Why are 1935-36 Ford coupes and parts so pricey?

Well, as I posted before, I just picked up a VERY nice 1935 Ford 5w coupe. It has no interior, but still has all the glass in it, as well as an almost perfect grill. The body is solid and dent-free, besides the small rust hole in the bottom of the driver's side cowl. The hood functions nicely and the doors and decklid open and close smoothly and tight. It has no motor or trans., a clean slate. I am excited to start the project but have almost no knowledge of these years of Fords. I started researching online and looking through books and have found...stuff for 35's and 36's is EXPENSIVE! Finding good used stuff and NOS stuff isn't easy, especially taillight stands! I have also noticed that these cars are going for big bucks. Is there a reason for this? Does this only apply to the 3 windows? Are they just now becoming more desirable? Were fewer produced? Should I already know the answer, am I an idiot for even asking? Thanks y'all...

 

adam i think the reason they are becoming more desirable is because 32-24 are already expensive and people are looking for alternatives to these models because they cant afford 32 prices. as ive said in another post i think 35/36s have some of the nicest lines out of all the early fords, i guess other people feel the same ad this will also make them more desirable.

i think a lot of NOS pieces which come up now are factory seconds, they were made back when and they didnt quite fit so they were put to the side or whatever.

ive always found it to be quite hard to find parts, guess part of the reason is because im on the other side of the pond though...

 

I love the lines but don't understand the attraction to the 36 grille. I think it is the least attractive of all the 30s grills and don't understand why anyone would change out a 35 front for a 36?????

 

willow the Ford dealers, back in 36/37 or whenever, used to change the front end sheetmetal for $90, they took off 35 front ends and put on 36 front end - thats a lot of parts for $90 - I guess it gave folks back then a new look for their '35 but they didnt have the expense of buying a new car. wonder where all the sheet metal that they took off went...

 

I am partial to the '35 frontend myself...but now I am biased. I need to find some time to work on this thing. Before, I worked from home so it was easy to get in the garage and get some stuff done...not the case anymore.

 

Beats me, if you listen to a few select members on this board, anything that's not perfect mint condition is only worth junk price and should be scrapped. Maybe they all have a stash of 35-36 stuff they're planning to support their retirements with.

 

'35 and '36 Fords share cab, doors, decklid, running boards, some trim parts and numerous other parts that are not visible. If you have the fenders, grill, hood, etc., it isn't too hard to turn a '35 into a '36, or vice-versa. It's just a matter of taste. I think the '35 grill is the "last of the old faces" and the '36 grill is the "first of the new faces". Parts are a little hard to find, and I think a little harder for the '35, but these are both great looking cars and the last of the 3-window and roadster Fords. Prices? Well, as said above, '32, '33 and '34 Ford prices are out of sight, so '35 and '36 may be the next logical place for prices to rise. Everything is too expensive, but I guess fun comes at a high price. XADAMX, good luck with your project. Feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance.

 

someone just started to repo the trunk hinges with were pricey and hard to find. the coupe rear fenders are serious $$$, followed by the decklid and front fenders. the reason i got a '36 was because i liked the hood where it rounded into the grill top and the horn covers.

 

I bought a 35 tudor last year and I couldn't believe how cheap parts were. Some stuff was almost free. After collecting parts for a 33 3 window, anything seems cheap. At least usable parts are still available for 35-36.

Dave

 

I think it's just a F-O-R-D thing. Model A through 40 Fords are and always have been more desirable than their GM, Mopar or orphan counterparts.

Then the mid 50's through 70 Chevrolets are much "hotter" than Ford products of the same era....go figure.

 

Well, at least it not a Pierce Arrow or something. Now they would be expensive parts!

 

Just take your time looking for parts and deals will come along. Watch ebay...word of mouth, wanted ads, etc.
Guy's on the HAMB would be a wealth of knowledge for developing a plan for a build.

Any new pictures ?

 

Please dont turn it into a tail dragger..........there arent enough '35/'36 Hot Rods.

 

XAdamX,

I'm in the middle of a 36 coupe project right now and may have some parts that could be of use to you depending on what type of car you are planning on building.

I have been playing with cars for many years and have been messing around with this 36 coupe for about 2 years, and have done quite a bit of research and have gained some knowledge about 35/36 coupes.

I am pretty close to you, up in Belmont.

Send me an email if you like. I may be able to give you a little help with your build.

Good Luck!

 

That's the HAMB spirit.

 

Wow! Much obliged! I may have to take you up on that! I will be going out to work on it tomorrow...take the fenders off and make a plan. And, Muttley...NO, I will not be turning it into a taildragger! Thanks for all the support, I am sure I will need WAY more of it!

 

The whole hobby is getting expensive!! Ford stuff gets top dollar for almost any year now. Who woulda thunk that 41' Fords would go up in value!! For some reason they all go up with time.

 

im rather impartical to the 36's grill more than the 35's (then again, i've been looking for a Hudson Terraplane grill for my T so my tastes are pretty eccentric).

 

I have to agree 100% with Willowbilly3 on this one. ... the '35 grill in my own opinion is way more attractive than a '36 Grill by far!

As for parts being pricey Adam, i wouldn't know or why because mine came pretty much complete and then some

sorry to hear your having trouble finding parts for yer ride, but when she's close to being driveable or finished, you won't regret it ... these cars are awesome with their smooth and attractive body lines, Henry did this vehicle/year right!

 

35 and 36 stuff is year specific, therefore people don't want to tool up to produce stuff with such a limited market. This drives up the leftover NOS stuff. 35-36 p/u stuff is the same way.

 

In a world of critics, naysayers, doom, & gloom it's nice to know that we can always count on RustyNewYorker for a little ray of sunshine.

Parts & cars are high because the '35 & '36 Fords are gorgeous. IMHO, the '36 3wd may be as good as Ford ever did.... either that or the '38 Deluxe coupe was.

JH

 

.....That's cuz they look better as taildraggers...........

 

LOL... wake up and look around - there are lots of nice hotrods built out of them. i think juts now taildraggers are kind of in fashion for some reason - maybe because the calori coupe made a grand entrance on the scene again last year last year or maybe cole fosters car influenced some folk to build one - both superb looking cars no doubt...BUT

 

I got my '35 sedan about nine years ago, I've learned alot about parts & prices in that time because of all the parts that were missing on mine. I still pick up stuff I find at a good price......and I never throw anything away.

It took me a year to find a nice right side taillight stand (for a sedan...no step pad) for my car. Some of those pieces are not being reproduced.

 

i like them either way,hot rod or kustom(taildragger)...
as far as parts yes they can be pricey but like some have said take your time.ask anyone and everyone that will listen you are looking for parts.

 

'35, better than '36? Them's fightin' words. Hahaha.

Reasonable parts are out there. You just have to look. And know where to look.

Any interest in trading my '35 rear fenders for your '36 fenders?

 

Hmmm....

A '35 is my all time favorite Ford.

I think thay are just coming in to their own so to speak, as high dollar hot rod fodder.

I like them because they are truly a transitioning point/evolution between the smaller, bodied cars and the fat fenders of the late 30's, early '40s. They make bad-ass customs, but still retain an slimmer, sleeker silouette than they later models. More expensive because they look good and pre-war Ford are all the rage.

Just my opinion...

 

As Muttley said, please, no more taildraggers.
35's and 36's are probably the most stylish of the pre-war Fords. The pinnacle of art deco has to be the 40 Ford. Some day I hope to own one.
Have you tried Dick Spadaro? He is a HAMB'r and is probably the most connected Ford guy in the country.

 

Taildraggers are Hot Rods, the rest are just Streetrods...

It ain't the cars that are pricey, its the money that ain't worth nothin.

buflochp

 

Taildraggers is not what I like too much.

But I do know one thing for sure a '36 Ford 3 Window coupe, chopped with a slight rake and old five spokes, is probably my absolute dream car!

And the most beatiful thing the Ford guys ever made!

35 is also great. my brother just bought one.... a 3 window. I did not have the money in time....