April 20, 2022 Update – We’re pleased to report the lone bid of $50,000 was enough to meet the reserve price of $49,900, so we calling this ’37 Ford “SOLD!”

GuysWithRides.com is proud to offer this 1937 Ford Model 78 DeLuxe Rumble Seat Cabriolet in an online, reserve-style auction on behalf of the current caretaker. Bidding opened Wednesday, April 6, 2022, and will run for fourteen (14) consecutive days ending at 8:00 PM Eastern time on Wednesday, April 20, 2022.

This restored 1937 Ford currently resides in Roseville, California.

(NOTE: Click on the picture to stop the slide show and expand the pictures. Scroll down to see all photographs)

Current High Bid = $50,000 (Reserve Met!)

For the 1937 model year, Ford updated its car line with one major powertrain change.  In addition to the popular 85 horsepower 221 cubic inch flathead V8, Ford introduced a smaller 60 horsepower 136 cubic inch V8 as its entry-level engine. Ford labeled 1937 60 horsepower cars Model 74s and 85 horsepower examples Model 78s.

Styling-wise, 1937 Fords featured a more rounded look with fine horizontal bars in the convex front and hood-side grilles. The front grille was V-shaped, rather than following the fenders into a pentagon shape, as on the 1936 model. In addition to the launch of an all-steel top for coupes and sedans, all models now featured faired-in headlights installed in the front fenders as Ford attempted to modernize both the Standard and DeLuxe trim versions. The Standard could be distinguished from the DeLuxe by the body color radiator grilles and windshield frames while the DeLuxe had walnut woodgrain window moldings and exterior trim brightwork, and a woodgrain finish applied to the interior dash and window trim.

The current caretaker, obtained this restored, blue-over-brown, 1937 Ford Model 78 DeLuxe Rumble Seat Cabriolet approximately two years ago. He reports that everything on his ’37 Ford was either restored or replaced during the restoration process and comes with a file filled with receipts. The most notable investments in this Ford’s restoration include a ten thousand rebuild of the 85 horsepower flathead V8 and a high-quality, twelve thousand dollar paint job.

Savvy pre-war Ford experts will likely point out this DeLuxe model actually features the painted grilled of a Standard. The previous owner preferred the look over a chrome version. Much more subtle under the hood is a six-volt electrical system featuring a modern alternator shrouded to look like the generator. Supporting the look is a hollowed-out voltage regulator. For safety driving in modern traffic, the original cable brakes have been changed out to a hydraulic system sourced from a ’39 Ford.  With the exception of the convertible top’s backlight (believed to be original to the car), all of the car’s glass was replaced during the restoration. The spare tire is believed to be original to the car.

The pre-purchase inspection confirmed this 1937 Ford Model 78 DeLuxe Rumble Seat Cabriolet is in excellent working order with only minor, easily corrected blemishes documented in the photographs.  The picture below contains the Lemon Squad Pre-Purchase Inspection completed on Monday, February 28, 2022, just prior to the start of this auction. We are awaiting the final report and will post it as a link within the picture shortly – please check back soon!

To help you make informed bids, we’re providing two key sources of pricing data. First, the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool and the J.D. Power NADA Guides provide this summary of values based on a car’s condition:

Second, Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the Classic Car market, provides an interactive graph of recent comparable sales in the past two years. By clicking on the green dots, you can navigate to each comparable car sold as a way to help you make an educated bid on the car we are featuring for auction here:

Here’s the Exterior Photograph Gallery.  Click on a desired picture to expand it and then navigate between all of the other pictures

Here’s the Interior Photograph Gallery.  Click on the desired picture to expand it and then navigate between all of the other pictures.

Here’s the Underhood Photograph Gallery.  Click on the desired picture to expand it and then navigate between all of the other pictures.

Here’s the Tires & Wheels Photograph Gallery.  Click on the desired picture to expand it and then navigate between all of the other pictures.

Here’s the Convertible Top & Windows Photograph Gallery.  Click on the desired picture to expand it and then navigate between all of the other pictures.

Here’s the Documentation Photograph Gallery.  Click on the desired picture to expand it and then navigate between all of the other pictures.

If you have any questions about this 1937 Ford Model 78 DeLuxe Rumble Seat Cabriolet, please leave a comment below or feel free to call Rudy directly at 877-468-6497.  Thank you for looking and happy bidding!