HowStuffWorks "1932-1938 Ford V-8 Open Models & Wagons"

The 1932-1938 Ford V-8 open models and wagons are all collectible. Hoping to leap-frog Chevy's six, Ford brought out the wonderful little V-8 only four years after the Model A debuted, and it was a tremendous buy for the money. The cast-iron flat head gave at least 78 mph.

Ford Cars Image Gallery

1932 Ford Model B DeLuxe Tudor sedan, which debuted only four years after the Model A

1932 Ford Model B DeLuxe Tudor sedan. See more pictures of Ford cars.

Streamlining began with the much swoopier 1933 models, which also had a longer wheelbase. Horsepower was 85 by 1934, the cars even sleeker. A much smaller V-8 choice was added beginning with 1937, when styling took another turn, now very rounded and smooth indeed.

The early V-8 years brought fairly swift change by Ford standards, with body design evolving dramatically (all-steel by 1937), engines growing in power, and time-honored body styles like the roadster and convertible sedan being phased out.

Pluses of the 1932-1938 Ford V-8 Open Models & Wagons:

Open models and the beautiful woody wagons are among the most desirable standard production cars of the 1930s
Plentiful parts original and repro

Minuses of the the 1932-1938 Ford V-8 Open Models & Wagons:

Some V-8 experts say open models like phaeton and convertible sedan are grossly overpriced; investment potential is less than previously
Later Fordors very dowdy

Production of the 1932 Ford V-8 Open Models & Wagons:

2-door DeLuxe roadster: 6,893
2-door Standard roadster: 520
4-door DeLuxe phaeton: 923
4-door Standard phaeton: 483
Cabriolet: 5,499
Convertible sedan: 842

Production of the 1933 Ford V-8 Open Models & Wagons:

2-door DeLuxe roadster: 4,223
2-door Standard roadster: 126
4-door DeLuxe phaeton: 1,483
4-door Standard phaeton: 232
Cabriolet: 7,852
Wagon: 1,654

Production of the 1934 Ford V-8 Open Models & Wagons:

4-door DeLuxe phaeton: 3,128
4-door Standard phaeton: 373
Cabriolet: 14,496
Wagon: 2,905

Production of the 1935 Ford V-8 Open Models & Wagons:

2-door DeLuxe roadster: 4,896
4-door DeLuxe phaeton: 6,073
Cabriolet: 17,000
Convertible sedan: 4,234
Wagon: 4,536

Production of the 1936 Ford V-8 Open Models & Wagons:

2-door DeLuxe roadster: 3,862
4-door DeLuxe phaeton: 5,555
Cabriolet: 4,616
Convertible sedan: 5,601
3/5P convertible 4616 wagon: 7,044

Production of the 1937 Ford V-8 Open Models & Wagons:

2-door DeLuxe roadster: 1,250
4-door DeLuxe phaeton: 3,723
Cabriolet: 18,184
Convertible sedan: 4,378
Wagon: 9,304

Production of the 1938 Ford V-8 Open Models & Wagons:

4-door DeLuxe phaeton: 1,169
Convertible sedan: 2,703
3/5P convertible: 7,405
Wagon: 6,944

Specifications of the 1932-1938 Ford V-8 Open Models & Wagons:
Wheelbase, inches: 106.5 (1932); 112.0 (1933-38)
Length, inches: varies
Weight, pounds: 2,217-2,543 (1932); 2,337-3,020 (1933-38)
Price, new: $425-$900

Engines for the 1932-1938 Ford V-8 Open Models & Wagons: