1937 Ford Cabriolet Custom Hot Rod – Rare All-Steel Body with Rumble Seat and a Motor City Flathead V8

This 1937 Ford Cabriolet Custom Hot Rod is a very rare all-steel example, complete with a classic rumble seat, that blends timeless pre-war styling with thoughtful, high-quality custom engineering. Treated to a complete rebuild and restoration in late 2001, it has covered just 14,645 gently driven miles since completion. From the new TCI chassis to the chromed, custom-built Flathead V8 by Motor City Flathead, this was a no-expense-spared build done right. It starts right up, runs and handles beautifully, and presents as a genuine gem that’s ready to enjoy.

Performance & Drivetrain

Chromed, custom-built 286 CID / 200 HP Flathead V8 built by Motor City Flathead of Dundee, Michigan
Three deuces carburetion delivering approximately 300 lb-ft of torque
Mustang T-5 World Class 5-speed transmission with S-10 tail housing for smooth, modern shifting
New TCI chassis for a stable, confident foundation
Power steering and power brakes for easy, composed control
Push-button start for effortless firing
Vintage Air heat and A/C for year-round comfort
Very clean undercarriage featuring a great-sounding dual exhaust system

Exterior Features

Very rare all-steel 1937 Cabriolet body with a classic rumble seat
Paint in very good to excellent condition, with a few minor imperfections noted honestly for full transparency
Rust-free body panels that line up nicely, with doors that open and close solidly
Trim, badging, and chrome all in excellent condition
Tan, manually operated convertible top in very good condition with no rips or tears, including a convertible boot
Coker Classic wide whitewall radial tires mounted on custom red spoke wheels with chrome beauty rings and Ford V8 center hub caps

Interior Features

Brown leather bench seating in nice condition
Vinyl-covered, spacious rumble seat that opens effortlessly, with step-ups on the rear fenders
Dolphin gauges for a clean, custom look
Secretaudio SST Custom Autosound system with Bluetooth for modern convenience
A tidy, well-finished cabin true to the car’s custom hot rod character

Restoration & Build Details

A complete rebuild and restoration completed in late 2001, with the custom Flathead build including:

Polished and painted cylinder heads
Polished intake
Stainless steel wire looms
New Navarro Super Flow stainless steel intake and exhaust valves
Heavy-duty springs, retainers, and keepers
Rebuilt starter
New BRT water pumps
Fuel pump with pushrod
Electronic distributor
Aluminum radiator
Block core including a 4-bolt car bell housing
4 crank core
T-5 adapter
Steel flywheel
Ford clutch disk for 1 1/16″ 10 spline
Clutch assembly
Mustang T-5 World Class transmission with S-10 tail housing
Added Vintage Air heat and A/C, power steering, power brakes, and push-button start

This was a no-expense-spared, high-quality build from the ground up.

Ownership & Condition

14,645 gently driven miles since the 2001 restoration was completed
Rust-free body panels with solid-operating doors
Very clean undercarriage with dual exhaust
Paint in very good to excellent condition, with a few minor imperfections disclosed openly
Stored in Massachusetts with a clean title in the owner’s name

The Driving Experience

The custom-built Flathead V8 with three deuces delivers strong, satisfying torque and that unmistakable Flathead character.
The Mustang T-5 World Class 5-speed makes for smooth, modern shifting on the open road.
Power steering, power brakes, and the new TCI chassis keep everything composed and confident.
Vintage Air heat and A/C, push-button start, and the Bluetooth-equipped sound system add genuine everyday usability.
The car starts right up, runs and handles beautifully, and is ready for cruise nights, shows, and weekend drives.