Jon, the '40 Ford Deluxe Coupe is an icon that most of us have admired
all our lives. Its styling represents the full flower of the taste and
artistry of designers E.T. Gregorie and Edsel Ford. I always thought
they look best in black, but Spring Maroon(a gorgeous maroon with a hint
of brown that is a very close match for Indian(mc) Red) is also a
knockout.
Only problem is, the best ones in the country, that win prizes at the
meets of the Early Ford V8 Club of America, are worth at least
$50K(maybe $75K now), and rising.
As a kid 50 years ago I would lie on my bed at home and browse through
Hot Rod Magazine looking at these '40 coupes. So Cal seemed full of
them, but where I lived(Minneapolis) salt cancer was taking its toll.
Then, a hot Flathead was the thing. A little later the SB Chevy adapted
to the Ford driveline was the hot ticket. Both are still good today. I
also recall one such in the '50s with a gas Chrysler Hemi that did about
150 at Bonneville. Must have put some extra leaves in the front spring!
But I have heard that coupe bodies of this era are not very ideal for
speed trials, since the turrets make for a low-pressure area over the
trunk that lifts the back end and gives squirrelly handling over the 150
mph speed range. Happy holidays to all. Ardun Bill
|