Projects An Exercise in Practicality - 1939 Ford Early Custom

It's been a while in coming, so I figured I'd finally get around to posting my most recent automotive escapade...

When my daily driver, a 1984 BMW, started showing its age and wear it became apparent that we needed another, practical, car in the stable to assume daily duties while that car is off the road for some major rehab. And in the end, I did what any prudent fellow looking for a family car would; I started looking for a nice late-30s sedan.

The wife, kid, and I rolled down to the Sacramento Autorama last month, and with a wad of cash, and a list of cars to look at between Seattle and San Fransisco, we figured we'd probably be bringing something home. We did. And here it is...



Pretty nice, pretty strait 1939 Ford Deluxe Tudor Sedan. Nothing crazy, it's about a 30 year old restoration, a little rough around the edges, but with a very recent 59A with some major work done to it:

Bored and stroked to 286 cubes with new crank, rods and Pistons
Schneider 270F cam
New flywheel and pressure plate
Block Letter Edelbrock heads
And a big ol' lump of carburetion on top



The guts are good, and the motor is strong, but the builder never could get it to idle right or run without loading up. Gee, I wonder why?

Anyway, plans are to turn this car into a nice 1940s style custom while retaining daily drivability and use as the family truckster.



Stay tuned to see how it went, and will continue to go...

 

Since we bought the car in the Bay Area, it was going to be a little while before the shipper could get it home (no, driving it back was not an option due to the aforementioned tuning issues and family and work constraints). That left plenty of time to gather parts for the first stage of its metamorphosis from quasi sleeper hot rod to early custom cruiser.

Edelbrock Slingshot, and a generator...


New Plug Wires...


New Blackwall Rubber...


Freshly painted Wide-Fives...




And a set of Lyon wheelcovers pulled out of the rafters...


I also got some skirts for the rear. Then, after about a week, the car finally showed up...


It was barely off the trailer before I spent the morning giving the car its first bout of restyling:

 

The day after the car came off the transporter, I ended up having to leave for three weeks on a business trip to Pennsylvania. Yesterday was my first full day back, and without wasting time I dug into the old girl.

I got about 90% done with the engine bay...


Just gotta finish up wiring, linkage, and a few other bits and she's ready for tuning.

That brings us up to date. Once the engine is done I'll be talking cosmetics. Altitude first, and then a shave.

Stay tuned...

 

I'm in

 

very nice--good progress thus far

 

So what's not to like? Wow.

 

Beutiful car and a great motor! Best of luck!

 

Can't complain about any of that...........

 

You have a great start there.
Watching this one as well.
Torchie

 

I have thought if doing the same thing. I think a 36-40 Tudor makes a perfect family truckster. Your plans are great.

 

You haven't shown us the exhaust system ... I'd be happy to mail you 2 1947 pennies for the heat risers.

 

The exhaust is kinda cobbled together @302GMC Red's Headers at the motor feeding into a Smitty on one side and some 'other' brand glass pack in the other. Looks like Red's tail pipes, but with evidence of a few different sets of tips out back. Currently it is sporting a hideous set of giant chrome tips.

I'll be going through it and probably putting in a matched pair of Porters and cleaning up the back end with chrome pencil tips.

The heat risers are plugged.

 

Here's a shot of the back end, with the offending, huge, exhaust tips:

 

I think they have the most graceful lines in the front of any Ford made. Just love the the headlights the way they blend in. COOL car

 

I can't believe I of all people would say this, but I like the wide whites better. other wise it is great! Do not mean to be critical, I am actually kind of white walled out myself, but just an observation. Larry

 

any plans on body mods ? or Appleton Spots..How much is the ass coming down ? yep those exhaust tips are pretty offending for sure! very nice... thanks for sharing ! @RainierHooker

 

The rear end will be coming down about 3" with the help of a posies 'low' spring that I have waiting to go in. The front will then be adjusted to get a proper reverse rake, it already has a reverse-eye main leaf.

I'm kinda on the fence about spotlights. It'll probably come down to whether or not I can find a good pair of Appletons.

Body mods are planned to be very simple. Not much more than a tasteful shave. I've been looking at every period picture of period custom sedans I can get and reading and re-reading my Dan Post Blue Books.

I really like the trim treatment on this one:


As for the blackwalls, I think they'll look much more at home once I get the altitude right. Here's what I've been looking at for inspiration (all photos credited to Kustomrama and Rikster's Custom Car Chronicle):

 

Good stuff, no GREAT stuff, you are doing it right.

 

Lasalle ribbed bumpers... look good... the later Plymouth ribbed bumper look a bit bulky... looks like the hood molding was shortened in one picture... looking good ! 41 Stude taillights ???

 

You are on the right track - most of the prewar customs were not overkill - but minimal in changes, enough to set them apart and give them a little more go to match the show.

Are you running one of Vic Sr's original Slingshots? I have a very early Slingshot that I am planning on fitting later this spring. Currently running the original Hexagon twin carb intake - it's what was installed in early 47 and runs just fine - though those original Slingshots are just very special!

Really dig your direction, my 41 hopup is just as it was in 41-47 when my Grandpa modded her up. These cars are simply great, a mix of elegance, hop up and boat loads of fun.

Will be watching!

 

Nice car and like the way you are going with it. We've enjoyed our 41 for quite a few years. I'd never painted it yeller but it's been a fun driver.

Also have a 39 Deluxe coupe that I drove years ago. Long story. It's just sitting and waiting. There aren't many cars I like more than a 39-40 Ford. Owned two other stock 39 Deluxe 4-doors.
Still I can't see this car being your family daily driver in a big city. Good luck.

 

Love it, sub'd. been thinking along the same lines, playing with a 39std 4 door.... I know, it's what I've got.
keep up the pics!

 

I was looking for a 35-41 sedan when i came up on my shoebox. I love what you are doing with the car. but have to say i wish you would have went with white walls.other then that it's spot on what i wanted!great car man.

 

Outstanding car! I have driven by your house a couple of times hoping to catch you working on it.

 

Thanks guys. I picked up a pair of flippers for the '39. Looks like I'll have a few options when it comes to rolling stock...



As for the whitewall verses blackwall debate, I really think that the mid-40s look I'm going for says blackwalls and flippers. On the other hand, whitewalls and Lyons say late-40s or early-50s to me. In the end, I now have two options for covers, and two options for tires, as I still have whitewalls mounted on a set of wheels. Freedom of choice!

I'll leave you with this pic of the car sporting the flippers before I send them off for chrome...

 

I had about four sets of hub caps for my 49 Ford Coupe', when I got tired of the way the car looked, I swapped over to my Olds Flippers, to my 4 bar dodges caps, also had smooth set of Plymouth caps that looked good...it's all about choices... and looks like you have two very nice go to options for that tail dragger... very nice

 

Wow, blown away by this...your plans for it are perfect.

Great to see another period-perfect build coming together!

 

I think the blackwalls look fantastic on it, I look forward to seeing updates.

 

Excited to see how this turns out! Looking great so far.

 

This is great! I have a '41 Tudor and the plans are very similar. Have fun and please keep the updates coming.