When the average person thinks of the word "deluxe" in a modern context, you're bound to conjure an image of a fast food meal with fries and a drink. But back in the 40s, the term was less mundane. Indicative of some tangible increase in the quality of products other than cheeseburgers. Adding a "Super" superlative makes it a double whammy.
Without further delay, this is a 1947 Ford Super Deluxe. And no, it does not come with curly fries. In fact, in fast food terms, this 1947 Ford's underpinnings were the equivalent of a wayward fried cheese stick that fell under your seat the last time you went through the Arby's lord knows how many days ago. In the frankest terms possible, it was warmed-up technology from before the Second World War.
The basis for which this 1947 restomod finds its basis made its debut six years prior in 1941. Why? Well, it was at that time that the United States decided to join the Second World War. Suddenly, factories building cars and trucks for civilians started building tanks, airplanes, and artillery pieces instead. In their day, the 1941 Ford series of cars and trucks came sporting either a 90-horsepower L-head straight six engine or the ever-present Ford Flathead V8. Service engines in their day, but what Roseville Rod & Custom of Roseville, California packed under this one's hood dwarfs any engine from the 40s.
It's a modern Ford Racing engine, a 302-cubic inch (5.0-liter) X2302E Boss V8 rocking goodies like forged steel pistons, connecting rods, and hydraulic roller camshaft and Ford Performance cylinder heads similar to those found on a GT40 LeMans racer. Needless to say, it's packed with technology the average engine designer of 1947 would call witchcraft. Getting everything to work harmoniously required a nearly full body-off-frame job, stripping the car to its bare body shell without its quarter panels and just the bare frame remaining underneath.
From there, Ford Racing 302 V8 is ceremoniously fastened with custom motor mounts to the stock chassis. Don't be fooled. This isn't another Art Morrison frame with a classic body on top. There's even a chassis number you can look up for yourself. With that sorted, a four-speed Ford AOD transmission was paired to the engine. Why? Because as Brian of Regular Car Review once said, "some call it archaic, I call it durable." Safe to say, an engine this nice deserves a durable gearbox. This leads to a Truetrac 9-inch diff and 3.78:1 gearing
Photo: Bring a Trailer User: MSCLASSICCARSLLC
With a Heidts Mustang II-style front suspension riding on QA1 Shocks, it's safe to assume this fast-Ford handles far nicer than what its suspension could manage from the factory. The four-wheel Willwood disk brakes with Nitto NT555 Extreme tires all around make this doubly the case. The wheels are staggered-diameter Budnik Muroc IIIs if you're curious. The QA1 shocks are assisted by an Accuair E-level air ride system which costs in excess of $3,000 if you were to try and install it yourself. To have it done by a professional must be equal to the cost of some used cars. Happily, the same level of quality is present inside.
There was hardly any plastic of any sort inside the interior of a classic car, save for the occasional bakelite shift knob or radio dials. That's why you'll find even less in this professionally tailored restomod. There's red leather aplenty in both the front and rear seats, with diamond-pattern stitching accenting the inner inserts of the seats as well as the door-card lining. It's a timeless custom American car look. One that might seem cheesy to someone who's seen hundreds, maybe even thousands of interiors that tried for the same look. But it shows that a quality job will always stand out from cheap and cheerful ones.
The exact mileage remains a mystery, with only 2,500 miles (4,023 km) on the odometer since the initial restoration. This includes a comprehensive respray in its current silver paint in 2015. What is known is that every mile driven after its transformation was spent turning heads wherever it went. Either because of its wicked restomod looks or because of the ruckus bellowing out of its exhaust pipes.
The price for this bundle of V8 automotive joy? Well, the Bring a Trailer auction representing this car currently sits at a bid of $90,000 before taxes and fees. With the auction going down to the wire, there's every reason to suspect this 1947 Ford is a six-figure car every day of the week. Go peep the slideshow above if you want to see more.
Photo: Bring a Trailer User: MSCLASSICCARSLLC
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