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In 1933, Ford's flathead V8 was barely a year old, and a black DeLuxe Fordor was a sensible way to own one. This 61-years-family-owned 1933 Ford DeLuxe Fordor is live on Hagerty Marketplace, and the auction is set to end Friday, November 6, at 3:10 p.m. EST. It had 11 bids and a high bid of $7,500 at the time of writing.
An estate-sale find in 1965
According to the seller, the car was purchased from an estate sale in 1965 with 36,000 miles on the odometer. It now shows 50,200 miles, and the seller says the original engine has never been overhauled or out of the car. The listing says yearly maintenance was handled by reputable mechanics through the family's membership in the Early Ford V-8 Club in Milwaukee, and that many receipts are available. The car has also reportedly made minor film appearances under the family's ownership.
The listing's wording on ownership is worth reading closely. Hagerty's highlights say it is "believed to be" family-owned for more than 60 years, while the ownership section notes the current seller acquired the car in 2015. The 1965 purchase and the family history come from the seller's own account, so bidders will want to ask about the paperwork behind it.
What a 1933 Ford Fordor offers
The 1933 Ford grew from a 106-inch to a 112-inch wheelbase, picked up a longer, more streamlined body, and introduced the "shovel" grille. This one is finished in black with red pinstriping, red wire wheels, whitewall tires and a rear-mounted spare. Under the hood is a 221-cubic-inch flathead V8 paired with a three-speed manual transmission, and the cabin has brown cloth bench seats front and rear. It is offered with a clean Wisconsin title.
Original or not? Reading the fine print
This is a well-kept survivor, not an untouched time capsule, and the listing is upfront about that. The seller says the car was repainted nine years ago and the top was replaced by a reputable restorer. The seller also describes the interior as original and "in incredible shape for its age," a claim that can only be judged in person or through the photo gallery.
The listing also notes a few departures from stock: a 1934 Ford intake manifold, which the seller says was already on the car when the family bought it in 1965, and a dash-mounted starter button in place of the floor starter. Known imperfections include exterior wear, paint chips and scratches, and an inoperable fuel gauge. One more detail to check: the Wisconsin title lists the serial number as 178825, while the number stamped into the vehicle reads I78825.
What to watch before Friday
Early V8 Fords like this have a steady following, and a family-kept example at this price is rare. If you are weighing a bid, our guide to what to look for before you buy a barn find covers the checks worth making, and why buyers pay premiums for dust and patina explains how originality shapes prices. For more in the same era, see the 10 coolest pre-war cars for sale right now on Motorious, this flathead-powered 1933 Ford 3-window coupe, and another family-owned car ending the same day, the 1940 Buick Roadmaster Sport Phaeton.
Bidding is open on Hagerty Marketplace through Friday afternoon. As with every listing there, the details come from the seller, so verify the car before you bid.
