Some hot rods were built by guys who simply get it. They're more than just a bunch of parts from a catalog, they're cars that respect the vintage iron and the period in which they were built. This attractive 1940 Ford tudor sedan is such a car. Sure, it packs a sweet-running 350 under the hood and an upscale paint job, but it's built to cruise and does that very well indeed. Preserving the original design's integrity... was obviously top on the builder's list, and all the wonderful details that Ford added to the car remain beautifully intact. The 100% steel body has been restored to a good standard, and while it was finished a few years ago it still looks great. The paint is a handsome medium burgundy that looks pretty close to the old Ford Maroon that was so popular in 1940. It still shines under the lights and outside, yet it's also subtle and restrained without any flashy graphics to get in the way. Panel fit is very good, and it's awesome to see that they even kept the running boards in place. The Deluxe models used an updated version of 1939's pointed grille that has become one of the most enduring looks in hot rodding, and it's hard to imagine anything more handsome on the front of this burgundy tudor. The chrome and stainless trim is in decent condition and there are roses etched into the rear glass, which is kind of a neat touch. The salute to detail continues inside with a neatly crafted interior that perfectly blends old and new in high fashion. The upholstery is simply gray fabric, stitched in patterns that resemble the original upholstery and the split front bench loos surprisingly modern. Subtlety is the key, but this is an interior that invites you in and convinces you to stay, and you could happily spend many thousands of miles behind the wheel. For the most part, the dash is original, although the original gauge insert has been modified and now houses a full set of vintage-looking Stewart Warner dials. They added a tilt steering column and an aftermarket A/C unit under the dash, and the original speaker grille has been smoothed to give the dash a nicely integrated look. The back seat is comfortable for two and makes this a very family-friendly hauler, and the trunk is trimmed to match and includes a remote-mounted battery. Built with reliability in mind, this Ford packs a 350 cubic inch Chevy V8, which shouldn't be a surprise. It's smooth, powerful, and easy to maintain, thanks to an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor and intake manifold, HEI electronic ignition and stock ram's horn exhaust manifolds. There are chrome dress-up pieces that are in OK shape, but this one isn't necessarily for show, it's meant to drive and it does that rather well. The front suspension appears to be fairly stock, using a transverse leaf spring and an I-beam axle, while out back there's a Ford 9-inch rear on leaf springs. A TH350 3-speed automatic transmission and a recent Flowmaster exhaust system are traditional hot rod additions, and with modern shocks all around, it rides rather well. Familiar Torque Thrust wheels are always a great choice and carry staggered 195/70/14 front and 225/70/15 rear blackwall radials for a bit of rake in the stance. This is one of those rods that's nicely finished and works great by virtue of being simple. If that's something you appreciate, this is your Ford. Call today!
|