Funny I should stumble onto this thread. I have a 40 dlx coupe that I'm third owner of and also love 55 chevy's. I have had thoughts of potentially trading it for a 55. After reading this thread it has made up my mind to continue to keep my 40 and just buy me a 55. Thanks guys !
Apples and Oranges. Which came first the chicken, or the egg? Is the glass half full, or half empty? You already know the answer to your question. I know what I'd do. So do you. No guess work, no divining chicken entrails, no tea leaves. Be a man. It's all about the tech. What do you want to see parked in your driveway when you wake up? Are you an old school kind of guy who still listens to phonograph records, or has a CD player? Fifteen years in automotive technology is exponential. Even though you can retrofit parts to a fat-fendered Ford, inside it's still the same (cramped space that's hard to see out of) body style as people inhabited before WWII. Are you ready to deal with that? Is it going to be a daily driver, or a week-end warrior? Keepers can be tinkered with, and tweaked over the years. You can change the suspension components, drive train, paint and rubber but essentially it will still be the same envelope tomorrow, next month, or next year. And, have you owned a fat-fendered Ford before? For some of us it's like coming home, for others a motel they stay in a while and check out. For me, a Forty Ford is a fortress of solitude that rolls on pneumatic wheels and is to be had above all other forms of transportation. And, the list of stuff I've owned and driven is many and varied. Chuck the Chevy, only if you're willing to endure a few hardships, because it is, after all is said and done, an older vision of heaven. A '55 Chevy, on the other hand is easy to work on, easy to see out of, and can be updated and as modern as your wallet can handle. The question is: "Are you man enough to handle a Forty-Ford? Do you have the stamina and internal fortitude to build one and keep it going through thick and thin?"
Having owned BOTH a 55 Chevy ( a couple of them ) and 40 Ford coupes ( two of them ) ... I myself would take the 40 Ford. The 55 has more room, is easier to find parts and are considered a true HOT ROD ... but there is just something about driving a 40 Ford on a back road, in the moonlight and looking out those two little small rear windows
i have owned a 40 coupe, two convertibles, and a two door sedan love that body style (39-40) but they are garnering more of a geezer stigma every day--i say do what you like but tri fives are much hotter now as the old stuff falls to the retired guys with lots of coin and younger guys want to do what their dad did ---not their grandfather---i see from your A that you are capable either way you go --there will be other tri fives --another 40--- not so much
Since its all opinion, I would go for the 40 coupe. I love the 55 Chevys, I have had a couple of them but a 40 coupe to me is just a cut above in the hot rod world.
I've had several other 55 Chevys but only one 39 Ford coupe. Personally nicer looking than a 40, but who keeps score? Still have a 55 Wagon and the 39 Ford. Altho the 39 Ford has sat idle for way too many years as we tinker with the 55 Chevy wagon, I would much rather be driving the 39 Ford. Don't ask why I don't. It gets complicated, as life does. Personally both are great toys. Keep which ever one you want. But later on you will wish you had the other. Kinda like wimmin! Does this help?
I have had a 55 ht for 40 years and it will likely never leave the family. I really like the 40 coupes (the photo of Bob Lick's Ford is pretty convincing.) As a few others mentioned, depends on how you plan to use. I have a chopped 31 Ford sedan that is blast, but will never be as comfortable on the long hauls as the 55. Tough choice to have to make, but good you have the opportunity to have one of 2 really great rides at the end of the day. Good luck with the decision.
Bob Lick's '40 Ford coupe from Baker City, Oregon. It has a '52 Olds 324 in it with 3-2s in front of the stock Ford drivetrain.. That's about all I know. He's one of the subjects of the book "Hot Rod Garages" by Peter Vincent.
Here's the only other picture I have of his coupe.. The primer spots are a result of getting it backwards on a drag strip. So it's pretty evident he drives it like it should be driven.
Go-Twichy, You posted my 40 in the upper left corner!!!!!.... got her for sale now. Plus I own a 55 wagon. I love 'em both....just depends on where I am going and what for...I feel blessed.
Some info on the 40 I'm going to look at. Deluxe, Business (Opera) Coupe, dropped axle front end, 78 Granada 302 2bbl with C4, both rebuilt. Granada rear. Coupe seat, but not the proper split seat. Jump seats missing. NOS trim & grill. may have Astro Supremes. More info tomorrow
those pics are from bakerfield 08. i was taking pictures of anything i really liked to help me decide about buying one in az. which i did! i havent touched it yet, but heres some pictures of it. thats my mom, it's out at my folks house.
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