The 1939 Ford is a classic shape, and it looks good as a coupe, convertible, or woody. The two- and four-door sedans are less happy and generally less valuable in the collector market. But the configurations are gaining traction, and the ’39 Tudor Deluxe for sale here on eBay in Boyertown, Pennsylvania is a very attractive proposition—with more modern T-Bird power. It’s currently bid to just over $10,000, but there’s a lot of time left in the auction.
If you’re looking for patina, this ’39 has it in spades. The black paint is worn down to primer in some places and to surface rust in others. The bumpers are missing, but the body looks quite straight. A few undercarriage photos would have confirmed that all is well in that department.
The interior features very nice red and black renewed upholstery, including door panels. The dash is unfinished, though, sharing the body’s patina. That floor shifter leads to a standard 1939 Ford transmission and drivetrain, but under the hood is something else—a 1955 Thunderbird 292-cubic-inch Y block V-8 with new carburetion. “The engine has great oil pressure and runs extremely cool,” the owner reports. It’s not the crusty ‘Bird engine that was in the car when found, but a fully rebuilt unit that the current owner found for it—just $500! It had been in a stock T-Bird that was “upgraded” to some form of restomod status.
Much has been done. The frame was restored with the body off, and an entirely new floor, front to back, was installed. There’s a new tail pan, all new glass (the original stuff was awful), and window seals, as well as new kingpins. There are new brake lines, wheel cylinders and—a very good idea—a modern dual-circuit brake master cylinder. The brakes are new, too.
Is it perfect? Of course not. For the speedometer and tachometer to work, new cables will be needed. The fuel gauge doesn’t work. The Ford needs a headliner, but the bows are in place. It has “normal leaks, squeaks and noises a nostalgic hot rod would have.” You’re riding on bias-ply tires, with stock steering and suspension, and you will hear the road noise and smell the gas and oil.
The car was restored to its current state by Matt of the Iron Trap Garage, which has a really cool multi-part video series on the revival here. The garage describes the Ford as “a great cruiser car with a cool story and real deal character.” Bidders are invited to “finish the car how you’d like it, or leave it as is and just drive and enjoy it.” The title is clear.
The Tudor may look fresh from the barn, but it’s had a lot of expert work done to it and is ready for some spirited driving. The cosmetic stuff can come later. Thanks to Larry D for this find.
Great car! Just needs paint and a transmission upgrade. ’39 boxes won’t take much power for too long unless you keep your foot gently on the gas pedal. Use to buy them out of junk yards for $30 apiece and pile them in the garage for when we used up the one in the car. That was when they were behind our warmed over’48 Merc. I like this one.
So I guess it’s a good thing that whomever installed the “T-Bird Engine” used an anemic 292 Y-Block.
The valve and port design was horrible and the engine was a total pig.
Ask me how I know.
This is too cool, but I wouldn’t use the patina word as the paint just looks thrashed. I’d blast it semigloss black and put some nice flames on it. BTW the 2dr sedan is my favourite design for prewar fat fender cars.
Looks like an Iron Trap to me 🤗
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bT9itBT2uw&list=PLSVjn4kU05GV9Yv86-RNOrT3ZlxznsW88
One thing to note with this car is it seems to have met with the same misfortune my 50 had. The wingvent frames are missing as the builder was probably going with one piece glass which to me does not look right on these cars and without the vent is too windy inside. I don’t think this car has door glass in it. I had to buy extra doors for my car to replace all the parts that were taken out thanks to the previous owner. That was fun lol.
1940 was the 1st year for the vent wing in Fords.
Was going to say the same thing 39’s didn’t have vent windows 40 and newer
No vent windows in 39. First turn of the crank moved the window back 3/4 of an inch or so to flick your cigarette out, and then the window went down
First up for me would be to scrounge
a set of bumpers to protect all that
beauteous genuine Henry style steel.
The way folks drive in Winter Haven,
I be scared out of my wits at the very
thought of losing one of those front
or rear fenders. And where the P-word is, there’s rust afoot. So a good
quality paint job would be in order
ASAP. And as for the rest, just fix it
when you can and enjoy the ride!
A couple of years ago I had a 40 Ford 2-door and it was a Std which looks like a 39 Deluxe. It had a 265″ Chevy with stock 40 trans ,rear end and brakes, and a dropped axle. It was a great driver, with nice black paint, stock 40 interior and wide whites large and small 16″ tires, stock caps and trim rings. I only had it a year but I drove it all the time, including a trip from Denver CO. to Pomona CA. and back. Over the years I have had lots of early Fords with OHV V-8’s and several have had early Ford running gear and it was not the problem bobhesss says it was. What he should have said was don’t step on the gas until the clutch is fully engaged, then you can push the throttle through the firewall if you want. Also he might think back we had worn out transmission, worn axle keys and bad U joints.
Also RKS the 40 Ford was the first passenger car with vent wings in door glass.
As for the B/F car there are lots of videos on the build and I think depending on the bids it would be a great old style Hot Rod for someone to experience what those cars are in the 50’s and 60’s were all about
Agree Joe. As long as you don’t go out and stop light drag this car the transmission will last forever. We were drag racing our ’32 along with an Olds powered ’40 coupe. Our street only ’33 pickup street cruiser probably still has it’s ’39 box in it today.
Ahoi
Yes, do some work to the paint.
But please use some special clear varnish…
Its gong to be a big job taking it all apart , but a good paint job , buff and rechrome, some radial tires and some better wheels is what I’d do if I was in the market for one
Perfect car to park in front of your small batch bourbon distillery, install big rear springs and fill it cases of your best blues chaser. I love it!
I have never been a fan of “patina” this looks more like a junkyard dog and a scruffy one at that.
great driveline for cruising…brake ,suspension and fuel system check and repair if neccessary, possibly tires,and drive lt,…..that’s what it’s built for….no sense trying to re-invent the wheel….
I watched Matt build this car on youtube on his Iron Trap Garage channel. If you’re interested, you can see exactly was what done. Great channel by the way.
Bought by David Freiburger!
So it’s going to a good home.