1937 Ford Roadster

G

Gray

Junior Member
Anyone here have any idea of the value of a restored 1937 Ford Roadster? I know they’re extremely rare. I’ve heard numbers from 10-25 surviving examples. Weren’t many made. I believe Ford offered the Cabriolet which had roll-up windows so few people ordered Roadster which had side curtains.
Thanks,
Craig


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It all depends on the word "restored". Was it a full frame off authentic restoration , a cosmetic restoration, or just a paint job restoration. Was it ever shown at an Early Ford V-8 Club national meet and given an award of some type? That's usually a good indicator of the type of restoration. You are posing a question that is hard to answer due to a lack of specific facts about the car.
 
TJ said:
It all depends on the word "restored". Was it a full frame off authentic restoration , a cosmetic restoration, or just a paint job restoration. Was it ever shown at an Early Ford V-8 Club national meet and given an award of some type? That's usually a good indicator of the type of restoration. You are posing a question that is hard to answer due to a lack of specific facts about the car.
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Production was in the 1050 range for the roadster. I do believe there are more than 15 survivors out there. Value is truly going to depend on demand, quality of work and originality. There are those that still consider 37 to be the ugly duckling.
 
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Frame off restoration. It’s my Dad’s. He was curious.


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Craig, Your Dad's Roadster does indeed appear to be a high point car. Ask him about his awards received on it. The years of his awards, mileage and time since, and of course, as JimTn points out, demand is a major unknown factor also. I would think that it being your Father's pride and joy would place it in the priceless category if you are in line to be it's next caretaker.
 
The book I'm looking at shows that 1,250 roadsters were sold by Ford in 1937.
The book is "90 years of Ford" by George Dammann. ;)







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Hi, in post #5 second photo, it appears that there is a roll up window glass in the top of the left door. So if that is the case then is this car a cabriolet and not a roadster ? Does it have window winder cranks ? Or maybe my eyes are crook. Regards, Kevin.
 
Of the pics posted its definitely a roadster.It has the side curtain sockets on door tops and 3 female fasteners on each of the doors.
 
Gray said:
Anyone here have any idea of the value of a restored 1937 Ford Roadster? I know they’re extremely rare. I’ve heard numbers from 10-25 surviving examples. Weren’t many made. I believe Ford offered the Cabriolet which had roll-up windows so few people ordered Roadster which had side curtains.
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Rare doesn't necessarily mean expensive. What about popularity and demand? My understanding is they are a cabriolet modified by Ford to be a roadster. If I were in the market for one IMHO I wouldn't pay a premium above a cabriolet. There has been one advertised on the barn for sale for several years unsold but not fully restored. I love 37s and love your car and the color but have 4 antique cars already and would like to sell a few. Cable brakes still?
 
Your car is loaded with desirable accessories and the color IMHO really sets it off. I have a fastback delux in that color and really like it. If the underneath and engine compartment are as good as the outside, it truly is a top piece. Please post more pics of the running gear, engine and so on. About the only thing I could not see in the interior was a heater.
 
Jim,

I believe what you are seeing is the interior side of the inset for the battery box as there is no defroster opening in the windshield garnish molding nor the control for a hot air heater which normally would be to the right of the glove box door as shown below.

This roadster appears to very well restored and I too like the color (Autumn Brown, I think).
 

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What is in the driver's door of Gray's large picture that includes the steering wheel? Looks like the top of a roll up window to me. Maybe just an optical illusion. Do cabriolet doors fit on a roadster body?
 
Part of that impression may be the result of what appears to be an excessively overstuffed door trim panel, the top of which shows as there is no separate garnish molding, unlike on a cabriolet (as in my photo).
 
Ok, thanks David. I guess what looked to me like a window is actually the outside of the door where it comes vertical with a reflection on it. General look of the car seems to be pretty nice. I am no expert on what is correct on that model.
 
deuce_roadster said:
Ok, thanks David. I guess what looked to me like a window is actually the outside of the door where it comes vertical with a reflection on it. General look of the car seems to be pretty nice. I am no expert on what is correct on that model.
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Thanks for replies everyone. My Dad is a strict purist when it comes to restoring these cars. So far as to contact Ford factory archives for details. He’s trying to figure out how to fabricate the factory floor mats. He has a soft spot for ‘37’s. He’s currently restoring a ‘37 four door convertible. As far as originality goes, the car is as close as it’s going to get. He checks serial and part #’s like crazy. Not unusual to find him watching football game with Green Book in his lap.


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It does look very nice. Even the woodgraining on the dash is spot on, which isn't always the case with restored '37s.
 
At one time the late Ken Terrio (RIP) reproduced the three mats for behind the seat and in front of the rumble seat for the cabriolets and roadsters, but only in very limited quantities. I don't recall ever seeing a correct reproduction of the front mat. What is/was available is a '37-'39 mat which lacks the details of an original '37 mat around the shift lever housing.
 
Nice. My favorite year pre-war Ford.

I remember this car from somewhere. I think.

When I can, I look at 1937 Fords, in person and on the internet.

What a Beauty.
 
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