1940 Ford Deluxe

Description

The 1940 Ford is an icon and they make great looking cars no matter what you do. So if your tastes run more towards the 1940s than the 1990s, how about something like this nicely restored 1940 Ford Deluxe tudor sedan, which still packs a smooth-running flathead V8, all the correct trim, and is an absolute delight to drive.

We all know the 1940 Ford is an icon, and for good reason: it's a great-looking car. Finished in basic black, Ford's favorite color, it looks brilliant and far more upscale than its humble origins would suggest. Deluxe models are the most familiar to us today, with the fantastic V-shaped grille, beautiful headlight rings with built-in marker lights, and just enough chrome to make sure onlookers knew it was the more expensive version. The paint is in very good condition, especially for a black car, and you can see that they started with good base stock because the doors fit well, the hood gaps are even, and there are no big waves in any of the panels. The car was taken down to bare metal before it was painted, and aside from a light tint on the side windows, it looks 100% stock on the outside. The running boards are covered in rubber, as original, and the twin chevron-shaped taillights are some of the most recognizable in the entire automotive kingdom, so now you know where they came from.

Although it was probably originally fitted with some kind of broadcloth or Bedford cord upholstery, today it offers beautiful burgundy leather upholstery over the original bench seats. It's a smart choice for a car that's going to be used, because the leather is durable and stylish, and by using period-correct patterns, most folks will assume it came this way. Matching door panels are elegant and simple, with a very slick art-deco look that gives the Ford a great deal of style, and all the workmanship is quite good. Correct handles and knobs have been fitted, and the 2-spoke steering wheel neatly frames an array of instruments, although the speedo appears to be the only one working at the moment. Ford moved the shifter to the steering column in 1939, along with the rest of the industry, but at some point this car was retrofitted with a floor-mounted shifter that really is a lot more fun to drive. The trunk is massive and very neatly finished, offering a fresh set of side panels and a full-sized spare tire assembly.

Ford's famous flathead V8 made 85 horsepower in 1940, and with a bubbly exhaust note and plenty of torque, performance is always lively. The engine bay is neatly finished, offering a few upgrades to make it reliable. Most obvious is a 12-volt alternator in place of the generator, along with a few electrical system upgrades to make it work right. On the other hand, it still has a downdraft carburetor and mechanical fuel pump, as well as the big oil filter on top. Ford finally switched to hydraulic brakes in 1939, with a big improvement in performance, but stuck to the rigid axles front and rear, which give the Ford its indestructible feel. A dual exhaust system with mellow-sounding mufflers is the only other notable deviation from stock and sounds fantastic. Contrasting red steel wheels with deluxe trim rings and hubcaps are fitted, and it rides on fresh 6.50-16 Firestone wide whites.

This 1940 Ford is a very rare find considering how many have become hot rods. Find out why flathead Fords are so beloved and call today!