The Ford Barn

Eodcoduto · 05-18-2023, 02:28 PM

I didn’t see an intro thread so if I missed it I do apologize. Lifelong gear head and I’m going back to Nebraska next week, if all goes to plan I’ll be pulling this ‘41 Special out of the pasture and bringing it down to Alabama. It has been sitting in that spot since 1962 as far as anyone can remember, and it’s fairly complete. Plans will be to get it mechanically restored, bring the interior back to stock but leave the outside alone and preserve the finish. I figure it’s earned the weathering and I like it.

I love learning and from reading threads on here there will be few questions I have that can’t be answered. Also the T truck is pretty cool and there is a Model T body out there.

petehoovie · 05-18-2023, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eodcoduto

I didn’t see an intro thread so if I missed it I do apologize. Lifelong gear head and I’m going back to Nebraska next week, if all goes to plan I’ll be pulling this ‘41 Special out of the pasture and bringing it down to Alabama. It has been sitting in that spot since 1962 as far as anyone can remember, and it’s fairly complete. Plans will be to get it mechanically restored, bring the interior back to stock but leave the outside alone and preserve the finish. I figure it’s earned the weathering and I like it.

I love learning and from reading threads on here there will be few questions I have that can’t be answered. Also the T truck is pretty cool and there is a Model T body out there.

1952henry · 05-18-2023, 03:19 PM

Good luck with it. The TT has either an auxiliary transmission, or 2 speed rear.

Seth Swoboda · 05-18-2023, 03:24 PM

Welcome aboard. Out of curiosity, is the frame not rotten, sitting in the ground like it is?

ford38v8 · 05-18-2023, 04:21 PM

Take care to preserve that hot air heater, it's a rare item and looks to be complete. You may not want to use it, but someone will want it. Gently does it with the asbestos, for safety and for duplication purposes with modern materials.

Eodcoduto · 05-18-2023, 06:42 PM

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I'm sure there is rust where it has been sitting in the ground, we will see once I find some wheels and tires. The lug nuts were left on the rears so I'm hoping they are on the front as well. This is in Lisco Nebraska, and I am hoping because of it being on that hill and the minimal rainfall there isn't too much moisture damage. If the trailer is full and I can't bring it home I will at least get it pulled up to the house and prepped for pickup at a later date. A stock re-do is in order and I want to keep as many of the original parts and pieces on it as possible.

The pedals and steering on that TT still move, and I know this because last year I sat in it and made driving noises, at 42 years old. That's right.

SoCalCoupe · 05-18-2023, 08:43 PM

VERY interested in seeing how this project progresses.

I'm aware of only four 1941 Ford Specials. Yours is the fourth. There weren't many made and most of them are gone. My own is the only one I've seen in person. Yours is also the only Tudor. The others are business coupes.

I don't like people telling me what to do with my car and you probably don't either so I'll try very hard not to be that guy. You recognize that it's a Ford Special which is great. Sounds like your plan for the car is to preserve some of it's heritage. In my OPINION, preserving the features that distinguish the Ford Special from the Deluxe and Custom Deluxe will maximize your enjoyment.

I see five right off the bat: 1. single wiper, 2. single tail light, 3. 1940 bumpers drilled for 1941 mounts, 4. painted side trim, 5. painted front side grills.

For my own car, I have correct wheels and correct hub caps. No trim rings. Just bought an expensive set of new tires. Whitewalls look great but I resisted the urge and bought original looking piecrust black walls. That preserves the stripped down Ford Special look which also happens to be the 1960's sleeper look which I really like.

Like I said on H.A.M.B., you may not be able to find the 1941 Ford Special upholstery fabric. Haven't looked very hard. If you do find some and there's enough for two cars, please let me know.

Any way, it's your car and a great find, have fun!

Eodcoduto · 05-19-2023, 07:58 AM

Information on the Specials is definitely hard to find, and I didn’t know about the 1940 bumpers on these. I like the history of a vehicle and I want to preserve as much of it as possible. I’ll lay eyes on it next weekend, those pictures were from November of 2021 so it just surrounded by grass now and rattlesnakes.

40larry · 05-19-2023, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalCoupe

VERY interested in seeing how this project progresses.

I'm aware of only four 1941 Ford Specials. Yours is the fourth. There weren't many made and most of them are gone. My own is the only one I've seen in person. Yours is also the only Tudor. The others are business coupes.

I don't like people telling me what to do with my car and you probably don't either so I'll try very hard not to be that guy. You recognize that it's a Ford Special which is great. Sounds like your plan for the car is to preserve some of it's heritage. In my OPINION, preserving the features that distinguish the Ford Special from the Deluxe and Custom Deluxe will maximize your enjoyment.

I see five right off the bat: 1. single wiper, 2. single tail light, 3. 1940 bumpers drilled for 1941 mounts, 4. painted side trim, 5. painted front side grills.

For my own car, I have correct wheels and correct hub caps. No trim rings. Just bought an expensive set of new tires. Whitewalls look great but I resisted the urge and bought original looking piecrust black walls. That preserves the stripped down Ford Special look which also happens to be the 1960's sleeper look which I really like.

Like I said on H.A.M.B., you may not be able to find the 1941 Ford Special upholstery fabric. Haven't looked very hard. If you do find some and there's enough for two cars, please let me know.

Any way, it's your car and a great find, have fun!

I doubt that they used 40 bumpers and redrilled the holes. The 41 Deluxe also used 40 style bumpers and would be identical.

38 coupe · 05-19-2023, 08:35 PM

Suggestion since you want to keep it original, get one of the Early Ford V8 Club USB drives with decades of V8 Times in pdf format. There are articles and some issues dedicated to 1941 Fords, along with the occasional 41 specific tech advice response. Link here: https://shop.efv8.org/collections/me...es-flash-drive

Zeke3 · 05-20-2023, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 38 coupe

Suggestion since you want to keep it original, get one of the Early Ford V8 Club USB drives with decades of V8 Times in pdf format. There are articles and some issues dedicated to 1941 Fords, along with the occasional 41 specific tech advice response. Link here: https://shop.efv8.org/collections/me...es-flash-drive

The jump drive sure beats the four boxes of old V-8 Times I just dug out of the closet to deal with. The downside is that you need a computer that has a port for the jump drive.

Eodcoduto · 05-21-2023, 09:04 AM

I will grab one, I can spend hours and hours reading any car info I can get.

Kube · 05-21-2023, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eodcoduto

I will grab one, I can spend hours and hours reading any car info I can get.

Not certain what your ultimate goal for this one is. However, keep in mind, even if the car is free, you'll invest more into it getting it home than it is worth.

Eodcoduto · 05-21-2023, 06:47 PM

Thats any project, its rare that you spend less in parts and the hourly rate of your time than the car is worth. $5000 should get it on the road and a fun ride for what I need it to do.

Kube · 05-21-2023, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eodcoduto

Thats any project, its rare that you spend less in parts and the hourly rate of your time than the car is worth. $5000 should get it on the road and a fun ride for what I need it to do.

I think you are light on your estimate, but I do appreciate your attitude towards this car. Enjoy!!!

Eodcoduto · 05-22-2023, 06:58 AM

I probably am, it always costs more than I think it will and I have an awesome wife that is aware of my underestimating problem.

tubman · 05-22-2023, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eodcoduto

I probably am, it always costs more than I think it will and I have an awesome wife that is aware of my underestimating problem.

It helps if she has a good job, as well.

Kube · 05-22-2023, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eodcoduto

I probably am, it always costs more than I think it will and I have an awesome wife that is aware of my underestimating problem.

An awesome wife? Good for you and good for her that you realize that!

Enjoy your car and keep us posted of the progress please.

Seth Swoboda · 05-22-2023, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eodcoduto

I probably am, it always costs more than I think it will and I have an awesome wife that is aware of my underestimating problem.

I share your same problem and solution.

deuce_roadster · 05-22-2023, 10:26 AM

While they needed heaters in Nebraska, you might not need one in Alabama. I do however have a NOS 41 complete hot air heater in its original box if you need it. Too bad shipping sucks as it is pretty heavy bulky box.
Amazing that car isn't full of 30 caliber holes like it would be if it was up here.
Good luck on your project.

05-18-2023, 03:19 PM	#3
1952henry Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: North Dakota Posts: 1,840	Re: 1941 Special Sedan Good luck with it. The TT has either an auxiliary transmission, or 2 speed rear. __________________ I dig coal, which provides motivation for EVs.

05-18-2023, 03:24 PM	#4
Seth Swoboda Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 4,213	Re: 1941 Special Sedan Welcome aboard. Out of curiosity, is the frame not rotten, sitting in the ground like it is?

05-18-2023, 04:21 PM	#5
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 7,634	Re: 1941 Special Sedan Take care to preserve that hot air heater, it's a rare item and looks to be complete. You may not want to use it, but someone will want it. Gently does it with the asbestos, for safety and for duplication purposes with modern materials. __________________ Alan

05-18-2023, 06:42 PM	#6
Eodcoduto Junior Member Join Date: May 2023 Location: Muscle Shoals, AL Posts: 29	Re: 1941 Special Sedan Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I'm sure there is rust where it has been sitting in the ground, we will see once I find some wheels and tires. The lug nuts were left on the rears so I'm hoping they are on the front as well. This is in Lisco Nebraska, and I am hoping because of it being on that hill and the minimal rainfall there isn't too much moisture damage. If the trailer is full and I can't bring it home I will at least get it pulled up to the house and prepped for pickup at a later date. A stock re-do is in order and I want to keep as many of the original parts and pieces on it as possible. The pedals and steering on that TT still move, and I know this because last year I sat in it and made driving noises, at 42 years old. That's right.

05-18-2023, 08:43 PM	#7
SoCalCoupe Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Point Loma, San Diego, CA Posts: 556	Re: 1941 Special Sedan VERY interested in seeing how this project progresses. I'm aware of only four 1941 Ford Specials. Yours is the fourth. There weren't many made and most of them are gone. My own is the only one I've seen in person. Yours is also the only Tudor. The others are business coupes. I don't like people telling me what to do with my car and you probably don't either so I'll try very hard not to be that guy. You recognize that it's a Ford Special which is great. Sounds like your plan for the car is to preserve some of it's heritage. In my OPINION, preserving the features that distinguish the Ford Special from the Deluxe and Custom Deluxe will maximize your enjoyment. I see five right off the bat: 1. single wiper, 2. single tail light, 3. 1940 bumpers drilled for 1941 mounts, 4. painted side trim, 5. painted front side grills. For my own car, I have correct wheels and correct hub caps. No trim rings. Just bought an expensive set of new tires. Whitewalls look great but I resisted the urge and bought original looking piecrust black walls. That preserves the stripped down Ford Special look which also happens to be the 1960's sleeper look which I really like. Like I said on H.A.M.B., you may not be able to find the 1941 Ford Special upholstery fabric. Haven't looked very hard. If you do find some and there's enough for two cars, please let me know. Any way, it's your car and a great find, have fun! Last edited by SoCalCoupe; 05-18-2023 at 08:51 PM.

05-19-2023, 07:58 AM	#8
Eodcoduto Junior Member Join Date: May 2023 Location: Muscle Shoals, AL Posts: 29	Re: 1941 Special Sedan Information on the Specials is definitely hard to find, and I didn’t know about the 1940 bumpers on these. I like the history of a vehicle and I want to preserve as much of it as possible. I’ll lay eyes on it next weekend, those pictures were from November of 2021 so it just surrounded by grass now and rattlesnakes.

05-19-2023, 08:35 PM	#10
38 coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,135	Re: 1941 Special Sedan Suggestion since you want to keep it original, get one of the Early Ford V8 Club USB drives with decades of V8 Times in pdf format. There are articles and some issues dedicated to 1941 Fords, along with the occasional 41 specific tech advice response. Link here: https://shop.efv8.org/collections/me...es-flash-drive

05-21-2023, 09:04 AM	#12
Eodcoduto Junior Member Join Date: May 2023 Location: Muscle Shoals, AL Posts: 29	Re: 1941 Special Sedan I will grab one, I can spend hours and hours reading any car info I can get.

05-21-2023, 06:47 PM	#14
Eodcoduto Junior Member Join Date: May 2023 Location: Muscle Shoals, AL Posts: 29	Re: 1941 Special Sedan Thats any project, its rare that you spend less in parts and the hourly rate of your time than the car is worth. $5000 should get it on the road and a fun ride for what I need it to do.

05-22-2023, 06:58 AM	#16
Eodcoduto Junior Member Join Date: May 2023 Location: Muscle Shoals, AL Posts: 29	Re: 1941 Special Sedan I probably am, it always costs more than I think it will and I have an awesome wife that is aware of my underestimating problem.

05-22-2023, 10:26 AM	#20
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 4,043	Re: 1941 Special Sedan While they needed heaters in Nebraska, you might not need one in Alabama. I do however have a NOS 41 complete hot air heater in its original box if you need it. Too bad shipping sucks as it is pretty heavy bulky box. Amazing that car isn't full of 30 caliber holes like it would be if it was up here. Good luck on your project.