1939 coupe build- slow

[36-5window]

Just wanted to share my 1939 Ford Deluxe coupe work I have been doing this summer. Slow progress when you are 68 years old, get stiff and sore after a few hours work. Plus the fact I do not know what I am doing, so have to modify or completely do-over what I did wrong! Keeps me out of the Bars!(most of the time)
I installed a 1995 Explorer 8.8" rear end and springs, and home made pull bar. I plan on putting another pull bar on the left side. then paint the rear suspension and fabricate the trunk floor. I made patch panels for the inner wheel wells, and am making the rear roll pan (see pictures) . I am installing a 351c with a modified C4. still do not know what to do about front suspension, may just split the wishbone and a lowered spring.
i want to thank all of you on the Ford Barn for your help .Henry

[FHFD]

'39 Deluxe coupes are my favorite.
Looks like you're coming along nicely, thanks for the pics.
Have you checked out the HAMB?

[Mike in AZ]

coming along pretty good, from what i see....not sure about running gear, etc., but it's a choice....keep up the good work and you should be driving and having more fun .....lol.....Mike

[37coop]

I imported my 39 deluxe coupe from west Virginia to kent near London 26 years ago ,I started a body off ,almost a nut and bolt dissembled restoration the same year and to cut a long story short got a bit bored and went to other projects and English classic bikes .....I,m on the last part of finishing the restoration now , fitting the le barron bonney interior and the new chrome etc ,should be driving around the English countryside this spring....folkstone grey and looking lovely , I,m now 66 , i was slim and blonde when I bought it but still got the enthusiasm for old vehicles and still working my back side off , cheers jim.

[36-5window]

I have visited the HAMB, GOT KICKED OFF TWICE! I have since learned to keep my mouth shut! I like the ford barn better, more laid-back.

[19Fordy]

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Please consider a FORD flathead engine instead of a 351.
It will be a compliment to the car.

[flatford8]

LOOKS AWESOME !!! I agree with using a flathead but sticking with a Ford motor is the next best choice I think......Happy Motoring....Mark

[36-5window]

I had a 1951 Mec coupe as my first car when I was 14, 3 speed overdrive. used to drag it all the time on the streets of my home town. then I wrecked it one winter night. then I got my uncles 1953 Ford mainline coupe, v8 and a 3-speed stick. I worked on it ALL the time, trying to beat the 265's and 272's. then I put the 51 Merc engine and overdrive in my 53 Ford. beat a 265 chevy powrpack one night! then the flathead was always burning out rod bearing, cracked the vaklve seat,etc. so I got a 1957 Merc with a shot 368" Lincoln motor in it. rebuilt the 368 and did very well at my home town street drags. I like flatheads, but I also like to go fast(Ricky Bobby!) so I want my favorite v8, the 351 Cleveland.Plus it is already built, and I am out of money. I still love the sound of a v8 flathead with duals, but not this time.Henry

[19Fordy]

I hope you don't have to cut the firewall to make that 351 fit.

[36-5window]

the firewall has already been cut for a long-ago engine swap, cut with a torch!! Like I said, it's a junker. I saved it from the crusher, so I can do what-ever I like to it,right??
If it wasn't for the Ford v8's fondness of hotrodders, very few would still be around. They are just iron , they have no feeelings or emotions.But we do have a fondness and affection for old Fords, don't we?

[bart78]

It's your car do what you want. I've seen some cars turn out nice that did not have flatheads in them. But they were allso what some call more traditional hot rods. And had a old 265 or 283. Or an old oldsmobile rocket.

[36-5window]

The 303 olds is my favorite hot rod motor, and I would like to put one in my coupe/ but they are hard to find , expensive to rebuild(stock is fine with me) and I already have the 351c. I use what I have, no money for what I want.Hope I did not disappoint or offend anyone.Henry

[oldford2]

Originally Posted by 36-5window

I have visited the HAMB, GOT KICKED OFF TWICE! I have since learned to keep my mouth shut! I like the ford barn better, more laid-back.

How the heck did you get kicked off the HAMB? I thought anything goes over there. LOL John

[bart78]

Why do people think anything goes on the hamb. It is a site for traditional hot rods. Not restomods and junk like that. Most on there even will tell people not to chop up a nice car. They are not into rat rods and junk like that either. It's just people that like to work on old cars. Just like here.

[Vic Piano]

Henry, there are a lot of "purists" here on the FordBarn that want every Flathead to be built the way that other “Henry built it”... (Nothing wrong with that) but there are also a lot of guys like me, who build their cars/trucks the way we want, Flathead powered or not... (Nothing wrong with that either) The bottom line is; it's your car, build it the way you want, there are no apologies necessary. Have fun with the car.

[Wensum Valley Rods]

Hey Henry, I too have resurrected a car which ultimately would have ended up as scrap I think. It is a 1937 Zephyr coupe, a very desirable car, but it seems way to far gone for most people to tackle. Like you I have not put it back to totally stock. I am running a flathead V8 instead of the 12, and have made some very subtle custom touches to the body.
My view was that considering it was advertised for nigh on 2 years to my knowledge with no takers and the fact that it was in such a bad state , that I could pretty much do what I liked with it. So it's now becoming a very traditional 40s style custom.
Working from home running my own restoration business and also being involved with and owning several hot rods and customs myself I can see both points of view. Had my zephyr been a better example then I would have definitely done it stock as they are so rare.
As it is with cars like ours we can build them as we like and enjoy them. My zephyr is going to be a daily driver throughout the year apart from when the snow/salt hits the roads. Something that would not have been possible with the stock V12 in there.

Good luck with your build and keep posting. Personally I love the 351s, good strong engines. I have one to put in my 51 F3 truck to replace the 351m that's in there at the moment.

Hope I'm still thrashing away at my cars when I'm your age mate.
Paul.

[36-5window]

thanks for the support. I was working for a Ford dealer in the 90's, restoring cars he had brought back from California in the seventys. one was a 1939 Zephyr 3 window coupe. It was all apart, so I had to rebuild everything and put it together. I rebuilt the v12 and 3-speed transmission. It ran SO quiet! when I took it out on the road the first time, on-coming cars would pull off the road to see it better! I put a lot of time and effort into his cars, when done he did not drive them, just put them on the showroom for people to see and took them to car shows. I decide then I did not want any more show cars. why do all that work and not drive them??
so I build MY car the way I want it, to the best of my ability.

[Fredb_]

Henry, it's a good old car to get back on the road no matter what's pushing it! Good luck with your project and keep us updated.
Fred