For better or worse, 1939 was a monumental year. In that year, Germany and the Soviet Union invaded Poland, Hewlett-Packard was formed with the Walt Disney Company being their first customer, and Hollywood wowed movie fans with both “Gone with the Wind” and “The Wizard of Oz.” While the rest of the war was descending into the madness that would come to be known as World War II, forward seeing Americans were wondering when we would be drug into the conflict. This was also the year that this 1939 Ford standard tudor sedan for sale on Craigslist in Lagoda, Indiana was built. While as plain as it could be, this V-8 60 powered Ford would end up being a great car to have in the garage when gas rationing started in late 1942. Even so, this original black beauty has accumulated just 41,000 miles in the over 85 years since it rolled off the showroom floor. With a $9,500 asking price, is this the perfect time to add a highly original prewar car to your collection? Thanks to T.J. for this interesting find!
It is the fashion of every generation to think that they live in momentous times and that they have struggled like no other generation. The generation that experienced both the Great Depression and World War II is certainly entitled to that claim. It is hard for us, in all of the abundance that we currently enjoy, to comprehend that Americans were hungry and homeless on an incredible scale. Farms were foreclosed on, companies went bankrupt, and millions drifted around looking for work that was rarely available. The safety nets that we enjoy now, even though many of them are abused shamelessly, are a result of our country’s experience in the Great Depression.
When war clouds loomed, one of the after-effects of the struggle with hunger was seen when a draft was instituted. A shockingly large percentage of possible draftees were rejected due to the effects of malnutrition on their health and size. As the war went on and the military became less selective, many managed to get the chance to serve their country. The horrors that this nation endured during the war cannot be understated. Even at home, rationing of food, rubber, gasoline, and other needed commodities put a strain on households that were already making incredible sacrifices. We look back today and wonder how they did it. With some seeing war clouds looming around the globe once again, it makes you wonder if we could make the same sacrifices.
One of the most noticeable sacrifices was the rationing of gasoline during World War II. This article from Hemmings gives you a summary of how the program worked. However, keep in mind that most people received a ration of four gallons of gasoline per week. As you can imagine, finding a fuel-efficient car was of the utmost importance. Gas-sipping used cars like American Bantams and Crosleys went for prices well above what they sold for as new cars. Cars like this 1939 Ford were also highly sought after. The smaller V-8 60 engine of this standard trim car was more efficient than Fords with a Flathead V-8 in them. Suddenly, complaints of the smaller engine-equipped cars being underpowered and slow went right out the window.
You can almost be certain that this Ford got someone through the rationing of World War II. With just 41,000 miles on the odometer, this car is advertised as all original. It is said to have a perfect interior and only surface rust. The only maintenance issues mentioned are a leaking water pump that will come with a rebuild kit and a bad master cylinder that will also come with a replacement.
Under the hood is the 136 cubic-inch smaller V-8 (a standard Flathead displaced 221 cubic inches). By 1939, Ford had decided to give the V-8 60 powered cars a 4.11 rear end to help with acceleration issues. In sales brochures, the cars were said to be capable of 22-27 miles per gallon. While that doesn’t seem particularly impressive through today’s eyes, those were good numbers for the time. If you were only allotted 4 gallons of gasoline per week, chances are you would be driving with a light touch on the pedal to get to the upper end of that range.
Given that these lower-end Fords got little respect when they were new, the fact that one has survived so long in such a condition is remarkable. V8 60 powered cars are slow, but you can still enjoy driving them if you are patient. I recently read about a gentleman who drove his V-8 60 across the Continental Divide to a meet half a country away from his hometown. He made it despite his car having mechanical brakes and being very original as well. Whoever buys this one will likely get a trusty steed, albeit a slow one, that will take them wherever they want to go at a leisurely pace. I would argue that the next owner should put a gas rationing sticker in one of the windows. This is a car that can tell a powerful story of sacrifice and endurance. It would be a shame for today’s Americans to miss out on the lessons of previous generations.
Do you have any family stories of the Great Depression and World War II, especially those that relate to vehicles? If so, please share them in the comments.
This would make such a nice little street rod. Put a small block in it and fix the stance. Make it safe and reliable. I wish it was closer to me.
This car is original and has 41000 miles on it. Please pick another one to modify. I’m sure they’re out there
Dang a Kawasaki 750 H2……nice 39….should be gone by now….
Glad it’s not closer to you.
Keep it all original.
I wish I had the money and the garage! And, as is so often said, they are only all-original ONCE! RKS, if you see a “street rod” here, then PLEASE find ANOTHER 1939 Ford, still solid of body and frame, but without original interior and mechanicals — then do with it what you will. But THIS one deserves to live on in its current state and be enjoyed for what it is: a trip back to my own younger years and those of others my age, or something new to experience for someone who never saw 1939. But, butchering this car into something “modern” under its skin, just to have a “look” on a potential street-machine, would be like cutting down an ancient tree that is perfectly healthy, simply to polish and warnish a cross-section of its great trunk, for decoration, or to make a “rustic” table: what did the great old tree ever do to YOU? SOMEone has saved and preserved this car, just as it was designed to serve, and for 85 years. May it be appreciated and enjoyed in its original running condition, when it is 100-years-old and older! “Street rod” indeed!!!
I’ll bet you’re fun at partys lol.
@RKS I guess all of the other commenters that highly disagree with your sacreligious opening comment would be fun at party’s in your eyes then. His comment was spot on and while unrelated; party’s usually suck anyway.
Seems cheap, especially for a 2 door when you stack it up against a lot of 60’s and 70’s rusted out projects.
Steve R
The description is confusing, comparing it to Fords with flathead V8s. It might be smaller, but this engine is a flathead and it’s a V8. If I could pick anything for rationing, I think I’d prefer an American Bantam, a Crosley, or a Harley 45 with a sidecar. And how would, say, a Plymouth compare, economy wise?
The folks back in the day bought the Fords because, though they wanted to save gas? They also wanted to get to where they were going.
Had one just like it on college
Bought for $60 in 1967
Sold later for $500 which I used to paint my 1929 Dodge
Nice old car
This one was definitely Ford’s price leader. 2dr. standard with 60 h.p. motor. Notice only one taillight, the second one was an option. I like hotrods just as much as the next guy, but it would be shame to make one out of this. This is a true time capsule. You have to wonder how it survived the 50’s and 60’s hotrod craze when it was just an old car. It must have been well hidden.
Put a right tail light and dual exhausts on it and hit the road. Right tail light could keep you from being confused with a motorcycle and the pipes would make folks wonder what’s under the hood.
This car makes me want to spend the last of my “fun” money. I always loved the look of the ’39. And I’ve always wanted a “flattie”, and it’s only 6 hours away, and I guess I could clean out that other spot in the garage, and, and, and, etc.
My maternal grandfather was a Ford man. Every car he owned was a Ford full-size, although a couple of Mercurys did grace his garage later in life. This picture was taken in the Fall of 1939 and it looks like he, my grandmother, and my mom are in front of a 1939 Ford.
What a great car! Truly a story from the times. Sure hope someone buys it and appreciates it for what it is! History is fascinating for sure for those that understand and appreciate it! Happy motoring for the new lucky owner!
V8 60?? They were used in V8 Simcas through the ’50s but in such a big car as this, it must be Incredibly slow.
Would make a perfect period hotrod. Hotter flathead, dual exhaust, moonshine runner style. I wish it was closer, I would be all over it!
About 25 years ago I had the pleasure of Restoring a 1946 Plymouth Deluxe with a Flat head 6. It was fun finding people that knew anything about those Motors near me. I got the car running ( it had sat in a open garage for almost 40 years ) but it was sluggish, pulled the head and found 3 or the pistons had basically rusted away. ( I found the original Factory Pistons, Rods and Bearings from a guy in Maine, they were still wrapped in Oil soaked paper ) I pulled it and had a friends 78 yr old Mechanic Dad help me rebuilt it in their Machine Shop ( we sent the Crank to a place on Miami to have it turned and polished.) While this was going on I took the body apart and cleaned out any minor rust, filled in any major rot with Sheet medal . By time the motor was ready to go back in, i had put in a new clutch ( 3 on the tree ) and the tranny and rear end gone through for damage and wear, drained and new fluids ( the car had 32,000 miles ) I had the Car ready to paint, I painted the car in a garage at my Dad’s, the original color ( or as close as we could ) redid the complete interior and head liner, I got the motor back in and a few days later fired it up. You should have seen the pride my Dad had Driving the car ( Mom had Alzheimer’s and thought it was still a new car ) we even dressed them up in a old zootsuit and Mom as a Flapper to take pictures. A few years later Dad sold the car to someone in Ohio who drove it from here in Central Florida, with no major issues ( Needed to add Oil to the Air filter ) it was fun and a learning experience I would not advise anyone that does not have the Time and Money to try it themselves , it took 18 months total, Start to Finish, mostly by myself to complete !
( Thank God For Hemmings )
What a great write up of those times,my parents were born in 1916.My dad having to quit school after the 8th grade to go to work. He was drafted during the war, my mom worked in button factory .After the war he got a job in a feed mill and raised chickens on the side.They were 1st generation of immigrants who came here with nothing. Bless this great country.
Thanks to your dad for his service, Big Red. I’m thinking he left the feed mill everyday with his pockets full for the chickens at home. Haha. Whatever it took.
The feed delivery to our chicken farm was bulk feed,blown up into the silo type bin on the roof of the coop.My pop had only meat birds,no layers.Looking back my pop was a hard working man,he passed in a old soldiers home in 01′
What a nice old car. Great write up as well. I remember my Dad saying that when he was in training as a tank commander at Ft. Hood, Texas (now named Cavazos) that they wasted more gas every day than the weekly four gallons rationed to my Grandfather. I hope that the next owner treats this survivor with as much respect as it has obviously enjoyed in the past. GLWTS.
I’d keep it a flathead, but would have to install a larger displacement engine with a few mods. I’d keep the original oiled up in the garage.
Thumbs-up, CarBob! To RH FACTOR: PLEASE!!! — go find another one!! This one needs NOTHING!!! I spent a great deal of time in the 1940 version of this car, complete with one “chevron” tail-lamp, and the front look of a 1939 Ford Deluxe (just as this one resembles a ’38 Deluxe) and it seemed a bit “leasurely” — but, so WHAT??
It was adequate for what it was, and it GOT us there. That 60hp flathead took you down the road: use the old two-lanes that wind through every village and hamlet — DISCOVER TRADITIONAL AMERICA at an easy pace! A car such as this draws you close to the world of Norman Rockwell, in which I grew up. I sure wish I had the wherewithal to bring this one home and use it every now and then, for joy and memories, just the way it is!
I agree. Enjoy the back roads. With the windows down.
To CarBob: don’t forget that vent in front of the windshield: feels like conditioning! These are fun cars! And in Henry’s time, Fords were unlike anything else on the road, and often had inventive touches that had you asking, “Why didn’t I think of that?”
I went to high school in the early 60’s with a guy who had a stock ’40 like this one, given to him by his dad. I got to drive it a few times, and it was such a great running/driving car, just the way it was…bone stock. I’m almost tempted to buy it, or something close.
I remember the stories of war rationing that my mom told to me. Occasionally I have run across those rationing gas tickets, allowing a purchase of a limited amount of gallons, on certain days of the week. Her father would store any extra gallons of gasoline in their tiny brick garage. He saved it for rare trips from Lorain, Ohio to Pittsburgh, PA, to be with family. Amazing the sacrifices that they had to endure over 80 years ago!
One of the reasons for its survival is the V-8, after the war no one wanted a V-8 60.
Yeah, Harrison. Miss the old ventilation systems that were used before AC became the norm. My 1952 Plymouth has the cowl vent and the small front vent windows. Puts out a surprisingly good amount of air flow. Not much though when you are at a standstill. lol. For whatever reason the air movement doesn’t buffet you or put out a lot of noise. All this being said however, I wouldn’t want to give up the AC in my daily driver.
Hi, CarBob! I like air-conditioning, too!. But I drove a 1946 Ford flathead V-8 daily for 27 years, and that vent between the windshield and the hood was GREAT! — just push that handle down — and get the BREEZE!!! My car was a Super Deluxe, and it had handle-cranked vent windows, which I would crank open past 90° on the open road and get a “hurricane” to cool me! But I learned a lesson I’ll never forget on THAT one!!! On one choice sunny day, out in the country on an open two-lane, a yellow-jacket hit the open vent-window, and the mortally wounded creature hit me in the neck… where it stung me repeatedly!!! I would never do THAT again, believe me!!! Ya LIVES and ya LEARNS!! Or, as someone more colourful put it, *-around, and find out! — and the more you *-around, the more you’ll find out!!
RKS: If the “fun at partys” comment was intended for me; please allow me to explain that I am Autistic, and I avoid parties. It is easier to deal with people, one-on-one. If that comment was not meant for me, then I am not sure what prompted it. I have never appreciated “street-rods”; however, when there is a solid interesting body and frame, and the interior and mechanicals are beyond bringing back, at least creating a street-rod shows initiative and imagination, ambition and pride in having formed something both unique and usefully practical. But I do wish that, with a 41,000-mile original car such as this, so unusually well-preserved and cared for in its original state, that street-rodders would not molest and permanently ruin it! It was one thing, in 1950, when that 1939 Chevrolet was eleven-years-old, and well,worn, to have a teen-ager make a “hot rod” out of it (I didn’t like it even then); but when a car has lasted 85 years and is all there in nice original condition, please let it BE that way! Find a long-retired desert-baked 1939 Ford in Arizona someplace that is beyond hope to save as an original, but rust-free and solid — and make whatever you want out of it!
That incident should be filed in the “can’t believe this is happening” category.
Better leave this one alone. Too complete and too nice. Don’t turn something that nobody has into something everybody has.
Hot Rodders may pick up an already-turned project like this and knock themselves out: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3695156320719026/
To Carbob: it DID happen! And I never used the vent windows that way again — BELIEVE me! To onkel: thank you for giving the hot-rodders/street-rodders a place to GO!