|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
07-15-2018, 04:36 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 1,772
|
39-40 Ford terminology
Hi guys
Ok educate me: What is business coupe? I read that was the car with opera seats in back. Is this correct? If yes what is 39-40 called with shelf in back? Since 39-40’have split window. Is it still considered 5 window coupe?
__________________
Thanks Andy 1952 F1 |
07-15-2018, 04:43 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Blenheim, New Zealand
Posts: 879
|
Re: 39-40 Ford terminology
It is my understanding that these are two different configurations. A 'Business Coupe' has no rear seats just a shelf, The 'Opera Coupe' has the two 'Jump' seats and no shelf. But I am bu no means an authority on these and look forward to this discussion.
__________________
I need an 01A 1453 Brkt Spare wheel hold down for my sedan delivery - PLEASE HELP Gotta love my '42 Sedan Delivery's - Now that I own the only two in New Zealand https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/album.php?albumid=580 |
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
07-15-2018, 04:46 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Blenheim, New Zealand
Posts: 879
|
Re: 39-40 Ford terminology
Here is a picture of the parcel tray in my '41 'Business Coupe'
__________________
I need an 01A 1453 Brkt Spare wheel hold down for my sedan delivery - PLEASE HELP Gotta love my '42 Sedan Delivery's - Now that I own the only two in New Zealand https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/album.php?albumid=580 |
07-15-2018, 05:00 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Blenheim, New Zealand
Posts: 879
|
Re: 39-40 Ford terminology
Apparently I (and many others) are wrong, as per the following link
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=82033 According to this information the Business Coupe had the jump seats and the 'Coupe' had the tray
__________________
I need an 01A 1453 Brkt Spare wheel hold down for my sedan delivery - PLEASE HELP Gotta love my '42 Sedan Delivery's - Now that I own the only two in New Zealand https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/album.php?albumid=580 |
07-15-2018, 05:02 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: East Shore of LAKE HOUSTON
Posts: 11,111
|
Re: 39-40 Ford terminology
What is an "Opera Coupe"? WHERE'S KUBE? DD
|
07-15-2018, 05:10 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 8,996
|
Re: 39-40 Ford terminology
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Many, in fact I'd venture to say most folks have since these were nearly "new" cars, mislabeled them. Heck, there are plenty of good reasons to do so. Still, Ford built them and as such could have called them whatever they wanted. They chose "coupe" and "business coupe". A "business coupe" has a pair of small auxiliary seats directly behind the drivers seat. Access was provided by tipping either the right or left back rest forward. This model was advertised to fit five adults comfortably. Um, perhaps that may have been so... IF the five adults were no more than 5" 3" and weighed no more than 100# each. The "coupe" had a package tray behind the drivers seat. There was quite a large storage area accessed by lifting the hinged (at top) back rest. The advertising of that time suggested this was great place to stow salesman's cases, etc. In 1939, Ford only offered one model of coupe... the "coupe". It was available in either the "standard" or "deluxe" lines.
__________________
"I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you". |
07-15-2018, 05:11 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 8,996
|
Re: 39-40 Ford terminology
Gimme a break, will ya! I was changing oil in a '40 Ford V8 COUPE. Came in for a break
__________________
"I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you". |
07-15-2018, 05:27 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,426
|
Re: 39-40 Ford terminology
Kube must have been busy since he beat me to it. Ford never used the term "opera" that I'm aware of but then they never used the term "standard" either when referring to different models & types. It was either a Ford V8 or a Ford Deluxe. Owners, salesmen, and fans of the early Fords came up with a lot of terms to differentiate the models & types. The fold down seats were similar to opera seats so that term came in. 5-window was a term that came in to differentiate from the 3-window deluxe coupes of earlier years but the 3-window "Deluxe Coupes" had already had their end run in 1936.
The business coupe started production in the model A era and was geared toward traveling salesmen. This made it important for them to have access to the behind the seat area to stash their wares. Since a person could get back in there with some ease, this allowed for the installation of those jump seats. |
07-15-2018, 06:31 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Takoma Park, MD
Posts: 2,817
|
Re: 39-40 Ford terminology
When I was In High school a buddy had a beautiful original 40 Ford coupe with the jump seats. I was always relegated to the jump seat. I was smaller then, but tall. I don’t remember that it was so bad.
|
07-15-2018, 07:02 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 1,772
|
Re: 39-40 Ford terminology
Ok all thanks very much for educating me.
Since the 39-40 have a split window. Are they considered a five window? or no... just a coupe (I have shelf)
__________________
Thanks Andy 1952 F1 |
07-15-2018, 07:21 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 8,996
|
Re: 39-40 Ford terminology
Technically speaking, just a "coupe".
__________________
"I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you". |
07-15-2018, 07:23 PM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 8,996
|
Re: 39-40 Ford terminology
I'm searching for a '40 business coupe for a restoration project. No junk...I prefer a decent (or better) body and at least fairly complete.
__________________
"I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you". |
07-15-2018, 08:29 PM | #13 |
Member Emeritus
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Wichita KS
Posts: 16,132
|
Re: 39-40 Ford terminology
|
07-15-2018, 09:37 PM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Coral Springs FL
Posts: 10,937
|
Re: 39-40 Ford terminology
The split back window is counted as one window. Front door windows adds two more.
Rear quarter windows add 2 more. Hence, the 5 window coupe. |
07-16-2018, 06:06 AM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: southeastern Michigan
Posts: 10,101
|
Re: 39-40 Ford terminology
rotorwrench,
Ah, the pitfalls of the words "always" and in your case "never" as in "....they (Ford) never used the term 'standard' either....". I'm sure that you meant to add something like "in the 1939 and 1940 model years" as they most certainly used the term 'standard' for model designations immediately prior to those model years. |
07-16-2018, 07:27 AM | #16 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 8,996
|
Re: 39-40 Ford terminology
Quote:
__________________
"I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you". |
|
07-16-2018, 08:48 AM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,426
|
Re: 39-40 Ford terminology
I agree that I should not have used the term "never" in relation to the term standard but "never should have" would be more agreeable. Ford Motors had a fellow running the sales end in those years that I've heard was not the best at his job. Henry liked him so he kept him around. Most sales forces would agree that the term standard kind of implies that it is second best. Folks that are on the spot for sales & advertising would have been appalled at using such a term to refer to the product they were trying to sell. I think the change happened after Ford finally made a change in their sales department and that was likely around the time that Ford stopped using that term. You notice that Special, Deluxe, and Super Deluxe started showing up in the 1941 line up. This is more in line with sales tactics used even today.
|
07-16-2018, 08:59 AM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: southeastern Michigan
Posts: 10,101
|
Re: 39-40 Ford terminology
I agree that 'standard' has no real appeal in the world of sales, but ironically some base models to this day have the letter "S" for their designation.
|
07-16-2018, 08:05 PM | #19 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Kritter Krick, Flaw-duh
Posts: 1,158
|
Re: 39-40 Ford terminology
Quote:
I know that's correct but it's counterintuitive. Dunno if it contributed to the terminology confusion but it seems the package tray version should have been called the Business Coupe because, well...it was advertised as useful for business. I doubt many salesmen bought the auxiliary seat version to haul around two little people. |
|
07-16-2018, 09:40 PM | #20 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Texas Gulf Coast
Posts: 727
|
Re: 39-40 Ford terminology
My 41 is called a business coupe, it has the package tray and the access to the back is by raising the one piece seat back up like the hood. There are no seats back there just room for cases of whiskey or what ever. Maybe sneaking girl friends into drive in movies. (Those were the days). Al
|
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|