1940 Ford Deluxe Business Coupe
In the Mid 1930's, Ford Motor Company president Edsel Ford was beginning to worry about the ever-increasing competition from Oldsmobile and Buick. Ford needed a car that offered style, comfort and luxury at a mid-market price, one that could bridge the gap between top of the line Ford models and the ultra-exclusive Lincoln K series. The DeLuxe line of upmarket Fords was introduced for 1938, alongside the Lincoln-Zephyr. These new DeLuxe Fords featured different styling from their standard counterparts, as well as well-equipped cabins with additional luxury features.
For consignment, a "baby Zephyr" in response to the competition offering up very nicely designed cars looking like more high-end vehicles. Edsel's response was indeed this car, its grille was the first hint, and the remainder of the styling gave homage to the higher end offerings of the time. The beneficiary of a frame off restoration that has netted this car not only an AACA National Sr win but also a Governor's Cup award at the New Hope, PA auto show, a best of show at the Buckingham Concours D'Elegance, and a best of show win at the Heart of Bucks car show to name a few. This is an excellent condition meticulously maintained show ready car that you can actually drive to any show, anywhere, and has the provenance to prove it with its numerous awards.
Exterior
The first clue to this excellent design is right up front with those teardrop headlights. These are mounted on the rounded fenders that flank a beautifully restored horizontally ribbed grille with a downward sloping V, and a high bulbous hood above. This all metal car is bathed in Mandarin Maroon paint, which is nearly flawless, with panels that have well minded gaps. As we scan to the back, the long hood eventually runs into the dual panel windscreen wrapped by black and chrome trimmings, shiny dual wipers, and dual side view round mirrors on long vertically curling and reaching perches. Long doors float effortlessly above rubber covered running boards that eventually turn into another curva-licious fender for the rear. This frames the sultry long sloping trunk lid that appears to be stretched from the rear glass down to the rear bumper. The handle in the middle is to actuate the trunk and follows the Art Deco styling of the era perfectly. All beautifully restored and utilizing Ford Deluxe hubcaps within centers for the wheel covers present with thin trim rings just inside the edge. Wide whites are wrapping these beautiful wheels as bias ply tires in their thin form all around. This beauty is all accentuated by more teardrop design for the optional rear fender skirts and split semi-oval glass rear window.
Interior
Ultra smooth and tight multi-tan colored broadcloth door panels with some horizontal stitching is providing a background for the nicely aged Bakelite cream bezels and knobs for the deep brown painted window crank and door handle. More tan colored broadcloth for the bench seat which has a split back and enough pads to rival a couch in your living room. In keeping with the theme, a metal painted Mandarin Maroon dash is original and fully restored to its former glory with nice antique white and maroon gauges and cream Bakelite bezels with a peppering of horizontal ribbing for the chrome laden speaker grille. This is all fronted by a cream rimmed by Bakelite steering wheel with a 2 spoke center all shiny and nice. The floor is covered with an impervious rubber flooring which presents in light tan and is very clean and high up on the dash is the Bakelite dressed factory AM radio. From this floor a shiny beautifully curved shift lever reached out to the driver and is topped with a Bakelite knob. This interior is dripping with a showroom fresh look, and provides a veritable trip back in time for any who enter.
Drivetrain
A lift of the Vee shaped hood shows us this car is porting its original 221ci flathead V8 mill that has been meticulously restored to its original glory. This flathead mill has been fully rebuilt by Schwalm's Babbitted Bearings in Strasburg, PA. A single 2-barrel carburetor setup sits atop and has its original oil bath cleaner on top. On the back is a 3-speed manual transmission, also original to this car. 3.78 is the rear axle designation. For ease of starting and reliability the ignition system has been converted from points to an electronic ignition module, and all the wires, hoses and bolt ons are all excellent.
Undercarriage
Better than showroom, attention to every detail with a like new black X frame supporting the Mandarin Maroon shiny floor pans, body hangers and under running boards. Transverse leaf springs provide the all around suspension, and coming from the engine area is a black finished single piped factory style exhaust system. Hydraulic drum brakes are all around.
Drive-Ability
The flat headed V8 fired right up and the carb fed plenty of performance from my foot to the power train. This car drives as nicely as it looks, and all is functioning very well. A great cruiser with power when you need it, better than a 1940 original.
A wonderful example of the baby Zephyr and the general public never had it so good, with the ability to look like a high roller by spending little money. Edsel was a genius, and this created sales that put Ford back on the map. Expertly restored and fastidiously maintained with a rebuilt engine has left this car better than new. All you need to do is write the check and continue winning awards.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
