Projects 1939 ford coupe build thread

So yesterday I traded my 1970 buick wildcat convertible for a 1939 ford standard coupe. I have wanted a late 30's ford coupe for years. My plan is to put it back together, get it mechanically working, and drive the wheels off of it. It will be staying 6 volt and no modern upgrades. I started working on it tonight and got it started. It runs but was definitely missing. So I figured I should get started on the tune up. The previous owner had installed new plugs but didn't install the new wires, caps, and rotor. I got the distributor out and it is stick together so I now have it sitting in the vice on my bench soaking in penetrating over night in Hope's of getting it apart to replace the rotor. So I got a bunch of parts from the former owner and plan on using them. I already started unrat rodding the car. He had stuck on these plastic points on the center of the hubs. The wheels will repainted black and I will be putting the right size tire on it. Should be working on it as much as possible. I want to be driving her asap.

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Here is a video of the engine running. Gotta love my kids my 7 year old was asking me why I pulled off the plastic spikes.

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Neat Ole Coupe that is...congrats on your interesting trade...Your gonna love it...one tailight...what is the meaning of this...

Something tells me Stogy's gonna learn something today...

 

The Standard coupe (in 1939 for sure) came from the factory with a single tail light on the driver’s side. Back then, some states required two taillights. I’m not sure if Ford included the second light when building the car at the factory, or if it was dealer installed. All the Deluxe models came from the factory with the second taillight as standard equipment.

 

The one taillight deal continued until 1940 (at least) as the standards still had only one. There was a black '40 Ford standard coupe in our town and one of the many cars I lusted after in my youth. Congrats on your start up, Carp.

 

A buddy of mine who has a 38 deluxe that was prodded back in the early 60's gave me a second tail light to contribute to my project. So it will get a second one installed mainly because of the other idiot drivers on the road.

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A "standard" means one wiper, one sun visor, one tail light....

 

Well tonight's update. Got the distributor apart, cleaned up, new rotor installed, points filed, reassembled, and back in the car. I also installed new plug wires. It was having a hard time cranking so I pulled apart and cleaned the starter. Now it cranks amazingly. I hit the starter button and the key switch was on. It fired right up. Couldn't run it tonight because I have a bitch of a neighbor and don't want her calling code enforcement on me again. It was too late and the car doesn't have a muffler under it right now. But the motor really wants to run. I'll fire it up tomorrow and let it warm up.

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Oh yeah here is the second tail light my buddy gave me.

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Congrats! I am sooooo jealous! I want a 39-40 coupe.

 

Yeah I've wanted one for a while also I was super excited it worked out the way it did. I figured I would end up with a late 30's plymouth. They are cool but easier to come by.

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Far out. I'm subscribed! Make it go, make it stop, make it safe, make some memories!

 

Here is a video of it running with the new parts installed.

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That was the case until 38. The 39 standards all got the chrome windshield and 2 wipers from the 38 Deluxe, but still 1 taillight. I made a hardwood "die" to press the right fender for the 2nd light. It got real close then it broke so now I have to whip up an aluminum version to finish.
Copied the location from the left:


Made up the die from oak:

Cut the holes and started to calmp it up:


Got close but not quite:

Seems a good place to share this idea. Have fun...

 

Ok thanks for the info I'll be doing that myself.

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I kept the single tail light and put an old round light under the bumper for tail,stop and turn... **clic pic**

 

I haven't done much on the coupe in the last few days. With coronavirus and earthquakes in Salt Lake work has been really stressful. I've been pretty exhausted when I get home. I do have some parts on order and will be tackling reinstalling the fenders this weekend. So I should have some more progress pics shortly.

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Looking forward to following along

 

Nice choice

 

Here is a video I made. I will be posting more videos as i put the car together.

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nice project,my favorite part of that video was that ear to ear grin on that little girl. brings back memories 35 years ago when my daughter was that age sitting in my old cars when i was building them. have fun this truly is the good ole days

 

She helped me for about an hour with the car. Then she lost interest and started playing playing with her brother. It was good I had her help remove the generator and help pull the carb. I figure I'll grab either of my kids and have them "help" me. It's more about the time I'm spending with the.

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it

Interesting.....I had never considered that technique. I would have cut the fender in and welded a piece of flat sheet metal in. Thanks for sharing your idea.

 

Quick update video.

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Well I drove the coupe around the block tonight. It was great. I should have gotten a video but didn't. I'll get one tomorrow.

I do have a question. I want a replacement cloth wrapped harness for the coupe but don't want to spend a lot for a prebuilt harness. Has anyone built a harness for a late 30's ford? How hard would it be. I'm confident that I could build one. Any advice would he greatly appreciated.

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To build a harness would be fairly simple. Not much there. Just replace one at a time if you’re not comfortable pulling the whole lot.
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I figure I'll pull the whole thing and build all at once. I'm going to start buying the supplies for it when I get paid.

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Looks like a good ole girl. You're gonna have a lot of good times in it.

 

Got in some parts today. New choke and throttle levers. These are for a 39 merc. I liked the that they look compared to the 39 ford levers.

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Nice.