Description

The Ford V8 Model 48 DeLuxe Phaeton, introduced in 1935, was one of the most elegant open-body styles in Ford’s lineup of the mid-1930s. Falling under the Model 48 designation, which covered the entire 1935 range, the DeLuxe Phaeton combined the stylish appeal of open-air motoring with the power and refinement of Ford’s flathead V8. It was a body style that reflected a time when phaetons still carried prestige, even as closed sedans were rapidly becoming the dominant choice for families.

The DeLuxe Phaeton was a four-door, five-passenger touring car with a folding fabric roof and removable side curtains in place of roll-up windows. This made it a true fair-weather automobile, best enjoyed with the top down, though it could still be made serviceable in poor weather with the curtains in place. Its long, flowing fenders, sloping grille with vertical bars, and integrated headlights gave it the same streamlined appearance as the rest of the Model 48 range. Chrome accents, brightwork, and trim distinguished the DeLuxe version from the standard Phaeton, highlighting its position as a more upscale choice in the lineup.

Inside, the Phaeton offered seating for five passengers in two rows of wide bench seats. Upholstery in the DeLuxe versions was more refined, often featuring mohair or upgraded cloth, along with better hardware and trim finishes. While it lacked the all-weather practicality of the Tudor or Fordor sedans, it provided a sense of style and leisure that appealed to buyers who wanted a fashionable car for city use or touring in warmer climates.

Power came from Ford’s famous flathead V8 engine, displacing 221 cubic inches (3.6 liters) and producing 85 horsepower. This engine gave the DeLuxe Phaeton smooth and lively performance, capable of reaching speeds of 70–75 mph, making it both a stylish and capable touring car. The three-speed manual transmission and rugged chassis with transverse leaf spring suspension carried over from other Ford models, ensuring dependability. Braking was handled by mechanical drums on all four wheels, which were adequate but less advanced than the hydraulic systems beginning to appear on rivals.

With a price of around $655 when new, the DeLuxe Phaeton was positioned as an aspirational model within Ford’s lineup, costing more than basic Tudors but still less than true luxury marques. Its appeal was strongest in export markets and warmer regions such as California, Australia, and South America, where open cars were more practical year-round. In the United States, it sold in smaller numbers than sedans, as closed cars were increasingly seen as more modern and versatile.

Today, the Ford V8 Model 48 DeLuxe Phaeton is highly prized among collectors for its rarity, elegant styling, and connection to the glamorous open touring cars of the 1930s. Surviving examples are less common than Coupés or Sedans, making restored models especially desirable. The DeLuxe Phaeton represents both the peak and the twilight of the phaeton body style in Ford’s lineup, a reminder of an era when open-air motoring was associated with sophistication, leisure, and prestige.