1940 Ford Standard Woodie Station Wagon
In 1938 Ford had adopted a policy where the sheet metal used on the Standard model would be adopted from the previous years Deluxe model. However, they were more de-chromed with components like the grill and headlight bezels being mostly painted. They also lacked things like the polished trim framing the windshield. This idea was a pretty clever way to maintain corporate identity while still distinguishing between the different models. So despite the 1940 Standard using the sheet metal from the 1939 Deluxe those '39 owners would still feel they have a more upscale version. Interestingly the price difference didn't deter most with the Deluxe outselling the Standard by around 5,000 units. The Standard did however appeal to an audience of commercial and government users because of its lower price point. They could still have a nice solid and great looking vehicle with equal practical aspects for a discounted price. This very cool 1940 Ford Standard was originally in the Nick Alexander Woodie collection who acquired the vehicle in 2007. Mr. Alexander refinished the wood and addressed all mechanical issues. The remainder of the car he kept in the condition it was found in as he frequently planned to use it as a driver on his commute between his dealerships in LA. It was later sold into the Dingman collection and to bring it up to the quality of the rest of his collection was shipped off to Kevin Westmoreland's Performance Restoration in Cleveland, Georgia. It was there that this extremely original car was completely restored. The car was fully disassembled and put back together resulting in a full factory fresh appearance. For the Standard only 3 paint choices were given so to stick with the authenticity the steel was all painted Black. It has a deep shine and beautiful slick finish. It also received its correctly grained Black roof done in artificial leather. It also has its tailgate mounted spare in a full Black metal cover. Being that the exterior accents were kept minimal on the Standard it serves to highlight the true beauty of the wood paneling. It absolutely beautiful and given the dark color of the steel your eyes are immediately drawn to the refinished woodgrain. Everything works together seamlessly together to achieve this including the Black wheels with Black wall tires and simple V8 hubcaps.
Sticking with originality the car is powered by its original Flathead V8 motor. It runs great and everything has been kept as authentic as possible. Both underneath the car and in the engine compartment Ford hoses/clamps were used as well as the correct braided ignition wires and all original hardware. It really is remarkable how period correct this car has remained. It has a 3 speed manual transmission and a Columbia overdrive rear axle making freeway cruising comfortable. That being said the odometer shows 1,500 miles since completion so driving it has been kept to a minimum to maintain its quality.
The interior incorporates more of those luxurious wooden accents with a darker shade on the overhead slats and inner doors. While expense was of no concern during the build the goal was originality so while genuine leather could have been used, it was not. Since the Deluxe had genuine and Standards had artificial that is exactly what it received. The Brown artificial leather is in excellent condition and meticulously maintained. To the floor Black rubber mounts were applied in the correct pattern. It is all nicely complemented by the Brown single tone dash that has all of its original components. Keeping with the simplicity of the exterior the 2 spoke painted original steering wheel lacks any horn ring or bright work.
This genuine Ford Standard is a prime example of one of these cars. Its low body number indicates assembly dates of September 1939 and it is one of only 3,257 produced.
Take this unique classic home for $172,500.00!
