1940 Ford Deluxe Convertible

The clean styling of Ford's 1940 offerings was one factor that drove sales to more than five hundred thousand units, a jump of more than fifty percent over the previous year.  Part of this popularity could no doubt be attributed to Eugene “Bob” Gregorie's influence on the stylists who penned this design while he was chief of Ford's design department, a post that he held from 1935 to 1943.  It was a freshening up of a styling concept first introduced in 1939 by the addition of a new front end design.  Sealed beam headlights were offered for the first time by the automaker on the 1940 model.  Aside from being a major safety improvement, their design contributed considerably to the new look.

For consignment, a '40 Deluxe convertible hot rod if you will, but in tasteful form.  The design was so wildly popular among hot rodders, Ford actually sold the rights to the design in later years so they could be reproduced in fiberglass.  This car is an original all steel convertible body, retaining its beautiful bulbous design with running boards, has a convertible top put on and all sits on an homologation of the original frame with a Camaro front subframe and Corvette rear suspension.  The interior is a sight to behold in all its oxblood glory, and an overall very nice build for sale here at Classic Auto Mall.

Exterior
With the body finished and bathed in very nice black 2 stage paint, and adorned with a thin chrome bumper on the front with twin guards and a bed rail topper, near perfect badging and brite-work, we have a rolling work of art.  Very little was left unturned on this restoration, as the lines are straight, gaps are really nice, and paint, while having a few spider scratches, drips and chips, remains in the deep end of the pool.  The large teardrop shaped and visored sealed beam headlamp bezels flank a horizontal ribbed curved V grille and tall hood center.  A nice chromed spear works its way back on either side along the beltline of the slightly curved sides.  At the curved rear of this car, we see 2 V-shaped Sergeant Stripe-like tail lights almost getting lost in the deep field of black paint.  The rear bumper wraps around to protect the rear fenders and is equipped with more bumper guards, and this hovers below the gently sloping trunk lid.  Bright and blingy 15-inch chrome wire wheels with knock off spinner center now shod in staggered width BF Goodrich Advantage T/A radial on all 4 corners.  A lightly faded black canvas convertible top that moves up and manual shows with a cracked and slightly delaminated rear window and prepares us for a gaze into the interior.

Interior
A swing of the door, and we are in an oxblood bench seat and door panel custom vinyl and leather heaven.  Within the leather and vinyl split back front, we can see not a mark on them.  Smooth bolsters and a touch of a shade lighter inserts with deep buttons provide extra comfort for your posterior on long drives.  Moving to the back reveals a pristine bench/2 plus 2 seating that follows the front seat motif perfectly.  The rear side and door panels also match the seating with nice chrome actuators and cranks for the doors.  On the dash some liberties were taken on the original design, but it retains its beautiful form with shiny red paint and even shinier chrome horizontal ribbing over the factory speaker location.  A tilt steering column with column shifter and a tachometer strapped to the left has a smaller version of the original steering wheel at its end.  This fronts a bevy of antique white face VDO gauges in round form with chrome bezels are residing in a polished stainless panel.  Dash central holds a few knobs and pulls along with the ignition switch and just below is the controller for the aftermarket heater and AC.  Black carpeting in mint condition floods the floors.  The trunk too has been finished to perfection with red carpeting and oxblood buttoned vinyl.

Drivetrain
A flip of the massive hood, and we are met with an equally massive 350ci V8 in chromed and polished and chromed splendor.  An Edelbrock 4-barrel feeds plenty of fossils and air to the mill, and it is backed up by a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission.  A Corvette has donated the rear axle sporting an unknown ratio.  Everything looks just stunning and clean here from the polished AC compressor to the chrome laden air cleaner lid, valve covers, and alternator.

Undercarriage
This entire undercarriage is clean enough to eat off of and shows the same attention to detail at the topside and interior, very clean and totally redone, with only minor surface rust to be seen here.  The original frame has been mixed in with a Camaro front subframe and additional mounting points in the back for the Corvette rear axle.  Independent coil spring front suspension is on along with power steering is noted, while a Corvette fully independent and frame mounted rear axle with transverse leaf springs is bringing up the rear.  Stopping power is courtesy of disc brakes in the front and drum brakes in the rear, all with power assist.  Dual exhaust on which snakes its way to the rear of the car through Flowmaster Super HP2 mufflers before ending in highly polished angle cut tips. 

Drive-Ability
With the days growing longer and the weather a bit warmer it was a top down drive for me at the risk of catching a burn atop my thinning hairline.  A twist of the key and all 8 lit up with a glorious V8 symphony.  Off to the patented and well hidden Classic Auto Mall test track I went, and boy did I go!  Endless acceleration along with modern car handling was noted.  Braking was more than adequate, and all functions were operational at the time of my drive save for the AC not blowing cold and the wipers not wiping.  Lots of thumbs up were had that day by passers by and I enjoyed myself so much I extended my test drive another lap just for good measure.
 
Take the very popular for the time design, spice it up with deep dark black paint and pepper on some chrome on the exterior, stitch a wonderfully complimenting oxblood custom interior and more chrome accents, and we have a real winner.   And do not forget the convertible and the gleaming engine in 350ci 4-barrel form, all dressed up and ready to go out, with a bang!