Vehicle Description
Some hot rods were built by guys who simply get it. They're more
than just a bunch of parts from a catalog, they're cars that
respect the vintage iron and the period in which they were built.
This attractive 1940 Ford tudor sedan is such a car. Sure, it packs
a sweet-running 350 under the hood and an upscale paint job, but
it's built to cruise and does that very well indeed.
Preserving the original design's integrity was obviously top on the
builder's list, and all the wonderful details that Ford added to
the car remain beautifully intact. The 100% steel body has been
restored to a good standard, and while it was finished a few years
ago it still looks great. The paint is a handsome medium burgundy
that looks pretty close to the old Ford Maroon that was so popular
in 1940. It still shines under the lights and outside, yet it's
also subtle and restrained without any flashy graphics to get in
the way. Panel fit is very good, and it's awesome to see that they
even kept the running boards in place. The Deluxe models used an
updated version of 1939's pointed grille that has become one of the
most enduring looks in hot rodding, and it's hard to imagine
anything more handsome on the front of this burgundy tudor. The
chrome and stainless trim is in decent condition and there are
roses etched into the rear glass, which is kind of a neat
touch.
The salute to detail continues inside with a neatly crafted
interior that perfectly blends old and new in high fashion. The
upholstery is simply gray fabric, stitched in patterns that
resemble the original upholstery and the split front bench loos
surprisingly modern. Subtlety is the key, but this is an interior
that invites you in and convinces you to stay, and you could
happily spend many thousands of miles behind the wheel. For the
most part, the dash is original, although the original gauge insert
has been modified and now houses a full set of vintage-looking
Stewart Warner dials. They added a tilt steering column and an
aftermarket A/C unit under the dash, and the original speaker
grille has been smoothed to give the dash a nicely integrated look.
The back seat is comfortable for two and makes this a very
family-friendly hauler, and the trunk is trimmed to match and
includes a remote-mounted battery.
Built with reliability in mind, this Ford packs a 350 cubic inch
Chevy V8, which shouldn't be a surprise. It's smooth, powerful, and
easy to maintain, thanks to an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor and
intake manifold, HEI electronic ignition and stock ram's horn
exhaust manifolds. There are chrome dress-up pieces that are in OK
shape, but this one isn't necessarily for show, it's meant to drive
and it does that rather well. The front suspension appears to be
fairly stock, using a transverse leaf spring and an I-beam axle,
while out back there's a Ford 9-inch rear on leaf springs. A TH350
3-speed automatic transmission and a recent Flowmaster exhaust
system are traditional hot rod additions, and with modern shocks
all around, it rides rather well. Familiar Torque Thrust wheels are
always a great choice and carry staggered 195/70/14 front and
225/70/15 rear blackwall radials for a bit of rake in the
stance.
This is one of those rods that's nicely finished and works great by
virtue of being simple. If that's something you appreciate, this is
your Ford. Call today!