Automobile design is a fickle thing. Some designs become instant classics, while others flop entirely. Ford had a long string of styling winners. Part of the reason was Edsel Ford’s eye for design and his good sense to hire E.T. “Bob” Gregorie as a designer. One of Gregorie’s most beautiful designs was the 1940 Ford. A very well preserved example of perhaps Ford’s most stunning prewar model is this 1940 Ford tudor sedan in standard trim. Currently for sale on eBay out of Orange, California for a buy it now price of $24,000, this black stunner is still mostly original and in very drivable condition.
Gregorie’s handiwork at Ford included the 1937 Lincoln Zephyr, the 1939 Lincoln Continental, and the 1949 Mercury. His designs brought streamlining to Ford, a company that often maintained its stubborn reliance on some archaic technologies for far too long. The 1940 model was an update of the 1939 body, which was the first Ford model year to boast hydraulic brakes. A column shift for the transmission and sealed beam headlights brought Ford almost even with the competition from Chevrolet and Plymouth. Only the beam front axle anchored Ford to its illustrious past.
The coupe body style for this year draws the most attention due to its fame as the weapon of choice for Appalachian moonshiners and early NASCAR modified drivers. However, the tudor sedan blends those good looks with the practicality of a useable back seat. The slope of the roof blends seamlessly with the gorgeous front end, and the whole package is both visually appealing and a smart choice for those who are looking for a ’40 Ford that is a little less expensive to own. This car was built as a standard, or lesser cost, model. Despite the loss of a few luxuries and some chrome, there are many who prefer the less is more look. Dual exhaust is a nice feature, but one that this car never left the factory with.
The seller claims that this car is rust free and the original interior is still in service. I doubt that the paint is original, but the seller states that it has plenty of flaws from wear. They also tell us that the doors close well, and that the body is razor straight. While not stated in the ad, it appears that the running boards have been recovered. While the angles of the pictures make it difficult to confirm, I believe a drop axle has been installed up front. This was a popular option with postwar hot rodders, and the slight rake is still pleasing to the eye. The wheels are shod with a set of modern radials in a nod to practicality. Many antique car owners install wide whitewall tires. However, black wall tires look perfect on a car with standard trim. Businesslike and purposeful.
Inside, the door post is littered with the old school oil change stickers that used to be customary when corner stations handled routine maintenance. The well designed steering wheel on ’40 Fords is highly coveted by hot rod builders, and this one looks worn but crack free. Once again, the subtle attention to detail in this model year shines through. While original, the door panels exhibit water staining, and a picture of what lies under the blanket seat covers would be nice. Otherwise, the interior is in good, useable condition. The seller even tells us that all of the gauges work.
Under the hood is the famous Ford Flathead V-8. These engines were the foundation of both the early speed parts industry and the racers that benefitted from those parts in a symbiotic chicken or egg relationship. This one has an aftermarket remote coil added, and the 12 volt marking on that coil alludes to a conversion from 6 to 12 volts for the electrical system. The generators on these cars can be easily converted to 12 volts, and this one is surely a recipient of that work. Despite having Ford mounted reproduction radiator hoses, the hose clamps at the cylinder head and the radiator are incorrect. No big deal for a driver. On that note, the seller tells us that the car drives well.
It is obvious that this is a very nice car. It has a good mix of originality and practical modifications, and the design is still soothing to the eyes. Ford really had their act together in 1940. I just wonder if a partially original tudor sedan can bring this kind of money. Even if you paid too much for this car, your regrets would likely disappear when you heard that Flathead sound pour out of those dual exhausts like maple syrup.
As mentioned above this is not likely to be original paint. I don’t care it looks good sooo much better than a rust bucket. This is what you get when you restore, a car that looks like something. JMO.
Looked at some of the other items seller has for sale, everything has the words “Barn Find” in the description, kinda makes ya wonder.
But OMG it that one sweet 40!!!!
I agree…repaint. Seems a project was started and quickly ran out of money. Some things still need to be upgraded to be safe on today’s streets. Engine bay looks good. Seats need attention. Of only I had… But, there I go, again.
Regardless of what it’s been through, simply gorgeous!
I had a 40 std. a couple of years ago almost the twin to this one. It was a little better cosmetically paint and interior, but black and original style interior, it had a dropped axel and white walls with classic hot rod stance. It also had a stock 265′ 55 Chevrolet motor that looked like it was taken out of a new 55. It was all hooked up to the original Ford running gear. I drove it every where even a road trip from Colo. to Calif. I paid 24K for it and always said it was a 25,000 car aall day long. When I sold it I didn’t realize how right I was, I tried to push the envelope and no takers as soon as I dropped it to 25 K, it was gone in one day. I think this cat is a strong $ 20,000 car and would be a goog buy, but I think these cars seek a certain level and that’s were it will be
Looks like a giant VW Beetle.
Before the war, a few American industrialists were fanboys of the turd reich so maybe Henry had slipped them the design? I thought the exact same thing looking at it from that angle.
I will honor the “No Politics” rule, but Mr.Ford’s connection to a certain German leader makes for interesting reading.
Nice ’40 Standard Tudor and priced pretty right.
They’re still around, and highly desirable. I sure wouldn’t kick this one off my driveway. Nice car and pretty decent performance. There are some in the circles we travel around in and they can keep up with most modern traffic. I sure wouldn’t change anything on this one except to continue to give it what it needs to maintain reliability. Having said that, I always have a problem with people changing these over to 12V. They start and run just fine with 6V.
Keep up with traffic is an understatement. “Rum Runners” used these cars for a reason. With crude, if any radios, cops were still struggling with flathead 6 police cars, this would leave them in the dust, and highly modifiable(is that a word?)Some of these “good ‘ol boys” were pushing 350-400 horse out of these mills. Must have been fun, probably where the creators of Dukes of Hazzard got their show from.( sans the alcohol, of course)
Yep! The birth of NASCAR. It was pretty hard to beat a Ford on those dirt roads. There’s a ’36 Ford Roadster at the LeMay museum that was set up to show what they hauled. I don’t know if it was the real thing or a facsimile but it still gives you an idea. And it’s in the NASCAR Gallery….
All that’s needed is that “getaway” music piped in. A note about 6 volts. I agree, a properly operating 6 volt system is fine, worked for 50+ years, however, today, in the matter of simplicity, probably better to go with 12 volts. I bet a new 6 volt sealed beam headlight doesn’t exist today.
Flatheads never made 350,400 hp possibly if it was supercharged and on nitro and you also probably needed ARDUN heads to boot a flathead motor was never a horsepower motor most Hot Rod flathead motors with 3 97’s alum. heads and a good cam where lucky to get 225 hp they were only 3 main blocks get to crazy with them you’d pound the crank right out the bottom just saying!!!
<> 10-4 on 3 “mains” … whip dah crank!
I like lights people can see.
I agree Miguel, I’d also like decent sound in my car. Power seats are nice too. I’m in a lot of pain, have been for years and not sitting on that $h!tty seat that came with the car. I still have it but have it but not putting it back in. The 6 volt system worked fine but won’t suit my needs.
I almost rear ended a 1949 Coupe De Ville with my 1963 Cadillac Hearse. He had the 6 volt system and even at night it was hard to see the brake lights when the engine wasn’t accelerated.
1940 Fords, sedans and coupes, work on so many levels – beautiful front end, great roofline, split back window (beat you, Chevy!!) and chevron taillights for the back end. The dog dish hub caps, beauty rings and red pinstripe on these steel wheels are hard to improve on.
Does anyone know if this car would have had a chrome grill, or did it leave the factory with a painted grill?
I like those taillights a lot too, like having military rank badges on the shoulders, I would call this beautiful car “The Corporal” :D
Beautiful. I wouldn’t kick it out of the garage for dripping a little oil for sure.
Ferdinand Porsche (creator of the Volkswagen) designed this prototype for the Zundapp motorcycle company in 1931, which begs the question – whose design was it?
I learn something new here everyday. Thanks for posting the image.
She’s a standard sedan, never had chrome headlight rings or chrome grill from factory on a standard, also most standards didn’t have a clock, radio, or heater, and if I recall right, only had one taillight, and only 1 outside mirror.
John, I believe all your statements are correct. I have owned a handful of pre war Fords, but not a 40. Years ago when living in El Paso i was the editor of our car club monthly publication. I received a call, followed by a letter and photo from a retired Army officer who was offering his 1940 Ford four door car for sale. Bought in El Paso and stored for the duration, the car was a one owner. He wanted $3000 for it, in 1982 dollars, still a bargain. As a young man with a mortgage and two kiddos, I could only afford one collector car at a time in those days. I stayed with my 29 A model, but often thought of the retired officer and his 40 Ford. Now I have the time and funds to maintain a small stable of cars. Am shipping a 1936 Ford Pheaton today, and perhaps my next acquisition will be a 40 Ford. Beautiful car.
Seems to my old mind that while 1 taillight was on standards two were upon DEluxe models.
Ever driven Smokey mountain back Road gravel, and the paved old highways followed contour of land, hilly meant curves, and once wagon lanes traveled over.
Not so much top end but the extra torque is what let em haul extra weight.
Known a few Shine boys, yes they had them in Washington State, and they preferred the larger autos, such as sedans to make their runs into Portland Oregon, Oly Dr Tac Chehalis Vancouver and Longview Kelso,.
One fella born on St. Helens used to run shine From hill towns, Toutle, Tenino and Toledo in Partnership with a Packard Dealer. Those Ford’s could not catch it.
His Ford Sedan had bullet holes in that long back.
He quit when Feds entered as unlike local and Staters who loved the chase and if they caught a guy, they let him do 3 days or week day or two at a time.
Feds loved to just beginning of chase and shiners were then running for their lives.
Replace with newer radicals or bias plys, and restore interior with original fabric.
Lots of room family of 4 or 5, and as last realy decent still in Cathlamet Wa. shutdown a few years ago. Buy the beer and deli food for picnic at shows.
You did not just place heavy springs in back, and a slightly modified front end, as on gravel you’d bounce and break bottles, hard to slide on gravel (hop), you added slider box for a little give.
I have a very similar 1938 with all original flathead and suspension. On a smooth freeway late at night away from traffic she will do 75 mph.. But don’t turn that wheel or try the brakes at that speed. It’s a great car, and room for 6 friends with ease.