1940 Ford 85 Series Standard Business Coupe
"As a rule, a business coupe was a "no nonsense" essential two entryway vehicle with no secondary lounge or a removable rearward sitting arrangement. The vehicle makers planned these models for mobile sales reps that conveyed products or tests and not travelers. The names Business Coupe, Coupe, Sedan Coupe and Club Coupe were used by the stylists to designate models in a model year to fit several different configurations, just as Victoria meant a different configuration to different manufacturers." Thx to aaca.org
For consignment, a 1940 Ford 85 Series Standard Business Coupe, showing 23,403 miles, but the true miles are unknown. It underwent some restoration including paint and interior in 1982 and both are holding up nicely on this bold, red car.
Exterior
Step back and take a look at the profile of this car. Although bright red was not an option in 1940, we can still appreciate the fantastic shape, balanced front to back with a long, straight high hood countering the rounded cabin roofline and sloping, elongated trunk lid. Set off by wide white walls on 15-inch tires, it looks almost whimsical, like something out of a vintage children's cartoon book, and yet solid in its stance and slightly canted forward as if pushing towards the road ahead. The unique tail lights resemble inverted corporal stripes while the deep ring of the front headlights look a bit like droopy eyelids flanking the narrow grin of a vertical grille. The paint, brightwork, and emblems are in great shape. There are a few touched up scratches that do not deter from the over beauty of the car.
Interior
Ribbed velour-like cloth covers the door panels in red and in this case, a mid-century armrest has been added in conjunction with the window crank and door actuator. There's also a vent window here and no fixed pillar between it and the main window, which has a chrome metal frame attached that slides up against the vent window when closed. Bucket seats from a Chevelle wear the same red ribbing material with piping to differentiate the insert from the sides. The walls of the storage area behind the seats match the red motif and can be accessed by pushing the seat back forward. A clamp on turn signal controller is attached to the column while the large ivory steering wheel wears a spinner knob to reduce arm movement to turn the car. The nicely painted metal dashboard houses the vintage instrument cluster that shows some nice patina, while some auxiliary gauges are mounted below and a modern AM/FM/Cassette player is embedded up high. A skull capped shifter rises from the floor which is covered in plush red carpet. Above us, the headliner is thickly tufted in red and the trunk is completely barren.
Drivetrain
Built by Ohio Speed, the 239ci flathead V8 under the hood is gleaming and per our consignor, is from 1948. The holes are capped off with Edelbrock aluminum heads and it has dual 2-barrel carburetors and a 3-speed manual transmission. Power is sent to the rear axle with 4.44 gears. Drum brakes are provided on all four wheels.
Undercarriage
Clean and dry underneath with minimal surface rust and no loose oil anywhere! The big X-frame takes center stage and harbors two Smithy mufflers that connect the exhaust to the headers and then send tasteful chrome tips out the back. Suspension consists of transverse leaf springs front and rear. The gas tank is newer and looks it!
Drive-Ability
If you think start buttons are a new invention, let me introduce you to the 1940 Ford. This one has updated ignition so with a turn of the key, the Flathead starts up and we move the skull forward to put her into first. A bit more rumble in this example than your stock Business Coupe would have had but otherwise feeling very much like 1940 from more comfortable bucket seats. 40's simplicity means less things to go wrong and in fact, all functions on the car work as they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
Red on red on this older restoration is evidence that it's been well cared for over the last 40 years since the redo and is a turnkey show car or addition to a collection that will brighten your day simply by being in the presence of the fire engine red. Black, grey, and blue were the only colors available on the standard Ford back in the day, and the fine lines of this car are accentuated by the bright color, clean engine, and comfortable interior. If you mean business and want to increase your pleasure, get in on this Business Coupe ASAP!
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.
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