So I was watching a segment on early moonshiners presented within the Larry the cable guy show called " Only in America" They showed the rear suspension set up on a 1946 or so Ford Liquor hauler. The rear spring had leaves added and was wrapped in a sheathing material. They also pointed out the home made track bar system installed. The car also ran an early Cadillac motor with three dueces. The 40 ford coupe I picked up last summer has a very similar suspension set up with a home fabricated track bar or locator bar. Mine also has added leaves that are wrapped. The coupe has a 371 Olds motor and a 1950 Olds ******. While I think by the year 1950 or so they were using newer bodies than a 40 model it does make me wonder about the history of this car. I bought tthe car from the west coast area. I know this really does not indicate much about the history. The coupe rides way rough but smooths out nicely when some weight is added to the trunk area. I saw a woody wagon a friend has with more leaves that are also wrapped. Did Ford do this to protect or hold lubricant on the spring?
The rear spring that came on the unfinished restoration '40 coupe I bought had an NOS rear spring that was wrapped in thin metal and had a grease zerk so it could be lubed just like any other suspension component. The explanation for your car being modifed like you describe could be nothing other than the result of an everday hot rodder beefing things up to take whatever abuse he intended to put it through. Frank
Go with the bootlegger story;far more interesting knowing the the car could possibly have been complicit in the illicit. Adds character.
One thing is for sure, when you drive this coupe set up the way it is you get to expierence how it was to drive an early ford coupe with marginal brakes and three times the power it was built for. It is fun to drive. While not vey fast by todays standards or well balanced like a modern performance car it will definately haul ***!
Doesn't help you with any of the questions about your car, but your post reminds me of a story. My father hitchhiked his way from Point A to Point B many times during his Army days ('37-'46 and again from '48-'50). He told about one time he caught a ride back to Ft. Benning with a moonshine runner in a souped up '40 Ford coupe. The shine runner had a load to deliver, but he was a WWI vet who wasn't about to p*** up a soldier on the side of the road. He delivered Daddy to Ft. Benning before delivering the shine to Phenix City.
Somewhere I have a real old one gallon can of Ford brand spring leaf grease. It has the large Ford logo on the front of the can.
Very cool memory. It seems the really unique and memorable things in life come at you when you least expect it.
i have a chisel like tool that has a zerk fitting in it, when a spring is squeeky you hammer it between the leaves and pump grease in. the wrapping holds the grease in place. i have seen them wrapped with leather.
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