Stock Or Street Rod? 1939 Ford De Luxe Coupe

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What is it about the late 1930s and early 1940s cars that make them so seductive? We’ve covered dozens of these cars recently but it seems that each is more alluring than the last. Here on eBay is one of the best I have seen lately, a 1939 Ford De Luxe Coupe. This project car is located in Rutherfordton, North Carolina, and not only do you win the car itself if you are the top bidder – you also receive an entire extra 1939 chassis with motor and drivetrain, dozens of parts, and Ford books. The current bid is $2,716, reserve not met. We have the inimitable T.J. to thank for this tip! Both the car and the chassis are titled, though in different states.

The seller indicates that his coupe has the 8BA engine, which was a V8 made from late 1948 through 1953, displacing 239 cu. in. and generating about 100 bhp. The original motor would have been a 221 cu. in. V8 with only about 85 bhp. The car is fitted with a manual transmission. The car runs and drives but does not stop, so don’t get too frisky driving onto the trailer! This was the first year of hydraulic brakes for Ford, making brakes on this car even more special than merely a lifesaver. The car does have 1949 Plymouth bumpers. But other than the bumpers and the motor, the car is said to be stock.

The chassis is from a 1939 Ford De Luxe coupe, all original. The chassis was apparently manufactured in Canada with a tubular front axle and aluminum heads. The seller claims the chassis has only 10 miles on it – but it’s unclear if that’s since a restoration or original mileage. In any event, it’s been stored for twenty years, but as they say, it “ran when parked”.

The buyer also receives loads of extra parts with the car/chassis combo. Many of these look well used, but in other photos, we see several new parts. So the question is, what direction to take this car? It’s ripe for making a street rod, but cobbling together enough original parts to put it back to stock also seems like a distinct possibility. Here’s a car local to me that spent years as a factory original but was eventually made into a street rod. What would you do with this beautiful coupe?

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Comments

  1. bobhess bobhessMember

    I’d go street rod with this one. Keep the original running gear but modify the flathead engine for more power. For suspension, dropped front axle, dearched rear spring, good tubed shocks and upgraded brakes. Wider steel wheels with dog dish hub caps to finish off the look. Don’t do anything to that beautifully designed body but restore it inside and out with good paint and refurbished interior. Then light it up a go.

    Like 18
    • gaspumpchas

      Bobhess you nailed it- A traditional (notice I didnt say old school, I’m still looking for this old school everybody is talking about). That 8ba is a great candidate for rebuild/ hop up with the dist up on top and Insert bearings. Duals with Smittys. You have a lot of options like disc brakes that will actually make it stop. Plenty of options. Good luck and happy motoring.
      Cheers
      GPC

      Like 11
    • Vince H

      I would get a later flathead to hop up and save the original so it could be put back to stock

      Like 2
      • Vince H

        I would get a later flathead to hop up and save the original so it could be put back to stock I did not read it already had a later engine.

        Like 2
  2. mikeh

    Everything he said. Then find a white t-shirt, roll up a pack of Marlboros in the sleeve and go cruisin’ the main drag. It’s American Graffiti all over again.

    Like 10
    • CFJ

      Add Levis & a black leather jacket!

      Like 1
  3. mike

    If a street rod keep the flat head or another Ford mtr.Don’t put a chevy motor in her.

    Like 14
  4. Rw

    How about a hot rod??

    Like 3
  5. RMac

    Dang this is less than 30 miles from me. I wonder if I can sneak off this weekend and sneak it into my shop without the wife noticing she said finish one before you get another but this is tempting for sure

    Like 12
    • JOHN

      I would lose the “without the wife noticing”. Just think about the consequences lol.

      Like 2
      • Johnny

        Take the car—you can always turn it off. Mine gave me the altermatum. I kept my car and she,s still around.

        Like 3
      • Paul

        It’s easier to get forgiveness than permission.

        Like 1
    • MikeH

      Get the car! Not many of these left. Lots more wives around than ‘39 Ford coupes.

      Like 5
  6. Dave

    Looks generally straight. Imagine all those years and it’s not dented.

    Like 4
  7. Steven

    Great car that’s hot rod all the way! Located to far from Colorado otherwise I’d take a serious run at buying it!

    Like 2
  8. DON

    The right door panel and front seat have a interesting custom look to them !
    I’m sure you would still take it down to the frame to fix /paint the body, but since its already somewhat period modified, so I’d go traditional hot rod on it

    Like 2
  9. Jack moore

    Rod it, but sell off all the other parts to help with the cost of rodding it. Put in a chevy, 4l80e and a 9 inch

    Like 0
    • Gary

      Please, can’t you get original, not fall back on the pos Chevy? How about a caddy flathead? a early Hemi? Anything but a fricken Chevy pos.

      Like 3
  10. HCMember

    This car screams custom street rod or restomod build. These Flatty 239 engines were the introduction for custom built street rods and cars after WW11.Just love it and great find

    Like 1
  11. john Douglas muldoon

    For starters, the price is right on target and doable. A restomod might be the best bet and make it a sleeper. That engine has plenty of options to beef up the giddy up! Wondering if it is still available?

    Like 1
  12. MorleyMember

    Do not put a Chev of any description in this car. The best engine would be a 401/425 Buick nailhead. Lots of power, torque for the street, great mileage and run forever. And in my humble opinion the BEST looking engine of all time.

    Like 0
  13. HCMember

    Edelbrock started his empire providing upgrade parts and components for engines like this 239 Flat V8. Rebuilding and upgrading this original Ford engine would be fun. But whoever buys it can do exactly what they want to do. I’m jealous!

    Like 1
  14. Wayne from Oz

    Why is the rear axle so far forward in the wheel opening?

    Like 0
  15. V12 mech

    Had several flathead v-8 hot rods. If you want to do a highway trip other than running around town, you will have to spend real money on building a good motor and cooling system, or just swap in a 302 and Walker radiator and drive anywhere you desire. My last one was a H&H deal just to keep up with traffic, in a ’46 coupe, $7k in the motor alone.

    Like 1
  16. George Birth

    Super nice car as is!

    Like 0
  17. DayDreamBeliever DayDreamBeliever

    Relisted, starting the bidding again:

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/304628487405?

    Like 0
  18. Heck DodsonMember

    So she’s been relisted again on ebay. In some pics it shows the body off the frame and also says spare parts include steering box and steering column. I guess the steering column hasn’t been installed since body was placed back on the frame. These are such iconic year Fords.

    Like 0

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