Hot Rods 1940 FORD COUPE VALUE

Not nosey but I see your 38, married and your wife bought you the first pickup. It says you have built others and if you’re doing it in Alaska your well aware of what it’s going to take. I’m also ***uming you have a shop garage where you can do all of it out of the weather.
The nicest thing to me is your not wearing rose colored gl***es and you feel it’s not beyond your talent or you would not be asking what you should pay. You also say you have continued to do F-1’s and sold them. Is that you plan with this coupe?
As stated parts are available so my opinion is “as cheap as you can”. If someone else steps up with more and you don’t get it; it’s not a loss just it was not meant to be.. no more or no less..
Another question? Is being an electrician in Anchorage lucrative? ....... makes a difference. Good luck

 

Here is a shot of my first '34. I bought it on the cheap (for a '34) I built is as I could afford to buy parts and did all the work myself.



I could never have afforded to buy the car all in one shot and I don't believe in taking on debt so there is no other way I could have done it other than piece by piece.

Here she is done.



20 years ago we would have kept walking right on by that '40. Twenty years from now it will be considered a cream puff. My advise is to be honest with your skill level and budget then make the decision that is right for you. Just remember that if you don't buy it, I'm going to call you a girly man.

-Abone.

 

Last year after I sold my 32 5 window I started looking for a 40 coupe. Found a nice running/driving rust free California car in LA. It cost a little more but it was worth it. I got it home and made a few changes and now I have a really nice car. I've built close to 40 cars in the last 50 years and feel that I saved money buying this car over starting with one like your looking at. Just go to E-Bay and look up 40 Ford coupe. There's quite a few finished cars listed and many of them are priced right.

 

maybe I am wrong but drip rails are the big go or no go for me . from what I am seeing finished 40 ford prices are down from when I built my car. parts have doubled in price.

 

Gauges, seats, trim, etc. are not really needed to be original for a hot rod.

 

That car looks pretty complete and relatively straight/solid to me. If I wanted to build a '40 coupe, I'd be all over this one.

The point a lot of guys here seem to miss is, you buy a project because you want to build a project. That's the fun/entertaining part. Not because it's a cheaper way to get into a finished car.

No one buys a jigsaw puzzle because it's a cheaper way to get a picture of a barn.

 

I have three hot rods and no where close to $1000 speedo in any of them. All work perfectly.

 

Well put. I'll have to remember that one!

 

This place cracks me up sometimes. If this was a 32 found upside down in a ditch most of you guys would be all over it encouraging the buyer to get it “IT NEEDS TO SAVED!!” Replacement panels are cheap they would say.

 

Depends on how cool the barn is. The problem is, mine only came with 5 pieces. If that thing is priced at 3 grand, it would of already have been sold by now, if not, nobody knows about it yet. The HAMB has officially changed. Take a lone out and buy a better one. You guys need to get off your but and go do something. He`s not 70 like the rest of you. He`s 38.

 

If you have the skills, money, time, and p***ion, go for it.

 

After a lot of opinions, what is the asking price?

We are reading from some that $3,000 is too much and from others that it is worth over $10,000. So, where does this car fall?

 

Know this car and the involved characters - it's located near me - do they say they have it running now ?

 

Paid about $6500 for my 1939 coupe but it was pretty solid with out a motor but I wanted a 39 coupe over a 40 and it came from a Air Force buddy of my dad's. 39/40's are a lot like tri 5 Chevy's - they are always in demand. With a few posters here on the price $3500 to maybe $5000 - you really need to be looking at it in person. The pictures aren't that great as to the floors frame - like most have said. Good luck which ever route you take.

 

Update on the 40 Coupe. Thank you all for the great feedback and opinions. I took a really good look at it on Monday, and found that it will need new floor pans, which I can do. We agreed on $3,500 and it is now mine. It certainly helps that I have a running drivetrain in my 39 4 door donor sedan. Now, I will just need to decide whether I will do an amateur restoration, or drive it as is with the patina. I attached pictures of my donor. The flathead and toploader have been rebuilt and the ch***is is all plumbed and has a new fuel tank as well. I will more thank likely just swap bodies

 

He had a lot of the trim, headlights, talents, hood latch, etc

 

Enjoy it. looks like a nice project.

 

Depends on your wallet, desire, skill set and..........work space. Your going to need ample work space to do that car especially in you region. 40’s are desirable.

 

Have fun with your new 40. They are in my opinion the best looking of the prewar Fords. Looks like you are off to a great start

 

looks like you got a good deal that and you can swap bodies and have a good drivetrain.









l

 

yes, my workspace is a little better. that picture was still at his place

 

Glad you got it

 

We look forward to the build. Good luck.

 

I saw that you had the '39 to use as a parts car and thought that it would help out a lot. You will have a nice car.

 

Sounds like a good plan!

 

If you're buying, you're best to wait a couple of months for the crash when everything will be on sale.

 

That seems like a bargain to me.

 

Thanks for updating us.
I think you did well, and your idea of swapping body’s is definitely the best way to go.

 

Yea!!!! I'm glad you got it. 3500 is a great deal on the car. Sure it will need floors and rockers, but the rest of the car looks super solid.

Make sure and check out the '40 Ford Anniversary thread.
Hot Rods - Let's have our own 80th anniversary event for the 40 ford... | The H.A.M.B. (jalopyjournal.com)

Congratulations and don't forget to post lots of pics.

-Abone.

 

My guess is you will have at least $20K into it, and hundreds of hours work. If that is satisfactory I am at $2500