Pre-war American cars are some of the most stylish in automotive history. Even the most humble vehicles gracing showrooms during that period looked sleek and attractive, and Ford’s 1940 DeLuxe Coupe was no exception. Our feature car presents superbly following a Concours restoration, recently emerging from a private collection to find a new home. The seller has listed this stunning classic here on Craigslist, and although they don’t specify a location, it appears to be situated somewhere around Santa Maria, California. They set their price at $59,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P for spotting this fantastic classic.

The line between success and failure in the automotive industry is narrow, and this was especially true as The Great Depression faded into history. No manufacturer wants to lose sales to the opposition, and Ford was no exception. It identified a gap in its model range that saw General Motors tempt potential buyers to purchase more luxurious models from marques like Oldsmobile. The company introduced its DeLuxe range in 1938 to stem the flow. The strategy was successful, and this 1940 Coupe resulted from that thinking. The seller claims it underwent a Concours restoration, recently emerging from a private collection. There are few words beyond “superb” that describe its overall condition because this Ford needs nothing. Its Black paint exhibits an amazing depth of color and shine, with no evidence of flaws or blemishes. The panels are laser-straight, while the gaps and alignment are as good as you will likely find on any classic of this vintage. The seller doesn’t mention existing or previous rust issues, which is unsurprising considering its location. The chrome appears perfect, and the glass has avoided the cloudiness that is typical for vehicles from that era.

It is a known fact that Henry Ford was never a fan of engines with more than four cylinders, but even he acknowledged that the opposition stole a march on his company with its range of six and eight-cylinder powerplants. The company persisted with its four during the production of the venerable Models T and A but brought its first mass-produced V8 to market in 1932. What made it more remarkable was that despite his contempt towards engines of this type, Henry Ford remained front-and-center in the flathead’s development process. The 221ci V8 hiding below this Ford’s hood originally sent 85hp and 155 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a three-speed manual transmission. The car retains its original mechanical configuration, although the driver may have a few additional ponies at their disposal. The flathead benefits from high-compression Offenhauser cylinder heads and an intake from the same manufacturer. Spent gases exit via a set of Fenton headers, and if nothing else, they should give the car an impressive exhaust note. The seller is short on specific information in their listing, with no indications regarding how the Coupe runs or drives. However, it would be fair to expect that with its overall presentation and price, the news should be positive.

This Ford’s recent restoration included a retrim in Red leather. It would have originally featured mohair, but the upgrade enhances the car’s luxurious feel. It is another aspect of this Ford that is almost beyond criticism. There is no evidence of wear or damage on the upholstered surfaces and rubber mat, while the plastic and wheel are spotless. A close inspection reveals scuff marks on some painted surfaces, but I believe careful work with a high-quality polish would eliminate the problem. Otherwise, it appears to need nothing. One surprise is that considering the focus on luxury, this interior doesn’t feature the factory AM radio.

Ford’s strategy of introducing the DeLuxe range proved wise, and sales figures from 1940 demonstrate this. It accounted for 367,364 sales across all body derivatives, although only 27,919 were the DeLuxe Coupe. How many survive is unclear, but few would hold a candle to our feature car. Any classic with a price nudging $60,000 can’t be considered cheap. However, this Ford needs nothing and would suit someone who appreciates the finer things in life. Have you ever owned a similar classic? Did you enjoy the experience enough to do it again? I won’t blame you if you do.