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.