Having been on the HAMB for quite a number of years thanks to the original invitation by Utah hot rod `n custom guru Mickey Ellis, I thought it might be fun to share this story from spud country - Idaho. During our Boise Roadster Show in early March, builder Tim Wallace rolled into the Expo Idaho facility driving this cool 1940 Ford pickup on move-in day. Unknown to any of us New boys (principally me and my two brothers John and Brad), he and my father Bill had been working on this for a couple of years. He took us by total surprise. All of us have hot rodding in our bloodlines since we were just little tikes. The real gut check in the whole ordeal was that our father passed away in February, just a few weeks before getting an opportunity to show us the build in person. Since I've never initiated a post before, I just thought this might be cool to share. Having read so many intriguing stories over the past umpteen years, this was one I thought fit the spirit of what this hobby is all about. Scott View attachment 2160464 `40 has a `41 hood. View attachment 2160465 The doors feature a pair of original 1968 Firebird Raceway logos. View attachment 2160466 Bed cover was fabricated by Aaron and Gale Sasser in Boise View attachment 2160467 Conservative Flathead set up gives it an ol' school feel.
I may not be a guru, but lucky for you I do know how to post photos. Pickup looks great! what a cool story. Mick
Well, thanks to Mickey for helping a "posting" beginner with photos. The `36 bumper was something Dad specified and had to be shaped to look right.
Question - do the `40 and `41 hoods have the same sheetmetal? Of course recognizing that there are certainly differences in trim and the logo badge on the side of the hood? Thought it might be cool to have two different hoods, but not sure how hard it might be to track down a nice `40 hood for it. Scott
Yes the hoods are the same. The badges and the nose piece are different as well as the cats whiskers. You can make the 41 hood into a 40 hood by filling some holes and buying the right trim.
Thanks for the clarification on the hood. That's what I thought, but figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. Scott
Scott, What a great surprise for you boys, and just another example of Bill's true Hot Rod roots and passion for the 40 Ford. Can't believe he won't be there for my visit to the Swap next month. Thinking of all the family and the entire New Crew at this sad time. Mark's got a bonnet here, but won't fit in the airline luggage. Sorry mate.
Good to hear you'll be making it over for the Firebird Swap Meet on the 12th. We look forward to seeing you then. Scott
Suspension is dropped axle front and parallel leaf in the rear. The rear kit is one one of ours and we were honored to be able to assist Tim with the entire suspension part of the build. Posted using the Full Custom intergalactic wave link.
Pickup now runs quite well. Had to have Tim Wallace replace the fuel tank with a new one after finding out the original had been coated sometime in its life and started sending pieces of the coating into the fuel pump. In addition, we replaced the fuel pump, and put in a new down spout from fender to tank, just to make sure we don't encounter issue again down the road. Sure glad Dad decided the truck needed to retain the flat motor. It really does perform and sound just right. I'm beginning to think I like the pickup better than my `40 convertible, but then again each has their own personality and character.
A little late to the party but here are the differences between a 40 and 41 pickup. 1. As mentioned the hood. 2. the dash.. A 40 dash is stamped in the center and a chrome script"Ford" in attached. A 41 dash is flat and a chrome rectangle is applied with "Ford" stamped in it. 3. 40 tailgate has a V8 stamped under the word Ford. A 41 does not because both 4 and 6 cylinder engines were available in 41. The 41 tailgate in one year only. In 42 the bed was widened about two inches. Many folks have manufactured 40 pickups using later cabs. The easiest way to tell is look at the dash. Most don't bother to put a raised center into their creation! Rule of thumb, if the dash is flat in is not a 40 cab. Another way to tell is the gas filler. If the filler is on the passenger side behind the door the cab is a 42 or newer.
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