Ford Model 91A Tudor Sedan

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

You can tell this is the De Luxe model because it has chrome strips running along the sides. The beat-up body, the dropped stance, and the Laurel and Hardy approach to tyres (big’n’little) tells you you’re in vintage hot rod country.

WXG 218 is a 1939 Ford two-door sedan (yup, a Tudor) Model 91A, powered by a 3,622cc side-valve V8 producing around 85bhp. Equally important perhaps, is the fact that the car has hydraulic brakes – a first for Ford, and somewhat reassuring considering the car weighs in at over 2,800lbs.

This one was expatriated in 2015 and fell into the hands of Tim Glover’s Roadhouse Motor Co in Stamford, Lincs. Tim lowered the car and fitted the larger rear tyres to give the car extra ground clearance and improve the gearing. He also fitted a Panhard rod at the front, which helps prevent the transverse leaf spring shimmying like your sister Kate.

In 2016 Tim fitted an ex-military V8 flathead engine. In this form the car is happy to cruise at 60-70mph. And at the Pendine Vintage Hot Road Races that year it ran at 73.54mph over a measured 1/16th mile course. Not bad for an old ‘un. It has recently had new water pumps and a service.

The car is otherwise standard so you could make it like Henry did or even restore it, but it does have a certain charm as it is and will stand out in a crowd. It has better performance than most octogenarians, is a lot easier to fix, and more fun at the beach than most.