Beschreibung:

The era of the Phaeton was rapidly drawing to a close in 1937 as coachwork construction methods, materials and machinery made it easier and more cost-effective to build all-steel, enclosed bodies. Yet the appeal of the open four-seat, four-door automobile was apparent in Ford’s continuation of the Phaeton in its catalog. Under the circumstances it is telling that the Phaeton was offered only in Deluxe trim. The style, elegance, exclusivity and – frankly – impracticality of a Phaeton signified that its owners could, and did, have sufficient resources to buy an automobile that was primarily intended to be used in fair weather and under sunny skies. Ford built only 3,723 Deluxe Phaetons in 1937, and their appeal, style and rarity make them especially popular among today’s collectors. The 1937 Fords made significant design changes, most importantly the teardrop-shaped covered headlights recessed into the catwalks between the front fenders and the revised sharp vee-shaped grille with horizontal elements. All the Fords now had “trunk” backs and stored their spare tires inside the bodywork. The hood now opened alligator-style from the front, and the windshield was a two-panel vee-shaped assembly with notable rake. The two side curtain body styles, the Phaeton and Roadster, for the first time shared the convertible and fixed roof body styles’ windshield design with a body color frame which was integrated with the cowl. It was a notable change that contributed to the 1937 Fords’ more streamlined, aerodynamic styling and particularly set the Roadster and Phaeton apart from their predecessors. Under the hood the now well-proven and refined 85 horsepower Ford V-8 had one notable change. Instead of pulling hot water out of the top of the engine from the cylinder heads the flow reversed and the water pumps pulled cold water out of the radiator and forced it into the cylinder block. It was the final substantial change in the layout and function of the flathead V-8 that would continue in service until well into the Fifties. The Hogan Collection’s 1937 Ford Model 78 Deluxe Phaeton was acquired around the turn of the century from Matthews Motors in Portland. Jack Hogan began a body-off-the-frame, nut-and-bolt, restoration immediately thereafter and it has subsequently been awarded an AACA Senior National First Prize. It also is one of the five Hogan Collection cars displayed at the Early Ford V-8 Club National Meet in Dearborn in 2000 where it earned a Dearborn Award. Finished in Washington Blue with a Brown interior and Tan cloth top and side curtains, it is equipped with a luggage rack, stainless steel spider wheel covers, hubcaps, beauty rings and double-sided wide whitewall tires. There are dual side mirrors, a rare Ford locking hood latch, Ford accessory fog lights, dash-mounted clock, wind wings and center rear bumper guard. An original owner’s manual, reproduction top manual and wrench come with it to complete the show quality ensemble. A sharp, crisp, meticulously restored and maintained example of Ford’s rare and very special 1937 Deluxe Phaeton, the Hogan Collection’s example is ready to be proudly displayed in the most competitive venues and to bring home awards from the most demanding and well-informed judges. Ford would build a Phaeton for only one more year, 1938, and Henry was the last major auto maker to include the Phaeton body style in his catalog. This is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the best, and one of the last.