Although the Phil Wright design for the 1935 Fords was well received by the public, to the extent that Ford outsold Chevrolet for the model year, it is the 1936 update that has become more sought after by collectors. It was the work of Holden “Bob” Koto of Briggs Manufacturing Company, whose career spanned nearly 40 years. He later helped Dick Caleal model the 1949 Ford, and worked for Raymond Loewy on the 1953 Studebaker.

Koto gave the car a new grille, with simple, thin vertical bars, much less fussy than the ’35 item. The horns were relocated out of sight, behind small grilles in the fender “catwalks.” Wire wheels were abandoned for a pressed-steel “spider” design with a wider bolt circle. Under the skin, a larger radiator aided cooling, and transmissions gained helical gears for first and reverse. Although Chevrolet regained first place in sales, the 1936 Ford has long been the model of choice for collectors and restorers.

Acquired from Fred Miller in 1998, the Dingman Collection’s 1936 Ford DeLuxe Roadster was restored by Lowrey’s Auto Restoration in Tilton, New Hampshire, the first in a long list of cars done for Michael Dingman by Jim Lowrey. Although now an older restoration, it has been very well cared for and looks fresh in every respect. The body, built for Ford by Murray Corporation of America, shows excellent contours and alignment, and the paint exhibits a deep shine absent of surface flaws. Seats are upholstered in brown leather, wide pleats in front and plain in the rumble seat. Both appear as new. The top is taupe canvas, in excellent condition and accompanied by a matching boot cover and side curtains. The dashboard is nicely wood-grained and fitted with restored instruments. Period accessories include correct Ford wind wings, wheel trim rings and dual hinge-mounted outside rear-view mirrors. The tires are 6.00 × 16 Firestone Deluxe Champion double whitewalls.

This car is one of several in the collection whose engine was consigned by Mr. Dingman to Roush Performance Products for rebuilding. Built up to Mr. Dingman’s exacting specifications, it looks entirely stock with aluminum heads and intake manifold. The difference from the original is felt rather than seen or heard. Engine detailing is excellent, as is the condition of the chassis and underbody. The odometer shows just test mileage since restoration, although the car has been kept in excellent care since completion.

Ford built nearly 20,000 open cars in 1936. The rarest of the bunch is the DeLuxe roadster, with 3,862 built. This is almost certainly the only one with a Roush-built V-8.