1940 Ford Deluxe for sale $69,900

In a showroom lined with six-figure street rods and octane-fueled muscle cars theres something to be said about clean pre-war metal like this handsome Ford DeLuxe thats been preserved to exact its original purpose. Sure the cars been professionally restored and as a polished representation of Motor City Americana continues to prove its place among the coolest antiques in the country. But as it sits this Ford with its reliable Flathead V8 tough 3-speed transmission and completely unaltered body was undoubtedly built to cruise and enjoy. So if youve been shopping for a timeless classic to parade up and down Main Street it looks like youve found your next car!

BODYWORK/TRIM

With its wind-swept design and classic good looks Fords DeLuxe series has always been a rare and highly desirable line of cars. Not surprisingly gearheads customizers and 70 years worth of dedicated fans have elevated it to one of hot roddings greatest cultural icons. And this awesome Ford drop-top which began life as an authentic 1940 DeLuxe has with the help of a thorough frame-off restoration been transformed into one smooth-driving show queen. The cars 2010 reboot began with a complete tear down of its rock-solid fuselage. Once that profiles sinuous panels were massaged to perfection Anderson Auto Body of Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin laid down a slick coat of single-stage Black. And today this sizzling classic looks better than pretty much every car at any show its owner chooses to attend!

There really isnt much you can do to make an early 40s Ford more attractive. The cars streamlined styling was a homerun when originally introduced; and today its a stunning example of some of the strongest elements of the highly regarded Art Deco movement. At the front of this classy drop-top a stainless-trimmed hood which serves as the focal point of the cars ornate façade flows through a seamless V8 branded grille into a prominent pointed chin. At the sides of that grille sculpted fenders center chrome-trimmed dual-mode headlights above a curved chrome bumper which props a Ford branded guard behind small bumperettes. Behind those fenders polished stainless wipers found like-new glass between correct mirrors a Unity spotlight fresh cloth and an inverted antenna. At the base of those wipers streamlined stainless parallels simple door handles small Ford DeLuxe scripts and traditional covered running boards. At the ends of that trim a glass backlite reflects a red Ford V8 emblem a vertically oriented trunk handle and a simple fuel filler. And opposite that glass a second curved bumper positions another Ford branded guard and two more bumperettes beneath chevron tail lamps.

ENGINE

As the companys final Henry Ford-fueled innovation the Ford V8 remains a durable torque-rich powerplant that thanks to solid engineering has established an unmatched reputation in the classic and custom car community. And in keeping with tradition this stellar Ford drop-top is powered by a familiar 221 cubic inch flathead that thanks to relatively tame 6.2 to 1 compression makes a solid 84 horsepower. Naturally the antique engine was thoroughly rebuilt during the cars restoration and probably looks much better today than when it growled off the assembly line. Aesthetically the block which perches a familiar oil bath air cleaner and reliable Stromberg 2-barrel above correct 24-stud heads has been painted a traditionally dark hue. There are many accurate pieces like reproduction Ford hoses a rebuilt generator and a 6-volt battery. Glossy black fenders complete with vintage horns frame those pieces in a sea of old school bliss. A Mallory electronic distributor and 6-volt Speedway Motors pusher fan provide a bit of modern