Vehicle Description
West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional
example of this body off restored 1940 Ford 2 Door DeLuxe Sedan,
the legendary Eugene Gregorie designed top-of-the-line models with
a handsome facelift for 1940 which marked the Deluxe models.
Styling highlights for the DeLuxe models included chrome trimmed
sealed beam headlamps, a steering column mounted shift lever, the
Deluxe three part horizontal bar grille, 'Ford DeLuxe' hubcaps and
unique 'Chevron' taillights. A decidedly modern new dash for the
1940 DeLuxe model, a rectangular instrument panel and an ashtray
both sides! The Deluxe models were the top-of-the-line for this
year and have always been recognized and appreciated amongst Ford
enthusiasts their unique handsome styling and are now getting very
rare and hard to find anywhere in this kind of condition.Ford Motor
Company introduced its DeLuxe Ford line in 1938 as an upscale
alternative to bridge the gap between its base Standard model and
luxury Lincoln offerings. The 'Deluxe' name was used intermittently
before and after this to specify an upscale trim, but the 'DeLuxe
Ford' line was differentiated as a separate 'marque within a
marque' with separate styling and pricing through 1940. During
1939, Ford had five lines of cars: Ford, De Luxe Ford, Mercury,
Lincoln-Zephyr, and Lincoln. After the war, this was simplified to
Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln. As Mercury sales progressed, the DeLuxe
approach was cancelled. This was one of the sweetest rides you
could by in 1940. Imagine the looks back in the day, to drive a
sporty luxury coupe and these prestigious Ford Coupe Deluxe models
were all of that and more. In 1940, Ford released a new line which
replaced the 1939 model. The fastback 2 door sedan models were
reminiscent of the aerodynamic coupes of the 1930's and came in
either standard or deluxe trim versions.You will be hard pressed to
find anyone to dispute that the 1940 Ford is one of the most
elegant automobiles ever to roll off of either Henry Ford's, or for
that matter any other, US assembly line. More than 80 years later
they are one of the few such models still as attractive today as
they were to buyers when new. Of all the elegant models produced,
this particular 1940 Deluxe 2 Door Sedan was built with a central X
crossmember with inside bench seats dressed in tan color wool
broadcloth and which could seat four/five comfortably. The car
boasts a body colored 'Tuscan Tan' painted two-tone instrument
panel that houses the standard array of gauges in a beautiful
period Art Deco theme with its original 'Motorola' AM radio
positioned in the center of the panel! and a clock matching the
speedometer dresses up the passenger side. This car has it's
original factory added options of both the AM Radio and 'Hot Wave
Twin Flow' Heater.Moving this handsome car is an original 239 cu in
Flathead V8 with only 47K original miles on the odometer and which
is mated to its original standard column shift 3 speed manual
transmission which featured synchronized second and third gears.
This rare Ford will still run down the road at freeway speeds with
no hesitation, she has no wobbles or creaks.This particular example
was restored some years ago by its long time California owner in a
period correct 'Tuscan Tan' color from its original 'Black' which
is very striking along with its matching wheels with Deluxe
hubcaps. The wool broadcloth tan interior is also in absolutely
exceptional condition throughout. This most recent owner has a
thick files of paperwork and photos documenting the car's body off
restoration which will be provided with the car.The car had been
purchased by him from a dealership in Petoskey, MI in 1999 with
it's original interior still all intact and he had it shipped out
to his home in Simi Valley, California where it was lovingly
restored with no expense spared! The body was taken off the frame,
the original Ford 95HP V8 engine was rebuilt with added high
performance 'Fenton' headers, and the car was subjected to a
comprehensive repaint with 6 coats of primer, 3 coats of 'Taffy
Tan' and 3 coats of Clearcoat, the interior was faithfully restored
as required and after 5 years, it was finally finished in 2005.The
floor boards, trunk and all the typical rust-prone areas are now
completely solid and rust-free and the car has no signs of any
accidents. All the chromework was also restored and the original
tire with it's jack is in the trunk along with a number of local
car show trophies and shop manuals. The Flathead 239 c.i 95HP V8
engine is extremely strong and this particular car drives
magnificently - must be driven to be fully appreciated - drives
straight as an arrow with no strange road wobbles, shakes or
rattles - a truly remarkable daily driver that will give any modern
day car a run for it's money! This is a rare opportunity to own a
great daily driving and body off and mechanically restored example
of a very striking 1940 Ford DeLuxe 2 Door Sdean; and although
obviously not a concourse example, this is definitely a car you can
show and be proud of, an undisputedly very rare, highly desirable,
collectible and unabused example of one of the outstanding designs
of the early forties pre-war art deco period automobiles. These
high quality luxury cars were built to be able to complete long
distances both quickly, powered by Ford's larger version of it's
faithful flathead V8, and in the utmost of luxury!This is one very
desirable pre-war classic car for any classic American car
enthusiast or Ford collector to add to his collection, a very
honest and unabused example of a 1940 Ford Deluxe Coupe and a
sure-fire investment that's sure to appreciate over the years for
any classic American car collector or Ford enthusiast!