Yeah Chris, that's what I was thinking about the crossmember. Supposedly the fella that had it all those years had a 34 and a 36 that he raced some, both of which are long gone. So I don't know if some of that stuff belonged to this car or was on the others. The interior had been cheesily done in a red and black, but back in that time it was probably pretty cool. Thanks, Ron
1939 was the last year of the convertible coupe (or maybe it's coupe convertible), thus the last year there was really room for a rumble seat. Nice find. Good luck with it.
I think I see SBC engine brackets to the right of the headlight bezels in post #7. That car is awesome. The rumble seat is very cool. Congrats.
That part number on the NOS fender starts with "01A" which means its a 1940 fender. Should fit but you may see some differences in trim/mounting holes. Convert rear fenders are slightly different than the coupe.....post any part numbers you see on them and we may be able to confirm those.
Great find. You'll find that the dash is different on open cars and the woody because it's a different cowl. 39's are great because it was the last year for the rumble seat, floor shift, wide 5 wheels, non sealed beam headlights, vent less door glass, and a couple of things I can't remember right now.
I would love to have a 39 conv. The rumble seat is the only downer for me, much rather have a trunk. One of the fiberglass replicas has a deck lid, not sure which though. What a great find for you. Congrats.
Thanks for that info. This tag was wired onto one of the fenders and its so dried out that it fell off when I picked the fender up to load it. I honestly don't remember which one it was on though. I also found this never installed temp gauge/sender. As mentioned earlier, there was a new front crossmember laying on the frame under the hood. Were those available from Ford back then? I couldnt find any markings on it.
That is a great find. You could still buy parts for those at the dealer up into the mid 60's I believe. Back when dealers kept parts for older models on the shelf a lot longer than they do now and it wasn't a novelty to see a 30 year old car in the service department. From the exhaust pipes it looks like a previous owner had stuck a 265 or early 283 in it. Probably not long after they came out.
That is a cool 5K rpm tach. Send that to Williams for a restoration and conversion. If you need a flathead for it, I got one down here in San Antone.
Trade the NOS fenders, etc. to a restorer/collector for a Flathead. Paint the engine compartment semi black. Drive it. I bet you'll get some serious offers from restorers and Hot Roddders alike on the car.
Yeah, that's a thought. I'm not sure exactly what I will do yet. All four fenders on the car are super solid but have been nerfed, dinged, scraped, etc. from its early life. I was thinking along the lines of just buffing the old cracked up paint and as you said, drive it! Hang the fenders up on the wall if in fact I decided to go through it completely some day. I know if I start down that slippery slope of fixing all the issues it has, next thing ya know, I'll have the body off the frame. I would rather just enjoy the fact that I wouldn't have to worry about scratchin it up like it is. The floors are in pretty sad shape compared to the rest of the car, but that's probably due to being a ragtop and who knows it most likely sat out in its early days. Thanks to all for the good words about the car. Ron
Never ever blow vacuum rat or mice droppings out anywhere. They carry hantavirus and it attacks the respiratory system, gives you 105˚ fever and attacks the urinary tract. If you blow them out the virus becomes airborne and you breathe it in. Always wear gloves and N95 or better particulate mask. I had it four times and my useless quack just brushed it off as a cold. When I finally figured what it might be I freaked - one in three people who get it die from it. The CDC classified it first in 1993. http://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/ IMHO a sympathetic resto rod approach would best retain the high value of what to me is one of the nicest convertibles out there - far more visually balanced than the 1940 vert with it's oversize sail panel and huge blind spot when the top is up. Hopped up flatty or maybe a Ford 302/351W with an AOD if you want to put a lot of miles on it. I have that combo in my '40 Sedan Delivery and it is great Freeway driver. My 02c FWIW....
Thanks for the heads up on the rat turds. I had it outside in a strong crosswind and made sure to be careful where I stood.
What a great find! Thanks for sharing the joy of bringing it home. I totally agree with Weasel side by side a '39 Convertable is so much nicer than a '40. The clean up along with a rebuilt flathead will have you on the road by this time next year. Bob
Ping me if you have any questions, or can't identify a part. I know these cars well. Hard to tell., but the dash is a 39, but not the conv't judging by the glove box. First do an inventory of parts on hand and take lots of pictures along the way.
Great car!!! I really like the direction you are going, leave it and drive it. I love the red firewall and dash, the pin stripping is awesome. You have the real deal here. The motor mounts in the pictures (post 7) are 55-57 chevy mounts, I'd guess like the others it had a 265 or 283. That's why those bolts are on the crossmember. That's pre-Hurst motor mounts, car was likely built in the mid-fifties. Wasn't there a black & red interior combo for '57 chevy's? I don't think you could go wrong with a flatty or early sbc, 3 deuces. My forty is far from perfect, I pile the kids in it and don't sweat the little feet and sticky fingers. We have a blast! They could care less if it had a sbc or flatty, nice paint or dings. Get it running and take you granddaughter out for a ride! TJJ on iPhone
Excellant Find! Maybe I missed it being posted, but the license plate has the number 1939. Was that the plate that was issued? Clean it, motor it, drive it, enjoy it!
Thanks, man. Cool 40 you have there.Is that a sun tach transmitter up there on the firewall or something else? There was one of those in the boxes of stuff I got with it. That pic of you and the kids is awesome!
Here is the best part of this whole deal in my opinion. I still have my dad around at 86 yrs old he was almost as excited as me to get it all home. He showed up this morning said he thought he would do some cleaning on the chrome top bows. Now how cool is that?
That is so awsome that reminds me of why im into the 1950s and older mostly because of my Grandpa hes allways trying to help me on what ever antiques I get and theres nothing in the world more important then lerning the old ways from are parents and Grand parents. Great pictures love the way you have her great job Flatheads all the way 100% cant wait to see the way she turns out
Great find! Below is picture of my grandfather with his 39 vert when he got back from WWII. Hope to have one in my garage one day!!!
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