Vehicle Description
1941 Ford Pickup
VIN: 9T-238
Concours-level restored Ford Pickup "Resto-hot rod"
100% cosmetic and mechanical restoration
All original Henry Ford steel body (cab, fenders, hood & bed)
Custom trimmed black leather interior
Chevrolet 350 cubic inch V8
Turbo Hydramatic 350 automatic transmission
Ford Cloudmist Grey paintwork
1940 was the awaited year that the famous Ford half-ton pickup
received a host of improvements. Improved engineering and refined
aesthetics proved to make the pickup a popular choice among
truck-buyers in the 1940s. With the 1940 models receiving a crisp
and clean front end, nicknamed the "prow front", from Ford's
exisiting passenger cars, this carried over to the 1941 model line.
With these light-duty trucks standing the test of time with their
era-defining design, there is no wonder why these utility vehicles
become the choice for many hot rodders.
This 1941 Ford pickup began its journey to restoration perfection
by being a perfect preservation-class contender from Northern
California. With it's all-original Henry Ford steel body, it was an
ideal candidate for a restoration. Spanning over 6 years to
completion, this passion project yielded one of the finest and
well-appointed '41 Ford Pickups to ever be restored.
The entire body was lifted off the chassis to perform a full
restoration. The original paint was stripped down to metal,
beginning the long process of preparing the car for its new
paintwork. Countless hours were spent on ensuring that panel gaps
were perfect and that its panels were laser straight. Once the
iconic Ford Cloud mist Grey paintwork was applied, the process of
wet-sanding and polishing to a perfectly smooth sheen began. So
much attention was paid to the faultless paintwork that you'd
expect this car to win any show it might arrive at from looks
alone. Upon the mating of the body with the well-prepared chassis,
all trim was either re-chromed or replaced with new items,
including polished stainless-steel front and rear bumpers, with new
rubber and seals throughout. 1940 model year hood trim was fitted
for its understated look, and the finishing touch of hand painting
the rear Ford emblem in Ford blue completed the transformation.
As with any hot rod project you might expect a newer engine with
modern performance, with the engine being from a different
manufacturer, and this pickup hot rod is no different. With the
owner winning a brand-new Chevrolet 350 cubic inch V8 engine in a
contest, he decided that the engine would replace the factory V8
flathead, giving the engine bay a modern look and modern
performance. A Turbo Hydramatic 350 3-speed automatic sends power
to the 9" Ford rear axle complete with road-ready gears. A fully
rebuilt suspension compliments the extra power, combining
traditional leaf springs behind a Mustang II front clip, with power
front discs and rear drum brakes for powerful, drama-free
stops.
With the cosmetics and mechanicals dialed in, there was only one
place left to address: the interior. Enthused with the idea of a
custom black leather interior while maintaining a stock appearance,
the owner decided that it was the route to go. The original style
bench seat was trimmed in the finest black leather hides,
surrounded by matching door panels. Traditional lap seat belts were
added for safety. The sound deadened floor was covered in
custom-made Wilton-wool carpeting, adding both desirability and
durability. Cloudmist Grey was applied to the dashboard, with the
original gauge cluster beautifully restored with a subtle addition
of indicator lights. The restored steering wheel is attached to a
custom steering column with integrated shift level, and minimal
aluminum dash knobs control lights, wipers and heat.
Completing restoration in Spring of 2017, the Ford saw very few
miles after final assembly and its first drive. Upon arriving at
Canepa with only 148 miles, the car presents as it was just
finished. It's flawless exterior, solid mechanicals and expertly
crafted interior all give this show-worthy Ford pickup the ability
to turn heads around town or while it drives cross country.