Vehicle Description
1940 Ford Deluxe Convertible
The clean styling of Ford's 1940 offerings was one factor that
drove sales to more than five hundred thousand units, a jump of
more than fifty percent over the previous year. Part of this
popularity could no doubt be attributed to Eugene "Bob" Gregorie's
influence on the stylists who penned this design while he was chief
of Ford's design department, a post that he held from 1935 to 1943.
It was a freshening up of a styling concept first introduced in
1939 by the addition of a new front end design. Sealed beam
headlights were offered for the first time by the automaker on the
1940 model. Aside from being a major safety improvement, their
design contributed considerably to the new look.
For consignment, a '40 Deluxe convertible hot rod if you will, but
in tasteful form. The design was so wildly popular among hot
rodders, Ford actually sold the rights to the design in later years
so they could be reproduced in fiberglass. This car is an original
all steel convertible body, retaining its beautiful bulbous design
with running boards, has a convertible top put on and all sits on
an homologation of the original frame with a Camaro front subframe
and Corvette rear suspension. The interior is a sight to behold in
all its oxblood glory, and an overall very nice build for sale here
at Classic Auto Mall.
Exterior
With the body finished and bathed in very nice black 2 stage paint,
and adorned with a thin chrome bumper on the front with twin guards
and a bed rail topper, near perfect badging and brite-work, we have
a rolling work of art. Very little was left unturned on this
restoration, as the lines are straight, gaps are really nice, and
paint, while having a few spiderscratches, drips and chips, remains
in the deep end of the pool. The large teardrop shaped and visored
sealed beam headlamp bezels flank a horizontal ribbed curved V
grille and tall hood center. A nice chromed spear works its way
back on either side along the beltline of the slightly curved
sides. At the curved rear of this car, we see 2 V-shaped Sergeant
Stripe-like tail lights almost getting lost in the deep field of
black paint. The rear bumper wraps around to protect the rear
fenders and is equipped with more bumper guards,and this hovers
below the gently sloping trunk lid. Bright and blingy 15-inch
chrome wire wheels with knock off spinner center now shod in
staggered width BF Goodrich Advantage T/A radial on all 4 corners.
A lightly faded black canvas convertible top that moves up and
manual shows with a cracked and slightly delaminated rear window
and prepares us for a gaze into the interior.
Interior
A swing of the door, and we are in an oxblood bench seat and door
panel custom vinyl and leather heaven. Within the leather and vinyl
split back front, we can see not a mark on them. Smooth bolsters
and a touch of a shade lighter inserts with deep buttons provide
extra comfort for your posterior on long drives. Moving to the back
reveals a pristine bench/2 plus 2 seating that follows the front
seat motif perfectly. The rear side and door panels also match the
seating with nicechrome actuators and cranks for the doors. On the
dash some liberties were taken on the original design, but it
retains its beautiful form with shiny red paint and even shinier
chrome horizontal ribbing over the factory speaker location. A tilt
steering column with column shifter and a tachometer strapped to
the left has a smaller version of the original steering wheel at
its end. This fronts a bevy of antique white face VDO gauges in
round form with chrome bezels are residing in a polished stainless
panel. Dash central holds a few knobs and pulls along with the
ignition switch and just below is the controller for the
aftermarket heater and AC. Blackcarpeting in mint condition floods
the floors. The trunk too has been finished to perfection with red
carpeting and oxblood buttoned vinyl.
Drivetrain
A flip of the massive hood, and we are met with an equally massive
350ci V8 in chromed and polished and chromed splendor. An Edelbrock
4-barrel feeds plenty of fossils and air to the mill, and it is
backed up by a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission. A Corvette has
donated the rear axle sporting an unknown ratio. Everything looks
just stunning and clean here from the polished AC compressor to the
chrome laden air cleaner lid, valve covers, and alternator.
Undercarriage
This entire undercarriage is clean enough to eat off of and shows
the same attention to detail at the topside and interior, very
clean and totally redone, with only minor surface rust to be seen
here. The original frame has been mixed in with a Camaro front
subframe and additional mounting points in the back for the
Corvette rear axle. Independent coil spring front suspension is on
along with power steering is noted, while a Corvette fully
independent and frame mounted rear axle with transverse leaf
springs is bringing up the rear. Stopping power is courtesy of disc
brakes in the front and drum brakes in the rear, all with power
assist. Dual exhaust on which snakes its way to the rear of the car
through Flowmaster Super HP2 mufflers before ending in highly
polished angle cut tips.
Drive-Ability
With the days growing longer and the weather a bit warmer it was a
top down drive for me at the risk of catching a burn atop my
thinning hairline. A twist of the key and all 8 lit up with a
glorious V8 symphony. Off to the patented and well hidden Classic
Auto Mall test track I went, and boy did I go! Endless acceleration
along with modern car handling was noted. Braking was more than
adequate, and all functions were operational at the time of my
drive save for the AC not blowing cold and the wipers not wiping.
Lots of thumbs up were had that day by passers by and I enjoyed
myself so much I extended my test drive another lap just for good
measure.
Take the very popular for the time design, spice it up with deep
dark black paint and pepper on some chrome on the exterior, stitch
a wonderfully complimenting oxblood custom interior and more chrome
accents, and we have a real winner. And do not forget the
convertible and the gleaming engine in 350ci 4-barrel form, all
dressed up and ready to go out, with a bang!