This Beautiful drivers condition ’40 Ford Deluxe is ready to roll. Although not the desirable coupe, or convertible, this sedan is a very nice original example that needs little to make it very nice. With two days remaining in the auction this Ford has been bid up to $3,050, with the reserve not met. Find it here on ebay out of Bakersfield, California.
The famous Flathead Ford V8 is in good health and is ready to take you to your next classic car destination. The engine and bay wear an original patina, though there appears to be little in the way of rust or corrosion. The firewall area and inner fender areas look great, as if they have been untouched for the past 50 years. The aluminum radiator is a nice upgrade for this Ford making it more user friendly in traffic, keeping the Flathead out of the boiling zone. The Factory style Ford stamped coolant hoses are nice to see as well, showing that no corners have been cut on this Sedan. A great deal of maintenance has been performed on this Ford instilling confidence in its drivability. For those of you that have never had a Flathead Ford, or a column shifted manual transmission, this Ford would make a great first for anyone.
Looking over the cockpit of this Ford reveals an interior that has fared well to the test of time. Although not perfect, there are still quite a few positives about this Ford. The dash for instance is a lovely cream and toffee color with minimal wear or patina. There is a little surface rust on the center area of the dash, but overall the paint is reasonable. The gauge cluster looks very nice, though no word if it is operational.
Looking further into the interior shows original, and complete, door panels and seats. The majority of the interior has some discoloration, but overall it is not too off putting. The front seat has been repaired form a split, and is not too bad off in appearance. The back seat at one point or another lost its bench covering. Depending on your taste, this interior may or may not need that much attention. Personally, we think this would be a great car to preserve as is, but fix somethings along the way that would really make this Ford look great. The paint and body work look very nice with some minor blemishes present. There are some various areas where the paint is chipped or scratched, but most of the body is covered with paint. There is some rust developing around some sharp edges of this Ford near the trunk area. There are also some small surface rust areas sprinkled on the exterior of this sedan, but it is manageable. There is no apparent rot in this one, though the trunk space wears some surface rust, and suffers from some pitting. The biggest issue with this Ford has to be the glass. Most of the glass has delaminated making for a hazy appearance, and potentially dangerous driving conditions. Though we think the timing is right as some of the window seals are old and dry, needing to be replaced. Two birds, one stone, so to speak.
Although not perfect, you really can’t hope for a much better condition Ford of this era than this one. Though the word “restoration” is thrown around in the ad, we think this would be a great preservation effort. What would you do with this ready to drive Ford Deluxe?
Love it! But I could not own this without getting everything into nice condition. Plating, painting and upholstering — plus fresh window glass and replacements for all the small bits that have fallen off or crumbled — are nothing more than this car deserves.
No SBC and/or Mustang II front suspension, either. Have to keep this stock!
Between the ’40 and the ’60 Vette above (and, to a lesser extent, the yellow Caddy above that), you BF guys are on a roll tonight! I’m almost afraid you’re going to feature a car I really, really NEED to own (these are almost-but-not-quite cars for me), and that could cause problems!
Like RayT says, you guys have been on a roll lately. I’m a big fan of 50s and 60s rides, and grew up a MoPar guy. But this ’40 Ford, the ’31 Ford jalopy – which is flat out awesome btw, wouldn’t change a thing – the ’29 Franklin, the Packard from a week or so back, I’m really starting to love these original unrestored pre-war cars. Best thing I saw in ages was a ’32 Willys that went up for auction recently. Man that was a beautiful automobile!
I love hot rods, too, don’t get me wrong. But there are so many already. When you find survivors like the ones noted above, wrench’em, get’em running and safe, and drive’em.
In total agreement. Quality over quantity. You don’t have to have ten cars every day.
Very nice. One of the first plastic model kits I built as a kid was a Ford turtleback just like this.
I would preserve it. Wonderful old flatty.
It’s remarkable how fluidly all the lines on this Ford seem to work together. The overall shape is clean and the details are so coherent. It looks like the paradigm of its era, much as the Kia Optima-Chrysler 200-Ford Fusion look today. Good find.
I remember reading a book as a teen about a 16 year old who tries to get his first car running…a 40 Ford sedan or coupe (can’t quite recall). This one would be fun to do nice stuff to that flathead V8. There are all sorts of goodies to heat them up these days. I’d also want to upgrade the brakes if this is going to be a driver…dual master cylinder and either clean up the drums or add front disks (there are those who swear properly adjusted drum brakes with newer shoes are perfectly safe and fine for today). I also might want to find a newer transmission and differential combo. I do love suicide doors….so 30s and 40s…I miss them but I can’t think of a newer car on which they could work (no need to mention 60s Lincolns and T-Birds).
Was the book “Boy Gets Car” by Henry Gregor Felsen? Also wrote Hot Rod, Street Rod and Crash Club, all favorites from the high school library in the 1960’s!
Agree that this is another great find along with the above ’60 vette. Perfect to always have something to do yet able to drive. It’s very difficult to keep this condition from further deterioration.
Brings back memories of a crusty ’40 Fordor I had the opportunity to buy from a neighbor when I was 13 or so, for $75. Never got anywhere on it as there was too much to do, so resold it. Today it would be considered very restorable.
Definitely a work in progress. Drive it and enjoy it, and look after those little details as you go. I can see some kind of a restoration in the future but it would be a long way off. Just keep the modern drive train out of it; this flathead is all you need….
It might have been, Ken. I think that I read all of his books from the library. I also read the trucker books. There was one called T-Model Tommy and another “Gasoline” something (Heydiger or Heiliger). Just can’t recall the titles. As a kid I fantasized about being a trucker, and after listening to Howard A regarding his experiences through his many comments, I’m sort of sorry I didn’t give it a try at some point in my younger days. Did work as a wrench for about 5 years, but getting greasy is much better with your own metal than with others’….a lot less pressure and whole lot more fun.
I love this as well, restore it as it came. This would never be a money maker but I would enjoy just taking the family on weekend trips and the occasional car show. Bet you wouldn’t see another.
I’ve always loved the older cars my self I agree leave it original me I’d love to have it I work for a wrecking yard and can’t stand all the new cars they just have too much to go wrong and do it yourselfers can’t fix them anymore me I’d rather have a good ole 57 Chevy anyday
Charming cars. My dad had an old Tudor when I was a kid and I loved it. It was his daily ride to the railway station and back. Dark blue. This one should be fixed mechanically — new glass and seals, check and thoroughly refurbish the brakes and hydraulics and fuel lines, etc.; check every nut, bolt, shock absorber, connector and bushing on front and rear suspension, all the operational items. Find a complete shifter knob, make sure the instruments work, fix the rear seat, and go! Restoration would hurt this. It’s a survivor. Keep it a survivor, and a driver, and care for it well. A factory white one! I don’t recall the last time I’ve seen one on the street in this color, but we used to see them around occasionally when I was a kid. Very cool car in every respect, and the ’40s were the prettiest immediate prewar Fords of them all.
What kind of $ did this go for?
Thanks