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Better Than A Barn Find: 1941 Ford Super De Luxe Coupe

The seller tells his audience that this 1941 Ford Super De Luxe Coupe (not a Club Wagon as advertised) is a 95 percenter as it is 95% ready to go. It’s also listed as original with most of the “big money” needed having been spent. I find that a bit contradicting but also intriguing enough to examine further. This Ford is located in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $22,500.

OK, so what’s all of this original/95% stuff mean anyway? The seller further states, “Better than a barn find because it’s original but most of the big money needed to get it running driving and stopping has already been spent.” I think what the seller is telling us that the interior and exterior are original but some mechanical attention needed to be paid to the motor and brakes. OK, got it!

Let’s start under the hood, and of no surprise, there’s a 90 HP, 221 CI, flathead V8 present. As for what’s new, it appears that the hoses, belt, breather cap, voltage regulator, wires, and distributor cap have been replaced. The carburetor and generator may have had a redo too, hard to say as I am basing my assessment on the images provided and not on any disclosed listing detail. No reference as to how this coupe runs other than the previously mentioned “ready to go” reference. The transmission is mistakenly listed as an automatic, it’s not, it’s a three-speed manual.

As for the original aspects of this Ford, look no further than the interior. There are several images, none are comprehensive but what can be spied shows a worn and torn tan cloth fabric, no front floor mat, and door cards that are fair – yes it looks original. Unfortunately, there are no images of the dash and instrument panel so their condition is uncertain. Two things noted included an under-dash heater and a turn signal mechanism that has been strapped on to the steering column.

Outside, more originality! The seller claims “absolutely zero rust” and it looks it. Actually, the finish is still surprisingly bright with some sheen though there are some fade and degradation that have occurred too. But remember it’s 80-year-old paint. The body is free of dents and ceases with no sign of damage. The distinctive three-piece grille still looks great, maybe just a bit tarnished, but none of its teeth have been knocked out – always good to see. The remainder of the trim is in place and in good nick as well. As for the bumpers, they’re pretty darn good, no sign of parking lot action.

So yes, originality is the key here and the upgrades are really maintenance or normal replacement items. The seller’s price seems a bit robust but maybe not too out of line, again banking on this Ford’s original and unaltered state. The seller does suggest, “Will consider trades for a Model A coupe hot rod style project of similar value.”  Anyone have a Model A that they would like to move?

Comments

  1. Avatar John C

    I was five years old living in Los Angeles at the time the neighbors down the street, the Nixon family. They had four mischievous boys and a Ford like this one. The oldest three decided they could drive there dad’s car.

    One steered the oldest, he was about nine, the other two did their best to work the gas brake and the clutch.

    They made it about a half a block before they ran into a parked car.

    Fortunately all cars concerned were built like a tank the damage was minimal.

    Not as minimal, to the three boys who couldn’t sit down for a week.

    To this day I still remember old man Nixon driving down the street with one headlight.

    Like 6
  2. Avatar Will Fox

    A buyer will have numerous sources to choose from for restoration items, if that’s your path. This `41 is so solid, I would hate to do anything but a showroom, body-off restoration on it. Sounds like the seller attended to the big-ticket items already, so most of that is done! As good as it looks, I’d be inclined to drive it while “as is”!

    Like 4
  3. Avatar Howard

    The original engine in this Ford would have been equipped with a front mounted “crab” style distributor. Unless there is a way to swap them out that I’m unaware of. This would be a 49 to 53 model engine, a common swap back in the day

    Like 3
    • Avatar Paul DeFouw

      The heads also have the hose outlets in the wrong position to be a 1941. They should be in the center of the head. I own one, so I know that for a fact and mine had the original engine when I bought it.

      Like 1
      • Avatar Ronald Harris

        You’re right. That is a later engine, also looks to have an Offy aluminum intake manifold – not stock cast iron.

        Like 1

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