West Coast Classics is proud to present a truly exceptional piece of automotive history: the 1947 Ford Super DeLuxe Sportsman Convertible. This stunning vehicle, recently acquired from a prominent collection, is a testament to Ford's post-war innovation and craftsmanship. With its unique blend of luxury, style, and rarity, the Sportsman Convertible stands as one of the most coveted models among classic car enthusiasts.
**Historical Significance and Design:**
Following World War II, Ford sought to create a vehicle that would captivate the public's imagination and draw customers into showrooms. The result was the Ford Sportsman, a wood-bodied convertible that served as a halo car for the brand. Designed by Bob Gregorie and Ross Cousins, the Sportsman was inspired by a wood-bodied Model A roadster that Henry Ford II had enjoyed in his youth. Built at Ford's Iron Mountain plant in Michigan, the Sportsman featured standard convertible body shells enhanced with sedan delivery fenders and taillights. The outer bodies were crafted from the finest maple, birch, and mahogany, with each piece of maple carved from solid wood.
**Exquisite Craftsmanship:**
The 1947 Ford Super DeLuxe Sportsman Convertible offered here is a remarkable example of this rare model. It is one of fewer than 100 examples believed to have survived from the 2,274 built in 1947. This particular vehicle has been meticulously maintained and boasts an older, high-quality restoration in brilliant colors. Significantly, it retains all of its original wood, including select pieces of the extravagantly beautiful bird's eye maple, the rarest and most prized wood from Ford's hardwood forests.
**Luxurious Features:**
The Sportsman was a luxury vehicle in its time, retailing for about $500 more than the standard convertible. It featured genuine leather upholstery with French stitching, color-keyed carpet inserts, and power windows, including the rear quarter panes. This model also includes a power-operated convertible top, a dashboard clock, an AM radio with a cowl-mounted antenna, a fresh air heater, a cowl-mounted spotlight, and dual fog lights. The interior is adorned with correct-type brown leather upholstery, exuding an Art Deco-inspired elegance.
**Performance and Specifications:**
Under the hood, the Sportsman is powered by a 239 cubic inch Flathead V8 engine, producing 100 horsepower. It is paired with a three-speed manual transmission, solid front and rear axles with transverse leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. The vehicle's wheelbase measures 114 inches, and it has a curb weight of approximately 3,550 pounds (1,610 kg).
One of 2,274 Sportsmans built in the 1947 model year, the car offered here has been meticulously cared for in the previous owners collection. An older show-quality restoration, it boasts a tan power-operated convertible top, excellent brightwork, and many desirable options and accessories, including front and rear bumper guards, period-correct fog lights, dual chrome-plated rearview mirrors, and a set of wide whitewall tires, mounted on black steel wheels adorned with chrome-plated trim rings and hubcaps.
**Rarity and Collectibility:**
The Ford Sportsman was produced for only two model years, 1946 and 1947, with a handful of leftovers retitled and sold in 1948. With only 3,629 Sportsmen completed, including 205 Mercury versions for 1946, the model's rarity and exquisite woodwork make it highly sought after by collectors today. In restored condition, a Sportsman can easily command double or triple the price of a steel-bodied Super DeLuxe Convertible.
**Conclusion:**
This 1947 Ford Super DeLuxe Sportsman Convertible is a very fine and supremely rare example of one of the most desirable post-war Fords. Its superb presentation, original woodwork, and luxurious features make it a standout vehicle in any collection. For those seeking a piece of automotive history that combines elegance, rarity, and craftsmanship, this Sportsman Convertible is an opportunity not to be missed. Visit West Coast Classics to experience this legendary vehicle firsthand.
