With all these over-the-top rods running around with builders looking to do something nobody else has done in a way nobody ever thought to do it, the cars have crossed over to being something more (and less) than transportation. It can be exhausting, and eventually all that complicated stuff starts to go south and you have to deal with it without a warranty and without a manufacturer who knows how it was built. That’s why we like this 1936 Ford tudor sedan—it’s just a ’36 Ford, only more so. It’s all original Ford sheetmetal, not chopped, not shaved, not tweaked into someone else’s idea of what a ’36 Ford should be. It uses Ford power, too—no Chevy crate motor here, just a stout 351. And while it’s certainly more capable, they didn’t over-do it with gewgaws, sticking to the basics: motor, suspension, brakes, all wearing a beautiful outfit. If you want zero hassles from your rod and just get in and enjoy, this is the right choice.

The paint is just gorgeous, and even that is a factory Ford color called Autumn Orange dating to the late-90s. Quite honestly, the photos in our studio don’t really do it justice because it just glows in the sunlight. Beautiful! Underneath it’s all factory steel, no fiberglass repro stuff here. It also retains the factory look with no chopped top and all its brightwork intact, all of which was carefully restored to a very high level. They even kept the rear-mounted spare, which looks great. Fit and finish are excellent and there’s obviously a lot of time wrapped up in getting all the bodywork straight and smooth so the two-stage urethane paint reflects cleanly. That’s not cheap nor easy. The doors snap closed with authority, the hood doesn’t rub on the cowl, and those curvaceous fenders have a razor-sharp crease along their peaks. All the stainless and chrome trim was either restored or replaced with reproduction parts and it’s all up to the standard set by the paint finish, a glittering set of accessories that make this handsome 2-door sedan look well dressed. Factory bumpers are accentuated by pinstripes that match the bodywork and there are subtle gold pinstripes here and there to accentuate the look without being overpowering. The only real modification is the neatly frenched power antenna built into the top of the trunk, and yes, it works like it should.

The interior was crafted by the pros at Portage Trim, and I’ll let you go ahead and Google some of their work. It’s award-winning stuff and if you want them working on your car, be prepared to wait. Of course, this one is already finished, wearing creamy leather throughout the spacious interior. And it’s still all Ford, because those are bucket seats from a Fox Mustang 5.0, subtly modified to work in the ’36. Custom pleated door panels are a vintage look done to look right without being overwrought and the original rear bench is as inviting as ever. The original dashboard was filled and a set of Ford Motorsports gauges replace the originals—again, keeping it 100% Ford. A custom filler panel houses a JVC AM/FM/CD stereo head unit with speakers hidden throughout the interior, and they retained the factory ashtray, which is a beautiful little round door in the center. Even the crank-open windshield and cowl vent work as intended to provide a little extra ventilation. It also has a tilt steering column and a billet wheel wrapped in matching leather, but you won’t find squirrely door poppers, chintzy aftermarket power windows, or an unreliable A/C system here, the key staples of most hot rods. All the garnish moldings were re-chromed to add some flash and there’s a lot of sound-deadening material underneath so it’s quiet and cool inside. The factory trunk has a smallish opening, but it’s deep and well-shaped, so it’s useful if you’re heading out on a road trip with the family.

Garden-variety rods use garden-variety powerplants, but someone was dedicated to keeping this Ford 100% Blue Oval. That means a strong-running 351 cubic inch “Cleveland” V8, which makes great torque yet goes about its business without a fuss. An Edelbrock carburetor and intake handle the intake duties while the fires are lit by an Accel coil and distributor. Finned aluminum valve covers are from Ford Racing and add a little dress-up to the narrow engine bay, and admittedly the wide Cleveland takes up every inch it can. Standard cast iron exhaust manifolds are another important part of the puzzle—they’re quiet, they control heat, and they don’t need periodic tightening, adding to the car’s low-maintenance demeanor. A big radiator with an electric fan keeps things cool and you’ll note that both power steering and power front disc brakes are part of the deal. This car is built for the road.

The original frame has been significantly augmented, starting with a front crossmember that includes a Mustang II style front suspension (all Ford, remember?), rack-and-pinion steering, and a fat sway bar to tighten up the handling a bit. The transmission is a Ford C4 3-speed automatic that clicks off clean shifts up and down, and there’s an 8-inch rear end from a Mustang out back filled with 3.00 gears that make this a great highway car. The floors are in outstanding condition with no signs of rust or rot since the construction was finished and it’s all satin black for low maintenance. The dual exhaust system with glasspack mufflers has a traditional V8 hot rod sound that’s comfortable at speed and offers a nice cackle when you fire it up, plus a set of chrome tips under the rear bumper. Leaf springs and tube shocks are the epitome of low maintenance and the car has a great stance without the need to be dangerously unusable by sitting on the ground. New chrome wire wheels were just installed along with a set of 205/75/14 front and 235/75/15 rear wide whitewall radials that look and handle great.

Beautiful craftsmanship has a place in the rodding world, but I’m not sure more complexity makes the cars more fun to own. This Ford is incredibly attractive from any angle, just as the original was, and we appreciate the dedication to keeping it 100% Ford. That surely makes a difference to people who are tired of seeing Chevys in the Fords. It drives great, it stands out in a crowd, and the quality of the build will make it a pleasure to own year after year. Look closely and we’re sure you’ll understand why we love this bright Ford so much. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.