1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

Hi all,

I thought I'd post some pictures and get some opinions on how to proceed with our latest project, a 1935 Ford 3-Window RHD Coupe. This car was brought over from England in 1978 and kept in storage ever since. Seems to be a very original car.

My father and I usually restore them, but I'd like to just get this one running and driving and keep it as close to the present condition as possible. There's been some talk about converting it to a left hand drive and putting in a 221 Flathead, but I think keeping it as is would be best.

Here are some pictures.

Nick

More pictures
 

Some more pics...

The clock shows 19K miles, which I think are original considering the time in storage. I also noticed a third light in the rear, which I thought was interesting. It's a Lucas. And I love the mechanical turn indicators.

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

I would drive it and enjoy it AND hope I dont get confused on which side of the road I should be on#^*&**?

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

That's a very nice original car To Good to Restore IMO!!!!
Keep it as it is Very rare in that guise: English, Rhd ,and all those original Foriegn features . Most of the cars sold by Ford in the UK were Sedans ,
I imagine very few 3 window Coupes were sold in the first place.

Lucky Find Enjoy

John Cochran

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

What a great find You must be sky high getting that gem in to your driveway , been smilin ear too ear :) What a nice car ,love the headlights too mp

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

Well, I don't know...


Maybe you could blow the tyre up. (This one has tyres).

Yup! That's about it!

Mart.

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

Really nice car .... I would drive it and enjoy it - too nice to restore.

Should/IF you make any changes, they should be "bolt ons" and hold on to anything removed - you could then just return the car to its stock form and no harm will be done

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

Nick, I agree, you have to keep it as is, but with one modification: Banish the Prince of Darkness, except for the good looking headlights.

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

I love 35 Fords especially the 3w coupes. Get it running good and make sure it's roadworthy and drive the snot out of it. Keep it as original as possible. The folks who really care for these old Fords will pass right by ten high point show restored cars just to take a look at your original.

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

Hi Nick I think you should sell it back to the UK but then I am biased I would enjoy it you do not get cars like that come along very oftern. Can you email me the Pictures to go in the V8 Telegraph in the UK I am the editor. Andy Maclean. Email [email protected]

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

Hi Nick I have looked up the registration on you Coupe and it was originally registered in Reading Berkshire So I would think that we will beable to find the original chassis number for youif you would like me to see what I can find out. Andy Maclean.

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

Enjoy it as is, beyond all question.

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

I would come and get that car any time, and realy enjoy it AS IS! Gary

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

LHD conversion would be a lot of time/money..you need to swap the dash, steering column/box, transmission, change over the front end...I think when all said and done, it would devalue the car...it's too pretty the way it is:)

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

Keep it as is, it is not just a nice looking old Ford, it is a very unusual and interesting variant!
I've driven both RHD and LHD cars in the wrong places...not really a problem once you get used to it.
I'd consider parking and preserving the 60 and installing a 239 just for the pep and to avoid being a hazard to navigation!

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

Yes, I suppose the British are an interesting variant. :D

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

Glad everyone likes it, and we're definitely going to keep it as is. Just going to get it running and driving.

Andy, I'd love to know anything you can find on the car, so please fire away.

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

Did anyone catch that is has a Rumble Seat!


Handle to open the "deck lid" is at the top of the lid. Also has a grab handle at the top of the 1/4 panel.

What do the English call the rear trunk lid?

Mark

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

cool car....keep it like it is as that sounds like your plan....get it running and enjoy....Mike

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

A very nice car, glad to see you will keep it the way it is. Or course you could always offer it for sale in Australia...

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

Good deal!..

Holler if you need some things, I have many RHD stuff left over from a Pilot chassis I bought a few years ago...spares are always somewhat close by!

Glad to see you are keeping it as-is!!

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

Trunk Lid is referred to as Boot Lid, but if it is a dickie or rumble seat then it is just that.

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

I love 35 3 Windows. It looks like a real good one you have there. I am sure I saw this on Craigslist early last year.
Keep it RHD - I drive a LHD 35 out here in Australia and you get used to driving in the passenger seat position.
In OZ we call the Trunk a Boot as BLACKNRED has mentioned. And we call a Rumble seat a Dickie Seat. Never heard anyone call it a Rumble seat down here.

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

we also say bonnet for hood,,,,mudguards for fenders:)

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

A bonnet? that's a hat for a girl, and mudflaps are for trucks. Yeah, variants alright.

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

Dear Boy (re-adjusting monocle) I think we were here first!

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

I agree that you should keep it as is. Its almost unique.As far as right hand drive, I was postman for many years and it only takes 5 minutes to get used to driving a right hand drive car on the right side of the road. Just be careful passing cars.:)

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

I too enjoy the car the way it is! Is that a key ignition switch on the dash just to the right of the steering column? If so it may be one of the only things I would change back to the column lock and switch and the dual gauges. Can you tell if these are the original body colors?

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

Hahaha! Love it!

True dat!!

I drove LHD in the UK for many years and even switched between LHD & RHD cars. You do get used to it. The only significant downside is that being on the wrong side of the car for the road you're on makes it very challenging to pass if you need to. However, with the little 60HP, you probably won't find yourself in that predicament too often. ;)

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

Fun things...holding down clutch and brake with tippy toes while dealing with toll booth
Getting money to clerk and cheeseburger to face at the grease pit
Having your dog or a small child sit on the other side while you drive
If it's not your only ride, finding yourself sitting on the wrong side foolishly holding key out to nothing early in the morning...

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

Another '35 3W happy guy......beautiful car, and interesting. Looking into the engine compartment, I see the firewall body side pieces have the X reveals which makes it a later year production. The rear taillight stands are the longer '36 style....bumpers are the correct '35. It would be interesting to know the manufacturing date of this car.... aren't we always curious? From one 3W owner to another, I know how proud you must be to have this great Ford.

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

The French call a rumble or Dickie seat a Spider , And I thought they had 8 Legs!!!

It's a Crazy World !!!!!! Love that Coupe Not even seen one in the UK!!!!

John Cochran

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

Great car ,I love the 35s ,just drive it .

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

Perfect car for the mailman!

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

Actually, old man, we were "over there" also, and "Who is on first".

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

Mark: The english call the trunk the boot, having said that I'm I will start a good discussion. Thanks Jim

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

Apparently in 1932 there was a batch of Ford vehicles made R.H.D for U.S rural postal deliverys.

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

I'm thinking that car was made in Canada for the commonwealth countries. Brit, Aust, NZ
Countries with RHD

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

Definitely GB and NZ, possibly Sth Africa, more than likely not Oz.

Australia was making their own 5 window coupes, most 3 windows came in much later ( 50's and later ) via NZ.

Re: 1935 British Ford 3W - What Would You Do?
 

3W Coupes were sent from Canada [ Ford Ontario] to GB , Sth Africa, India,Malaya & New Zealand but not to Australia where Ford Geelong [victoria] manufactured only the 5W Coupe.
There were also US sourced RHD 3W's sent to Argentina, Paraguay & Uruguay.
An English Ford V8 Coupe would be one of the rarest.