Roster and Gallery
1948 Ford Super Deluxe Fordor
Original Factory price, $1,440.00 plus accessories, delivery charges, and sales tax. Body color: Black. Total Ford 1948 U.S. passenger car production: 247,724 (short production year). Super Deluxe Fordor Sedan production: 71,358. Running Gear: 100% Correct factory stock V8 engine, drive line and chassis.
Accessory equipment: Ford accessories: Adjust-O-Matic AM Radio (o.e.m. by Zenith), Radio safety foot switch control, Cowl mounted antenna, Radio ignition noise suppression kit, Electric Clock, Automatic Cigarette Lighter, Wheel trim rings, White Sidewall Tires, Backup Lamp, Ford hand tool kit and Service Manual. After-market accessories: Side View Mirrors, Chrome plated instrument panel bezels.
Interior: Restored with correct factory pattern (#M-16102-C) gray wool broadcloth with double pin-stripe weave (red & blue) over seating and door panel upper sections; Gray leatherette (vinyl) door panel sections, arm rests and front seat bolsters. Stainless steel trim accent strips. Original chrome plated handles. Black rubber front floor mat, Light gray rear floor carpet, lower door scuff panels and rear seating foot rest covering. Headlining, front seat-back and sun visor covering are gray wool broadcloth.
Brief History of this particular car: 1948 year models are notably unique in that they make extensive use of aluminum for running boards and many other sheet metal parts for the first time in Ford history (except woodies). ’48 models have several unique engine compartment changes such as new compact “sea shell” style horns and a redesigned layout of the electrical wiring. Also unique to all ’48 cars is the change from the old steering column locking ignition toggle switch to a modern style three position rotary switch offering ACCessory-OFF-Run modes. 1948 Ford factory production year of passenger cars was severely curtailed midyear during retooling for mass production of the all new line of 1949 cars with the surprising announcement and first public showing in June, 1948 of the important “all new” 1949 FoMoCo car lines in New York City and subsequent advertising campaign. But the new 1949 models wouldn’t be available until October. This caused a shortage of new 1948 model cars at dealerships from summer to fall. Some customers preferred the existing classic style models of their favorite rugged and reliable Fords after seeing photos of the 1949 “modern” slab side design cars and the concern by some that an all new chassis, redesigned V8 engine and body might have some early technical issues. The ’49s certainly did have technical problems as it turned out with many corrective changes during their production year run. This ’48 model represents one of Ford’s last classic era body and chassis designs dating back to 1942. Literally millions of these cars (1942, ’46, ’47 & ’48) were produced and were extremely popular due to their performance, value, durability and reliability.
Roger Bernhardt has owned this car since October, 2010. He has been busy doing extensive corrective work to engine compartment, exterior cosmetics, running gear, chassis, accessories and instrumentation during recent months. He is trying to keep the car as factory authentic as possible. Prior owner history: Last prior owner in Fallbrook, California did primary restoration work several years ago. Original owner until 1963 was a woman who lived in La Habra, California.