- Iconic 1939 Ford from Groundbreaking 1980s Film Up for Auction
- Vintage Ford’s Journey from Restoration to Film Debut
- Film History and Unique Features of the Classic Ford V8
A 1939 Ford 91A V8 from a pioneering 1980s film will be auctioned off this week. Can you identify it?
The vintage Ford, which drove off the assembly line in the United States in late 1939, reportedly made its way to the United Kingdom in the 1960s and has remained there ever since.
In the 1980s, the V8-powered sedan underwent extensive restoration while residing in a museum before its 1988 film debut.
Experts predict that it will sell for between £20,000 and £30,000 at auction.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit is widely regarded as the first film to effectively combine animation and live-action and went on to win four Academy Awards in addition to numerous other accolades. The Ford was one of several vintage automobiles that appeared prominently in the film.
The Ford’s art deco body was perfect for Toontown, near Los Angeles, where cartoon creatures live alongside humans.
The auction lot description states, “It was a central element of the famous forties iconography that gave the film its distinct, noir tone.”
Who Framed Elstree Studios in London used the Ford in many Bob Hoskins sequences and Roger Rabbit’s promotional materials.
It had its last bare-metal repaint in the mid-1980s, before its film debut.
The shiny black paint and trim remain in perfect shape, proving the quality of the work 35 years ago.
The legendary Ford ‘flathead’ 3.6-liter V8 engine is as original as ever but features subtle improvements, such as a larger aluminum radiator to increase performance and dependability.
The seller has maintained the car’s originality and status for the past 27 years, making it a rare survivor given that so many similar vehicles have been converted into Hot Rods.
In addition to being largely unique, it has also been used sparingly.
Since leaving the Ford assembly line, the vehicle has driven 21,659 miles, or 258 miles per year.
