More 1940 Ford Deluxe Questions...
 

Hey everyone, restoration is progressing slowly on my '40 Fordor Deluxe. But getting there bit by bit, much more difficult than my 1944 Ford GPW Jeep, that's for sure! I have some questions on a few things.

B Pillar Rubber? On the either inside sides of both B Pillars, there's a playable material in a track. The windlace was stabled/nailed into this. It somewhat appears like rubber, but also wood at other times. It's also along the rear door frame on the body. (See photos below) Does anyone know of any repro places selling this or perhaps alternative materials I could get at Home Depot/Lowes?

https://1944gpw.warbirdphotos.us/wp-...BPillar-01.jpg

https://1944gpw.warbirdphotos.us/wp-...BPillar-02.jpg


Package Tray: My package tray 'cardboard' is the typical super fragile breaking apart. Thankfully, I was able to piece most of it back together to get a template. What are you all using for package tray replacements? A thick cardboard? Same goes with some of the cardboard fabric barriers that are along the back between the quarter window and the rear window.

https://1944gpw.warbirdphotos.us/wp-...ackageTray.jpg


Front Window Dividers: The polished rustless steel division bars on the front windows between the front window and the vent window... I believe they are 01A-7022296 and 01A-7022297 in Mike's book. When I hunt for those two numbers online, 296 comes up as rubber vent window edge seals. 297 does not exist. Are these made reproduction at all? I might be able to polish mine up enough to be usable, but they have a LOT of scratches. If they are not reproduced, then I might be stuck trying to clean them up. Mike's book does not mention them to be chrome (page 1-33), so I assume they were just stainless steel? And were there any rubber vent window edge seals?

https://1944gpw.warbirdphotos.us/wp-...dowDivider.jpg


Upholstery: I'm still running into a lot of walls with the upholstery. I'm really sad that I just missed out on the two largest upholstery companies for vintage Fords closing up shop. I've got the headliner figured out (and sourced an exact replica matched to my original 1940 fabric swatches page), and I've already got new windlace that's a 90% match. My rear seats are in decent shape, but the armrests are a different fabric (looks modern replacement that has the same texture, but the color is way off). The front seat has a large rip in the driver's area. I could just patch that closed, but I might have to eventually replace it as it's getting old. The big one is the door panel upholstery and the B pillar upholstery. I only have two matching door upholstery panels (the fabric), and the B pillars and 1 door match, which I think are modern replacements. Then there's the final door that doesn't match anything. So to get all the doors to look similar (and since 2 of the four are missing the 'carpet' at the bottom of the door.. I'm open to any suggestions. Any thoughts on where I might be able to either source fabric or buy any sort of kit for:
- Door Panel Fabric/Bottom Carpet
- Rear Seat & Rear armrests/Front Seat
- B Pillars

https://1944gpw.warbirdphotos.us/wp-...Upholstery.jpg

Re: More 1940 Ford Deluxe Questions...
 

Look for the title Tack strip woes, in the list of post questions.
The window divider is stainless and can be polished.

Re: More 1940 Ford Deluxe Questions...
 

Thanks! Didn't realize it was called tack strip. Was looking for the wrong thing at the repro sites. That'll solve that question!

As far as the divider, have any recommendations on polish to buff out the scratches?

Re: More 1940 Ford Deluxe Questions...
 

I bought my 1940 coupe vent window rubber seals from DRAKE many years ago. I think he still sells them. When I installed my LeBaron-Bonney upholstery kit in 1977 I did not install any cardboard between the rear quarter window and rear window. There was a flexible metal support rod that held part of the headliner in place to form the curved "sail panel". I made my own package tray out of finished plywood. I think it was 1/2 thick.

Re: More 1940 Ford Deluxe Questions...
 

So the cardboard I'm mentioning is here in the photo below. If it's not necessary to reinstall, I don't mind leaving it out. It was screwed into the body in two spots. Is this original for the 1940 Ford?

https://1944gpw.warbirdphotos.us/wp-...rCardboard.jpg

And as far as the package tray goes, mine wasn't even screwed into the back tack strip, it was just sitting there. It appears that it should be screwed down like yours? And it curved upwards slightly towards the rear windshield. Should it be completely flat? (you can see the upward curve in the above photo)

Re: More 1940 Ford Deluxe Questions...
 

Here is a very helpful thread on the 1940 package tray installation. The one piece tray should fit flat.
Be sure to read both pages.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...d+package+tray
If you do a Fordbarn SEARCH on 1940 Ford Package Tray more info appears that you will like.