When you think of 1930s vehicles, you think of dimly lit museums where careful attention is given to not disturbing the vehicle’s final resting place. Seeing a 74-year-old car enjoying itself on the road as it putts along with traffic is something of a miracle. The vehicle in question is a 1936 Ford Phaeton and the owner is one Harry Horrocks, whose stable also includes a 2003 GMC Sierra and a 1997 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic. This car is the 86th he’s owned.
Horrocks purchased the Phaeton in 2009. It had been sitting for more than 10 years after a partial restoration was abandoned. Its systems were in bad shape and needed to be completely cleaned and refurbished.
Ford only produced 5,555 of the cars in 1936. Although it looks elegant in an antiquated sort of way by today’s standards, the Phaeton was the quintessential working man’s car. Its sticker price came in at $720. The car was immortalized in popular culture as a preferred form of transportation of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who could often be seen riding in one around his home in Hyde Park, N.Y.
| Stats box |
| » Engine: Ford flathead V-8 |
| » Horsepower: 85 (6.5 to 1 compression ratio) |
| » Performance: Single Stromberg 97 carburetor, mechanical brakes, 6-volt electrical system, 3-speed transmission |
| » Interior: Vinyl |
| » Wheels: Wide fives with Lester 600-16 wide whitewall tires. |
| » Color: Washington blue |
| » Weight: 2,900 pounds |
| » Length: 112-inch wheelbase |
Henry Horrocks, who owns the Phaeton with his son Jeff, removed and refurbished each and every part of its fuel system. The distributor and condenser were rebuilt, and the spark plugs, battery and cables were replaced. The brakes were given new life with original-equipment adjusters, and a rare stock muffler was unearthed. Among the many side-projects of the restoration, Horrocks got the horn working once again and reconfigured all the gauges.
A lot of time was spent restoring the Phaeton’s exterior, with Horrocks and son removing the bumpers, cleaning and reconditioning the striping, and repairing the chrome where pitting had occurred.
Among the more unique features of the car are side curtains, since the Phaeton has no roll-up windows. Horrocks is currently replating the chrome top irons and installing a new top and boot.
Horrocks ran into trouble when he discovered that the Phaeton’s cross shaft assembly had suffered from years of wear, tear and inattention. The cross shaft maintains a vital link from the brake pedal to the actuating rods going to the wheels. Horrocks had to create new bushings and a complete cross shaft at a local machine shop.
“Replacing the assembly was complicated and time-consuming,” he said.
The Phaeton spends ample time on the road, as Horrocks takes it out as often as opportunity allows. Horrocks, a proud member of the Early Ford V-8 Club as well as the Chesapeake region of Antique Automobile Club of America, also takes the car to shows around the region.
What do you drive? A 1936 Ford Phaeton.
Why do you drive it? I’ve always been a Ford man as that was what was popular when I was in high school. I believe the mid-30s Fords are very pretty, especially the Phaetons and Roadsters.
What makes this car so special? It has beautiful Art Deco styling, gracefully rounded fenders, a vertical chrome grille, tail lights mounted on stalks, nacelle-type headlights, and a running Greyhound hood ornament. It also has a comfortable back seat and reliable Ford flathead engine. It has a number of dealer-installed accessories such as a heater, radio, fog lights, and a clock mounted in the rearview mirror.
What is the most memorable driving experience with this car? Getting stranded in a gas station last fall when the coil unexpectedly went bad. I had to beg a ride home with a stranger, and then had to listen to good-natured teasing from some Chevy guys in the gas station as they helped me push the car onto the trailer.
What was the first car you owned? I was 13 years old when I owned the remains of a 1922 Cadillac touring car, which had been in the woods for years. My buddy and I had dreams of getting it running — fat chance. The first running, complete car I owned was a 1926 Ford Model T when I was 14 years old.
What music are you currently listening to in your car? I like bluegrass, old time, and classical, especially the Gibson Brothers and Del McCoury.
And your first ticket? What was it for? I was caught street racing at age 17 in a very fast ’40 Ford Coupe I owned. I won the race, but got caught and lost my license for 90 days.
