Hot Rods '40 pickup - what would you do with it?

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Yep.^^^^^^^

Maybe some 5 spokes.....

 

Here's a reference pic for red oxide and black steelies for you



But I'd just paint your rims black, put on the hood and drive it

 

The stance is perfect IMHO. if you keep the spots, chrome reverse wheels, no spots, any wheel you want. Nerf bars would be reet ! Hood on. You are where I wish my rusty pile could be. and or God's sake, no black with red wheels,been done to death

 

killer little pick em up gotzy. Its right on the money.

 

I agree wholeheartedly. Unless of course you want to donate it to me, then I'm all for that.

 

Well you wanted opinions. The pole says no spot lights. I agree. I dont agree with red oxide paint or steelie wheels. Been done over, and over, and over, and over. Do something alittle differnt. Do a silver fade into black with some big and littles. Make it look fast standing still. How about side pipes or stacks? A black interior with diamond pattern would be cool.

 

speedyjones,
First off, I love your truck, probably because Im partial to 40-41 Ford pickups. As far as paint, I dig mother nature's patina. If you do paint your truck I would definately go with a flat, I like your navy blue idea, I would probably lose the spots, there cool on customs, but I think you going for more the shop truck theme, (either way, no big deal just me.) Your wheels look cool, maybe photoshop some different colors and see what they look like. Im in the same deal you are about running a hood, in my opinion 40's look neat with & without hoods, very nice truck, and by the way did anyone mention, drive the legs off it......................

Later,
Billy

 

love the truck and the louvered hood... but hate the hood latches. I say leave it alone and fix the small stuff and drive it.

If you want to get rid of that hood I'll put it to good use.

T

 

i'd give it to me,but if you want to keep it i like working the interior like was mentioned...

 

I think it looks great as is. I would probably restore the interior to the way it was done up when it was built into the tow rig and leave the rest alone. Cool truck with a cool history.

 

So, after reading all the input here and carefully thinking this one over, here is what we're going to do:

Outside - Leave the body alone, except put the hood back on (it was louvered recently by Gene Winfield, as PoPo mentioned, after all.) I just have to recondition the old hinges, etc, first. And yes, I'll be ditching the model A latches. I'm not crazy about the spots, but we are going to finish rewiring them and keep em on there - for now. Oh, and I have to finish repairing the '39 Dlx grill and hood trim and re-install them.

Wheels - I have a set of old ford 15's with the backs reversed, and a set of old '55 dog dish caps. Not something you see often, so I'm going to try it. If I hate it, I'll probably go with the OEM chrome reverse wheels and blackwalls.

Interior - Make it nice: dash is actually in really good shape, with the original black laquer still looking good, so I am going to repaint and restore the interior to how it originally was: Oxblood seat (either roll/pleat or just flat like stock) and off white headliner and windlace around doors. Original gauges, steering wheel, etc. Maybe carpet, maybe just stock rubber floor mat.

Thanks for all the great suggestions! The input was really appreciated.

I agree. I think I am going to respect the truck's history and leave it alone - and drive the wheels off of it every chance I get.

They pretty much bolt right up with very little modification. Personally, I like the way they flow with the fender line as apposed to the stock '40 headlights. Subtle, but different.

I have to admit, this fact is very significant to me, and I keep it in mind. There is nothing like original, as-found condition, and it cannot be duplicated once it's painted over. For the hell of it, I've attached a picture of what it looked like the day I came to tow it home.

I added her permanantly last October - I married her! I'm a lucky guy - she works on our rods as much as I do and loves roadtripping to Viva, Primer Nats, Hot Rod Reunion, etc.

I attached a picture of her driving the truck on El Mirage dry lakes, doing around 100 mph or so . . .

 

Well said. I can't wait to see it with the new changes. I'm pulling mine halfway apart somewhat soon, gotta replace the cab corners. Make sure to update us, Good luck.

 

Leave the hood off and the spot light on

 

I would paint it. I think the patina look does not do it justice. The paint will change the look more than anything else you do so it is your choice but I think you are tired of the look or why else would you post this thread. Now the choice would be flat or shine type of paint.

 

The only reason to run a hood is to hide a sbc.

 

Drive it. Looks nice.

 

I've been*****ing around on mine for the last few years, hopefully it will be into primer this summer.

 

Thanks - it gets driven almost daily.

I'll throw some updates on this thread as I do some stuff to the truck, if anyone is interested.

 

Update: Took the front end off, repaired some stress cracks in the sheet metal, getting and making parts for better bracing, new heads and intake for the engine (and seriously thinking about yanking the small block and putting in a 292 Y block), welded up and painted the firewall, new front shock mounts, new steering box . . . now to get it back together and drive it!

Put on '40 wheels w/ v8 caps, louvered hood is going on and staying on, and - for the first time - an interior. Leaving the bullet holes alone, though. I like 'em.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention, found another original '39 deluxe grill to go on it, and '39 hood pieces (the original owner had customized the truck with '39 Deluxe grill, headlights and trim back in the early-mid 50's).

Again, I'll update as things progress. Summer's almost here, dammit!

 

Your truck looks GOOD.I had winfield do my loovers on a 56 pickup i had.I need some on my forty pickup but its painted orange and i don't have any more paint. Exterminator

 

Love it ...good decision...

 

Ask that old dude holding the hood what you should do, he looks like he might know what he is doing........................

 

sell it to me...

 

I might build a pusher style front bumber for it. Yea I can hear the Booo's, but it would protect the grille and give it some working character.

 

body/paint & drive.

 

Your truck seems to be mechanically viable; that is to say, perfectly able to go where and when you want to go. Since you aren't sure what direction to go, I would say you're not ready yet. Drive and have fun. As you do that, the next step becomes obvious.

 

Actually, I've been giving that serious consideration since there are several race cars in the club (four gassers and one FED). I kinda like the idea.

 

Here is how it looked before I took it apart (again). This was for a story on our car club and photo shoot for a magazine I'd rather not give the name of. But hey, it's really cool they're giving our club some ink sometime this summer. This is basically what it will look like on the outside when back together, but with a '39 grill and trim again and much, much better panel fitment. I hope.

 

Looking good, don't alter it too much after all it is a survivor!

 

50s style hot rod, what could be better.