Hot Rods Help ID'ing 39 or 40 ford sedan!

He y'all.I need a little help.A friend of mines dad wants to trade some paint work for a 39 or 40 ford sedan.Its pretty rough,but he doesn't need much paint work either.I was wondering how can I tell the difference between 39 and 40.I don't think this car has a grill so that's out.Isn't there some difference's in the wiper arm placement or something?

Any way,any help would be appreciated.Feel free to post up a few pics,cause I'm a dummy and need visual aid!Also whats some thing like this worth?I know its hard to put a figure on it without seeing pics first,(Ill post some up when I get back from looking at it later in the day)I just need a ball park.

Thanks in advance!
EVIL

 

39 has rollout windshield frame, 40 windshield is fixed and mounted in rubber.
39 has wipers above the windshield, 40 is below.
39 has no vent windows in doors, 40 does.
39 door handles have screws in escutcheon under handle when turned, 40 have handle screw inside door edge.
39 has bulb and reflector headlamps if stock, 40 has sealed beams.
39 has teardrop taillamps, 40 has chevron (sargeant stripes) taillamps.
39 has round instrument cluster holes in dash, 40 is rectangular.
and a dozen more but this will do it for you.

 

That should do it!Thanks for the fast reply!Gotta love the power of the HAMB!

EVIL

 

Thirty-nines had top-shift transmissions (floor shifter), forties have the shifter on the column. Of course, seventy years later it might not be exactly stock....

 

40's had ribbed stainless trim, 39's had smooth.

 

The 39 dash has round gauges and the 40 has the square gauge panel.

 

Oh and if it is even remotely saveable, get it. '39's and '40's have always been extremely desireable and likely will be in the future.

 

Sure glad to hear that or I made a big mistake 45 years ago. My daddy always said that I would not get my $100 out of her and I'm still trying to prove him wrong.

 

Thanks again guys!Im trying to get a hold of the guy right now.If I dont post some pics today I will post them this weekend for sure.

EVIL

 

$100? That's a lot of money. Tell you what, I'll step up and give you $200 for it, that way you can brag you doubled your money!
Acually even 45 years ago (1965?) $100 would be cheap for a 40 unless it was real rough, seems they have always been one of the "desirable" Fords and priced accordingly.

 

An obvious difference would be that 39's use wide five wheels while the 40 went back to the 5 on 5 1/2 wheel pattern.

 

What amazes me is that someone interested in cars or Hot rods doesnt read the magazines on the subject....Street Rodder,Rod & Custom,,,etc...tons of 39 & 40's there over a period of time..

 

Sorry I didn't meet your standard.I will try and do betterThanks for your helpful information tho.It should come in handy.

EVIL

 

Sometimes it's hard enough to get sunshine back into those mountains of Western North Carolina, let alone magazines

 

39 deluxes have the better grill

 

Yea but Im at the bottom of the mountains.....I guess I just missed the bus.

EVIL

 

'39 Deluxe (green coupe), '40 Standard (middle) & '40 Deluxe

 

bumpers are different too

 

OK, I just got back from looking at it and its a 40 for sure.I thought it was, but it had been a while since I last saw it.I took a bunch of pics.Ill get them posted in the AM.My mom invited me and the wife over for steak!I dont want to miss that!Thanks again for all the help.

EVIL

 

OK as promised here are a few pics.I need some help getting an idea what its worth.Should I start a "whats this worth" thread?I have plenty more pics if any one needs them.

Thanks in advance.

 

Everything that I see says it's a 40 Ford standard sedan. Unlike lots of old cars that one looks like it all started life together and not a compilation of parts that can confuse the issue.

 

You call that "pretty rough"??
Looks damn good from here.

 

That's a '40. Good start for the right guy...

 

The outer edges of the die cast 40 Standard grille sides are still attached to the inner edges of the front fenders, and still are painted original black.

 

its worth your time, your money, and some grief from people that don't understand.

 

Yep, '40 Standard. It's unusual to see one that nobody has added a second tailight to the passenger side fender at some point over the years. Get yourself a Bob Drake catalog and start ordering stuff. His catalogs have a lot of great pictures and tech advice as well. Good luck with it....Don.

 

Some place at the house I have a headlight bezel for that...

 

That car is in good shape - make that deal, quick!!! That one is a keeper, for sure ... it's not been tampered with either with single tail light, pretty straight body, not much outside rust, nice decklid - it's all there and pretty straight too. How are the floors?

 

Floors are gone.Some one tried to put a floor in it at some point,but they didnt have much success.I think i will make the deal,but only if I can get the car cheap enough.I think Im just gonna turn the car.I have enough projects going on.I sure would like to fix it,but I cant see me ever having the time.

But as I say this,Im thinking of all the things I could do to the car to make it better....lol.We shall see...........

Thanks again everyone!