Clean, simple, and to the point, this 1947 Ford Tudor is a great example of how to get it right. No wild graphics, no over-styled interior, and no finicky hardware, just a beautifully finished Ford with 302 V8 power, traditional colors, and an interior that’s far nicer than the average rod.

Fat fendered Fords are red hot right now, probably because they offer full-sized comfort and a ton of style. The wide grille is simple yet instantly recognizable, and the body is a slightly larger variation of the timeless 1940s look. This one was built a few years ago and enjoyed like it should be out on the road, but the glossy Washington Blue finish still looks great. Workmanship was obviously expertly done when the car was built, so the doors fit well, the fenders are snug to the body, and the hood, which is always problematic on these cars, fits well and stays open without assistance. A few bits of trim have been shaved, but on a dark car like, a few shiny parts make for great contrast, so the grille, side trim, window moldings, and bumpers are all intact and in excellent condition. The paint has impressive gloss and depth, surely the sign of someone spending a lot of time straightening the bodywork and blocking the panels, critical with colors like this and paying off big time here. This is just a great-looking car that gets everything right.

The interior is entirely new and features front buckets, custom door panels, and a full-width back seat so it’s a legitimate 5-passenger vehicle. Blue and tan leather looks upscale and feels like a million bucks, and thanks to careful maintenance, the interior looks almost new. The door panels are simple and not over-wrought and comfort was a priority so the armrests are actually in the right place. Even the window garnish moldings were painted to match and blend in, which softens the interior and creates a unique look. Power windows, A/C (needs to be charged), and a powerful AM/FM/CD/USB stereo provide the expected levels of comfort, making this a rod you can drive every day or cross-country on the Power Tour. The original dash was stuffed full of VDO gauges, and the rest was smoothed to house the A/C system and controls. The sizable trunk is upholstered in simple tan carpet and matching side panels, and comes complete with a space-saver spare tire and remote-mount battery.

For reliability and performance, nothing beats a 5.0 liter Ford V8 topped by an Edelbrock intake and 4-barrel carb. Polished aluminum valve covers and a matching air cleaner give it a suitably hot rod look when you pop the hood, but it was clearly intended to be easy to service and dead-reliable on the road. Ford Blue paint on the block almost matches the Washington Blue body, and it reminds everyone that this is an elusive Ford-in-a-Ford build. It’s backed by a C4 3-speed automatic transmission and an 8-inch rear end with highway gears inside. A custom A-arm front suspension with power rack-and-pinion steering was grafted onto the stock frame, while a pair of leaf springs hold up the rear. A great-sounding dual exhaust system was recently installed, and it rolls on handsome aluminum wheels with 205/50/17 front and 235/55/18 rear performance radials.


Price: Auction

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