Ford Phaeton 1936: A rare pearl rolls in Quebec

Frédéric Mercier

Thursday, 28 September, 2017 11:50

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Thursday, 28 September, 2017 11:50

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The Ford Phaeton you probably said nothing. And yet, in 1936, it was a bolide.

The kind of car that, even today, inspires the respect, the prestige. All the more that Ford Phaeton, it’s not short really not the streets. There is at least one in Quebec, and its owner could hardly be more proud.

“It is such a good vehicle. In the spring, it is always the one who leaves the better in my 10 cars,” praises Robert Camerlain, owner of car since 2010.

And yet, Dr. Camerlain has taken a chance, when he decided to make the purchase of his Phaeton. “I first found it in the magazine ads Hemmings. The car was in Missouri and I was in Florida at that time. I had to go back to Quebec, but I didn’t have time to go through there,” he recalls. “I talked a lot to the seller, he sent me pictures and I bought the car without even seeing it. It was a roll of the dice, but I had a good feeling,” says Dr. Camerlain.

Read also: Ford Thunderbird 1957: still beautiful 60 years later

Back at the house, the resident of Mirabel had the idea to remind the seller to offer an exchange against another vehicle, a 1930 Ford convertible. The exchange is accepted, and the two owners will rendezvous at Plattsburgh to complete the transaction.

Robert Camerlain gets back to Quebec with his Phaeton 1936, the smile split from ear to ear.

Ford Phaeton 1936

Courtesy old Cars Granby

A model of ephemeral

Ford 1936 Robert Camerlain, is referred to Phaeton because of his body type convertible. At the time, this name came from the Greek mythology defined a car discovery. The name was well known in the worlds of cars to hitch, and then it continued its journey after the arrival of the internal combustion engine.

The official model of the vehicle M. Camerlain, this is the Ford Model 48. It has been produced during two years, 1935 and 1936. He was animated by a V8 engine of 3.6 liters, an output of approximately 85 horses. A manual transmission on the floor was also in position.

Even if it was at the time of a vehicle rather luxurious, the amenities that are found inside remain well shy. “There is a radio that was available as an option, a heater, and that’s about it,” says its owner. Nothing to do with the thousand and one gadgets of modern cars.

As the Ford type Phaeton from these years are so rare, it is difficult to establish their value on the market of collection vehicles. In the words of M. Camerlain, we are talking about the price which can vary between 60 000$ and 75 000$, depending on the condition.

Ford Phaeton 1936

Courtesy old Cars Granby

A special story

If Robert Camerlain has been charmed by his good old Ford, the history of the car just as enchanted.

The first owner of the Ford 1936 cream color had a lot of money. Enough money to afford a personal driver. And force to drive the Ford every day, the driver came to much love. So much so that one fine day, he himself made the acquisition and has kept in his possession for several decades.

In fact, he remained owner until a third party makes the sale to Dr. Camerlain. And this is where, after 74 years in the land of america, that the Phaeton is spent North of the border to become québécois.

Seven years after the acquisition, Robert Camerlain still speaks of his Ford with so much pride. “It’s going well, this vehicle-there,” he notes frequently, indicating that he is not shy to make a few trips aboard during the summer season.

The season was now drawing to its end, and Robert Camerlain is preparing to say goodbye to his good old Ford for the winter. You can bet that next spring, he will go even to a quarter turn.