Although Ford was the first American automaker to return to production after World War II—the assembly line started on July 3, 1945—it was months before cars became available to customers. The first public showing of the Ford line took place on October 26, but the new Sportsman models took even longer to reach production.

Apart from any possible envy of Chrysler’s wood-bodied Town and Country cars, the Sportsman had its genesis in a Model A that Henry Ford II had designer E.T. “Bob” Gregorie work up for his Long Island, New York, beach house. In early 1945, Gregorie and his lead illustrator, Ross Cousins, took inspiration from that jaunty little car and worked up drawings for a wood-bodied 1946 convertible. A prototype was built at Ford’s Iron Mountain, Michigan, plant, which made bodies for the company’s station wagons. By taking the skin off an early production convertible and fitting wood in its place, Gregorie was able to use standard convertible parts wherever possible, which simplified manufacture and helped restrain costs. Although announced in September 1945, the first Sportsman was not ready until Christmas. The inaugural car was delivered to actress Ella Raines, who was then at the height of her film career.

Even though the 1946 model year was long, a full 18 months, Sportsman production reached only 1,209 units, with barely half that being achieved in 1947. Restyling from 1942 was modest, just a new horizontal four-bar grille, a new hood ornament, and bumper guards. Nearly everything else was the same. The engine gained 10 horsepower, courtesy of Mercury’s 239 cubic inches, and the entry-level Special series was laid to rest. Rationalization of the product line left fewer distinct body styles, despite the addition of the Sportsman to the top-line Super DeLuxe catalogue.

To paraphrase an old adage, the beauty was in the details. The grille, taillights, hubcaps, wheels, dashboard, and instruments all had nice, delicate red accent lines, regardless of the exterior color. There was even a red-outlined Ford oval on the rear bumper.

This nicely restored early Ford Sportsman is attractive in correct Dynamic Maroon with Golden Tan leather upholstery and a tan canvas power top. It is well-equipped with a radio, heater, clock, bumper end wings, wheel trim rings, and whitewall tires, and it was recognized in 2012 by the Early Ford V-8 Club, when it received their coveted Dearborn Award for restoration at the Western National Meet in Redmond, Washington. It has been restored with an eye for accuracy and quality, and it is pleasing but not overdone. The engine compartment has correct hardware, wiring, and an immaculate 59AB engine in correct blue paint.

All Ford Sportsman Convertibles are exceptional. This one, surely, is one of the best examples.