Ford’s 1936 models are considered among the most attractive of the era, thanks in part to a redesign of the front end by Holden “Bob” Koto of Briggs Manufacturing Company. Koto, whose career spanned nearly 40 years, later helped Dick Caleal design the 1949 Ford and worked for Raymond Loewy on the 1953 Studebaker. Although the 1936 Ford was in most respects a continuation of the best-selling 1935 models, a number of appearance changes made it seem almost completely new.

Koto gave the car a new hood and grille, the latter with simple thin vertical bars, which were much less fussy than the previous design. Wire wheels were abandoned for a pressed-steel “spider” design with a wider bolt circle. Under the skin, a larger radiator aided cooling and the transmission gained helical gears for first and reverse. Despite these welcome improvements, Chevrolet regained first place in sales. The 1936 Ford’s clout has arguable outshined its rival in the long run, though. For more than 50 years, it has been the model of choice for a vast number of collectors and restorers.

As market preference continued to shift toward closed bodies during the 1930s, many manufacturers curtailed their offerings of open models, with some canceling them entirely. While following the trend and offering an array of coupes and sedans, Ford also bucked the competition by keeping a wide range of open cars in the catalogue. Where Chevrolet and Plymouth had but one open style each—a Standard convertible and a P2 Deluxe convertible, respectively—Ford had six. All were available only with Deluxe trim and included a roadster, phaeton, two cabriolets, and two convertible sedans. The Deluxe Roadster, an example of which is offered here, remains the rarest of these styles with 3,862 built.

The consignor acquired this car in 2015. It was completely restored about 25 years ago by Allen Ponten, of Charlottesville, Virginia and is said to have been driven very few miles since. During the restoration, a later-model Columbia two-speed axle was installed and this, plus a hydraulic brake conversion, makes it safe and pleasurable to drive in today’s traffic. This Ford is painted Black with an Apple Green pinstripe and a beige canvas top. The interior is upholstered in brown LeBaron-Bonney imitation leather. Desirable accessories include wind wings, dual door-hinge mirrors, spider wheel trim, wide whitewall tires, and a greyhound hood mascot.

This lovely, well-cared-for and well-maintained Ford V-8 Roadster is ready to be shown, toured, or simply enjoyed by its new owner.