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Professionally built using only vintage speed parts. Halibrand quick-change, Offenhauser heads, dual carburetor intake. Runs and drives superbly, excellent interior, only 2500 miles since built.
This 1941 Ford Super Deluxe club coupe is an original California car that’s laser straight and completely rust-free inside and out, top and bottom, just as you’d expect. The story is that a young man asked his wealthy grandmother for a car, and when she asked him what he wanted, he told her a fast old Ford flathead. Ultimately, she spent more than $80,000 having a professional west-coast shop build this delightful car using original components and vintage equipment. You can tell at a glance that it was professionally built, as the wiring and plumbing is neat (it still uses cloth-covered wires for authenticity), the engine runs perfectly, and the attention to detail throughout is quite impressive. Aside from the 12-volt electrical system and perhaps the under-dash gauges, there’s nothing on this car that wasn’t available in the late 1940s, making it a fantastic period piece that’s still a blast to drive.
Finishing it in basic black is always a great move, and the pre-war Fords always seem to look best in formal attire. As a California car, this coupe needed zero sheetmetal replacement, including the floors and the trunk pans, which are all 100% original steel. It was straightened and smoothed the way only a hot rod shop can do it, then finished with single-stage paint for a period-correct shine. The front grilles are brilliant, the bumpers sparkle, and the stainless Super Deluxe body moldings have been given a high polish.
For fans of the traditional, nothing is more authentic than a black-and-white pleated interior. The original bench has been replaced with a more modern version with adjustable backrests, but it looks quite authentic aside from the adjustment handles on the sides. Matching door panels were fitted, and they retain the original arm rests, window crank, and door lever, as well as freshly chromed garnish moldings around all the windows. The original instruments remain in the dash, with the speedometer fully functional and the auxiliary gauges disconnected due to the 12-volt conversion. However, a trio of period-looking Stewart Warner gauges have been fitted under the center stack and keep an eye on the hot flathead’s vitals. Carpets and floor mats are new, and the trunk is neatly finished with a reproduction rubber mat and a full-sized spare tire in a matching cover. And no, there’s exactly zero rust in there.
The engine is a 221 cubic inch flathead, painted red to contrast with the black bodywork, and then given a whole host of upgrades. The aluminum Offenhauser heads are the most notable addition, but there’s also a dual carburetor intake with twin Ford EAB carburetors and a progressive linkage. The distributor is still on the front of the engine like Henry intended and is now full of MSD components, while reproduction hoses and clamps connected to a fresh original-style radiator give it a period-perfect look in the cooling department. You will note that there’s a 12-volt generator, not an alternator, and as I mentioned, all the wiring is new with original-style cloth-wrapped insulation. Fenton headers lead to a custom dual exhaust system with Thrush Hush mufflers and twin chrome tips under the rear bumper for great flathead sound.
The transmission appears to be the original 3-speed manual with column-mounted shifter, and it has a great feel and light clutch action. Out back, the car’s most noteworthy component is a Halibrand quick-change rear end, which is currently fitted with 3.54 gears but can be changed out to something more aggressive in about 10 minutes. It looks awesome hanging under there and has a very cool high-performance gear whine which many vintage rodders appreciate. Brakes are still original 1941 Ford hydraulic drums, which probably tells you about the builder’s commitment to authenticity. Heck, even the wheels are bright red Ford script steelies with correct hubcaps and trim rings and wrapped in 6.40-15 BFGoodrich Silvertown bias-ply tires. Nice!
Fast, fun, and with a lot of tradition built into it, this 1941 Ford is a wonderful modern interpretation of a vintage rod. It would be impossible to duplicate at twice the asking price. Call today!
For more photos and information, please visit www.VintageMotorCarsUSA.com.
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STOCK/INV. NUMBER:
132187
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