During the month of February and on into March those who live in or visit Florida and have an interest in classic cars are treated to a parade of auctions. They involve the major players like RM, Gooding, and Barrett-Jackson and range all the way from Amelia Island to Fort Lauderdale. For no reason that I can understand, all the big auctions take place on Florida's east coast whereas the Gulf side is ignored. Maybe because there's more money buried in those Atlantic beaches.
RM's next event starts Friday, March 26, in Fort Lauderdale and is a little different from its usual style in focusing less on high end classics and more on cars that are not as scarce and more affordable. One that caught my eye and made me envious with desire (even though I should know better) is a humble 1934 Ford 5-window coupe. This was the last year of a design theme that found the Model A stretched, smoothed, and streamlined, with both the 4-cylinder and V-8 engines available. It was also the last year for the four-banger but because the car was some 200 pounds lighter than the '35, it actually enjoyed a sprightly performance. The V-8, of course, was a little quicker and a lot smoother. The car offered for sale does not (fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your taste) have an original unmodified engine. Instead it's a 1949-1953 flathead with a Mercury crank, Offenhauser heads and dual carburetors. Other alterations include a Columbia rear end, Wilwood brakes, Pete & Jake's front springs, Vintage Air and more.
Hmmm… I'm all for maintaining originality even though the added extras, typical California mods, probably increase the fun-to-drive factor. So why am I not heading to Florida? Because the estimated auction price is $120,000-$140,000 US. Reasonable enough for today's market, I suppose, but considering that I once bought 5-window for $125, it stretches my imagination a bit too much and my budget a whole lot. Nevertheless I wish the new owner great happiness, as well as the 20,000 enthusiasts (RM's estimate) who will converge on Fort Lauderdale in hopes of snaring a winner.
Probably my favorite Ford. Never owned one myself. Dad had a 2-door, and my best HS buddy had two coupes, one of each.
Great goer, but then I remember the mechanical brakes.
March 27, 2010 @ 6:04 am