The Ford Barn

TRCobra506 · 02-10-2019, 09:06 AM

Finally working to get this on the road this summer. Little history on the car.
Man who bought it new in 40’ went blind immediately after buying it. He went to church where my great great uncle was the preacher. He gave him the car in 1941 with the understanding he would drive him when necessary. My grandpa bought the car from his uncle after returning from Korea and drove it almost daily until 67’. It sat from then until 1994. My grandpa started work to get it road worthy but he passed away shortly after. Car was left to my dad.

Intentions are keep it nearly stock, maybe some 50’s era mods and lower it a bit. Initially I’m just getting it driveable then going from there. 85hp flathead V8 standard business coupe with fold down opera seats (in the trunk). I’m going to need some help and information to get it back on the road. There’s a lot I need to learn. First please school me on tire options for this car. Wheels are originals. Wouldn’t be against going wider in the rear

Me and the car 1994

As it sits

Engine...we have 3, my dad tells me this is not the correct engine for the car. Think grandpa scrapped the original when he swapped in a newer mercury. Something he regretted later

19Fordy · 02-10-2019, 09:35 AM

Wonderful story and great that you ended up with the 40. The photo of you and the car is priceless. Having both tail lights in a Standard is a good start. When you say "options" do you mean options available when car was made?

TRCobra506 · 02-10-2019, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Wonderful story and great that you ended up with the 40. The photo of you and the car is priceless. Having both tail lights in a Standard is a good start. When you say "options" do you mean options available when car was made?

Well I would go radial, my roads are kind of bad. I’d definitely want a white wall of some sort, the cars original color is Lyon blue.

Two tail lights an option?

denverslim · 02-10-2019, 10:09 AM

Man, what a great story! You are very lucky to have this car--a car that a lot of us would cherish.

I would just go slow, realize this is a long term project, it's going to be a few years before you drive it, and enjoy the work along the way, thinking about and sharing with your heritage.

Personally, I would go the restoration way, keeping the car as stock as you can, rebuilding the mechanics (the brakes, of course). I would try to keep as much of the interior as can be repaired, instead of replaced, just to arrest any rust and keep the old paint after a thorough cleaning.

First thing you need is the service manual for this car.

You have a jewel, feel lucky, very lucky and enjoy...slim

TRCobra506 · 02-10-2019, 10:11 AM

Forgot to mention I have the original owners card for the car too

TJ · 02-10-2019, 10:46 AM

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Regarding your question of two tail lights, they were required by some states. In today's world I would make sure it had two tail lights. First give that old Ford a good wash job. Preserve as much as you can on this car to save the originality. Real nice original cars draw a lot of attention and they are only original once. In your photos I do see a couple of extra holes in the top of the dash on the driver's side. Those are not stock. Anyway clean it up real good so you can assess the next step in the journey to bring this old Ford back to life. You have an extremely desirable car.

tubman · 02-10-2019, 10:52 AM

Pictures like this make me weak in the knees. Just be careful and go slowly; you have the time. And please feel free to come on here and ask about anything you want. I personally won't be able to help much, but there are some guys on here that really know their business.

Brendan · 02-10-2019, 11:04 AM

i would just get it running and make it safe

Charlie ny · 02-10-2019, 11:09 AM

Tr,
Out of sight !!! What a great privilege to have a car like this in your past present and future. The battery appears to be 12 volt and the motor a post WW II
issue. I dig upgrades too but only to the extent that the upgrades can be retroed
to original if or when your tastes change.........only my opinion. Congrats.
Charlie ny

TRCobra506 · 02-10-2019, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ

Regarding your question of two tail lights, they were required by some states. In today's world I would make sure it had two tail lights. First give that old Ford a good wash job. Preserve as much as you can on this car to save the originality. Real nice original cars draw a lot of attention and they are only original once. In your photos I do see a couple of extra holes in the top of the dash on the driver's side. Those are not stock. Anyway clean it up real good so you can assess the next step in the journey to bring this old Ford back to life. You have an extremely desirable car.

Definitely plan on keeping what’s useable. All things considered the seats are not in bad shape. Door panels were replaced by something my grandma made years ago from a similar mohair fabric but it’s greenish. The holes in the dash are from a little 40s era fan....it’s in the trunk. Unfortunately the paint is not original. It was done in the early 60s I believe. It was Lyon blue..it’s black now. I think the place was called Earl Scheib in Pittsburgh? Paint while you wait place. Cars super solid. The bottom of the quarters need repaired and the one rear fender has mud in it. Dad hit the fender in the 70s with his maverick. Front middle grille is cracked. Dad thinks grandpa hit a tree that fell in his driveway

Picture of my grandpa on the right

JSeery · 02-10-2019, 11:13 AM

Very solid car to start with for sure!

TRCobra506 · 02-10-2019, 11:22 AM

This is original to the car, grandpa had it rechromed. Something I need help on figuring out the linkage and where to buy the Clevis pins/mounting hardware

19Fordy · 02-10-2019, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRCobra506

Well I would go radial, my roads are kind of bad. I’d definitely want a white wall of some sort, the cars original color is Lyon blue.

Two tail lights an option?

Yes. DeLuxes came with 2 tail lights. Standards came with one. Read about it here.
https://forums.aaca.org/topic/178073...o-tail-lights/

Pages 276-289 in this book lists the options available for the 1940 Ford.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/PARTS-MANUA...frcectupt=true
Also, get these books.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1939-1940-F...frcectupt=true
and
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1928-1932-1...Jkoj:rk:7:pf:0
It also appears that you 40 is an early production model as the ashtrays pull out. Later ashtrays push in and up.
Does your car have a front sway bar?
One last suggestion. Take millions of photos of each part of your car including the paper work to preserve provenance and history. Before you take something apart, take photos.
Document everything you do. First thing you should do is write up a complete,detailed history of the car as best you can. Then update it as you go.

JSeery · 02-10-2019, 11:40 AM

The Green Book and the hardware book would be helpful. I like the CD version with 13 books included.

tubman · 02-10-2019, 11:53 AM

Be VERY careful with the grille, They are almost impossible to find parts for.

TJ · 02-10-2019, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRCobra506

This is original to the car, grandpa had it rechromed. Something I need help on figuring out the linkage and where to buy the Clevis pins/mounting hardware

Many of the V-8 parts vendors have the mounting hardware for the nose piece. I might suggest you join the Early Ford V-8 Club of America. The V-8 Times magazine is worth the price of the membership. The Times has some great articles and you have access to the numerous vendors who carry early Ford V-8 parts. You can join on the V-8 Club website at; www.earlyfordv8.org or by calling 1-866-427-7583.

TRCobra506 · 02-10-2019, 01:00 PM

These parts are what I need. I might be able to find some of the linkage. After my grandpa passed it’s a guess to where the parts are. I found a roof antenna assembly not belonging to the car....the trunk holds some mystery’s yet.

deuce_roadster · 02-10-2019, 01:19 PM

19Fordy has some good advice but has it backwards on the ashtrays. What you have are the most common later ones, the early ones push up.

Also, as mentioned in another post some states required 2 tail lights (such as mine) and in the factory 1940 body parts book lists a separate LH fender with (Washington) clearly stated. I don't know about Pennsylvania.

The V8 (aka standard) models only came in 3 colors, Black, Lyon Blue and Cloud Mist Gray (actually a green color)

You are way ahead of the game with such a good starting point. I also have a V8 Business coupe (Cloud Mist Gray).

Member here on FB "KUBE" is an authority on 40s and is writing the new restoration book for the Early Ford V8 Club dealing with 40 Fords. He also does 1000 point restorations.

Mike in AZ · 02-10-2019, 01:26 PM

Welcome to the ‘Barn. Great car, great story and a great project for you. Get it running and safe for driving and have fun. Mike

ford38v8 · 02-10-2019, 02:05 PM

TR, that's a great original Ford, and you are very lucky also to have a family history with it. If it were mine, I would restore mechanically, and preserve everything else.

I know you are set on whitewalls, but consider please, the V8 model (Standard), was an economical choice, almost never having whitewalls installed back in the day, and even the Deluxe models seldom sported whitewalls.

Earl Scheib did have a one day paint job available, I believe the cost was $29.95 back in the early 60's. For this price, you got very little prep work: A wash to remove wax, a very light sanding just to remove gloss, masking on the brightwork, and a quick spray of paint. What I'm saying here is that you may be able to salvage the original paint by carefully removing the Earl Schieb paint! It surely will have spots worn through, but originality counts big time here!

A car that has been carefully preserved today garners as much or more interest as a fully restored car. Spend many thousands on a restoration, only to see the preserved car next to you in a car show steal all the attention! The EFV8CA Rouge award (for original cars) is a prestigious thing to have!

Bob NH · 02-10-2019, 02:49 PM

I must have missed something on colors. My dad took delivery to our home when I was 5 years old on a brand new 40 standard, 60 HP MANDARIN Maroon coupe with jump seats in the rear where I ended up till I was old enough to drive it myself. It also had a three dr heater installed which I remember well. Some have said that was not possible but but I could count at that time !

Bob NH · 02-10-2019, 02:53 PM

I still have the bill of sale from when my mother got an allowance of $150.00 for it towards a 49 two dr. 6 cylinder used. Huge amount ?

TRCobra506 · 02-10-2019, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ford38v8

TR, that's a great original Ford, and you are very lucky also to have a family history with it. If it were mine, I would restore mechanically, and preserve everything else.

I know you are set on whitewalls, but consider please, the V8 model (Standard), was an economical choice, almost never having whitewalls installed back in the day, and even the Deluxe models seldom sported whitewalls.

Earl Scheib did have a one day paint job available, I believe the cost was $29.95 back in the early 60's. For this price, you got very little prep work: A wash to remove wax, a very light sanding just to remove gloss, masking on the brightwork, and a quick spray of paint. What I'm saying here is that you may be able to salvage the original paint by carefully removing the Earl Schieb paint! It surely will have spots worn through, but originality counts big time here!

A car that has been carefully preserved today garners as much or more interest as a fully restored car. Spend many thousands on a restoration, only to see the preserved car next to you in a car show steal all the attention! The EFV8CA Rouge award (for original cars) is a prestigious thing to have!

I’d be curious because it looks like it has red oxide primer under it. My dad rode along for the paint job which was a long trip from where I live to Pittsburgh at the time. Lower quarters were repaired once in the past so original paint is definitely lost there. It’s going to get run as it is for a bit.

Should still run, the motor was rebuilt in the early 90s and is still free. It will definitely get all new braking components. They had issues even when we brought it home. We did one ride around the field and it was parked. Hasn’t turned a wheel since

deuce_roadster · 02-10-2019, 04:49 PM

The distributor, generator and air cleaner appear to be later then 40. Is the engine the original 221 or was it replaced with a more powerful 239?

TRCobra506 · 02-10-2019, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deuce_roadster

The distributor, generator and air cleaner appear to be later then 40. Is the engine the original 221 or was it replaced with a more powerful 239?

It’s definitely been updated, I need to check the other engines I have and see if any are era correct

deuce_roadster · 02-10-2019, 05:09 PM

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Bob NH,
Perhaps paid extra to get the Mandarin Maroon paint.
Too bad it got traded in on a 6 cyl but it would have WAY more power than the 60!

fortyfords · 02-10-2019, 07:14 PM

Congratulations, I would love to have a 40 coupe also.

TRCobra506 · 02-10-2019, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubman

Be VERY careful with the grille, They are almost impossible to find parts for.

Apparently I am a very lucky guy, I just found one for 50 dollars. I can tell you I am a very happy guy!

mhsprecher · 02-10-2019, 07:44 PM

Great car. A buddy of mine in high school had a 40 deluxe, all original. I rode around a lot in one of the jump seats in the back.

DavidG · 02-10-2019, 08:08 PM

Alan,

Really, you're not old enough to make that claim about the installation rate for WSW tires on '40 Fords. They were an inexpensive extra-cost factory-installed option and there are period photos galore of cars with WSW tires. And not all buyers of standard models did do so solely to save money as some likely preferred the front end styling over that of the deluxe version. Yours is a personal preference and you ought to state it as such and not suggest that somehow only BSW will be "right" for the car.

Ol' Ron · 02-10-2019, 08:38 PM

Yes, I had one like that all new black paint 37 DeSota bumpers . ETC. Your biggest problem is just what application will the car be used? You may have to make some improvements if it a daily driver. Putting it back to completely stock could make it dangerous to drive in today's traffic. However the running gear could be used.

Tinker · 02-10-2019, 08:41 PM

Wash it, get it running and stopping. Drive it for a year at least before doing major "upgrades" in my opinion. Super nice!

TRCobra506 · 02-10-2019, 08:52 PM

Cars definitely going to be used in good weather. I work directly beside the site where my grandpa retired from, where the ford made the majority of its trips. So in the summer I plan on using it to go to work, there will be some great nostalgia in that. The cars staying no radio, I just want to enjoy the crudeness. Now dual line master cylinder? I might stray from the path and make it a little safer in that case.

tubman · 02-10-2019, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob NH

I still have the bill of sale from when my mother got an allowance of $150.00 for it towards a 49 two dr. 6 cylinder used. Huge amount ?

I have the original Bill of Sale for my 1951 Club Coupe. The purchaser also traded in a 1940 Coupe (didn't specify "Standard" or Deluxe) and also got $150 trade in on an $1851 purchase price. Maybe Ford had a fixed schedule for trade-ins back then.

Newc · 02-11-2019, 12:14 AM

Fantastic story! Just get the car away from those RODENTS. I just had a farm tractor damaged by a PACKRAT, that the local cat must have missed. Newc

ford38v8 · 02-11-2019, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidG

Alan,

Really, you're not old enough to make that claim about the installation rate for WSW tires on '40 Fords. They were an inexpensive extra-cost factory-installed option and there are period photos galore of cars with WSW tires. And not all buyers of standard models did do so solely to save money as some likely preferred the front end styling over that of the deluxe version. Yours is a personal preference and you ought to state it as such and not suggest that somehow only BSW will be "right" for the car.

David, You're right about my preference for blackwalls, even though my '38 has had 4 sets of whitewalls in my ownership. What I stated, though, was my opinion, and everybody has one! I'd love to see documentation one way or the other!

Sal · 02-11-2019, 07:00 AM

Great story of a beautiful car. Clean it, check the fluids, get it running. Get books and manuals about it. Take your time deciding on what changes if any you're going to make to it. Plan every thing out carefully, most of all, Good Luck with it!

mfirth · 02-11-2019, 07:16 AM

X 2 on what TJ said on The Early Ford V8 club, good resource & folks just like here.
What a blessing to have a family heirloom like that. mike

corvette8n · 02-11-2019, 07:55 AM

Welcome to the barn, you have a nice car with a great history. Here is a link to help ID your engines.
http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...ifications.htm

DavidG · 02-11-2019, 08:12 AM

Alan,

I'm away from my old car stuff for the winter so I can't post the tire price list that I have a copy of showing the various tires sizes (there were lots of different ones for big trucks) and WSW for the passenger car and commercial vehicle-size tires. It's only for the '32 models, but Ford's archives have photos for all of the pre-Pearl Harbor model years with WSW. Take your favorite, for example. All of the photos in the DeAngelis/Francis book, The Early Ford V8, As Henry Built It, are from Ford's archives. In the '37-'38 section of the book (sadly, the last section), there are 18 different vehicles shown with WSW, five of which are commercial vehicles. Of the 18, 11 are '38s.

rotorwrench · 02-11-2019, 09:37 AM

It may be an original prewar 85 HP but it does have the post war rabbit ear type distributor set up and coil. The 59A engines from post war made it into a lot of earlier cars. They are 239CID & 100HP so It wouldn't hurt a thing if that is the case. Parts are available for all of the ignition set ups now days. Fuel delivery and ignition will likely be your first start towards getting it running. Cleaning the fuel system is a chore but that car is worth the effort.

Teacher John · 02-11-2019, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ford38v8

TR, that's a great original Ford, and you are very lucky also to have a family history with it. If it were mine, I would restore mechanically, and preserve everything else.

I know you are set on whitewalls, but consider please, the V8 model (Standard), was an economical choice, almost never having whitewalls installed back in the day, and even the Deluxe models seldom sported whitewalls.

Earl Scheib did have a one day paint job available, I believe the cost was $29.95 back in the early 60's. For this price, you got very little prep work: A wash to remove wax, a very light sanding just to remove gloss, masking on the brightwork, and a quick spray of paint. What I'm saying here is that you may be able to salvage the original paint by carefully removing the Earl Schieb paint! It surely will have spots worn through, but originality counts big time here!

A car that has been carefully preserved today garners as much or more interest as a fully restored car. Spend many thousands on a restoration, only to see the preserved car next to you in a car show steal all the attention! The EFV8CA Rouge award (for original cars) is a prestigious thing to have!

How does go about removing paint applied over the original paint? Years ago, someone brush painted red over the original green on my '34 Ford truck.

TRCobra506 · 02-11-2019, 12:24 PM

It’s hard to tell without some digging into it, he had parted out several flathead cars back then and kept the drivelines. It could potentially be a mix match of parts

TRCobra506 · 02-11-2019, 06:01 PM

Ok inventoried my stuff, looks like I have two last generation flat heads, and another post WWII engine. I pretty sure the 50s engine is the last running engine that was in the car. I have a rear end assembly and front end. Few extra fenders and some misc air cleaners. Running boards are there, ones bent a little.

TRCobra506 · 02-11-2019, 06:58 PM

Cars soon to bring going where the others are at my dads

It needs a new home!

rotorwrench · 02-11-2019, 07:29 PM

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One of those 8BA family motors has Mercury water pumps. If it came from salvage it might be a 255 CID 8CM Mercury motor from 1949 thru 1951.

The 4-inch stroke crankshafts can be used easily in any of the motors that use a long snout crankshaft from the 1939 on up. It gives a bit more git up & go.

slowforty · 02-11-2019, 07:38 PM

A great Find. Please let us know where you are located. This would make finding assistance easier.Good Luck

Zeke3 · 02-11-2019, 07:45 PM

Grandpa liked that one motor well enough to put the coffee can over the intake manifold. That is an awesome car to start with, good luck with getting it back in operation.

TRCobra506 · 02-11-2019, 07:57 PM

Northeast of Pittsburgh, maybe meet some of you at Carlisle ford nationals this year

tubman · 02-11-2019, 08:20 PM

I see '41 hubcaps,

Tinker · 02-11-2019, 08:53 PM

Nice little collection of parts. If you get the current engine going, you have choice of engines to build and swap out later down the road.

The transmissions look like side shifts. Guts of the sideshifts can be swapped out with earlier toploaders. One maybe a early lasalle??

hotrodA · 02-12-2019, 08:04 PM

WOW!
What a car!
Please preserve that amazing time capsule.

1931 flamingo · 02-13-2019, 03:47 PM

In the picture of the engine IN the car, what is in front of the oil filter cannistor??
Paul in CT

ford38v8 · 02-13-2019, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

In the picture of the engine IN the car, what is in front of the oil filter cannistor??
Paul in CT

That's not a 1940 engine it is apparently a 59A with the rabbit ear distributor. What you see in front of the oil filter is the coil, with the resistor on top. I have no idea what the cylindrical object is in front of the coil.

zzlegend · 02-15-2019, 07:37 PM

Tinker in post 32 stated it exactly. Get it running and make it road worthy and drive it for a while and then you have a better feel as to what you would like to do to it. Myself, i like them as is, just like this. You did good by the way. Good luck with it.

B-O-B · 02-15-2019, 08:43 PM

Alan : I believe that is one of those spark boosters sold by J C Whitney & Mallory back in the day.

ford38v8 · 02-15-2019, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-O-B

Alan : I believe that is one of those spark boosters sold by J C Whitney & Mallory back in the day.

A Spark Booster, of course! Those little gems are highly prized by those whose wallets have become too thick!

tubman · 02-16-2019, 07:48 AM

Are you guys sure that's a "spark booster"? I always thought they were inserted into the secondary side of the ignition. That looks like it's connected to a primary terminal. It looks more like a large "Mallory-type" condenser to me. Mallory also used a brass strap rather than a wire to connect to the condenser.

Mart · 02-16-2019, 08:55 AM

That car is in the kind of condition that is nice to find them in. Complete, not left outside to rot and with a bunch of spares in addition.

Personally I would agree with the people that have said just get it back up and running as close to as it was when in regular use.

Re the hood trim/release handle. I think when you refit the trim/handle, the linkage that is inside will hook straight to it.

It's quite a clever linkage, and sort of snaps over centre when the handle is closed.

That is if it is like my 41 pickup linkage anyway. but it should hook up.

It's a great looking car and any flathead nut would love to have it. I'm sure you will really like being it's next custodian.

Mart.

TRCobra506 · 02-16-2019, 09:10 AM

I appreciate the comments. I’m proud to own the car.

TRCobra506 · 02-21-2019, 04:07 PM

First batch of stuff to arrive, need the car to roll in and out of the garage

funrunr · 02-21-2019, 06:41 PM

Be sure to use lots of baby powder all over the inner tubes and inside the tire before mounting. It will probably be a long time before you remove them again and the powder prevents them from sticking to the rim and each other. Measure your wheels when you get the old tires off. If any are 3 1/2” wide on the bead area it is possible your car was originally a V8-60. It would also have a tube front axle instead of an “I” beam axle.
The pin for your hood ornament/latch can be bought from Bob Drake or Dennis Carpenter for about $5. Your spring under the hood looks weak and probably buy one of them at the same time. Great car.

Smitty · 04-01-2019, 09:46 PM

Original 39-40 coupes are rare, most have been modified as they have been very popular over the years. Original un-restored cars are in vogue now as they are a link to the past.

Terry,OH · 04-02-2019, 06:41 AM

The 40 "5-Window Coupe" had a full length front seat and a package shelf in back of the seat . The "Business Coupe" had a split back front seat. so the back of the car could be accessed to sit on the two opera seats that fold down, unique to the Business Coupe. The entire back rest of the 5-Window seat could be raised from the bottom and would latch into the raised position for hand access to the area to the rear of the seat and under the package shelf. The Business Coupe rear floor area is unique to provide additional floor area for seating as well as additional hardware for opera coupe seat attachment. See photo below

TRCobra506 · 04-02-2019, 06:44 AM

Yes that’s the seats that are in the trunk and front seat is split

Gumpy · 10-12-2019, 08:16 AM

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When you mentioned radial I went that route,,,I found it was difficult to steer and lowered the car a bit..I found 6:50 and 6:00 -16 tires handled alot better for me...just my 2 cents

02-10-2019, 09:06 AM	#1
TRCobra506 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 27	1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe Finally working to get this on the road this summer. Little history on the car. Man who bought it new in 40’ went blind immediately after buying it. He went to church where my great great uncle was the preacher. He gave him the car in 1941 with the understanding he would drive him when necessary. My grandpa bought the car from his uncle after returning from Korea and drove it almost daily until 67’. It sat from then until 1994. My grandpa started work to get it road worthy but he passed away shortly after. Car was left to my dad. Intentions are keep it nearly stock, maybe some 50’s era mods and lower it a bit. Initially I’m just getting it driveable then going from there. 85hp flathead V8 standard business coupe with fold down opera seats (in the trunk). I’m going to need some help and information to get it back on the road. There’s a lot I need to learn. First please school me on tire options for this car. Wheels are originals. Wouldn’t be against going wider in the rear Me and the car 1994 As it sits Engine...we have 3, my dad tells me this is not the correct engine for the car. Think grandpa scrapped the original when he swapped in a newer mercury. Something he regretted later Last edited by TRCobra506; 02-10-2019 at 09:27 AM.

02-10-2019, 09:35 AM	#2
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,944	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe Wonderful story and great that you ended up with the 40. The photo of you and the car is priceless. Having both tail lights in a Standard is a good start. When you say "options" do you mean options available when car was made?

02-10-2019, 10:09 AM	#4
denverslim Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ehh...Denver Posts: 196	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe Man, what a great story! You are very lucky to have this car--a car that a lot of us would cherish. I would just go slow, realize this is a long term project, it's going to be a few years before you drive it, and enjoy the work along the way, thinking about and sharing with your heritage. Personally, I would go the restoration way, keeping the car as stock as you can, rebuilding the mechanics (the brakes, of course). I would try to keep as much of the interior as can be repaired, instead of replaced, just to arrest any rust and keep the old paint after a thorough cleaning. First thing you need is the service manual for this car. You have a jewel, feel lucky, very lucky and enjoy...slim

02-10-2019, 10:11 AM	#5
TRCobra506 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 27	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe Forgot to mention I have the original owners card for the car too

02-10-2019, 10:46 AM	#6
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,037	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Regarding your question of two tail lights, they were required by some states. In today's world I would make sure it had two tail lights. First give that old Ford a good wash job. Preserve as much as you can on this car to save the originality. Real nice original cars draw a lot of attention and they are only original once. In your photos I do see a couple of extra holes in the top of the dash on the driver's side. Those are not stock. Anyway clean it up real good so you can assess the next step in the journey to bring this old Ford back to life. You have an extremely desirable car.

02-10-2019, 10:52 AM	#7
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,319	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe Pictures like this make me weak in the knees. Just be careful and go slowly; you have the time. And please feel free to come on here and ask about anything you want. I personally won't be able to help much, but there are some guys on here that really know their business. Last edited by tubman; 02-16-2019 at 09:18 AM.

02-10-2019, 11:04 AM	#8
Brendan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: At my kitchen table in Santa Rosa, Ca Posts: 2,903	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe i would just get it running and make it safe __________________ If it would have been a snake it would have bit ya! i can't spell my way out of a paper bag!

02-10-2019, 11:09 AM	#9
Charlie ny BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,019	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe Tr, Out of sight !!! What a great privilege to have a car like this in your past present and future. The battery appears to be 12 volt and the motor a post WW II issue. I dig upgrades too but only to the extent that the upgrades can be retroed to original if or when your tastes change.........only my opinion. Congrats. Charlie ny

02-10-2019, 11:13 AM	#11
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe Very solid car to start with for sure!

02-10-2019, 11:22 AM	#12
TRCobra506 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 27	1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe This is original to the car, grandpa had it rechromed. Something I need help on figuring out the linkage and where to buy the Clevis pins/mounting hardware

02-10-2019, 11:53 AM	#15
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,319	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe Be VERY careful with the grille, They are almost impossible to find parts for.

02-10-2019, 01:00 PM	#17
TRCobra506 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 27	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe These parts are what I need. I might be able to find some of the linkage. After my grandpa passed it’s a guess to where the parts are. I found a roof antenna assembly not belonging to the car....the trunk holds some mystery’s yet.

02-10-2019, 01:19 PM	#18
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe 19Fordy has some good advice but has it backwards on the ashtrays. What you have are the most common later ones, the early ones push up. Also, as mentioned in another post some states required 2 tail lights (such as mine) and in the factory 1940 body parts book lists a separate LH fender with (Washington) clearly stated. I don't know about Pennsylvania. The V8 (aka standard) models only came in 3 colors, Black, Lyon Blue and Cloud Mist Gray (actually a green color) You are way ahead of the game with such a good starting point. I also have a V8 Business coupe (Cloud Mist Gray). Member here on FB "KUBE" is an authority on 40s and is writing the new restoration book for the Early Ford V8 Club dealing with 40 Fords. He also does 1000 point restorations. Last edited by deuce_roadster; 02-10-2019 at 01:25 PM.

02-10-2019, 01:26 PM	#19
Mike in AZ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waddell, AZ Posts: 2,540	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe Welcome to the ‘Barn. Great car, great story and a great project for you. Get it running and safe for driving and have fun. Mike

02-10-2019, 02:05 PM	#20
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,645	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe TR, that's a great original Ford, and you are very lucky also to have a family history with it. If it were mine, I would restore mechanically, and preserve everything else. I know you are set on whitewalls, but consider please, the V8 model (Standard), was an economical choice, almost never having whitewalls installed back in the day, and even the Deluxe models seldom sported whitewalls. Earl Scheib did have a one day paint job available, I believe the cost was $29.95 back in the early 60's. For this price, you got very little prep work: A wash to remove wax, a very light sanding just to remove gloss, masking on the brightwork, and a quick spray of paint. What I'm saying here is that you may be able to salvage the original paint by carefully removing the Earl Schieb paint! It surely will have spots worn through, but originality counts big time here! A car that has been carefully preserved today garners as much or more interest as a fully restored car. Spend many thousands on a restoration, only to see the preserved car next to you in a car show steal all the attention! The EFV8CA Rouge award (for original cars) is a prestigious thing to have! __________________ Alan

02-10-2019, 02:49 PM	#21
Bob NH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Meredith, N.H. Posts: 766	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe I must have missed something on colors. My dad took delivery to our home when I was 5 years old on a brand new 40 standard, 60 HP MANDARIN Maroon coupe with jump seats in the rear where I ended up till I was old enough to drive it myself. It also had a three dr heater installed which I remember well. Some have said that was not possible but but I could count at that time !

02-10-2019, 02:53 PM	#22
Bob NH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Meredith, N.H. Posts: 766	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe I still have the bill of sale from when my mother got an allowance of $150.00 for it towards a 49 two dr. 6 cylinder used. Huge amount ?

02-10-2019, 04:49 PM	#24
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe The distributor, generator and air cleaner appear to be later then 40. Is the engine the original 221 or was it replaced with a more powerful 239?

02-10-2019, 05:09 PM	#26
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Bob NH, Perhaps paid extra to get the Mandarin Maroon paint. Too bad it got traded in on a 6 cyl but it would have WAY more power than the 60!

02-10-2019, 07:14 PM	#27
fortyfords Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: faucett, mo Posts: 419	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe Congratulations, I would love to have a 40 coupe also.

02-10-2019, 07:44 PM	#29
mhsprecher Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Takoma Park, MD Posts: 2,817	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe Great car. A buddy of mine in high school had a 40 deluxe, all original. I rode around a lot in one of the jump seats in the back.

02-10-2019, 08:08 PM	#30
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,101	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe Alan, Really, you're not old enough to make that claim about the installation rate for WSW tires on '40 Fords. They were an inexpensive extra-cost factory-installed option and there are period photos galore of cars with WSW tires. And not all buyers of standard models did do so solely to save money as some likely preferred the front end styling over that of the deluxe version. Yours is a personal preference and you ought to state it as such and not suggest that somehow only BSW will be "right" for the car.

02-10-2019, 08:38 PM	#31
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,860	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe Yes, I had one like that all new black paint 37 DeSota bumpers . ETC. Your biggest problem is just what application will the car be used? You may have to make some improvements if it a daily driver. Putting it back to completely stock could make it dangerous to drive in today's traffic. However the running gear could be used.

02-10-2019, 08:41 PM	#32
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe Wash it, get it running and stopping. Drive it for a year at least before doing major "upgrades" in my opinion. Super nice!

02-10-2019, 08:52 PM	#33
TRCobra506 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 27	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe Cars definitely going to be used in good weather. I work directly beside the site where my grandpa retired from, where the ford made the majority of its trips. So in the summer I plan on using it to go to work, there will be some great nostalgia in that. The cars staying no radio, I just want to enjoy the crudeness. Now dual line master cylinder? I might stray from the path and make it a little safer in that case.

02-11-2019, 12:14 AM	#35
Newc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,484	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe Fantastic story! Just get the car away from those RODENTS. I just had a farm tractor damaged by a PACKRAT, that the local cat must have missed. Newc

02-11-2019, 07:00 AM	#37
Sal Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 218	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe Great story of a beautiful car. Clean it, check the fluids, get it running. Get books and manuals about it. Take your time deciding on what changes if any you're going to make to it. Plan every thing out carefully, most of all, Good Luck with it!

02-11-2019, 07:16 AM	#38
mfirth Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: ohio Posts: 986	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe X 2 on what TJ said on The Early Ford V8 club, good resource & folks just like here. What a blessing to have a family heirloom like that. mike

02-11-2019, 07:55 AM	#39
corvette8n Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 36 miles north of Albany NY Posts: 2,950	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe Welcome to the barn, you have a nice car with a great history. Here is a link to help ID your engines. http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...ifications.htm

02-11-2019, 08:12 AM	#40
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,101	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe Alan, I'm away from my old car stuff for the winter so I can't post the tire price list that I have a copy of showing the various tires sizes (there were lots of different ones for big trucks) and WSW for the passenger car and commercial vehicle-size tires. It's only for the '32 models, but Ford's archives have photos for all of the pre-Pearl Harbor model years with WSW. Take your favorite, for example. All of the photos in the DeAngelis/Francis book, The Early Ford V8, As Henry Built It, are from Ford's archives. In the '37-'38 section of the book (sadly, the last section), there are 18 different vehicles shown with WSW, five of which are commercial vehicles. Of the 18, 11 are '38s.

02-11-2019, 09:37 AM	#41
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe It may be an original prewar 85 HP but it does have the post war rabbit ear type distributor set up and coil. The 59A engines from post war made it into a lot of earlier cars. They are 239CID & 100HP so It wouldn't hurt a thing if that is the case. Parts are available for all of the ignition set ups now days. Fuel delivery and ignition will likely be your first start towards getting it running. Cleaning the fuel system is a chore but that car is worth the effort.

02-11-2019, 12:24 PM	#43
TRCobra506 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 27	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe It’s hard to tell without some digging into it, he had parted out several flathead cars back then and kept the drivelines. It could potentially be a mix match of parts

02-11-2019, 06:01 PM	#44
TRCobra506 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 27	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe Ok inventoried my stuff, looks like I have two last generation flat heads, and another post WWII engine. I pretty sure the 50s engine is the last running engine that was in the car. I have a rear end assembly and front end. Few extra fenders and some misc air cleaners. Running boards are there, ones bent a little.

02-11-2019, 06:58 PM	#45
TRCobra506 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 27	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe Cars soon to bring going where the others are at my dads It needs a new home!

02-11-2019, 07:29 PM	#46
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: 1940 Ford Family Owned Coupe Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) One of those 8BA family motors has Mercury water pumps. If it came from salvage it might be a 255 CID 8CM Mercury motor from 1949 thru 1951. The 4-inch stroke crankshafts can be used easily in any of the motors that use a long snout crankshaft from the 1939 on up. It gives a bit more git up & go.