Love the look of the '40 ford front end, but not the prices of them in even restorable condition (I'm cheap with limited budget). I CAN afford a '38 (there's one local that I have my eye on) and was wondering if the front clip of a '40 (fenders/hood/grill etc.) can be swapped onto a '38 or even a '41. thanks, Andy
Not a 41. 39and 40 are the same but I think 38s are a bit different. I really like 38s because you just don’t see that many.
I'm pretty sure a 40 front end won't swap onto anything else except a 39 Deluxe. A 38 has way different cowl sides, and I believe the 39 Standard cowl sides are still similar to a 38. A 39 Deluxe is basically a 40 Standard with different trim. A couple dozen small detail differences, but the same if you squint.
A friend grafted a '40 Deluxe clip onto a '37 coupe. It turned into a LOT of work. I think he's spent over 15 years on it off and on. And it's still not done. So; yes, it can be done. I can't say that it would be worth it though. NOTE: He didn't do it because of monetary concerns. He's got several 1932 Ford cars; ranging from nice (read that pretty expensive) to stupid money exquisite.
39 Standard shares the cowl with a 38, 40 is the same as 39 Deluxe. Possible, but not simple. Easiest would be a cowl swap, probably.
Take a gander at the shape of the '39 Deluxe hood in the back. It is the same as a '40 standard/deluxe. The '39 Standard is the same as the '38 Deluxe or Standard. Much work is involved in transforming from a '39 Standard to the '39 Deluxe/'40 frontend.
This is a '37 Ford sedan. Don't know if it was a Standard or Deluxe but it is possible if you do a lot of work.