1939 Ford Deluxe

To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys The Hershey Auction event, 7 - 8 October 2026.
Offered Without Reserve $60,000 - $75,000 USD

• Excellent example of Fords 1939 streamlined redesign, in a stellar color scheme
• Last year of the floor-mounted shifter for the early Ford V-8
• Tastefully enhanced with period-appropriate hot rod equipment, including a stroked Ford flathead V-8 fitted with dual Stromberg 97 carburetors and Sharp aluminum heads and intake
• Equipped with Lincoln-Zephyr gearing, dual glasspack exhaust, Firestone Deluxe Champion whitewalls, and chrome hubcaps

A turning point in pre-war American automotive design, the 1939 Ford range paired the companys hallmark accessibility with a newfound fluency in streamlined form. While the adoption of standard hydraulic brakes across the model line brought meaningful technical advancement, it was the cars dramatically reimagined styling that signaled a true shift in direction. Fluid, cohesive bodywork replaced the upright conventions of the past, reflecting the growing influence of aerodynamic thought and introducing a level of visual sophistication previously reserved for far more exclusive automobiles.

The influence of the Lincoln-Zephyr is immediately apparent in the teardrop headlamps, beneath streamlined lenses and elegantly integrated into the tops of the fenders, while a wider, lower grille with delicate vertical bars suggested a sense of motion even at rest. Offered in both Standard and DeLuxe trims and uniformly powered by Fords venerable flathead V-8, the 1939 model struck a fine balance of fresh styling and proven mechanical underpinnings that resonates as strongly today as it did when new.

This stellar 1939 Ford DeLuxe Convertible Coupe offers those qualities in abundance, while subtly nodding to the models later status as a hot rod favorite. Its flathead V-8 originally displacing 239 cubic inches has reportedly been stroked to 304 cubic inches and fitted with Sharp finned aluminum heads and twin Stromberg 97 carburetors atop a Sharp aluminum intake. A reverse-mounted alternator supports the cars six-volt electrical system, while an uprated radiator with Ford-branded hoses helps ensure improved cooling.

An enhanced three-speed manual gearbox said to have been fitted with Lincoln-Zephyr gears channels the added power to a correct banjo-style rear axle, while a dual glasspack exhaust system delivers the signature flathead V-8 rumble. Completing the package are 16-inch wheels shod with Firestone Deluxe Champion whitewalls and chrome hubcaps, underscoring a build that balances period character with well-considered upgrades.

A compelling blend of pre-war elegance and hot rod spirit, this 1939 Ford DeLuxe Convertible Coupe captures its era with effortless style while offering performance well-suited to modern enjoyment.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/hf26/.