The automobile featured in this article may be the nicest looking 1935 Ford Deluxe Fordor Sedan you’ll find anywhere. This automobile is a real head turner. The 1935 Fords were the Model 48’s which replaced the Model 40A’s.
The New 1935 Design
Ford Motor made changes to their 1935 V-8. (The V-8 from Ford was first produced in 1932 with the Model 18.) These included moving the engine eight inches forward, increasing the size of the passenger compartment, decreased hood length and making the grille even with the front fenders. The fenders themselves were much more rounded.
Moving the grille forward actually gave the vehicle a more modern look. The windshield was also more sharply sloped. Ford named this new makeover as the Center-Poise Ride.
Two trim lines were offered for 1935, the Standard and Deluxe. The Deluxe models had chrome accents and the Standards did not. Ford marketed their 1935 models with the phrase…”Greater Beauty, Greater Comfort, and Greater Safety.”
The original 1935 design was minimally changed each year beginning in 1936 until 1941 when an entirely new design was introduced. The new 1941 design was relatively short lived since all civilian car production ended in February 1942 due to the Second World War.
The entire list of 1935 Ford automobiles produced include…
Deluxe Roadster
Deluxe Phaeton
Deluxe Coupe 5 Window
Deluxe Tudor Sedan
Deluxe Fordor Sedan
Coupe 5 Window
Coupe 3 Window
Cabriolet
Tudor Sedan
Fordor Sedan
Touring Sedan
Convertible Sedan
1935 Was A Banner Year For Ford
The year 1935 was very special for Ford Motor in as much as they overtook Chevrolet in sales. It was the first time this happened since 1930. As mentioned above, the space inside the vehicle was increased by using a boxed side rail frame and increasing the distance from the firewall and the rear axle. The 1935 model’s doors were larger, making access easier. The cars also offered a new roll-up window device.
1935 Ford Deluxe Sedan Specifications
This automobile is powered by a 221 cubic inch Flathead V-8 with aluminum heads. The engine delivers 85 horsepower which was the same upped HP that came out with the 1934 models. The four cylinder engine was finally discontinued in 1935 leaving the Flathead V-8 to power all 1935 Ford models.
An interesting side note regarding Ford’s V-8’s of the early 1930’s involves the infamous bank robber Clyde Barrow of the Bonnie and Clyde duo. Supposedly, Clyde sent a letter in 1934 directly to Henry Ford in praise of the powerful new Ford V-8 which enabled him to outrun many police vehicles of the day. Ironically, the 1934 Ford V-8 ended up as the car riddled with a hundred bullets that ended the lives of Bonnie and Clyde.
Gearbox was a three speed manual.
Brakes were mechanical four wheel drum.
Suspension was a solid axle on a transverse leaf spring front and rear. This was an old suspension design that actually came from the old Model T’s. Ford Motor Company would stick with this type suspension for years afterward.
Dimensions for the 1935 Ford Deluxe Fordor included a wheelbase of 112.0 inches and an average weight is about 2,600 lbs.
The 1935 model year of course was in the middle of the Great Depression and automakers were scrambling to sell cars. The Ford Fordor Deluxe featured in this article had a new car price of about $640. The Standard model was priced at about $575.
The new 1935 design was very attractive and the price was right. Ford sales were excellent pushing the automaker ahead of Chevrolet for the 1935 model year. In fact 1935 Ford sales was almost twice what 1934 was. Total Ford 1935 production was 820,000 units. Total 1935 Model 48 production was 787,000. Out of that amount, 105,150 were Deluxe Sedan models.
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The 1935 Ford Collector Car Values
Most will agree that the 1935 Ford is a very popular collector car. Current values are different depending on model but the higher priced would most likely be the Phaeton, Convertible, Woody Wagon and Three Window Deluxe Coupe.
Degree and age of restoration along with originality will of course influence value. The range of retail prices for these 1935 models are from perhaps $7,000 to $28,000. You’re likely to find convertible models significantly higher than this range. Any vehicle fully restored will obviously garner higher values.
(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)