I've always been a sucker for Ford V8's. This 46 Super Deluxe Coupe came up for sale here in England and I couldn't resist. It had been the subject of a restoration in New Zealand in the 80's, was shipped to England ($$$) around 1990, and UK registered soon after. After a brief showing at various events, it languished in a barn for 15 years until bought, resold and then put back on the road with a French flathead under the hood. I then stepped in and bought it after it had been back on the road about a year.

The short door version of the 46-48 coupes has the swoopy look reminiscent of the 39/40 body style. This body is pretty rare, only roughly 1 in 10 coupes had this body style. So you have to ask: Just how rare is a RHD 46 Super Deluxe Coupe?

Semi Birds eye shot. Snazzy NOS aftermarket seat covers brighten up the retrimmed interior. Paint has oxidised heavily, making it look rather older than the late 80's application date. Can be mistaken for heavily patina'ed original paint.

Rear view. Front and rear fenders bear scrape marks from indifferent parking at some stage in it's history. I'm told USA spec Fords never had the stainless trim around the rear window. Don't know if it's a NZ spec only item or something added later in it's life. All chrome has been redone at some stage, is holding up pretty good. stainless in in great original shape. I'm told the extra stainless around the side windows set this one aside as a Super Deluxe model, only available in 1946.

Front view: All Chrome and stainless is in great shape. Previous owner Richard waits for me to finish hummin and harrin and say I'll take it. Richard finished the fitting of the French motor and got the car back on the road in 2005.Wipers have been converted to electric. The car is rewired to 12V.

I've been improving the way it runs and drives, I fitted a Chevy Mallory dual point dizzy, fitted a different alternator, got the gauges working, stopped a few annoying rattles and did a little tidying of the wiring. But to be honest, it needs very little. I don't intend to change it much either, I like it just the way it is. It's a pleasure to drive, Ford had really refined the transverse spring setup by the time these rolled off the production line.

April 2008: The 46 was one of the cars I really liked, but I didn't want to do anything to it. Which is some ways is a good thing, but last year I decided to offer it up for sale and passed it on to new owner Jim Welch, who I'm glad to say appears to have done very little to it either! It's a regular at most the southern UK shows.