Original-Steel-Bodied 1931 Ford 5-Window Coupe

This 1931 Ford 5-Window Coupe is a custom righthand-drive example that sits on a TCI chassis. Power comes from a Chevrolet 350ci small-block backed by a Turbo-Hydramatic 3-speed and highlights include an Edelbrock carburetor, Hooker headers, an MSD ignition, and a Magnaflow exhaust system. The original all-steel body is finished in bright red over a grey cloth interior and this 1931 Ford 5-Window coupe is offered on a clear California title in the owner's name.

This custom 5-window coupe is said to have been a long-term resident of California under a former employee of the Ford Motor Company. The build is the result of a frame-off restoration that reportedly began with an all-steel body when the car was acquired by the seller in 1992. The project involved a conversion to right-hand-drive, using components that were sourced from New Zealand. With a TCI chassis serving as the basis, the car’s original roofline was retained and the body features a 1932-model year grille and gas tank, rear-hinged doors, a windshield visor, sideview mirrors, a rumble seat, and running boards. The seller says the bright red paint was professionally applied with subtle airbrushed blue and gold pinstriping and airbrushed graphics on the fenders, while the running boards were refinished in black. An exhaust system running Magnaflow mufflers exits through polished tips at the rear. The seller notes that windshield wipers are not installed.

A set of chrome wire wheels with spinner caps are mounted in a staggered setup with a 14" diameter up front and 15" in the rear, and come wrapped in 235- and 275-section BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires respectively. Suspension enhancements include a polished 3” drop front axle, a four-link setup front and rear, and Panhard bars. Power disc brakes are also present at the front.

Seating was reportedly reupholstered on the original seat frames as part of the restoration, with a gray color theme for both the interior of the cabin as well as the rumble seat. The metal portions of the dash are color-matched in red and the carpeting is gray. Amenities include a Lokar-style shift lever, a La Carrera tilt-adjustable steering wheel, and a center-mounted cupholder under for  front seat. A Sony AM/FM/CD head unit is mounted beneath the instrument panel in a carpeted enclosure. Safety latches were added to the suicide doors.

A brushed aluminum panel houses a series of six Dakota Digital gauges with digital readouts at the center of the instrument panel, consisting of a speedometer and tachometer, and additional gauges for fuel level, voltage, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. The seller notes that the fuel gauge functions intermittently. The digital odometer shows 1,041 miles, reflective of the distance covered since completion of the restoration.

A center-hinged hood with leather straps covers the Chevrolet small-block 350ci V8 that has received a number of performance enhancements. These include an Edelbrock carburetor, Hooker jet-coated headers, MSD ignition components, Magnaflow mufflers, and a stainless-steel battery box. Brightwork in the engine bay consists of a polished air cleaner assembly and valve covers. The seller adds that the fuel tank was sourced from a 1932 Ford. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a Turbo-Hydramatic 3-speed automatic and a Ford 9” rear end.

Photos showing the underside are available in the carousel.

The sale includes the car’s side panels for the engine bay.