Hello everyone. Mick here. Happy4th to all. I am considering the purchase of a 39 Ford sedan that is definitely a 39 body. However it has 40 headlight covers and I assume buckets ect. The car is a deluxe model with correct hood and grill. Turn signals have been added. I would think perhaps the conversion was made to facilitate the indicator lights in the 40 covers. Question, is this a matter of just swapping the light components to return to the 39 headlights? I think the 40 covers look a little awkward on the 39. Thanks for any information passed along.
not an expert, but considering 40 is the first year for sealed beam headlights, and 39 still the old bulb and reflector i would have to guess the bucket is quite different.
Actual 39 front fenders are rare and hard to find. There is a difference. I have had numerous 39s and 40s and have only seen a handful of 39 fronts. The way to tell the difference is to lay a straight edge from the grille to headlight and look at the gap between the fender and straight edge A 39 will be about 5/8 of an inch and a 40 will be perhaps an 1/8 or so. Most 39s i have seen and had were with 40 fenders. I never understood Henrys thinking on this, as frugal as he was, why 2 differant fenders unless he had 2 vendors making them. As far as your question i believe just get 39 buckets and install them. the lighting will not be as good as a seal beam but looks better. I have modified 39 buckets by cutting the lip all the way around and move the bucket back 2 inches and filling in the space with 20 gauge sheet metal and installing, say a 55 chevy adjuster. Its a pain in the butt to do but you get a seal beam shine and still have the 39 look.
Changing to seal beams was very common. Who knows exactly how that specific person did it. You won't know till you take it apart what it takes to go backwards, probably just parts change over. I wouldn't let that sour a deal on the Car.
I also like the looks of the 39 deluxe with stock headlights. I just looked up on Bob Drakes ford parts website and he has everything you need. No worries about not be bright enough because his kit will come with halogen bulbs which are super bright. Be best to call to make sure you’re getting want you want. They probably can help you if you have 39 or 40 fenders
Thanks for the input guys. The better lighting is a factor I did not take into account. The 39 has been converted to 12 volt. The change may have been made to facilitate sealed beams. Not a deal breaker for me, but I do prefer the 39 lights regarding appearance.
The headlight buckets bolt in the same way on both the 39 and the 40. My coupe was a 39 deluxe and I had 40 headlights in that car
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