1936 Ford 5-Window Coupe California Taildragger

Description

We already think the 1936 Ford 5-Window coupe is quite special. The styling combines the traditional upright grille with a streamlined body to create one of the best-looking cars of the period. But this one is extra special. It's a local car that has taken nearly 90 years to mature into a beautiful patina. And beneath the skin are awesome cruiser upgrades like cold-blowing air conditioning, an overdrive transmission, solid small block power, an upgraded suspension, and four-wheel disc brakes.

The story we're told on this one is that it was purchased from one of the first ever car dealerships in Dallas (in fact, it was still the only downtown Ford dealer when this was bought in 1936.) There's even terrific paperwork documenting the first owner and her love for this coupe.... she called it Blue Echo. That seems to still be fitting today. The paint shows the right signs of being the original application, and the nine decades of maturing have made it an echo of its former self. But the sheet metal also has an impressive strangeness that tells you this was more about respected originality than neglected erosion. It makes for a body that loves to tell its story with its patina. There are beautifully aged details everywhere with the torpedo-like headlights pods and rear fender skirts that give this a true cruiser style. And we love how the bumpers have a dip in the middle to further showcase the front grille and covered rear spare. But as you look at the lowered stance, bright hubcaps, and wide whitewalls, you also get the sense that this has far more appeal than just its highly complete and vintage style.

The interior clues you in to more about what this patina classic is doing today. There's a touch of rat rod style with the bare door panel and patina steel dash. But this one also likes to be secretly rewarding. After all, rat rods don't bother to give you such a nice classic Lincoln steering wheel, plush carpeting, added insulation, or a comprehensive set of classic-style readouts. And underneath the tapestry blanket is a memory foam seat. In fact, you'll see this one really wants you to cruise in comfort with modern upgrades like a Bluetooth stereo and cold-blowing air conditioning.

Open the hood to really get the full reveal. We're told there's only about 3,600 miles on the total build, and the freshness and shine in the engine bay tell that story all within the first glance. We're told this full setup starts with a 350 cubic-inch V8 that has been upgraded with a Brawler 600 CFM four-barrel carburetor, an Edelbrock Performer EPS intake, an MSD distributor, and a US Radiators Optima triple-flow radiator with Spal electric fan. It's a strong powerhouse that fires up readily, idles smoothly, and makes a nice tune out of the glasspack-style dual exhaust. As you look underneath, you can see this has been given decades of evolution in the suspension. That means a tubular A-arm independent front end, a four-link rear, and adjustable coilovers all around. There are also four-wheel disc brakes, rack & pinion steering, and a four-speed automatic transmission with highway-ready overdrive. So yes, this is one very classic Ford is also a very cool cruiser.

Complete with build receipts and brochures, this is a piece of rolling history that has been transformed into an impressive patina cruiser. Call today!!!