1936 Stainless Steel Ford

[cobrasnake]

I have just received these wonderful photos of a truly classic Ford and thought others would enjoy this polished vehicle. Here is the story that came with the photos:

How would you like to have this sitting in your garage for 'show and tell,' and short drives on nice days?

This is the 1936 Ford built for and owned by Allegheny LudlumSteel. It was attending our open house and then was featured in a local parade with over 100 of our salaried, hourly and retired employees walking alongside. This is 1 of only 4 in existence and is the only one currently in running & in roadworthy
condition. The car is in exceptional condition, with the interior and even the frame looking great.All 4 cars each had over 200,000 miles on them before they removed them from service. These cars were built for Allegheny as promotional and marketing projects. The top salesmen each year were given the honor of being able to drive them for one year. The v-8 engine (max 85 hp) ran like a sewing machine and was surprisingly smooth and quite. I thought this was a much better looking automobile than the Ford Thunderbird that visited us last year. FYI, the car was insured (we were told) for the trip to Louisville via covered trailer for 1.5 million dollars. We were also told that the dies were ruined by stamping the stainless car parts, making these the last of these cars ever produced.
More information of the history on these automobiles can be found at Allegheny Ludlum's website http://www.alleghenyludlum.com/pages...inlesscars.asp










That is one special car.

Tom

[CobraEd]

How do you know that it isn't just regular steel that has been sanded and clearcoated ????


All kidding aside, . . . . Isn't that the "Bonnie & Clyde" last car ?


.

[mike55]

Very cool! Are the frame or other components stainless as well?

[lovehamr]

That is very cool. I learn something new every day. My dumbass thought John Delorien was first.

Steve

[Mark IV]

Alleghany Ludlum Steel built several "stainless" cars with Ford over the years, the one seen here, some 1960 T-Birds and a 67 Lincoln convertible. The panels were stamped on the production dies after model year production had ended as the stainless material tore up the dies rendering them "junk" for futher use. In the case of the Thunderbird, no correct gauge rolled stainlees wide enough to form the roof panel (think roof and "C" pillars flattened out) existed so two sheets were welded, ground and then stamped out.

Yes, all of the major componetry that would have been mild steel (body panels, frame, brackets, bumpers, etc.) were formed from high nickel stainless steel (or as Ford marketed it when first used on bumpers in the thirties "rustless steel") These cars are popular in parades and shows still today.

[Tom Kirkham]

Thank you. I just love the look of bare metal.

[Ron61]

Thanks for posting those pictures. I never saw one of those cars before and they must be quite interesting.

Ron

[linklaw]

My friend's father maintained a couple of these Allegheny Ludlum stainless cars at his shop in suburban Pittsburgh for years. I recall seeing one of the 1936 Fords and a 1959 or 1960 Thunderbird when it was in for service. The cars were not highly polished at the time, but looked like dull stainless. I asked my friend, who now runs the shop, where the cars were now and he said he hasn't seen them in 10 years or so. I don't know if they were privately owned or owned by Allegheny Ludlum. I'll ask him and if he knows will let all of you know. John

[linklaw]

I checked with my friend about the cars and he said they did the maintenance on a 1936 Ford, 1959 or 1960 Thunderbird and a 1967 Continental, all stainless cars, when they were owned by Allegheny Ludlum. He said one of the cars is supposedly on display at the Pittsburgh Regional History Center. John

[Fordzilla]

Very Cool! Thanks for posting the pics

Regards,

[RedBarchetta]

I wonder what happens when it hits 88mph?!?

[Clayboy]

Where do they hook up the flux capacitor?
Great looking car, makes me yearn for the '37 Chevy panel truck I had in high school. Oh yeah, good times.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by linklaw

1959 or 1960 Thunderbird

Thunderbirds were 1960s, triple tail lamps, script on the doors and the five "teeth" on the grille splitter.

And the cars were a brushed finish when built. Some are now in private hands and may have been "Kirkham'd" (polished) a bit.

Tom,

I too, like the bare metal look. I had the AC 289 MK II FIA car in full polish finish (COB1001) shown at the Birmingham Motor Show in 1998 and at SAAC in 1999 (MIS) where some old chicken farmer came over and asked how to make a ally body shine like it did...."lotsa elbow grease we said"...............