UPDATE – We featured this low-mileage (38,431 showing on the odometer), mostly original ’40 Ford Fordor several months ago, and it’s being listed for sale again. Fellow staff writer Michelle Rand’s February article is below for your reading enjoyment. The seller, Ric, says about $2,000 has recently been spent to rebuild the original carburetor, get a new fuel pump and battery, have the transmission and rear axle serviced, and have the brakes adjusted. Except for one repaint to its original Cloud Mist Gray, it looks pretty much like it did when it left the factory 84 years ago. It still has its original interior (with no rips or tears), and its original Flathead V8 is said to run perfectly along with it’s original, smooth-shifting manual transmission. “Old Gray” is still calling Thousand Oaks, California home, and is for sale here on craigslist for $34,000 or best offer. Another shoutout to T.J. for spotting this ’40 Ford Fordor (try saying that fast three times!) and sending it to Barn Finds to feature again.
FROM 2/25/2024 – Here are a few conundrums wrapped up in one 1940 Ford Deluxe Fordor sedan with a request from the seller that prospective buyers send him a “best offer”. The car is located in Thousand Oaks, California, but before jetting down to take a look, we need a plan. First off, we have to determine a reasonable price – not insulting, but still representing a good deal for the buyer. Some sellers insist that you view their car first, to establish your bona fides and let a fine car bias your offer upward. From my perspective, I want to know we’re in the right neighborhood on the money before I make that effort. Next up: should this car be driven as-is, restored, or hot-rodded? No doubt ’40 Fords are very popular rod prospects, though the coupes tend to take center stage on that score. But this car is mostly original and very well cared for, with purportedly low actual miles. Ric Goudsward sent us this fodder for debate – thanks Ric!
Two V8 engines were available in 1940: a 136 cu. in. with about 60 hp, and the venerable 221 cu. in. 24-stud flathead which was by far the more popular choice. The 221 had been under development since 1932. In ’39, its compression ratio increased slightly, for a gain of 5 hp to 90. Ford – trailing other carmakers – finally located the shift lever controlling its three-speed manual onto the column. This allowed enough space in the cabin for a third front-seat passenger; the company advertised its “innovation” as “Finger-Tip Shift”. An early January work receipt shows that the car received a new fuel pump and battery (still a six-volt), full fluids service, and a rebuilt (original) carburetor. The odometer reads just shy of 39,000 miles; the photos support the claim that the mileage is actual. The undercarriage is clean as a whistle, and the door jamb still sports a “Sun Oil Company Warranty Protection” sticker. The seller notes that his Ford runs and drives very well.
The interior is all original, showing off the Deluxe’s dual sun visors, Rose Sand/Maroon two-tone dash, new-style horizontal gauges, and clock inset into the locking glove box. The colors and finishes are still bright and unblemished. Even the rubber floor mats are near-perfect, and the radio works. The seller notes that the car’s exterior received a repaint in the original color; that and an electric auxiliary fuel pump are the only changes from stock.
Eugene “Bob” Gregorie was responsible for the iconic ’40 Ford design, influenced as it was by his love of boating. The “prow” front end and high hood, teardrop headlights, and horizontal grill spreading toward the fenders are all hallmarks of the Deluxe. By 1941, Ford had completely redesigned its cars; while attractive, their appeal didn’t compete with the svelte lines of the ’40. Turning our attention to value, factory original comparables are difficult to find, so we’re going to have to interpolate. This seller wants $17,500 for a driver-quality Fordor, and this restored example is listed at $37,900. Hagerty says a “good” Fordor is worth $19,500. I’d probably try a price of around $18k. And next up: any votes to hot-rod this car?
It’s been for sale for a while now – not sure what he paid for the old timers car with his message on the bumper – so good luck with his pricing and to the new owner.
I can see how such a message might be offensive. Wait a minute, no I can’t.
Aesthetics. Stick-on mailbox letters aren’t meant to be scrawled across bumpers.
Nice car but still a 4 door. I missed it if seller said he had proof of the low mileage claim
That’s what’s cool about this site. Here we have 2 posts next to each other, by chance? The ’40 business coupe, and this. 2 cars, similar, yet worlds apart. Rant aside on the business coupe, and it’s not-so-legal activities, the business coupe was, well, all business. The car featured here had a very different life. This was Americas family car. This car cost $810 new, about $100 more than the business coupe, Mercurys a bit more, and was affordable to all. I read, the V8 had celebrated its 6 MILLIONTH motor, and was certainly well proven. The worst part was, sadly many 1940 Ford owners didn’t get to use them for long, and who knows what the history on this car is. Americans began traveling with these cars, ironically probably passing salesmen in business coupes that were working. Great find.
Quite a jump from $18k to $34k! Never saw a $2k shop bill add so much value to a car.
$18k to $20k would be a reasonable price. A friend sold his dads 40 Tudor sedan a few years back for $25, and it looked like new.
Well, thank God they kept that flat head motor! We don’t want people getting all fired up about small blocks in Fords again!😀
Hi Bob, yeah, I’ll take responsibility for that one. Who thought people would be so opinionated? :)
Why does this sedan have the radio antenna on the roof and the green coupe with the controversial Chevy engine have the antenna mounted on the left front fender?
If I remember correctly the original antenna did go thru the roof. Any other location was a aftermarket idea. I see it has a later 46-48 heater. It was very hard to find a original car with the correct heater. I paid over $100.00 for a correct heater for my coupe back in the day that needed restored and was missing the chrome trim on it. Nice car though.