Rare Car Archive

Makes › Ford United States › Super De Luxe Sportsman convertible · Rare production · 1946–1948 Rare

Ford
Super De Luxe Sportsman convertible

Wood-bodied (maple/ash with mahogany panels) convertible, Ford's first new post-war model

Still being researched: full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.

IDENTIFICATION CARD · FORD SUPER DE LUXE SPORTSMAN CONVERTIBLE 1946–1948
No licensed photograph yet. Photographs are published only when their licence permits it.
2,774BuiltDisputed
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
2,774 Built
Years
1946–1948
Engine
L-head V8 · 3,923 cc / 3.9 LFactory: 239.4 cu in · converted
Power
74.6 kW / 101 PSFactory: 100 hp · converted
Top speed
Not yet verified
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
E.T. "Bob" Gregorie
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The Sportsman was Ford's wood-bodied convertible, the only all-new Ford model of 1946. It was the first wood-bodied convertible produced, topped the Super De Luxe line and was the first Ford to retail above $2,000 since 1908. The Milestone Car Society classifies it as a Certified Milestone Car.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityRare 2,774 · Built1,2
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Total model production1947 model-year Sportsman convertibles (same page: 723 in 1946, 28 in 1948) 2,7741,2 Factory production Disputed
Why more than one figure?

Sources differ: RM Sotheby's says 2,774 Sportsman convertibles in 1947 (723 in 1946, 28 in 1948); Supercars.net says a mere 2,274.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The idea began with a Model A that Henry Ford II had designer E.T. "Bob" Gregorie build for his Long Island beach house. In early 1945 Gregorie and illustrator Ross Cousins drew a wood-bodied 1946 convertible, and a prototype was made at Ford's Iron Mountain, Michigan, plant. It was announced in September 1945, the first car was delivered at Christmas to actress Ella Raines.

Production reached only 1,209 units in the long 1946 model year, and barely half that in 1947. For 1947 the engine gained 10 horsepower.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard Super De Luxe Sportsman convertible.

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeNot yet verified
LayoutL-head V83 Independently researched
Displacement 3,923 cc / 3.9 LFactory: 239.4 cu in · converted3 Independently researched
BoreNot yet verified
StrokeNot yet verified
Compression ratio6.6:14 Independently researched
Fuel systemNot yet verified
Power 74.6 kW / 101 PSFactory: 100 hp · converted3 Independently researchedOld Cars Weekly gives 100 hp at 3800 rpm for the 239 V8 in the 1946 line (6.6:1 compression, 3.19 x 3.75 in).
Power atNot yet verified
TorqueNot yet verified

Transmission & drivetrain

GearboxThree-speed manual3 Independently researched
Gears33 Independently researched
Driven wheelsNot yet verified

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisNot yet verified
Front suspensionSolid front axle with transverse semi-elliptic leaf spring3 Independently researched
Rear suspensionLive rear axle with transverse semi-elliptic leaf spring3 Independently researched
BrakesFour-wheel hydraulic drums3 Independently researched
SteeringNot yet verified
Body constructionNot yet verified
Wheelbase 2,900 mmFactory: 114 in · converted3 Independently researched
LengthNot yet verified
WidthNot yet verified
HeightNot yet verified
Front trackNot yet verified
Rear trackNot yet verified
Kerb weightNot yet verified
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speedNot yet verified
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
Fuel tankNot yet verified

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The body carries wood panelling on a convertible shell built from standard convertible parts. Red accent lines run on the grille, taillights, hubcaps, wheels, dashboard and instruments whatever the body colour, and there is a red-outlined Ford oval on the rear bumper. Interior is leather. The V8 engine bears the 59AB code.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    RM Sotheby's – 1947 Ford Super DeLuxe Sportsman Convertible Level B
    • 2774 1947 model-year Sportsman convertibles (same page: 723 in 1946, 28 in 1948)
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  2. 2
    1946-1948 Ford Super Deluxe Sportsman Level B Supercars.net
    • minimally produced with a mere 2,274 examples
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  3. 3
    1946 Ford Super DeLuxe Sportsman Convertible (Arizona 2014) Level A RM Sotheby's · 2014
    • 100 bhp, 239.4 cu. in. L-head V-8 engine
    • 239.4 cu. in. L-head V-8 engine
    • 100 bhp, 239.4 cu. in. L-head V-8
    • three-speed manual transmission
    • solid front axle and live rear axle with transverse semi-elliptic leaf springs
    • live rear axle with transverse semi-elliptic leaf springs
    • four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes
    • Wheelbase: 114 in.
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  4. 4
    Car of the Week: 1946 Ford Super Deluxe 'Woodie' Level A Old Cars Weekly
    • V-8 ... Compression ratio: 6.6:1
    Accessed 2026-11-12

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