Projects Tony Miller's Custom 40 Ford Convertible

It was a gutsy decision to make the change to the windshield but a wise one. I always thought the front top on my project looked heavy and somewhat awkward but didn't make the change because I was so deeply into it. Perhaps you see what I mean. My car as a coupe was a similar metallic blue and my daughter would have me repaint it in an instant.
I can't wait to see yours in color.
dechrome.

 

Thanks to dechrome and others who approved of the windshield change. This picture is a peek at the revised windshield and the new top structure, which Don is covering here with a bedsheet. The windshield will have a divider bar and stainless trim as before when it's all complete. This picture also illustrates how low the car is overall.

 

You guys are nailing the look.

 

Wow! Looking so nice. I hope to see you and the car at Santa Maria in May. I am hopeful about having mine ready for the event, too.

 

Tony I think this revision is killer!!

 

Thanks again, guys!

 

I am so impressed with your car that I am driving out there to see it this June from Smithfield, VA!
I might go by the LA Roadster Show while I'm there, too.
Seriously, I am looking forward to seeing your car, and many others I've seen on the HAMB, in person.

 

That windshield looks 100% better. This car is so cool on so many levels.

 

X2.........(2 Thumbs Up!!)

 

Another top mockup from Don. This one is 100% Virgin masking tape!

 

Man, that car is gorgeous!

 

That side profile is great!

 

Yowza; love the stance and low profile!

 

The devil's in the details....

You guys are KILLIN IT!

Gorgeous, simply gorgeous.

Rich

 

I love that it's not a "3 window" top, but a full "hardtop" style. This might make it my all-time favorite '40, bumping the Valley Custom/Ralph Jilek car to second place (sorry, Gary Emory). That is a hell of a tape job, Don.

vic

 

think about using a 1939 Zephyr front bumper

 

I understand exactly what you mean by "hardtop style", but it's funny that you describe it that way. The pattern of frameless door and quarter windows, with no B pillar, was established by '40s convertibles. The "hardtop convertible" was created to mimic those windows on a fixed-roof car.

I did, but it's not gonna happen. I would consider using a modified '40 Merc front bumper, if I had one, but the '40 Ford bumper is fine with me too.

 

I've admired the Jilek '40 since I first saw it in Hop Up in 1952. It inspired me, and was an important reference while I was planning my own car.

 

Big push on the LIKE button! Excellent profile! Don how many rolls of tape did that take??

 

Now that's funny right there!!!!

 

Great profile.

 

That side profile! Love it Tony!

 

Two layers of two inch tape (actually, it's only 1.88" but, don't get me started on that rant) took exactly three rolls.

 

I typically don't really like '40 Fords sectioned, but this car looks great. It's freakin' beautiful. And it looks so much better with the windshield revision. Great work.

 

Guys, I have a 40 Trunk Lid question. I always thought the Coupe and Convertible lids were the same. I borrowed one from a friend that is shorter, won`t fit on the Coupe I am working on. Is a `39 lid shorter? Convert vs Coupe? I can`t believe I don`t know what I have here...

 

The '40 convertible passenger compartment is longer than the coupe (back seat, y'know), so the doors are longer and the trunk lid is shorter. Guess how we discovered all of those facts!

I'm less knowledgeable about '39s, but I think the coupe lid would be the same length as the '40. I believe that all '39 convertibles had rumble seats from the factory, so a completely different size and shape of lid.

 

The trunks are different. Dennis Carpenter recently came out with 39 - 40 Ford convertible trunk lid. Cost is extreme. Coupes appear different not much cheaper.
http://dennis-carpenter.com/trunk-lid/p/01A-7640110/
http://dennis-carpenter.com/car32-48trunk-lid/c/2316/

 

Been almost a month since an update. What's new?

 

Top V2.0 is still kicking our collective asses. As soon as that's done, I'll post an update with pictures on that project. Meanwhile final bodywork and block sanding has commenced in preparation for it's

 

Shopping has ended!- when it's right it's right-perfect profile!