Here are a few conundrums wrapped up in one 1940 Ford Deluxe Fordor sedan, advertised on craigslist, 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?
Same old song from me. Don’t cut up a perfectly good Vintage car to hot rod. It’s remaining automobile US history.
Transforming a car in these conditions into a hot rod would be a crime.
Even though it has 4 doors.
Nothing like an old car with little, or no, restoration.
4 doors are probably the reason why this car made it this far without getting cut up.
My dad had a Tudor ’40 fastback sedan in dark blue. I loved that car and, even as a kid, knew it was special. I felt terrible when he sent it off to the scrapyard.
Amont the many cool features I recall and am reminded of here are the grille, the unique headlight bezels and chevron taillights, the beautiful curves everywhere, the oval rear view mirror, the neat and elegant dashboard, the sad and serious-looking split rear window.
Because so many people seem to hate 4-doors, we’re losing all of them. These cars abounded in their day.
I won’t be a buyer, so my opinion doesn’t count. But to me it would be a shame to do anything more to this beauty than clean and polish it, drive it as the great survivor it is, and carefully maintain it for years.
When the yoiungsters of today visit an auto museum in 30 years time they will wonder why they didn’t make 4 door cars back in the old days? I woudn’t even think of buying a car if it were a 2 door and I had a family.
My dad only bought 2-door cars (every year or every other year) when my sisters and I were growing up in the 1950s. He didn’t seem to trust us with access to a door handle.
Origionals are dissappearing folks…same as us “old” guys who have fond memories of these cars..
Not much to say, that hasn’t been said. Most were hot rodded years ago, the few remaining originals will hopefully stay that way
Simplicity is so beautiful and this dashboard says it all. What a car this one is!
Another gem! This car can be enjoyed as is! No ice cream allowed inside here!
I would daily this in a heartbeat, but would prefer this in black.
Don’t much care for the colour; though, since it is original, I would not change it! I MUCH prefer the look of the same-bodied 1938 DeLuxe, myself (never cared for the ’40 all that much, but the ’39-ish ’40 Standard looked nicer to me — wouldn’t want that single “chevron” in back, however, neither the 60hp V-8 — my cousin drove a 1940 Standard 60hp for years, and it couldn’t get out of its own way!). All that said, I still wish I had the funds and a place to put this one, to love and maintain it just as it is! AND I can fix the clock — I’m a watchmaker and have revived many an old car clock. Most unusual to see the radio still working, unless it has enjoyed a restoration: particular components failed in these radios, simply from the passage of time — especially condensers [“capacitors”, if you MUST!] and the vibrator. Hope no one even THINKS about hot-rodding this beautiful survivor!!! As has been said so many times: they’re only original once. And I happen to love and prefer four door cars!!! (or, as Ford called them, “fordor”). Take a black 1938 Ford DeLuxe Fordor with rear fender skirts: now THERE is one sleek and beautiful piece of automotive iron! — wanted one as a kid in ’38, and have always wanted one since (though those mechanical brakes are their own sort of challenge). The shift on the floor never bothered me: the front seats in these are a bit narrow for three passengers, anyway — rear seats are wider — the interior tapers, boat-like, one of the charms of this era. Hope someone knows how to love and preserve and enjoy this car: they absolutely ARE road-worthy, most particularly if you have the Columbia Overdrive to breeze with ease down the highway!
I have owned two 40 Fords ,both 2-doors and modified cars. The reason I say modified is because the only thing changed was mechanical components to make them drive better and perform with the newer cars they shared the roads with. Myself and many of my Hot Rodder friends always comment, that you don’t have to do anything to a 40 Ford to change it’s looks,they are perfect just the way they are. I think a better statement is do not try to customize one, that’s what 50 Mercury’s are for!
My dad had a 1940 Standard that he gave me in 1960. It had 2 visors and factory radio (OZ4 tube would go often) It had an after market South-Wind gasoline heater and that thing was awesome. It had 40 Deluxe headlight rims. The engine was very tired. I acquired a low mileage 1948 Mercury that had been totaled in an accident. It had less than 48000 mi. on it. I put that whole drive train in the Ford. The only thing I added was duel exhaust. I drove it till 1964. I sold it and bought a new 1964 Mercury Comet Convertible w/ 289-271 HP & 4 speed.
What we did to these cars years ago, to “update” their performance, was one thing when there still were plenty of them surviving. That no longer is the case, and whatever worked in 1964 is irrelevant now. The fact remains that, these cars are fully roadworthy as originally equipped. Maybe not Interstate-prepared — but then don’t take one on the Interstate! Drive it on the sorts of town-to-town roads they were designed for 84 years ago. We hold an obligation to preserve remaining examples in original state: once they are gone, they’re gone. A 1940 automobile is about much more than its looks: if that’s all you want, then find a desert-baked body beyond practical restoration as an original car, then re-finish the body in spectacular fashion and do with the rest of it whatever you will. Have the chassis, drive train, interior, of anything that appeals to your taste and intended usage. Build an audiophile satellite-equipped stereo into it, if you like. Make it able to cruise easily at 100 miles-per-hour — do anything you want. But please let a surviving driveable original remain what it is — 6-volts and all. The object is to re-experience motoring as it was in the 1940s, tight down to the smell of mohair, not to drive a 1940-styled modern-equipped car.
right down to the smell of mohair
What we did to these cars years ago, to “update” their performance, was one thing when there still were plenty of them surviving. That no longer is the case, and whatever worked in 1964 is irrelevant now. The fact remains that, these cars are fully roadworthy as originally equipped. Maybe not Interstate-prepared — but then don’t take one on the Interstate! Drive it on the sorts of town-to-town roads they were designed for 84 years ago. We hold an obligation to preserve remaining examples in original state: once they are gone, they’re gone. A 1940 automobile is about much more than its looks: if that’s all you want, then find a desert-baked body beyond practical restoration as an original car, then re-finish the body in spectacular fashion and do with the rest of it whatever you will. Have the chassis, drive train, interior, of anything that appeals to your taste and intended usage. Build an audiophile satellite-equipped stereo into it, if you like. Make it able to cruise easily at 100 miles-per-hour — do anything you want. But please let a surviving driveable original remain what it is — 6-volts and all. The object is to re-experience motoring as it was in the 1940s, right down to the smell of mohair, not to drive a 1940-styled modern-equipped car.
As a former owner of one of these, “Amen” to all of the comments re: keeping it original!