Vehicle Description
1940 Ford Coupe
Dirt track racing started in the United States before World War I
and became widespread during the 1920s and 1930s using both
automobiles and motorcycles. Two different types of race cars
dominate - open wheel racers in the Northeast and West and stock
cars in the Midwest and South.
Take me back to the Reading, Pennsylvania Fairgrounds cheering in
the stands for my favorite car and driver, wearing my printed T
shirt with a graphic of said favorite car printed on it. Also, a
novelty seldom seen but oft worn in those days was a brimless felt
hat, airbrushed with said favorite driver name or car painting
emblazoned on it. Those "beanies" were a product of the local
Bollman Hat Factory, (WPL on the tag code), in cooperation with
several airbrush artists who carved a niche souvenir which everyone
had to have at the time! But I digress to our consignment the
iconic round body 1940 Ford coupe, open wheel dirt track racer on a
modern Chevrolet S10 chassis that looks, sounds and drives the part
but could easily be put into road service according to our
consignor. Never raced hard, and only used for vintage exhibition
events, this ride can give you the old school stock car dirt track
racing at its best.
Please Note: NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY*
Exterior
Sadly, this particular build did not see any actual dirt track time
back in the day, but it definitely has the look though with a
cutoff 40 Ford shell, and a custom fabricated hood with openings in
the sides to show off the mill and give the engine some fresh air.
A football helmet front guard for the steel frame which protects
the front suspension and steering, which was used heavily to saw at
the wheel while sliding through those slippery turns, trying to
gain any advantage on the driver beside you, outside or inside. It
truly was like a dance, and when the final race came around there
were at least 25 to 30 cars dancing on this dirt all synchronized
and making lots of noise! All of the 1940 Ford styling cues have
been left intact, from the bulbous beaked hood to the pontoon
fenders, although slightly trimmed now, to the sweeping roofline.
Bringing up the rear is more framework encasing the rear of the
car, protecting the body from the antsy drivers behind you. Big
Hoosier staggered dirt track racing tires with deep dish wheels are
on all 4 corners. Maroon is the main color with some white
accenting, the cars number, and Gulf sponsorship badges. Also
noted, all glass save for the windshield has been removed from this
all steel Ford racer.
Interior
Totally modified for racing, stripped down and finished in sheet
metal in white. This is surrounded by a large red steel roll cage,
and the factory steel dash in with just the essential gauges within
the dash front. A 3 spoke drilled racing steering wheel bridges the
gap between the dash and the driver who nestles snugly into an
aluminum racing seat with black cloth coverings. A 5-point safety
harness has been outfitted for the driver and bare black steel
makes up the flooring. A Lokar shifter grows from the center hump
and we note the battery has been relocated to the passengers front
floor.
Drivetrain
A naturally aspirated 350ci V8 rests under the beaked hood and
remains mostly stock. It is fed by a single 4-barrel carburetor
feeding an Edelbrock intake manifold on this mill. The transmission
is a TH350 3-speed automatic that sends power back to a 10-bolt
rear axle to help the tires dig into the dirt and clay. Overall, a
clean engine bay presentation with ribbed aluminum for the valve
covers and air cleaner assembly as well as the addition of an
aluminum radiator to keep things cool.
Undercarriage
Built for the dirt, but on a streetable Chevrolet S10 pickup
chassis. The strong rust free S10 frame provides the mounting point
for the independent coil spring front suspension along with disc
brakes and in the rear are leaf springs and drums to provide
stopping power when there is a pileup...otherwise its full go all
around the track. Exhaust is made up of headers and simple tube
side pipes and we note the presence of a healthy coating of dirt
splatter, showing that this car has been around the track a time or
2. Power steering is on for making those slides into the corners
even easier.
Drive-Ability
Albeit a tight fit, I managed with the help of my partner in crime
and crack decoder to finagle my ample frame over the roll bar and
into the racing bucket. Once acclimated with the controls the V8
roared to life, and I slipped the shifter into drive. While our
often imitated and never duplicated test track doesn't have a dirt
portion, I was able to do my best dirt driver impression as I
pictured myself shooting down the back stretch chasing Tommy
Hinnershitz into turn 3...but I digress. A real hoot to drive even
with the less than spacious entry and exit.
Imagine 30 of these rolling around turn 4 all bunched up and
waiting to release their energy on the dirt when that green flag
waves. It's a sound that shakes you to your core and creates a
cloud of dust that will have you covering your french fries and
slice of pizza. This one has only seen exhibition track time, could
be made street legal if desired, but was built to be an homage to
the dirt track era of the 1950's and early 1960's, before the dirt
cars became ubiquitous wedges and the personality was gone. But
it's alive and well in the spirit of this vintage replica racer,
with all the track fixins.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
