need running boards, an interior, top and much more. The front part of the floor is rusted, but the rest of the car is pretty solid. Thanks to Fred W for the tip.

The dash is all there and original. It even has the key. That is daylight you see through the floor, though.

The paint, if not original, is certainly old. It could possibly be left as it is if it’s restored to look original.

It’s easy to imagine what this old Ford looked like on the road. That skinny bumper certainly hasn’t fared very well.

The engine certainly looks untouched. After all these years, that old flathead may be frozen.

This is going to be a big expensive project for someone whether it’s restored to stock or custom. Sadly, it is not likely to remain stock. It would be nice, though, if the stock look is maintained even if it’s mounted on a modern chassis. It is listed on Craigslist in White House, Tennessee with an asking price of $18,000. Complete unrestored examples of these are rather rare, but is there any way this could be worth anything near this amount? What do you think would be a fair price? It will interesting to read the comments and see what ideas you have for this Phaeton.

Source: barnfinds.com 

1955 Ford Customline Sedan

This is an original, 63,000 mile car that has been in storage for the last sixteen years. What an incredibly nice survivor! This is a 1955 Ford Customline four-door sedan and it’s in almost perfect condition for never having been restored. There is no rust or bodywork on this car and it is wearing all of its factory-applied paint! It’s in Rossville, Indiana but it’s longing to be a part of your collection so don’t wait on this one.

It’s hard to believe that this car is original, what a nice piece of history this is. If this color doesn’t define 1950s America I don’t know what does. I half-expected the seller to have a drive-in tray resting on the driver’s window and maybe a pair of fuzzy.. er.. wait, ok, those are here. But, I guess a little theatrics is ok when you’re working with such a show-stopper as this car is.

This is the first year of the second-generation Ford Customline and it’s a totally new style than the 1954 car was. I believe that this color is Sea Sprite Green and it’s perfect on this car. and is in almost perfect, preserved condition, somehow, after sixty-one years. The Customline was positioned above the Ford Mainline and below the new Ford Fairlane.

The interior looks as nice as the rest of the car does. This is an automatic so no need to shift for yourself here, just put it in D and go. Ford made 471,992 Customline cars in 1955, wow! Even the trunk looks great in this car. I’m guessing that there are seat covers on the seats since there is no mention of them having been reupholstered. I can’t imagine that this gray velvet/velour is the original color or fabric for the seats?

This is Ford’s Y-Block 272 V8 with around 160 hp and 258 ft-lbs of torque. Not a tire-burner by any stretch of the imagination but enough power to get you to where you’re going in style and comfort. The engine looks like it’s brand new under that new, non-stock radiator hose and new radiator cap. I’m guessing that the engine has been repainted, or at the very least the valve covers have been, but I could be wrong.

This fantastic car is listed on eBay with a price of $5,900! That is well within reason for such an original car as this in such great condition. This would be a nice way for someone to get into the collector car market for not a lot of money. Would you keep this car original and just maintain it as needed, or would you add your own custom touches to this car and personalize it a bit?

Source: barnfinds.com 

1973 Ford Transit MK1 Camper

Now that summer is almost here, for those folks who have more than one season where they live, it’s time to load up the camper and head out onto the road. This 1973 Ford Transit MK1 Camper is located in the Stanstead area of the United Kingdom and it sure looks like a winner. It has been in storage in Ireland for the last eighteen years and has recently been taken out of its slumber and brought back to life.

This would be a nice vehicle for me, that ladder would lead to a heck of a photo vantage point on the roof. This was the first-generation of Ford Transit to be built in the United Kingdom and it was introduced in 1965 and ran until 1978. They sure made some nice looking vehicles based on this van chassis.

The seller doesn’t mention what the make of the camper is but it also looks like it’s in fantastic condition. It even has a compartment for, you know… which is very handy in a camper this small. The seller says that the interior “is totally original and everything works as it should.”

The driver’s compartment looks clean as a whistle. There are only 82,000 miles on this camper.

It’s hard to believe that a V4 engine could pull all of this weight around, but it does. This should be the infamous Essex V4 which was designed to fit in the short nose of the Transit van. This particular engine is the larger 2.0L version with about 93 hp. The engine is “infamous” because it’s a 60-degree V4 which is inherently unbalanced and it uses a balanced-shaft to try to give it some level of smoothness, albeit a small level of smoothness. It was also known for running rough and having head gasket leaks. I’m assuming that this engine runs as well as everything else looks on this great camper. It’s listed on eBay with current bids at £3,800 ($5,370) with less than a day left. Get this camper before it’s gone! Is this something you would use like I would, or do you prefer staying in hotels?

Source: barnfinds.com

Six-pack of ’71 Mustangs from the Kirt Fryer Collection

The Kirt Fryer 1971 Mustang collection. Photos by David Newhardt, courtesy Mecum Auctions.

Ask Mustang enthusiasts to name the most desirable examples over the years, and it’s a safe bet that the larger and heavier 1971 models won’t make everyone’s top-10 list. Collector Kirt Fryer sees things a bit differently, favoring the styling and high-performance engine options of the 1971 models, since that’s what was popular during his high school years. A career in oil and gas exploration has allowed Fryer to amass an impressive collection of roughly 15 1971 Mustangs, but on May 17-21 he’ll be offering up six examples from his stable at Mecum’s Indianapolis sale.

1971 Mustang Boss 351, in Grabber Lime.

Fans of the 1971-’73 Mustang’s styling owe thanks to Bunkie Knudsen, who took over as president of Ford in February 1968. As Donald Farr relates in Mustang: Fifty Years, when shown a prototype of the 1971 Mustang by Ford designers, Knudsen reportedly approved the car on the spot, turning down an offer to roll the car out of the studio for a better look. As for the 1971 Mustang’s dimensional growth, blame that on two things: A plan for engines even larger than the 429 Cobra Jet V-8, and a desire among Ford planners to take the Mustang upscale, with a larger and quieter interior and a plusher ride.

1971 Mustang Mach 1 Super Cobra Jet V-8.

More stringent emission requirements, tightening insurance regulations and a global oil crisis would soon end plans to develop a 500-cu.in. V-8, but in 1971, the Mustang was still available with a big block V-8. Gone was the 428 V-8, replaced by the 429 Cobra Jet, rated at 370 horsepower in standard-issue form, or 375 horsepower in Super Cobra Jet form.

1971 Mustang Mach 1 Super Cobra Jet interior.

To get the 429 Super Cobra Jet, buyers also had to order the Drag Pack option, which came with either the 4.11:1 Detroit Locker or 3.91:1 Traction-Lok differential; a solid lifter cam; a 780 cfm Holley four-barrel carburetor on unique cast iron manifold; cap screw connecting rods; four-bolt main bearings; and an external oil cooler.

1971 Mustang Boss 351 V-8.

For those wanting to go fast in other than a straight line, Ford carried over the Boss Mustang, though the 302 V-8 had been replaced by the 351 V-8 (and the Boss 429 was no longer available). Ford had withdrawn from Trans-Am racing at the end of the 1970 season, ending the need to homologate the expensive-to-produce 302. The replacement 351 V-8 made 40 horsepower and 80 pound-feet more torque more than the 302, and in a Mustang that was
600 potentially hundreds of pounds heavier than the model it replaced, more was definitely better.

The cabin of the Grabber Lime 1971 Boss 351. Yes, that is a lot of green.

The 1971 Mustangs that Kirt will be selling off in Indianapolis include a trio of Mach 1 Super Cobra Jet fastbacks, a pair of Boss 351 fastbacks, and a Pastel Blue hardtop that says “grocery getter” with its white vinyl roof and dog dish hubcaps, but actually packs a 429 Cobra Jet V-8 beneath the hood.

Bright Red 1971 Mustang Mach 1 Super Cobra Jet.

Of all the collection’s Mustangs, the Bright Red Mach 1 Super Cobra Jet is, perhaps, the most interesting and will likely draw the highest bids. Said to be unrestored with a claimed 37,000 miles on the odometer (likely gained in quarter-mile increments), the car retains not only its original driveline, but the engine’s original smog system and dual-point distributor as well.

Grabber Blue 1971 Mustang Mach 1 Super Cobra Jet.

The Grabber Blue Mach 1 Super Cobra Jet has ties to Hemmings Muscle Machines, having starred in our July 2015 issue. At the time of the article, the owner of record was Bob Leenstra, who’d purchased the car from Kirt Fryer. Offered as part of the Kirt Fryer Collection, perhaps its penultimate owner had a change of heart and repurchased the car from Leenstra after our piece went to press. Not as original as the red Mach 1, this nonetheless immaculate example was restored circa 2006.

Grabber Green Metallic 1971 Mustang Mach 1 Super Cobra Jet.

The only C6 automatic transmission-equipped Mach 1 Super Cobra Jet to be offered from the collection is a Grabber Green Metallic example that was originally delivered to Ford of Canada as a “Special Purpose Vehicle” for Canadian dealer introductions. Per research from Kevin Marti, the car is said to be one of the first 429 Super Cobra Jet examples built, and is believed to be the first production example  equipped with the 4.11:1 Detroit Locker differential.

1971 Mustang Boss 351, in Grabber Blue.

The Grabber Blue Boss 351 shows a claimed 18,000 miles, and the car has been fully restored with all of its original sheet metal. Those with a passion for green may wish to consider the collection’s second Boss 351, finished in Grabber Lime with a Medium Green cloth and vinyl interior. Said to carry its original driveline and sheet metal, this example has received a partial repaint, excluding it from true “original” status.

1971 Mustang hardtop, with the Cobra Jet V-8.

The car we’d most like to have in the garage, however, is the odd duckling of the collection, the base model, vinyl roof hardtop with a 429-cu.in. secret under its hood. Though not the most attractive Mustang of the bunch, the car is said to be one of nine base model Mustangs ordered with the 429 Cobra Jet V-8 bolted to the C6 automatic transmission. As offered, it’s reported to have just 63,165 miles on the odometer, something we’d set to right as soon as the car hit our garage (and as long as gas prices remain at or below current levels, that is).

429 Cobra Jet V-8.

For further details on the Indianapolis sale, visit Mecum.com.

UPDATE (23.May 2016): The Grabber Blue Boss 351 sold for $105,000, followed by the Grabber Lime Boss 351 ($87,500), the Grabber Blue Mach 1 ($86,000), the Bright Red Mach 1 ($69,000), the Grabber Green Metallic Mach 1 ($58,000), and the Cobra Jet-powered hardtop, which sold for $30,000.

Source: blog.hemmings.com

1959 Ford Ranchero

Click Here to read all about this Ranchero and to view other pictures.'

Source: hemmings.com

1953 Ford C500 Cab Over Flatbed

Click Here to read all about this C500 Ford Flatbed and to view other pictures.

Source: hemmings.com

1957 Ford Ranchero Custom sells for $100,000 in Houston

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1957 Ford Ranchero Custom. Photos courtesy Mecum Auctions.

Early Ford Rancheros have inched up in value in the past few years, and current valuation guides put the price of a concours-quality ’57 Ranchero Custom between $35,600 and $52,500. One top-flite restored example, a 1957 Ranchero Custom, has crossed the block twice in recent years, selling for a fee-inclusive $60,500 in both 2011 and 2014. Last Saturday, a different but equally well-restored 1957 Ford Ranchero Custom crossed the auction block in Houston, where it sold for an impressive hammer price of $100,000.

In period literature, Ford described its new-for-1957 Ranchero as “More than a car… more than a truck… the Ranchero is a new idea in motor vehicles.” Actually, it wasn’t; instead, it was a repurposed idea from Ford Australia, which had been building coupe utility vehicles (utes, for short) that combined the versatility of a light-duty pickup with comforts of an automobile since designer Lew Bandt created the first example in 1934.

For American tradesmen and small business owners seeking a do-it-all vehicle, the Ranchero held quite a bit of promise. Engine choices ranged from a thrifty 144-horsepower, 223-cu.in. six to the Thunderbird’s 292-cu.in. V-8, rated at 212 horsepower. The six-foot cargo bed, with its double-thickness steel floor, could carry up to 1,190 pounds and, with the tailgate lowered, offered up a full eight-foot bed length. Best of all, perhaps, was that the Ranchero looked more like a car than a truck, and range-topping Custom models were offered with bright body side molding and Style-Tone two-tone paint schemes that looked equally at home in a suburban driveway or a busy lumberyard.

Inside, even base Rancheros were well-appointed, but Ranchero Customs were downright luxurious. Ford’s 1957 truck brochure boasted, “The Custom Ranchero’s interior trim is like that of the ’57 Ford Del Rio Ranch Wagon. Behind the split seat back, there’s roomy parcel space. And this is the first and only pickup to give you the handling and riding ease of a ball-joint front suspension.”

For a non-mainstream product, the Ranchero sold reasonably well for Ford in its debut year, with consumers taking home 6,418 base models and 15,277 Ranchero Customs. Its success would ultimately prompt a response from General Motors, which introduced the Chevrolet El Camino for the 1959 model year.

The 1957 Ford Ranchero Custom that crossed the auction stage in Texas on Saturday was fully restored at some point in the not-too distant past, and fitted with modern amenities such as an aftermarket under-dash air conditioning system; an AM/FM radio conversion; and a quartz clock conversion. Equipped with power steering and the 292 V-8 mated to a Ford-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission, the Ranchero made do with crank-operated windows and standard brakes instead of the optional power-assisted brakes.

Given the Ranchero’s deviation from stock form, its six-figure selling price (which we believe to be an auction record for the year, make and model) was impressive indeed, and proved that valuation guides are of little use when two (or more) bidders decide they want to take a particular lot home.

1970 Chevrolet COPO Chevelle LS6.

The Houston top-10 list included a 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition, which sold for $425,000; a 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 fastback, which sold for $270,000; a 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, which sold for $205,000; a 1970 Chevrolet COPO Chevelle LS6, which sold for $170,000; a 1997 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster, which sold for $162,500; a 1967 Shelby GT500 fastback, which sold for $155,000; a 1958 Chevrolet Corvette, which sold for $138,000; a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, which sold for $125,000; 1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda, reportedly unrestored with 16,800 miles, which sold for $120,000; and a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, which sold for $117,500.

This 1964 Ford Fairlane street rod changed hands for $8,000.

More affordable lots included a 1977 Roll-Royce Silver Shadow sedan, which sold for $4,250; a 1976 Alfa Romeo Spider, which sold for $5,000; a 1960 Jeep CJ-5; which sold for $6,000; a 1928 Ford Model A “barn find,” which sold for $6,000; a 1963 Plymouth Belvedere sedan, which sold for $6,500; a 1974 Chevrolet C10 pickup, which sold for $7,000; a 1969 Ford F100, which sold for $7,000; a 1968 AMC AMX, which sold for $7,500; a 1964 Ford Fairlane street rod, which sold for $8,000; and a 1960 Ford Thunderbird street rod, sold to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of El Paso, which sold for $8,000.

For complete results from Houston, visit Mecum.com.