1948 FORD SUPER DELUXE TUDOR - One of a Kind 'Old School' Custom Flathead

Thanks for stopping by to take a closer at my friend John's 1948 Ford Super Deluxe Tudor Sedan Custom. This listing provides a rare opportunity to experience (or relive) the very best of 50's car culture while owing a beautiful, raucous-sounding "Old School" custom that in today's dollars would take over 100K to duplicate.

Because it was John's late-life goal to have the car he wished he could afford in high school, after experimenting with three other 48's, he was finally ready to proceed with the fourth. As a retired orthodontist and lifelong gearhead, John maintained an auto hobby shop where this one represented the final iteration of his dream 48. The Ford took a number of years to complete and John was ably assisted by Roy Drew, a Ford factory engineer in his earlier life. Roy had been a flathead fanatic and also an automotive historian with instant recall of automotive facts like available differential ratios for the Pierce Arrow Silver Shadow. Its an understatement that he was both a master technician and a perfectionist. So this offering ends up being a true nut and bolt restoration with the addition of a multitude of John and Roy's embellishments. No expense was spared and time required to 'do it right' was not a consideration. Every part has been rebuilt, refinished or replaced.

These are some fairly extensive lists, so you might want to take an extra gulp of your morning coffee. Let's start with -

MECHANICAL:

• Professionally rebuilt 59 AB Mercury Block. This block is considered the best Ford Flathead - the result of thicker cylinder walls and wide-set valves;
• One-piece Front Engine Seal;
  
• Performance Pistons;
• 4-inch Stroker Crankshaft;
• Adjustable Valve Lifters;
• 265 c.i. 1.6" Chevy Exhaust Valves used as Intake Valves;
• Copper, Large Bore Head Gaskets to accommodate Chevy Valves;
• Edelbrock Finned, Polished Aluminum Heads recast to accommodate Chevy Valves;
• Isky Junior 3/4 Race Camshaft with Aluminum Drive Gear;
• Offenhauser Polished Aluminum, Tri-carb Intake Manifold;
• Three Holly 84 Carburetors with heat-resistant spacers topped by K & N air cleaners with chrome housings;
• Vacuum Plenum at center Carburetor provides equal vacuum for Columbia Rear Axle and PCV System;
• Finned Aluminum Beehive Oil Pressure Housing with Engine Mount Oil Pressure Gauge;
  
• ARP Stud Kit with washers covered with polished, stainless acorn wing nuts;
• Mallory Dual Point Distributor with re-curved advance along with new coil and Voltage Regulator;
  
• Both Manual and Electric In-Line Fuel Pumps supported by Fuel Pressure Regulator and Return Gas Line to maintain continuous supply of cool fuel to prevent vapor lock;
• When cold, electric pump is actuated by placing car in reverse with ignition on. Starts instantly!
• Billit Fuel Block
• PCV Valve and Closed Breather System;
• New Heavy Duty Radiator with Polished Brass Tank along with new Heater and Radiator Hoses;
• Engine cooled by Four Blade Truck Fan which "blows like a hurricane."
  
• Rebuilt 3-speed, Column-mounted shift lever with Lincoln Zephyr Gears; driveshaft connected to 2-speed Columbia Rear Axle which provides for a 30% reduction in engine speed and allows for effortless cruising. It was an available option on FoMoCo cars, including the Lincoln V12, from 1935 to 48. It can be used with each of the three transmission gears using the dashboard switch and includes a compensator to provide accurate speed when activated. (Rarely found Columbia units are available for around $5000.)
• Both Key and Push-button start;
• Auxiliary Gauge Panel with Amp Meter, Oil Pressure and Engine Hour Meter
  
• New Flywheel Ring Gear with 12-point Flywheel to Crank mounting bolts;
• Brake Shoes, Wheel Cylinders and Master Cylinder are new;
• Custom-designed Exhaust System with Ceramic-coated headers with Crossover and Cutouts. Larger Center Pipe on both Headers and configured with no Mufflers. John describes it as a "Work of Art";
• Engine clock shows 30-hours (not miles)run time and early in its break-in period;

BODY, COSMETICS AND SPECIAL FEATURES:
John purchased his 48 about 30 years ago as a clean, Southern California, rust-free car. Here the specifics -

• All original paint was stripped to bare metal and refinished in a hand-rubbed, Merlot/Bronze metallic with ghost flames. Color dependent on your view angle. Wheels in matching powder coat. Because the car has been stored inside with a dust cover, the finish has survived extremely well with only a few minor scratches. Show quality replating means the chrome can shine like new. Additional chrome-plated metal pieces include steering column, window frames and originally plastic dashboard items;
  
• Shaved Hood and Trunk Lid, Frenched Headlamp and Parking Lamps with Louvered Hood and inner fender panels along with shaved door handles;
  
• Curved, One-Piece Windshield (a rarity, for sure);
  
• Firewall, floor and door panels covered with Dynamat Sound Damping material;
• Floors covered with plush pile carpet;
• Upholstery and headliner in original style and period-correct wool fabrics;
• Upholstered trunk with matching spare tire cover;
• Five 6:00 X 16 bias ply Whitewall Tires from Coker with new hubcaps;
  
• Lowered with Extended, 6-inch Shackles and Reverse Eye Spring with one leaf removed; Polypropylene Buttons both front and rear;
• 8-Volt Electric System with recent Battery and Safety Switch inside firewall with Trickle charger included; Quartz movement clock equipped with separate 9-Volt power source;
  
• Original "Touch-O-Matic" (floorboard station selector) radio had been reworked, but operates sporadically;
  
• Doors and trunk electrically operated from concealed buttons;
• Manual Control for Interior Lamps and Trunk illumination;
  
• Directional Turn-Indicator lights with audible alarm and encased stop lamp mounted on package tray;
  
• Hidden Headlamp Wiring with Custom Junction Boxes;
• Vacuum controlled rear License plate retracts to position under bumper;
• Emergency Trunk Access Bar under rear of car;

REALIZING THE DREAM:
The Bob Gregorie-designed "Fat-Fendered" Fords showed up in multitudes as the iconic choice of rodders at campus parking lots throughout America through the 60's. It was partially due to the lack of flair and character of the Fords which followed in 1949.
If you're considering adding one to your collection, this one will make an excellent choice and you will be intrigued by indefinitely by its special features. It's located here in Southern California's Newport Beach and arrangements to see personally or by a third party is highly recommended. Your questions are also appreciated and will be quickly responded to.
A price has not been established, due to a lack of comparables, so there is no 'Buy It Now' price (nor will there be). Format is straight auction, with a low initial bid, and the seller maintains the right to cancel this offering at his discretion. The winning bidder will make a $1,000.00 Pay Pal deposit within a day of auction close and pay remainder with check or cash within 7 days. Car will be released when the payment instrument clears. John is willing to cooperate with the carrier of the buyer's choice with advance notice and the car can be driven onto a carrier. Car can be stored, but a weekly fee will accrue after two weeks.
Good luck bidding!

On Aug-10-19 at 12:49:09 PDT, seller added the following information:

Note: Door handles mistakenly listed as 'shaved.' They remain on the car and door can be opened using concealed switch or manually.