The reason for starting this thread is that i like the old build threads, the ones on forums like this where you can follow a build easy without missing updates because of weird media flows like Facebook and others. Also i want to support the HAMB and hopfully inspire someone. So, this April i bought a 39 ford convertible. Ive had alot of old cars but not a real convertible so i made a deal on this one. The car was all "original" besides a dropped front axle, disc brakes in front and super slide leafsprings. Original 85hp flathead and stock trans/rear axle was all there. The car looks great in pics and were ready to drive but was a 70s "restoaration" with rivited floor/trunk and alot of bondo.
At first i just wanted to drive the car, it ran great and smooth, got the spidercaps off and mounted some Oldsmobile caps. It had a mild hot-rod stance with 8,20 in the rear an 5,60 in front.
I know there is alot of Flathead guys out there but im NOT one of them, i want some more power and better highway speed. So the plan is a 283 with th350 and a 8 inch rear axle. I got a 283 and 8 rear with the car when i bought it but the 283 was sadly locked up an needed a total rebuild so i got another 283 instead. Also, a big must have for this one was some skirts. Found a nice pair in Norway and started to make plans for the look of the car. First i mounted some 6,70-15 instead of the 8,20/5,60 then i took the rear spring out and laid the original rear axle against the rubbers just to see what kind of stance it would get. Of course i wanted the taildragger look.
Thank you, i think this is the only car ive had who is good looking from every angle in stock appearance.
As i said earlier there is alot of body work on this one. Removed the rear fenders an started on the inner fenders. The hole for the filler neck isent cut out yet.
Took the old rear axle out and everything that had to do with the original rear suspension. Bought a paralell leaf spring kit fron Posies, i think this is the only one with the front mounts on the inside of the frame witch makes it lower. I also mounted 2 inch lowering blocks i had layin around, these will probably be swapped for 4 inch blocks. The ford 8 that i got with the car was a litte to narrow so i might go for another wider one to get the wheels a bit further out. As you can se i also cut all of the trunk floor out, it was just rust and rivited plates.
The old trunk floor was still there under a big rivited plate (see pic) but it was totally rusted out and nothing could be saved. The original reinforcement that sits under the trunk floor and bolted to the frame was shot and the ends was cracked and the hole rear body was saggin about 1/2 inch. Made a new reinforcement in thicker material than original and bolted it in place. You can se the angle in the bottom of the reinforcement that follows the angle of the frame. Raised the rear body to the right location and welded the reinforcement to the inner fenders so the body got some support and strength.
Tail pan was mostly rust, bondo and dents so it had to go. Found a EMS tailpan for 39-40 coupe, some cutting and it fitted good enough.
Beautiful car . It is in good hands now and Your making it a solid car once again. Thank you for sharing
Yesterday i pulled the engine and trans, actually i was in no hurry to get it out before the trunk was done but i sold the original drivetrain a couple weeks ago and the guy who bought it is coming by in 1,5 weeks to pick it up. Dident have to take the hood off but had to take the trans off to get the engine out.
@John 79 so glad you started a build thread here, I can see why you bought this car & am loving the direction you are headed in, & thanks to @Ryan for featuring your thread in the Blog to get us here.
Long shakles skirts dual pipes out the back and 48 Ford bumpers will make it look great. I've cut the rear bumper slots in the rear pan, it's not hard go up the middle and across like a "T" then fold the bottoms back , the top use 2 more cuts and form the half circle using a socket wrench thats the right radius. Go Man the car is very cool. I have a 39 convertible sedan chopped with a carson top so I recommend chop and Carson too. JW Here's mine. Re: 1939 ford Aol/Sent A photo of John with the car taken in 2017. Photo courtesy of John Williamson. Photo courtesy of John Williamson. Photo courtesy of John Williamson. Photo courtesy of John Williamson. Photo courtesy of John Williamson. Photo courtesy of John Williamson. 1940 Ford Convertible Sedan owned and restyled by John Williamson of Sunland, California. John's Ford was assembled from parts and pieces using a steel roof four-door sedan and tub parts from Miguel Torres. In 2017 John told Kustomrama that he cut the sedan apart leaving the cowl and the lower quarter panels, "then I added the convertible sedan windshield, doors seat back with the tub supports and tub doors and latches. I had to use the door bottoms from the sedan to fix the tub door bottoms. I round the decklid top corners and peaked the hood with the last part used to unlatch the stock 40 hood latch. Then I built the Carson Top frame from an original tub top assy, skinned it with aluminum and then hard foam and upholstery by North Hollywood Upholstery. I plan to paint it 41 Chevrolet Ruby Maroon and do the interior like the original Ray Vega tub in light tan with the seat tops embossed with the tooled flower pattern."[1] References Jump up↑ John Williamson Did you enjoy this article? Kustomrama is an encyclopedia dedicated to preserve, share and protect traditional hot rod and custom car history from all over the world. Help us keep history alive. For as little as 2.99 USD a month you can become a monthly supporter. Click here to learn more. Subscribe to our free newsletter and receive regular updates and stories from Kustomrama. Do you know someone who would enjoy this article? Click here to forward it. Can you help us make this article better? Please get in touch with us at mail@kustomrama.com if you have additional information or photos to share about John Williamson's 1940 Ford. This article was made possible by: SunTec Auto Glass - Auto Glass Services on Vintage and Classic Cars Finding a replacement windshield, back or side glass can be a difficult task when restoring your vintage or custom classic car. It doesn't have to be though now with auto glass specialist companies like www.suntecautoglass.com. They can source OEM or OEM-equivalent glass for older makes/models; which will ensure a proper fit every time. Check them out for more details! Do you want to see your company here? Click here for more info about how you can advertise your business on Kustomrama. On Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 04:35:00 PM PST, Ron Mayes <myj181@gmail.com> wrote: Sent from my iPhone anyway to send more pics very interested thanks Ronnie
My Dad died back in '98 but I'm sure he'd approve 100%. This shot was in the early 1940s of him and his ragtop.
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