What's your flavor: The '39 or the '40 DeLuxe?

[Jack Luther]

It's a close call, for all the reasons already stated, but if it's a closed car, then I prefer the 40. If it's a convertible, then it's definitely a 39, since that's the last year of the coupe-convertible, and I'd be tempted to put 40 trim on a 39 convertible if I were starting with a pile of parts rather than a nice, complete car.

[jmh]

My ride is a 39 Deluxe!! So.. Thats my pick!! John

[theHIGHLANDER]

There's been a few cars, that were you to own one of, you'd see the others and want that one too. 1st gen GM F-bodies come to mind. Love the 67, love the 68. Love the differences of each, love the "improvements" of the 68. GM A-bodies too. If I had a 68 Chevelle, I'd want the 69 when I saw it, and the reverse of that as well. It's a sickness, right? 29-31 Packards fall in there too. To the casual observer they all appear the same, but when you know the differences, what you can see and not see, you need to nearly have 1 of each to get a fix. 31 fenders embody a grace and flow like no other on the more senior versions, but the 29-30 fenders are just as graceful in how they seem to "hold" their spares with an almost maternal love.

None more debilitating than the 39-40 Fords. Standard, Deluxe, 39, 40, both encompass things that real car folks swoon over. I love both, or more accurately, ALL 4! I used to despise the 38 Deluxe/39 Standard. Now I love it. I always thought the 40 Standard was just a "left over" 39 (I know it's not, just an outward observation), so why not go Deluxe? The grille, headlights, hood, taillights of the 40, 40 Deluxe, are magical. More graceful than the Lincolns, and a 40-41 Continental is still a truly "sexy" car, but it's no match for the size and graceful proportions of a 40 Deluxe. They simply flow and feel good. But then, as the ever courageous jive-bomber endured, you stroll past a 39 Deluxe. Just when you thought you were "there" you had what you wanted, sumbitch. The details hit you. The real differences that are in your face, the subtle differences the less informed miss. There's no answer to this. You simply have to have at least 3 of the 4 I mentioned to maintain civility without meds. Just sayin...

[sawzall]

Originally Posted by Von Dago

'39. I like the grill, the headlights, the floor shift.
On the convertibles, the top on the '40 looks too bulky to me.
And I like the wood better on the '39 wagons. (Don't tell Sawzall )
But, I'm prejudiced.

come on.!
40 deluxe all the way..




although.. I must admit..

after seeing this 39 wagon in California



ithe roof on my 40 wagon is looking alittle BIG..



and the ONLY 40 ford convertible that I would ever want to own is this one..


but i hope 50fraud doesn't offer it for sale anytime soon
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...hlight=50fraud

[57Custom300]

I'm surprised at all the 39 votes, I like the 40 myself. That said, I wouldnt kick a 39 out of bed.

[HOTRODPRIMER]

I've owned two 40 DeLuxe sedans and a 40 DeLuxe coupe,,but I've always like the 39 DeLuxe and 40 Standard better. HRP

[Greybeard]

My choice would be a '39 with a '40 dash and steering column. As if I'd ever have that chance...

[TAYLOR]

39 Is my pick , like the dash , floor shift , fold out windshield,tail lights, most of all the headlights and grille. If I ever get a 40 , I'd much rather have a standard.

[ric]

'40 Standard would be my choice. I like the Standard grill and the '40 headlights.

[STURGIS39]

Originally Posted by 40FORDPU

'39 Deluxe, or '40 Standard for me..always over a '40 deluxe.

I agree. I have a 39 STD and wanted to change it to a deluxe. Now I would not change to a 39 deluxe. The 39 std design has grown on me. There seems to be a lot of 40 standards and 39 deluxe s and not as many 39 Standards. It seems that cars go in cycles. A car nobody wants becomes popular after most of them are destroyed.

Cash for clunkers may make my 89 Olds a valuable car someday. LOL

I think Ryan's avatar is making the 39 and 38 Fords more desirable.

[bigalturk1]

The 39' & 40' Fords, are the cars to have.....
Next are: 55' - 57' Chevy's.
These vehicles are the ones that will always hold they're value in the "Regular production automobile" class.

[porknbeaner]

Originally Posted by Jive-Bomber

I was walking around the Good Guys Pleasanton show last month with a good friend, admiring a really beautiful 1939 Ford DeLuxe coupe parked right next to 1940 coupe. Sure, the bodies are the essentially the same, but quite a bit changed in that year:...

To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

As much as I like '40s given the option I would go with the '39. I just like the little stuff like tail lights etc better on the '39. I guess I a not a real Ford guy as my opinion is that the '39 is a better looking car.

[Southfork]

'39 Deluxe for me all the way. 40 Standard next. Then '40 deluxe. But they're all nice.

Is the '39 Coupe sheet metal identical to the '40 Coupe, such that you could make one body out of the two? If so, I may do that, putting a '39 coupe top on a '40 that got its roof damaged in Roundy-round racing back in the day.

[dt50chev]

I like the '39 coupe the best. Although if I were to ever have one I would be awfully tempted to chop and drop it late 40s taildragger style custom.

[Model T1]

Originally Posted by bigalturk1

The 39' & 40' Fords, are the cars to have.....
Next are: 55' - 57' Chevy's.
These vehicles are the ones that will always hold they're value in the "Regular production automobile" class.

Damned we have good taste ! Make that a 39 Ford deluxe and a 56 Chevy Bel Air.

[exStreamliner]

Thirty-Nine hands-down!

[Al Consoli]

I can like both. Can't I?? ... but I'll take a '39

[The 39 guy]

Refe,r Bob Drake offers all of the parts for the 39 head light conversion. Other companies also offer modified designs. The head lights fit without modifications.

[The 39 guy]

50 Fraud's 40 convert top looks great! Should make sitting in the back seat with the top up much more fun.

[Mertaw]

'40 is the epitome of the Art Deco Era and the '39 was a just progression to perfection in the '40. Then again I may be biased as well!