Finding a classic car that has eight decades under its belt but only had two owners is a rare treat. However, that’s the story behind this 1940 Ford DeLuxe Sedan. It served as reliable transport for its original lady owner before she parked it in the late 1950s. The current owner purchased and revived the car, and after forty years in his care, he has decided to reduce his collection. Therefore, he has listed the DeLuxe for sale here on Barn Finds Classifieds. It is located in Essex, Connecticut, and the turn-key survivor could be yours for $15,000.

When the original owner decided to pension off this classic in favor of a newer model, it seems that she may have still held a significant soft spot for the car. Rather than consign it to some damp or leaking shed, she left it parked in her garage. That’s where the current owner discovered the DeLuxe, and this strategy helped it remain so nicely preserved. This old Ford is loaded with character and would be the perfect vehicle for someone searching for a genuine survivor. Its Garnet Maroon paint glows, and apart from what appears to be some minor repaint work, it is original. The panels have a few minor marks and bruises, but these are more than acceptable when considering this car’s age and originality. The big news with this classic is its lack of rust. There is evidence of surface corrosion, but nothing that has penetrated the original Ford steel. A couple of glass pieces have begun to cloud around the edges, but the rest is in good order. The chrome sparkles in the sunlight, while the foglights and rear fender spats are nice touches. Rounding out this exterior is a set of whitewall tires that add a further touch of class to what is already a classy vehicle.

This Ford is an eighty-one-year-old unrestored survivor, so it would be fair to expect some wear on its interior trim. There are a few spots that indicate the car’s age, but the trim looks pretty remarkable. There is wear on the carpet and some typical minor marks on the door trims, but the overall impression is extremely positive. If I were to buy this car, I would fit some floormats to protect the carpet from further wear, and then I’d leave it undisturbed. It has survived so incredibly well that I would not want to change it. The mohair and vinyl seat upholstery looks wonderful and inviting. While there are no rips or tears in evidence anywhere inside this car, there is some wear in spots. In this case, I would be inclined to find some high-quality slipcovers for the seats to protect that original upholstery. The floormats and slipcovers would help to preserve this car’s originality for another eight decades. I believe that the trim has the potential to last that long if treated with the same level of respect that it has received from its current owner. The dash is excellent, as is the wheel. The original owner liked her touches of comfort, so the DeLuxe is equipped with a factory radio and heater.

There’s nothing like lifting the hood of an older classic to reveal its original engine. This is especially true when the motor in question is Ford’s iconic 221ci flathead V8. These powerhouses produce 85hp, which finds its way to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual transmission. In today’s world, 85hp might seem a modest figure. In 1940, that number was up there with the best of them. It made these Ford’s some of the most effective long-distance cruisers of the era, and their bulletproof nature means that plenty remain in service today. The engine bay of this old Ford presents well, and it doesn’t flatter to deceive. When the seller discovered the car, it had been sitting for many years. He carefully revived it but was mindful of retaining as much originality as possible. He has recently installed a new exhaust, treated the engine to a tune-up, and performed some work on the hydraulic brakes. He slips behind the wheel when this old girl is cold, gives it a touch of choke, and that wonderful flathead roars straight into life. He says that it accelerates quickly and that it will effortlessly cruise at 60mph all day. The brakes feel solid and reassuring, while the car tracks straight and true.

There’s no doubt that if treated to a light cosmetic restoration, this 1940 Ford DeLuxe Sedan could be a stunning vehicle. That would be a tempting path to follow, and I suspect it would be the one that many of our readers would choose. However, there are also many reasons why retaining it as-is would be an attractive proposition because it should still turn heads. If you liken it to a Hollywood celebrity, it has been allowed to age gracefully. It hasn’t been nipped, tucked, and Botoxed within an inch of its life. It carries its original survivor tag like a badge of honor. I would be inclined to treat the surface corrosion to prevent deterioration, but I wouldn’t touch another thing. This classic doesn’t need it.