This 1940 Ford Pickup has spent the majority of its life in the drier climes of Arizona. This has allowed it to remain a rust-free survivor with bags of character. The current owner has left this classic largely unchanged, although it has received an engine upgrade. If the buyer wants to maintain its survivor status, the healthy original engine is also included in the sale. Located in Norton, Massachusetts, the Ford has been listed for sale here on eBay. The BIN has been set at $27,000, although the owner will entertain sensible offers.

Below that baked exterior rests panels that originally wore Acadia Green paint. The Arizona sun has baked this away, leaving dry surface corrosion. I’ll avoid using the “p” word when describing this Ford’s appearance, but it has plenty of it. What it doesn’t have plenty of is rust. There is a small spot in the inner fender below the battery, but that seems to be it. I think the thing that impresses me about this Pickup is how straight the panels appear to be. These were predominantly used as workhorses and could become battered and bruised over time. This is an 80-year-old vehicle, and the panels are remarkably straight. There are no dings and dents beyond a small rub mark that the owner identifies on one front fender. We don’t see a photo of this, so we need to take his word on it. The trim and chrome are in good condition, and there are no visible problems with the glass. It seems that returning the Ford to its former glory could be a straightforward proposition.

The interior of the Pickup presents well for a survivor of this age and could be used as it stands. The seat received a new cover many years ago, and this looks like it would respond well to a deep clean. The painted surfaces show some deterioration, but they are by no means in horrendous condition. That is one of the great attractions of these old Pickups as project vehicles. Interior restorations can be pretty easy if you have a modicum of patience and some painting skills. The dash and door assemblies are easy to dismantle. Then it is merely a matter of preparing the surfaces and applying paint, and the interior will present in as-new condition. The banjo wheel was added by the current owner, as was the heater box. With the colder weather just around the corner, that last item would be a welcome addition.

Occupying the engine bay is an updated Ford flathead V8. This is an engine of 1953 vintage and is said to have received plenty of upgrades. The Offenhauser heads are an obvious addition, as is the dual carburetor setup. It isn’t clear what modifications are hiding inside this flathead, but the owner reportedly purchased the engine from the estate of the gentleman who built it in the first place. That would suggest that its secrets might have gone to the grave, and the V8 would need to be dismantled to reveal the truth. The engine doesn’t currently run because the installation isn’t complete. What remains is all of those little detail items like connecting the exhaust and the fuel lines. The wiring will require some attention, and then this beauty should roar into life. It appears that the rest of the drivetrain is untouched, which means that the Pickup would feature a 3-speed manual transmission and drum brakes.

If originality is an essential consideration for you in a classic, then you aren’t left out with this vehicle. Sitting on a stand is the original 221ci flathead V8, and this is in good health. The owner removed one of the cylinder heads to check, and everything is said to look sweet. He believes that it might have received a rebuild at some point, which means that it could also sit in waiting if the upgraded V8 gave up the ghost.

The buyer of this 1940 Ford Pickup is going to face some choices. Do they treat the vehicle to a cosmetic refresh, or retain its current appearance? Does that upgraded flathead stay under the hood, or does the original get slotted back in? The answers will come down to a matter of personal preference, and the reality is that there is no right or wrong answer for us. The new owner will make those choices, and the answers will be the right ones for them. After all, if they lay down the cash, that is their right. It is the same for all of us when we tackle a project car. So it is always worth remembering that if you pay good money to create the classic of your dreams, what other people think doesn’t matter. It’s your money, so it is what you think that is all that matters. Would you hand over your money for this one?