Early Ford V-8 Club of America
Southern California Regional Group 11


Roster and Gallery


Owner: Rich Miller -- Fountain Valley, CA

1946 Ford Super Deluxe Fordor

1946 Super Deluxe V8 Fordor Sedan, Dynamic Maroon exterior. Light gray period style "houndstooth" fabric interior with gray vinyl trim. Gray rear carpet. Light gray fabric headliner. Nick Name: “Fernando”. 100% stock except for "factory tint" glass and aircraft style lap safety seat belts and period style turn signals. The electrical system is authentic original 6 volt with all fresh correct wiring and correct script battery. Excellent bright lights and quick starting, just like it was 57 years ago.

Car History: This Fordor was assembled in the Dallas, Texas Ford assembly plant in November 1946 as an "export car" (conventional left hand drive) with metric speedometer/odometer (still fully functional and retained, 0-160 kmh). It is a very late production car. Originally purchased in Mexico City on Feb. 26, 1947 through the authorized Ford representative, Auto Productos, S.A., for 11,000 pesos by an American gentleman who was a career man employed in Mexico City. This is significant because post war cars were still in very short supply, and especially south of the border since Ford did not yet have a factory producing civilian cars there. It must have been exciting to have a brand new Ford sedan to drive on the fashionable Paseo de la Reforma boulevard in Mexico City in those years! The first owner kept the car for 8 years. The second owner was a lady who also resided in Mexico City and kept it as a chauffeured car for 31 years. It received very good maintenance through the years by the Ford dealership (dealer service sticker is still on inside of glove box). It was transported to Northern California in 1987. I purchased the car in 2001 and did extensive restoration work to the drive line, suspension, brakes, electrical and body and added the Columbia overdrive plus several authentic accessories. The engine is the original 59AB type and the rear axle has the 3.78:1 ratio plus the overdrive. The transmission case number on this car matches the frame number (a rarity, indeed after 57 years). The car is very reliable now and an excellent driver. I have not modernized the electrical, ignition, fuel or cooling systems. It is seen frequently in the Fountain Valley and Southern California area on V8 Club tours, occasional shows and running various errands. It has successfully made a 600 mile round trip to the Yosemite area. A new engine is being built up for it and should be installed within the next year. It always gets lots of "thumbs up and smiles" by folks seeing it on the road or at local shows. It brings back the "family Ford" memories immediately to those who recognize the car. Complete original owner and service manuals, showroom literature and all issues of the 1946-1947 Ford Times magazine travel with the car.

Accessories: White side wall tires, curb signals, Columbia two speed axle overdrive, Adjust-O-Matic radio with Long Range roof top antenna, radio foot switch, clock, heater, visor vanity mirror, engine compartment lamp, backup lamp, wheel trim rings, Ford Dynamatic engine fan, front grille guard, vacuum wiper reservoir tank, interior courtesy light (all genuine Ford accessories) and period style after market turn signals using correct Ford wiring system. It is a Touring A Class car by EFV8 Club technical standards due to use of lightly tinted window glass. Everything on this car is 100% operational and is almost as nice to drive as my sedan coupe. Even the automatic trunk light is once again functional (I know of only one other similar model that has a correct working light assy., my coupe!). License plates: The car has the rare authentic California 1945 rear-only original issue style license plate (black with white lettering) along with the 1946 year tab and is under current registration. I retain its last "D.F MEX" (Distrito Federal) front license plate as a memento of its heritage. It also has its last "Registrado" annual rear window sticker and the original Mexico Federales body identification/registration tag on the right front door jamb. I also now have the original dealer sales invoice and a complete history of ownership. This car is wonderful to drive and ride in. Several friends have ridden along and always comment on the luxurious leg and head room of the Fordor and its excellent ride. And, it is a V8!