NZ flathead pics I hope
- Thread starter KiWinUS
- Start date
mercman from oz
Well-known member
Wow, what a collection of great old Fords. This one is my pick. A 1935 Ford Deluxe Three Window Coupe. I also notice a few Aussie Utes have been added to the collection. Thanks for posting all these pictures.
Graham Freeman
Senior Member
I was involved with the restoration of this car back in the early 80's for the late Rick Mayne who moved to Australia in 1986 and went on to build up a sizeable collection of 1935 V8's over there.
You are correct in saying it had been a hot rod prior to him obtaining it however I would not say it was radical.
The body was still stock but the motor and transmission had been upgraded.
This vehicle became part of this collection about 1985.
You are correct in saying it had been a hot rod prior to him obtaining it however I would not say it was radical.
The body was still stock but the motor and transmission had been upgraded.
This vehicle became part of this collection about 1985.
FlatheadTed
Well-known member
Graham Rick Mayne got a 35 three window from Auckland was that the car Ted
Graham Freeman
Senior Member
No Ted that 3 window went to Australia (ex Tuthill ) along with a 35 cabriolet ex Late Don Massey.
He also obtained a couple of years earlier a 36 3 window body from Hamilton which is now in Nelson as a hot rod.
He also obtained a couple of years earlier a 36 3 window body from Hamilton which is now in Nelson as a hot rod.
The only Woody I know of that came to NZ was a Mercury, a 46 or 47. If I remember accurately it was brought out here by Lord Freyburg(?) after WW2 and eventually ended up in Invercargill. I believe the same guy who owned the 32 roadster that’s now in the above collection also owned the woody at the same time. The roadster was actually repossessed from him by E Hayes (my dad followed it on the trailer that day and phoned the chap that restored it, long story). The woody had previously been up for sale for $300 and dad never bought it...
The last I remember hearing is it went to Canada but I’m sure someone will know for sure as not many were built in the first place. This all happened around the late 1970’s, early 1980’s I believe. Really wish dad had a spare 3 hundy back then! I have no idea what condition it was in, but apparently had a little rot around the rear corners. Would be interesting to know what became of it.
KiWinUS
Well-known member
WOW .. now I may have more info on this or maybe another woody. Around 73-74 when I had just got my 36 in avatar on road after being in a barn for over 10 years , we were hanging out in it on the main street of Ashburton (4 stop light town then.) Another young guy from Omaru, 2 hours south, pulled up in a 46-48 Mercury woody .It was in great shape painted cream with a purple lace stripe from side to side across the front mudguards. It had a 327 Xhev in it adapted to the original trans. We b/s'd for a few hours & the following Sunday he cam back up to Ashburton & offered to trade me the woody less engine for my 36 . I turned him down (What a dummy I was) Oh well don't know if it was same woody or another & never seen the woody again.
Cheers
Tony
I'm guessing the odds of two Merc woodies in the South Island is pretty slim! I only know what I remember from Dad telling me way back and I'm not sure what motor it had when it was in Invercargill. I have a vague idea the owners name down here was Scobie, (only lived about 3 streets away from us) but I have no direct knowledge of it. Someone must have a photo in an album somewhere though...
It's a shame it was lost to NZ as it was a rare beast, what I wouldn't give to have it parked in the garage!
KiWinUS
Well-known member
Nathan , if I remember correctly this guy put the chev in it , he was a little older than me (17) I think he could buy beer legally.
Cheers