I'll go against the grain, I really like the 41 Fords. A long time ago I was on a serious hunt for a 41 Ford business coupe. I found a few, but never pulled the trigger. I'd still buy one today if I was looking. The 42's are a different breed too. I like them all.
I'm pretty partial to 'em. Yes, they can be a wheelbarrow full of ugly, but they do grow on you. There are definitely a design disaster. Get 'em down a bit and drive. The real bitch is all the one year only parts. And they are pretty comfortable a long haul!
I think they really need drip rails and I can’t believe I’m the first one to notice how modified those front fenders are on the featured car! Those wheel wells are raised way up. I’ve always dug this car, gives a bit of a same year a mopar vibe
100% agree when the drip rails are shaved it kills it for me, it puts the door tops out there in a weird spot… then round the door corners and it enhances it even more.
Well ... since no one has yet mentioned the Valley Custom "mystery" killer 1941 Ford coupe, I guess it's up to me. Of special note is the way Valley Custom handled the front fenders on both cars the same way. They cut out the seam and hammer welded the two piece (or three piece on early 41s) fenders into a single piece and eliminated the rolled joint (and chrome bead trim on Deluxe models). Also raised the radius for front tire turning clearance. Anyone have any further info or pix of the front end of the car below?
Just want to give a little love to the 41's maybe not as stylish as a 40 but what is. If I ever repaint the front fenders the stock turn lights will disappear but I find my car pretty sexy. Beauty is subjective. I like customs there are a lot of nice looking 41 fords on this thread
"...Let’s be honest—it’s a bloated, pudgy beast with lines too round to inspire anything but indifference..." - Ryan. I resemble that remark!
With all the work done to the feature car, I'm surprised it isn't chopped. I like everything about the car. The 41's are an odd ball car, but then look at the 38 Ford. It's also an odd ball, but there's some pretty nice ones out there. As with any car, the build style really makes or breaks the car.
The 41s are can be transformed into so many levels of kustom. I guess that’s why a lot of early customizers used them because they had a shape and lines perfectly fit for customization. The coupes have always been a canvas to go from stock to mild to full kustom. Pudgy? Ugly, awkward? Nope not at all .. the 41 coupes have flow, fat fenders, great sloping trunk , sought after bumpers,sought after front fenders, . When lowered with a perfect speed boat stance add white walls chrome caps and the fat 41 fender skirts and some chromes Appletons , I think I did an ok job with mine .. Pudgy my ass
Stand behind a convertible 40-48 Ford or Mercury . Then you will see the way the body lines flow from the nose of the hood back and down to the trunk lid . It’s there on the coupes and sedans but not as easy to see . I enjoy standing behind the 47 Mercury convertible I hauled home . Guess I’m in a minority group that likes the fat fendered Fords . It would be a boring world if we all liked the same style of cars lol
With anything custom it's personal preference. Some will appeal to more, than others. I look at the work that went into it to make it happen. Some guys were truly very talented metal artists in their vision and thought.
Funny how all the great customizers like Ayala and Barris and many others produced iconic 41 fords, the Lopez ford, Jack Stewart’s, Wally Welch,Joe Urritta, Dick carter,Johnny Vara , Johnny Zaro… people who were obviously inspired by the lines of this uninspired bloated ride
I think Paul Bragg built a couple of nice '41's. However, it looks like a lot of the pictures are gone now. Probably photobucket is why.
Thanks for the compliment Mike! Car is an original early custom done some time around 1956 in Ft Wayne Indiana. Builder unknown. I bought the car in 1962. Major changes I have done are 3 1/2" chop, added skirts and remove running boards.
Funny for the 41 to be blasted like some are doing. The 41-48 bodys are the same the only difference bodywise on the outside is the front clip. The doors, decklids and rear fenders all interchange. My avatar is a front shot of mine. Side shot shows chop with drip rails. It has custom touches but certainly not a taildragger, more rod. It's been all over the country from coast to coast and border to border