Ford, more than any other automaker, continued to produce open cars into the thirties, even as sedans and coupes took more and more of the market.

During the period, open cars with glass side windows, cabriolets and convertible sedans, gained market share at the expense of roadsters and phaetons, but Ford kept the fully open cars in production.

The last Ford roadster was built in 1937, and, perhaps surprisingly, the phaeton lasted only one year longer.

As befit their nature, open cars were offered only in the DeLuxe model line in 1938.

This 1938 DeLuxe phaeton is one of 1,169 built that year, the rarest of that year’s body styles.

It was acquired by the Dingman Collection in March 2002 from Samuel Hilton of Seekonk, Massachusetts.

Equipped with the early, 21-stud V-8 engine, it was treated to a full restoration at Jim Lowrey’s Auto Restoration in Tilton, New Hampshire.

The car is immaculate throughout.

All body contours are correct, door gaps are even, and the doors shut well.
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