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Old 05-10-2016, 07:21 PM   #1
russcc
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Default Moonshine '40 coupe moonshine handling

From memory, my 1st '40 coupe handled pretty good through the twistys. Any of the Fordbrain trust have any experience with what made the '40 coupes a favorite of the moonshiners besides a big trunk ? What did the shiners do to improve handling; springs, sway bars, track bars, shocks, etc. ? I have read a few stories on them, but they didn't get into the details except for heavier springs, and big motors. I have seen quite a few '40 coupes at the moonshine festival, but didn't think to crawl under any.
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Old 05-10-2016, 09:01 PM   #2
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Default Re: Moonshine '40 coupe moonshine handling

40 Deluxe cars came with a front sway bar. This allowed Ford to use a softer spring rate. The sway bar eliminated some of the springs role in control of body lean.
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Old 05-11-2016, 07:18 AM   #3
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Default Re: Moonshine '40 coupe moonshine handling

had a former moonshine hauler, a 40 sedan delivery that had had a tank in it, actually purchased a long time ago at a federal sale. It had dual shocks on all 4 corners, had helper spring on front and rear that looked like a garage door spring, plus extra leaves front and rear and front sway bar. didn't have enough sense, back then, to take pictures
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Old 05-11-2016, 03:32 PM   #4
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Default Re: Moonshine '40 coupe moonshine handling

There is an excellent article in the latest issue of Rodder's Journal about a '39 Ford Coupe that was a moonshine hauler in Alabama in the 40's and early 50's. It has been in storage since then and is equipped with a flathead built by Vic Edelbrock, Sr. Quite an article and lots of great photos.

Pretty ingenious how they used a modified Model T rear spring as an overload spring on the rear axle. 15" ambulance wheels and Firestone racing tires were an added feature.
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Old 05-11-2016, 03:55 PM   #5
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Default Re: Moonshine '40 coupe moonshine handling

Extra shocks, double spring in the rear, rear sway or track bar, olds or cad engine and yes, from the back of the trunk to the back of the seat is a long ways. I once hauled a Harley 45 in the trunk of my 40, course the lid would not go all the way down.
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Old 05-11-2016, 06:11 PM   #6
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Default Re: Moonshine '40 coupe moonshine handling

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Word has it that they will take some where in the neighborhood of 132 gallons after the reworking ! When I was in the army in Columbus, Ga. I visited a body shop that was building a "tanker" and made no bones about hiding it either. Of course that was back in 57, no idea what goes on down that way these days .
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Old 05-11-2016, 06:46 PM   #7
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Default Re: Moonshine '40 coupe moonshine handling

Thank you all. Great background information. When I was in North Wilkesboro NC, I went to the Wilkes County Heritage Museum moonshine exhibit. Wilkes County was called the Moonshine Capitol. In the museum was one of Junior Johnson's '40 Ford coupe race cars. Never thought to look under Junior's car to see what the suspension was. Thanks for the tip about the '39 in Rodder's Journal.
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Old 05-11-2016, 07:58 PM   #8
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Default Re: Moonshine '40 coupe moonshine handling

there was a episode on Americarna that talked about what was done to the 40 ford extra shocks and a garage door spring were described in detail
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Old 05-12-2016, 06:18 AM   #9
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Default Re: Moonshine '40 coupe moonshine handling

BobNH: Only shiners around Columbus now are in the mags or books AND at the Dawsonville, GA Moonshine Festival in October of each year. I have an old postcard from Dawsonville which states "The Moon comes over the mountain in Dawsonville in five gallons cans"...
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Old 05-12-2016, 01:42 PM   #10
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Default Re: Moonshine '40 coupe moonshine handling

I saw a 1940 Ford Shine runner at the AACA car show in Hershey last October. If memory serves, it had a Caddy V8 and a lot of spring help.
An interesting part of Americana, I guess this is where Junior Johnson got started driving, before NASCAR....

Jeff
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Old 05-12-2016, 04:54 PM   #11
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Default Re: Moonshine '40 coupe moonshine handling

How many galens would a 36 5/win carry?
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Old 05-13-2016, 06:43 PM   #12
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Default Re: Moonshine '40 coupe moonshine handling

Thanks for tip offs. I don't watch much TV, so what is Americana, and how would I find the episode referred to. Russ
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Old 05-13-2016, 07:00 PM   #13
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Default Re: Moonshine '40 coupe moonshine handling

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Thanks for tip offs. I don't watch much TV, so what is Americana, and how would I find the episode referred to. Russ
I believe they're talking about the start of NASCAR. Watched it last Sunday night, and fairly-well done with beaucoup old Ford hot rods/race car action. Both new, and original footage.........good stuff! Plays again tomorrow night (Saturday) on CH 327, (CMT) on Directv at 7:00 PM CST. DD
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Old 05-13-2016, 08:17 PM   #14
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Default Re: Moonshine '40 coupe moonshine handling

I watched it also.
Just remember it's TV .
Kinda like a myth. Many people's perception,not the truth.
Moonshine festival in Dawsonville is one of my favorite events.
Cheers
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Old 05-13-2016, 08:42 PM   #15
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Default Re: Moonshine '40 coupe moonshine handling

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I watched it also.
Just remember it's TV .
Kinda like a myth. Many people's perception,not the truth.
Moonshine festival in Dawsonville is one of my favorite events.
Cheers
Tony
You're right.......TV and scripting for sure, but if you know anything about the "charming" Bill France and his clan, some of his infamous personality and business traits are starting to rear-up in the first of this three-part series. Ya almost can't beat the old Fords, though. DD
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Old 05-14-2016, 08:03 AM   #16
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Default Re: Moonshine '40 coupe moonshine handling

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1935coupe View Post
there was a episode on Americarna that talked about what was done to the 40 ford extra shocks and a garage door spring were described in detail
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Thanks for tip offs. I don't watch much TV, so what is Americana, and how would I find the episode referred to. Russ
I believe the show they are referring to is "Americarna" featuring Ray Evernham which is on the Velocity Channel. I think this particular show was aired last season and featured Junior Johnson.
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Old 05-14-2016, 06:01 PM   #17
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Default Re: Moonshine '40 coupe moonshine handling

I think the first Nascar race was won by a 39 standard coupe.

Jan 16th 1949.
Marshall Teague won the 200.1 mile season opener in a 39 standard coupe.
75 cars started - 38 finished.

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Old 05-14-2016, 06:01 PM   #18
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Default Re: Moonshine '40 coupe moonshine handling

I would have loved to see that. Anyone taped it ?
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Old 05-14-2016, 06:46 PM   #19
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Default Re: Moonshine '40 coupe moonshine handling

Took this pic at the Nascar Museum in Charlotte a couple yesrs ago.
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Old 05-14-2016, 07:43 PM   #20
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Default Re: Moonshine '40 coupe moonshine handling

I always heard that Lee Petty won the forst NASCAR race in a 1949 Plymouth. Not true?

RG
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