1940 Ford Coupe

Description

I'm sure there are plenty of guys out there who will call this very cool 1940 Ford coupe a "rat rod," but that term does both the hobby and the car itself a great disservice. Despite the suede paint job, this cool coupe is highly polished and beautifully turned out, making it far more than a collection of used parts cobbled together just for effect.

There's really no way to make a 1940 Ford look bad, and they wisely chose to keep most of the bodywork stock, including the roofline and much of the shiny trim. The satin black finish is popular right now, as it has been for decades, and gives the car the look of one built back in the '50s, right down to the wide whites. Tradition being what it is, that look also dictates a smoothed nose, a shaved front bumper, and 1939 Ford taillights, all traditional mods that will always look good. The paint doesn't hide much, despite its lack of a glossy surface, so the metalwork was well done before it was painted with doors that fit flush and a trunk that smoothly tapers into the rear deck. Original running boards were retained, and they really do make getting in and out a lot easier, and the factory-issued grille still leads the way. A single strip of stainless is all the contrast you need to accentuate the coupe's sleek profile and a pair of Thrush "Mr. Horsepower" decals lend it an old-school flair that will make traditionalists smile.

So where the exterior is low-key, the brilliant red interior is eyeball popping, particularly against the satin black paint job. It's absolutely beautiful with pleats, piping, and all the modern conveniences. The original front seat was reconditioned before being wrapped in fresh pleated vinyl and since this was a business coupe, not a club coupe, there is no back seat. On the other hand, the rear area is nicely finished and there's plenty of room for, say, a big stereo upgrade. The original dash was smoothed and painted to match and then filled with VDO gauges in a custom panel. An ice cold A/C system was discreetly installed with vents under the dash and in the corners and sharp-eyed viewers will recognize the Impala steering wheel. Black carpets are the right choice to keep it from being overwhelming and they continue into the trunk, which has been finished to match.

A reliable 350 cubic inch Chevy V8 provides motivation and the engine bay shows evidence of 50 years of hot rod development. The wiring and plumbing are neat and tidy and mostly hidden out of sight, the accessories are tucked in tight to the block, and the firewall has been smoothed. Up front there's a big aluminum radiator with an electric fan and there's enough chrome to remind everyone that this is a hot rod but not so much as to make it a part-time job keeping it clean. It's backed by a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission and an 8-inch Ford rear end with integral emergency brake. The clean, simple undercarriage is actually refreshing, with clean floors, a rumbling dual exhaust system with side exits under the running boards, and modern shocks and an A-arm front suspension, complemented by upgraded disc brakes at all four corners. Steel wheels with hubcaps and 15-inch wide whitewall radials give it the period hot rod look without the period ride and handling.

Nicely finished and ready to play, this is old school done right. Just don't call it a rat rod. Call now!