1936 Ford Model 68

1936 Ford Model 68 DeLuxe Cabriolet — Rumble Seat, 302 V8, Full Restoration

The 1936 Ford Model 68 DeLuxe Cabriolet is one of the most visually distinctive body styles Ford produced during the prewar era. Ford designated its 1936 lineup as the Model 68, a reference to the engine series rather than a traditional model name. That year, Ford offered the cabriolet as part of the DeLuxe trim line — a two-door, open-top body style with a folding soft top, a front bench seat for two, and a rumble seat in the tail for additional passengers. The rumble seat configuration made the cabriolet a social car in its day, and it remains one of the most sought-after body styles among prewar Ford collectors.

The 1936 Ford was a significant styling step forward from the 1935 model. Designer Eugene "Bob" Gregorie, working under Edsel Ford, refined the body lines into something more aerodynamic and cohesive. The vertical bar grille, which debuted in 1935, was revised and given a more pronounced V-shape for 1936, and the headlamps were fully integrated into the fenders for the first time. These changes gave the 1936 Ford a much more modern appearance than its predecessors, and the design has aged well enough that it remains a crowd favorite at shows and on the street nearly ninety years later.

The cabriolet body style was produced in relatively small numbers compared to the Tudor and Fordor sedans that made up the bulk of Ford's volume. Surviving, drivable examples — especially those with rumble seats and DeLuxe trim — are genuinely scarce. This particular car has been fully restored and upgraded with a 302ci Ford small-block V8, a 5-speed manual transmission, independent front suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, and four-wheel disc brakes, making it a capable driver that retains the visual character of the original.

Key details
Transmission: 5-speed manual
VIN / chassis: 7602412

Offered by Skyway Classics, 10420 Portal Crossing, Bradenton, FL 34212. Taxes, title and fees not included.

Photos courtesy of Skyway Classics.