Elite Dealer

1936 Ford Model 48

$99,936

1936 Ford Model 48

Vehicle Details

Make

Ford

Model

Model 48

Year

1936

Mileage

9,707 miles

VIN

V9274

Body Type

Other

Fuel Type

Gasoline

Description

1936 Ford Cabriolet Convertible, 355 V8, 200R4 Automatic, All-Steel California Car, Show Winner, Candy Apple Red Finish A true blend of pre-war elegance and modern hot rod performance, this 1936 Ford Cabriolet Convertible is the kind of build that immediately commands attention. With its unmistakable lines, professionally finished Candy Apple Red paint, and show-winning pedigree, this car represents the craftsmanship and detail that define a high-quality street rod. This rare classic is one of only 4,616 Ford Cabriolets produced in 1936, making it a highly desirable piece of early automotive history.

It is an all-steel California car retaining its original boxed frame, adding to both its authenticity and long-term collectability. The current owner has cared for the car since 2016, later bringing it to Florida in 2022. Built on a desirable all-steel body, this Cabriolet maintains the integrity and authenticity that serious collectors look for, while incorporating modern upgrades that enhance drivability and reliability.

The body lines are smooth and flowing, accentuated by the deep, rich Candy Apple Red paint that lays beautifully across every curve. The finish has a depth and gloss that must be seen in person to fully appreciate. Power comes from a strong running 355 cubic inch Chevrolet V8 engine built by Don Barrington, delivering the performance expected from a well-built hot rod while maintaining a smooth, responsive driving experience.

It is paired with a Bowtie 200R4 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission, providing excellent drivability and comfortable highway cruising. The car is also equipped with air ride suspension, allowing for both ride quality and adjustable stance. Inside, the car features a beautifully appointed saddle leather interior that complements the exterior perfectly, along with a high-quality Mercedes cloth convertible top.

The craftsmanship carries throughout the cabin, offering a clean, refined look while still maintaining the classic character of a 1930s Ford. Every detail has been thoughtfully executed, creating an interior that is both comfortable and visually striking. The air conditioning blows cold, making this classic as enjoyable as it is impressive.

This Cabriolet sits on a set of nicely selected wheels wrapped in quality tires that complete the stance and overall aesthetic. The combination gives the car a balanced look — classic yet subtly aggressive without taking away from its timeless design. Having earned show-winning recognition, this Ford is more than just a driver, it is a proven standout that has already been judged and appreciated at a high level.

It has been an award winner at major events including the LA Roadster Show and Hot August Nights in Reno. It has also received the prestigious Boyd Coddington / Mickey Thompson Award and has been invited to exclusive, invitation-only shows such as Boyd Coddington’s and Blackie Gejeian’s events. Vehicle Highlights: 1936 Ford Cabriolet Convertible One of only 4,616 produced in 1936 All-steel California car with original boxed frame 355 cubic inch Chevrolet V8 engine (built by Don Barrington) Bowtie 200R4 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission Air ride suspension Stunning Candy Apple Red show-quality paint Saddle leather interior Mercedes cloth convertible top Cold air conditioning Show-winning build with multiple major awards Invited to prestigious invitation-only shows Nice wheels and tires Strong running and driving car This is the type of car that checks every box rarity, visual impact, performance, craftsmanship, and pedigree.

Whether you are adding to a collection, competing on the show circuit, or simply enjoying it on the road, this 1936 Ford Cabriolet Convertible delivers a level of presence and quality that is exceptionally difficult to replicate. While we do our best to provide the highest quality muscle cars with an honest and reliable description and realize the importance of transparency when selling vehicles. That being said, we have not built, modified, changed or personally owned this vehicle.

Whether this vehicle is consigned or owned by Past & Present Motor Cars we do not know the vehicles complete history since new. We want to be clear and try to answer any questions our customers might have prior to purchasing. Additionally, we not only welcome but we encourage 3rd party independent inspections.

Please inquire prior to purchase to make sure the advertised vehicle has not already been sold. We list our vehicles on multiple websites and a vehicle can sell at any time. If a customer chooses to purchase sight unseen (many of our customers choose this option) the customer accepts the vehicle AS IS and WHERE IS and understands we cannot address concerns after purchase.

For this reason, it's important all concerns are addressed prior to purchase. We make every effort to present accurate and reliable information, but use of this information is voluntary, and should only be deemed reliable after an independent review of its accuracy, completeness, and timeliness. It is the sole responsibility of the customer to verify the existence of options, accessories and the vehicle condition before time of sale.

Financing is Available with low rates and Vehicle Shipping is available from our Showroom to your Garage. A Classic Car Warranty is Available for Purchase from a 3rd Party. Please speak to our Sales Associate or Company Representative for more information.

Our team is working and available anytime by Phone or Text for your convenience at 407-559-7759. Thank you for your interest!
Trim: Convertible 355 V8, All-Steel Body, Show Winner, Stunning Finish

Ford Model 48 Buyer's Guide

Full guide
J
Jim Vasquez
Hot Rods
1934–1936
~4 min read
Updated Apr 2026
The Ford Model 48 is pre-war hot rodding distilled to its purest form — the car that Bonnie and Clyde chose for their getaways, that California speed shops chose as the ultimate platform, and that still commands attention at every show it attends.
This guide covers
âś“ 9-point inspection checklist
âś“ Common issues & what to avoid
âś“ In-person inspection guide
âś“ Market pricing by year & condition
âś“ 5 FAQs answered
âś“ History & fun facts

Ford Model 48 Market Overview

Based on 26 Ford Model 48 listings currently on ClassicCarsArena.com

26
Listed Now
$40,740
Avg. Asking Price
1935–1936
Year Range
Price Position on Our Site — Above Average
This car: $99,936
Low: $9,500 High: $99,999
Transmission Distribution
Automatic 31%
Manual 15%
Condition Distribution
Excellent 4%
Good 15%
Fair 4%
Data from ClassicCarsArena.com listings Browse all 26 listings →
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What is this car worth?

Check sold prices for the 1936 Ford Model 48

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Ford Model 48 Buyer's Guide

Jim Vasquez here. If you want to understand where the hot rod movement actually started, the conversation eventually leads back to the 1934–1936 Ford V8 — what Ford called the Model 48 internally. The Model 18 (1932) gets all the Deuce glory, but the 48 is the car that built California car culture. Speed shops from Burbank to Bakersfield built their businesses on these cars. The flathead V8, the pontoon fenders, the sloped tail — everything about the Model 48 says "customize me."

Bonnie Parker wrote a letter to Henry Ford praising the V8 for its performance. That story might be embellished, but the 1934 Ford really was the preferred getaway car of the era, which tells you something genuine about how fast these machines were relative to the period. What it tells me is that even criminals had taste.

What to Check Before Buying

Floor Pan & Cowl Rust — Probe the floor pans and cowl area — these are the most structurally significant rust locations on pre-war Fords.
Body Authenticity — Verify body style with a pre-war Ford expert — three-window coupes attract clone builds from less-valuable bodies.
Frame Inspection — Check frame rails and cross-member welds for cracks, especially at the body mount points.
Engine Numbers — Record and verify the engine number — original flathead engines should match the production year of the car.
Cooling System — Run the engine to temperature and monitor for overheating — corroded water passages are common.
Brake System — Verify whether original mechanical or upgraded hydraulic brakes are fitted — either is acceptable if functional.
Body Seams & Panel Gaps — Check door gaps and body panel alignment — uneven gaps on a pre-war car suggest composite assembly.
Glass Completeness — Inspect all glass — curved glass for these cars can be expensive or impossible to source in original form.
Trim & Hardware — Verify trim and hardware completeness — correct reproduction quality varies widely by year and part.

Common Issues

Floor pan and lower body rust on essentially all unrestored examples. Cracked frame rails from accumulated stress and age. Flathead V8 cooling system failures from corroded water passages. Composite cars assembled from parts of multiple vehicles. Worn-out or non-functional mechanical brakes — upgrading to hydraulic is common and accepted. Unavailable body panels for rare body styles (roadsters, phaetons). Missing or incorrect trim and glass.

What to Look For

Inspect the floor pans and lower body panels thoroughly — 90-year-old cars will have rust, the question is how structural. Verify body style authenticity: three-window coupes attract counterfeits built from lesser body styles. Check the frame rails for cracks at cross-member welds. Confirm originality of the flathead V8 (engine numbers should match the car's production period). Period-correct modifications from the 1940s–1960s are acceptable to most buyers; modern swaps devalue the car for purists. Verify the steering and brake systems are functional — original mechanical brakes require careful attention.

Price Guide

Three-window coupe, driver condition: $30,000–$55,000. Show-quality original three-window: $70,000–$120,000+. Period-correct custom/hot rod three-window: $45,000–$150,000 depending on build quality. Tudor sedan driver: $18,000–$35,000. Fordor sedan: $12,000–$25,000. Cabriolet/convertible: $35,000–$75,000. Roadster: $40,000–$80,000. Custom/show-quality builds across all styles can reach $200,000+.

Did You Know?

Bonnie Parker reportedly wrote Henry Ford a letter praising his V8, which became one of the most famous unsolicited endorsements in automotive history — though historians debate its authenticity. The three-window coupe body style earned its name from the three side windows: one in each door and one small quarter window. The five-window coupe added a second small window per side. The flathead V8 was used in various forms through 1953 in American Fords, spanning nearly 22 years of continuous production.

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